DIY fork bag solution for city/gravel commuting: my Tailfin + Lidl hack

Sharing my pursuit of the perfect fork bag and a budget-friendly custom set-up 🙂

After searching high and low for the ideal fork bag for my city and gravel bike, I had three main requirements:

• It had to be easily removable, with a mount that doesn’t take up much space or create extra drag—essential for longer weekend rides.
• I wanted the flexibility to quickly swap between a small and large bag, depending on my needs.
• The bag needed to comfortably fit my laptop and a clean shirt for work commutes.

I’ve tested all sorts—handlebar baskets and bags, saddle and under-seat options—but most compromise the sheer enjoyment of riding.

Then I came across Tailfin’s fork mount. The mount was spot on, but their fork bag was a bit too small for my daily commute. So, I got creative:

• I bought the Tailfin conversion kit for €65 and paired it with a basic 5kg bag from Lidl for €10. The Lidl bag is twice as wide as the largest Tailfin offering, but not much taller, making it a brilliant fit for my needs—and a slight “off-label” hack.

Honestly, at least for me it’s a perfect match—the Lidl bag’s dimensions seem tailor-made for this conversion, and everything fits just right.

I doubt this is what Tailfin’s designers had in mind for the conversion kit, but it works a treat for me!

For longer rides, when I need to carry more, I switch back to the standard 10L Tailfin front fork bag, just to avoid putting too much strain on the mount.

My only real wish is that Tailfin offered a steel version of the mount—I’m not fussed about the weight, as my Marin frame is steel anyway!

Would love to hear if anyone else has tried a similar hack, or has recommendations for sturdy, versatile fork bag mounts.

Hugs from Poland !