Detour High Tail bags?

**Grog** · 05-10-2009, 09:37 PM

Has anyone used those?

My husband is looking for something to carry a bit more gear on his race bike that we're taking across the pond to cycle in France this June. He does NOT want anything like a Carradice (or similar) bag.

He would need to carry a light pair of shoes and the usual stuff (light jacket, a bit of food, etc.). I have a 15 litres Carradice bag so it looks like I'll be the one carrying the wine!!

Insight?

**SadieKate** · 05-10-2009, 09:49 PM

Love mine. I have two, both the ULP version (as does TrekHawk) and what I think was the previous version of the Bob Tail. It looks like the High Tail but is the dimension of the Bob Tail.

It is very sturdy and doesn't wag with weight. Easy to get stuff out of. The bungee cord on top is great. And it comes off the bracket very easily so you can haul it inside stores.

http://detours.us/index.php?cPath=33

**Grog** · 05-11-2009, 06:10 AM

Thanks SK, that's all we needed!

**Catrin** · 08-23-2010, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

Love mine. I have two, both the ULP version (as does TrekHawk) and what I think was the previous version of the Bob Tail. It looks like the High Tail but is the dimension of the Bob Tail.

It is very sturdy and doesn't wag with weight. Easy to get stuff out of. The bungee cord on top is great. And it comes off the bracket very easily so you can haul it inside stores.

http://detours.us/index.php?cPath=33

Would this be large enough to carry nutrition for a long ride, a jacket, and the normal tools?

Do you think it would fit on a bike with only 2.5 inches seat post showing? I have 26 inch tires on my LHT.

This is attractive to me, just wondering if it is large enough to fit my needs/ I have a call into the company, but haven't yet heard from them. Apparently they have had a change - perhaps the company has been sold - but the number on the website just gets you to someone who gives another number to call.

They have the green and pink on sale

Of course I want the blue...which is out of stock

but I need to find out first if this will even work for me.

**beccaB** · 08-23-2010, 08:46 AM

I have one of those bags, a smaller one. I don't think you can use them with a carbon seat post. I'm waiting for a shipment from them, that should have gotten here by now. starting to wonder where it is.

**Catrin** · 08-23-2010, 08:55 AM

I do wonder if they have been bought out...

**mauisher** · 08-23-2010, 10:05 AM

I used one of these bags on my across USA ride last year and it worked ok for those days when I used it (bad weather...to carry rain gear, etc). On the plus side: it is light, carries a rain jacket, warm gloves and additional snacks, is easy to take on & off, the seatpost clamp is unobtrusive, the bungee cord on top is convienient to quickly stash a jacket, etc. On the negative side: it has a low top weight limit of around 5 pounds and you cannot use a carbon seat post (I changed mine to an aluminum one because of the warnings about safety). Also, if you have a small frame you cannot use the regular size...so I purchased the small one for my 52 cm frame. For my occasional use on this trip, the bag met my needs.

**Crankin** · 08-23-2010, 11:53 AM

Catrin I used the smaller one on my 47 cm Trek 5200, although I am not really sure if DH switched out the carbon seat post, despite all of the warnings. I had that bike when I first started commuting and you would not believe how much stuff one can get in there. I once rolled up a stretchy t shirt dress, underwear, and make up in there. DS now has it on his steel Serotta and it works great for him.

**Kathi** · 08-23-2010, 04:07 PM

I got the pink ULP for my 2 weeks of touring in Wisconsin in July. I regularly carry a Cliff bar, 2 tubes, tire iron, my inhaler, cell phone, ID, small camera, small container of Accelerade, bag rain cover inside and rain gear (jacket and pants) on the outside. Saturday, for my ride down Vail pass I stuffed arm and leg warmers in it.

My bike is 48 cm with 650c wheels. My seatpost has 3" showing and I have 1.5" of space showing with the seatpost attachment on.

In the past, when I needed lots of gear I carried a backpack. Now I use this bag and 2 water bottles.

**Catrin** · 08-23-2010, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the comments, they are helpful.

I have less than 3 inches of seat post showing from where the seat post curves beneath the saddle - it sounds like the High Tail was made for something like this.

Am also considering a regular rack - I've 9 inches between the top of my tire and the bottom of my saddle. Not having had a rack before, do I need to be concerned about that space? It seems small, especially when looking at some dimensions I've seen for rack trunks.

For whatever reason I seem to like the trunks better than panniers. I especially like this one from Detours but I note that it is 12 inches high and I do wonder if it would get in the way?

Curious to hear what others have to say about this with more experience.

**LilBolt** · 08-23-2010, 08:08 PM

I have one & have used it for commuting when I decide to leave the commuter at home & take my road bike to work. My seatpost is short & has a setback. If I really load up the trunk, or if it slips down even a skosh, it does drag on my rear wheel.

**GLC1968** · 08-24-2010, 08:48 AM

Catrin - I have two. One is small that I use for all regular road rides (it's the size of a large under seat bag) and then I have a bigger one like the one pictured that I used for the first time this past weekend. We did the Crater Lake Century and it was cold when we started out, so I wanted more room to stash clothing, food and my full-sized camera. I had PLENTY of room and could easily have carried more! I loved it. Big thumbs up from me (and I also ride a small frame without much seatpost showing)....

That is my jacket tucked under the bungie cord on top. I do have a non-carbon seat post, by the way.

**Catrin** · 08-24-2010, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by GLC1968

Catrin - I have two. One is small that I use for all regular road rides (it's the size of a large under seat bag) and then I have a bigger one like the one pictured that I used for the first time this past weekend. We did the Crater Lake Century and it was cold when we started out, so I wanted more room to stash clothing, food and my full-sized camera. I had PLENTY of room and could easily have carried more! I loved it. Big thumbs up from me (and I also ride a small frame without much seatpost showing)....

That is my jacket tucked under the bungie cord on top. I do have a non-carbon seat post, by the way.

The picture helps a lot, thanks! You certainly do not have more seat-post showing than I do. This is looking more and more like it will fit my needs, am waiting to see what feedback I get on the rack vs seat-post bag thread.

**GLC1968** · 08-24-2010, 09:19 AM

Oh, I forgot to mention...I have a rack on my other bike because I regularly carry a pannier on it and it only gets used for rain rides or commuting. This bike is my 'go fast' road bike, but it's also super comfortable for me, so I like to take it when I do longer rides. This system is great because of the flexiblity - one minute I've clipped it off to ride in a tri, the next I've clipped it back on for a group ride...then with just another clip, I can put the larger bag on it to carry extra water for those hot rides out in the country with no support. Plus, the little clip thing can be mounted on multiple bikes so that if you just want to switch your bag from one to the next, it's super easy.

I also like that is has NO velcro anywhere after I lost a pair of brand new shorts to the dreaded velcro rub on a different seat bag.

For heavier loads though, a rack would probably be better.

Thread: Detour High Tail bags?

Thread Tools

Display

Detour High Tail bags?

Posting Permissions