Tailfin took a different approach with their latest show bike, using a single design brief: slow bikepacking. Check out their Singular Peregrine with a full waxed-canvas kit designed by Tailfin’s “R&D Kitchen” here…

Tucked beside the kitchen at the company’s headquarters in Bristol, England, Tailfin’s prototyping workshop primarily develops new gear for its R&D division and roster of ultra-endurance athletes. But a couple of times a year, the team takes on an “R&D Kitchen” project with no commercial goals or expectations. These exercises are all about creative freedom, experimentation, and having fun without the usual constraints of product development.

Tailfin’s typical design briefs prioritize going lighter and faster, but this project took the opposite approach. The team imagined a bikepacking trip centered on slowing down, enjoying the stops, and bringing along a few luxuries. “I’d rather take the extra weight and have all the lovely things,” explained Molly, Tailfin’s Head of Soft Goods Prototyping.

The resulting kit includes a custom front bag for a film camera (complete with a pocket for a paper map), an insulated pannier for cold beers and picnic supplies, and a dedicated bag for a compact espresso maker. The frame bag was also reimagined with flip-top closures instead of zippers and vertical compartments accessible while riding. Other kit essentials include a sketchbook, watercolors, fishing rod, Helinox chair, and towel for spontaneous swimming stops.

The inspiration came from 1960s photographs of Japanese touring bikes and the French constructeur tradition, where frames, racks, and bags were designed as a cohesive system. Built around the new Singular Peregrine Mk5, the project offers a distinctly British interpretation of classic touring design.

The Peregrine was first introduced in 2008, combining wide tires, drop bars, and disc brakes on a traditional lugged steel frame long before gravel bikes became a category. The latest version retains that character, pairing British and Japanese components with Tailfin’s interpretations of two touring staples: low-mounted front panniers and a randonneur-style handlebar bag.

Both bags are made from British waxed canvas that develops character with age and use the same mounting hardware found in Tailfin’s performance-oriented products. The team also drew inspiration from Bristol tailor David Darby Minns, who shared vintage tailoring references, waxed jackets, and fly-fishing imagery to help shape the aesthetic.

Although the setup isn’t intended for production, Tailfin expects some of its ideas to influence future designs. For a closer look at the project and the thinking behind it, check out the full blog post here.

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