Active Gear Review is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
When it comes to hauling snacks, tools, or a phone with questionable battery life on a long ride, a top tube bag can be a game changer…or a knee-rubbing, wobbly disaster. Enter the Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip 1.1L, a sleek, thoughtfully engineered solution from a company that’s made a name for itself in high-end, high-performance bikepacking gear. Tailfin, a UK-based brand known for its modular, ultra-stable bikepacking systems, brings aerospace-grade thinking to bike bags. This bag is no exception, with a unique design crafted from a proprietary UHI (ultra-high-impact) waterproof fabric, precision laser cutting, welded seams, and magnetic closures that feel supremely satisfying when compared to other top tube bags with zippers or velcro closures.
The Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip integrates nicely on a gravel bike
At 1.1 liters, it’s roomy enough for a day’s ride essentials but small enough to avoid looking like you’re riding the Continental Divide trail on your daily spin. This top tube bag (TTB) is designed to sit just above your top tube, attached via either bolts or included straps (although a front strap is not necessary – SCORE!), and features a clever hinge-open top for easy access. But how does it ride? Let’s break it down.
Functionality of the Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip: Flip, Grab, Ride
The magnetic “flip” lid of the Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip (pretty self-explanatory name) is the star of the show here. It’s smooth and oddly satisfying when re-latching as it has a pleasing ‘click’ to it. It’s easy to open one-handed while riding (hello mid-ride gummy bear grab), and it closes securely with a confident click as mentioned above. The lid doesn’t flop or shift, and the hinge design means the bag keeps its shape, no matter how often you reach into it. The one caveat to this clear ‘pro’ is that sometimes the lid wants to flip shut when you’re trying to utilize it one-handed. After some trial and error, this minor annoyance disappeared as I adjusted how I interacted with the bag.
Magnetic closure system
Speaking of the interior of the bag, there’s also a slim side pocket running the entire length of the TTB on the left side that’s perfect for loose credit cards, a phone, cash, etc. Basically, anything you want to keep secure and not mingle with your other less-than-important items. However, it’s ever-so-slightly difficult to remove and replace your phone quickly, as it can sometimes get hung up on the lip of the exterior material of the bag. Minor annoyance, but worth noting.
Empty Interior…mostly
Easily handles an Ornot MicroClimate Jacket along with a multi-tool, etc.
Knee rub? Nonexistent. Somehow, Tailfin cracked the code with the placement and shape of this thing. It’s narrow where it matters and doesn’t interfere with pedaling, even on out-of-the-saddle efforts. Adding to that, the fact that the bag has the little rubber gaskets on the bottom creates a bit of grip so the bag doesn’t bounce or slide around. Seriously, this used to be one of my biggest gripes about top tube bags…they just wouldn’t stay put. Not the case with the Tailfin.
Plenty of knee clearance during pedaling
The bag is also seriously weatherproof, thanks to the waterproof fabric, welded construction, and sealed lid, your electronics and snacks will stay dry even in a surprise downpour. That said, because the Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip doesn’t have zippers, water could, in theory, splash upward and make entry into the bag. Unlikely, but possible. There’s also a cable port if you’re running a battery pack or light, and reflective detailing adds visibility for night rides.
Cable port so you can charge all those fancy electronics
Oh, and the TTB doesn’t touch your frame directly, it’s raised slightly to avoid paint damage and frame rub, a detail so subtle and smart it almost feels like cheating…especially if you’ve ever removed a TTB to wash your bike only to find the tell tale signs of scratching and scoring from what I like to call ‘bag dance’ (i.e. too much bag movement on rough terrain.)
Versatility: Fit for All the Bikes
Tailfin designed the Flip 1.1L with a universal fit in mind, and it shows. Whether you’re riding a svelte carbon road bike, a gravel or touring beast, or a chunky mountain bike, this bag bolts on (or straps on) with no drama. The bag includes rubber-padded straps if you don’t have top tube bolts, and the underside is padded to protect your frame.
Its size is a sweet spot: enough room for a phone, wallet, toolkit, and some snacks, but not bulky. The tapered design means it stays out of the way, and the stiff internal structure prevents that dreaded “bag flop” that plagues cheaper alternatives, and also helps keep its shape when stuffed full.
Whether you’re gran fondo’ing or getting rowdy on singletrack, the Flip holds its shape, keeps quiet, and feels like it belongs without making a fuss about it.
Aesthetic: A Little High but Oh So Clean
Let’s address one of the few ‘cons’: it rides a bit high. Not “headlight-on-a-cruiser” high, but it does sit above your top tube more than some might be used to. That said, its actual height is right in line with other top tube bags, it just has a rigid structure and a deliberate raised design that makes it stand out and up (in a good way).
The lack of a front strap gives it a cleaner look than many competitors, especially if you use the bolt-on option. That missing front strap also means no steerer tube interference or dreaded creak from straps when turning the bars. The straps, when used, are functional and padded. But yes, they can look a little utilitarian. Not ugly, just very purpose-built. If your bike is all stealth and minimalism, this might stick out a bit. But if function and finish matter more to you than looking like a catalog model, this thing’s a winner.
Final Thoughts: The Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip is A Near-Perfect Ride Companion
The Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip 1.1L is what happens when someone actually thinks hard about how a top tube bag should work. It’s incredibly functional, thoughtfully designed, and built to last. The usability is top-notch, it stays put, and most importantly it doesn’t rub your knees or your frame. That’s a win in any cyclist’s book.
Might sound too good to be true? Well, all this awesome comes at a cost…and a relatively steep one. Coming in at $85 for a TTB is very clearly at the sharp end of the pricing stick. You can easily find bags for roughly half this price that get the job done, although with a bit more fuss and some missing functionality. That said, you get what you pay for.
The Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip also comes in a 1.5 liter size for those who want a little more space to carry their Thanksgiving dinner.
Rating: 9/10
Pros:
- Easy one-handed access
- No knee rub
- Zero wobble
- Doesn’t scratch your frame
- Legit waterproof
Cons:
- Pricey (but you get what you pay for)
If you’ve ever wanted your bike bag to feel like a tiny armored tank for your M&Ms, but also one that smiles back at you when you’re using it, this one’s for you. Learn more at tailfin.cc.