Old Man Mountain Axle Pack Review: Fork Cargo Reimagined

[@ryankennard6626]

It is an elegant solution to a well-known issue. However, it is a lot of money compared to my usual mounting option. I typically use hose clamps to secure salsa anything cages or water bottle cages to my fork. To keep it from spinning or scratching the fork, I wrap my suspension fork with old inner tube rubber at the contact points. It has very little weight, costs almost nothing, and hasn’t moved on any on my trips, including rocky singletrack.

[@jimiznhb]

Your solution sounds like about $30 ... Leaves me with $110 for Burritos :) That's a WIN!

[@robertkowton5875]

Great video. I have tested the Ortlieb fork mounts for suspension fork and worked great. I put a piece of electrical tape on each clmp to prevent the clamps from moving or getting caught by branch. I believe these Old Man Mountain fork mounts will work great left on with no cages and easily added when required. Fork mounts are huge if you have a small mtb frame opening or full suspension.

[@milesarbour2210]

Solid solution. It was cool checking these out at MADE last year in person and then seeing Neil use them out in the real-world on our Arizona bikepacking trip.

[@randallgd]

Two hose clamps, old inner tube, little duct tape and mount two beefy water bottle cages on a suspension fork. Just don't be stupid and way over tighten them and they will work for years. Bomber strong, light and cheap.

[@edprotas4148]

And it gets you there all the same.

[@pedalingnowhere]

And, proven to cause bushing striction (and ultimately early wear), even when clamped down lightly.

[@BradLong-bj2ug]

@@pedalingnowhere not if you do it right.

[@edprotas4148]

Neil - you do a fabulous job in testing/evaluating/describing it all. Thank you!

[@BigCountryOutdoors325]

Thanks for the review!! I’ve been waiting for one to show up before I dropped the cash for them. I already have an Elkhorn rack that I use, so I won’t have the added expense of the fit kit. I also have the Divide rack and they’ve both been great racks.

[@ShiftyJim]

I attempted to use these on a carbon fatbike fork (Trek Farley 2017) but because of a ridge running down the fork they didn’t sit flush. In addition, the worst part about these is having to remove the M5 bolts and lock washers to remove the front wheel. Those will easily get lost during a trail mechanical.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Hey Jim, Which of our pucks were you using? They should fit great on the Farley fork.

[@JakeLuke308]

A solid solution to an old problem. I have a 2017 Trek Stache 9.7 "carbon", that came with a Pike suspension fork. I then bought a Trek 1120 carbon fork with cage and fork mounts. When traveling I usually bring both forks and swap out as needed. It's not difficult, but the OMM fork pack mounts would streamline the process quite a bit. I'll seriously consider this option. Thanks Neil!

[@jiajunsun3845]

What shirt were you wearing at minute 2:30 of the video? Looks really good

[@grantrobinson7101]

Could you use tailfin fork clamps as the upper mounts,instead of the provided zip ties and plastic pucks?

[@michaelsojka1687]

I "think" this is a nice system. My frustration at this point is figuring out the installation. The guides Old Man provide probably work fine for someone more mechanically inclined that me or if you already know what you are doing, I am struggling. The good thing is that so far, Old Man support has been great holding my hand.

[@lowtechleon9874]

So if I have a quick release fork, is it possible to mount the rails onto an eyelet next to the quick release? The one that's designed for installing fenders...

[@simonlynch4204]

Any chance you could test this while fixing the top bolt to an existing eyelet on a fork? Most forks rate the max load at 3kg but shifting the weight to the axle is an advantage even on non-suspension forks with eyelets. I have dual eyelets on mine and I'd get a system like that if it meant I could carry say 3L of water per side...

[@boaz575]

Is there a pivot mach4 sl review on the way?

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Yes, in march.

[@Tancrad]

really was hoping OMM would release a fit kit for Surly. i have a divide that would be best suited on the axle of the Grappler rather than how i have it mounted currently.

[@williamlebron9873]

So if I had to take off the front wheel for whatever reason I would pretty much have to unashamed it to do so? 🤔 Yes or No?

[@VeloObscura]

I like the idea of getting the weight onto the already load-bearing thru-axle. I'm sure it's fine, but it does give me an icky feeling when I see people clamping things to suspension forks!

[@coreyreeder3549]

Kinda surprised that this solution didn’t exist already. Well done OMM.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Thanks. We had this one on the product list for years but got distracted by other more "exciting" products for the same reason you're surprised this didn't exist, haha!

[@thomasdwyer3342]

Cool, but that price for the axel and pack racks is basically equivalent to the Aeroe Spider Rack...and at least that includes a cradle.

[@taknname]

Not sure I'd want to attach a Spider rack to my suspension fork....

[@THEGEEK2001]

if you wnt your suspension to work effeicnetly and provide a supple ride, avoid adding to sprung mass (lowers of forks)

[@OldManMountainRacks]

There's no denying that it will change the suspension but how often are you needing super sensitive, high speed rebound when bikepacking? We'd found that we prefer to ride with a lower center of gravity and add a few clicks of rebound when bikepacking.

[@THEGEEK2001]

@@OldManMountainRacks thats fair! You dont but as a bike tech i like my suspension to work as best it can:)

[@THEGEEK2001]

Same question, who can tell difference between fox and sr suntour :) if you can you'll notice diffetence of added lowers weight or not

[@Gefaehrte]

"Drew blood" definitely sounds better than "cut myself". Keep up the dedication. 😊

[@stuartbarlow283]

I prefer DrJ0n bagworks barnacle. Lighter and more versatile in my opinion. Bit pricier than hose clamps though!

[@fishsayswhatsgoingon]

Fork manufacturers probably should issue the eyletted variants of their forks. Simple as that.

[@outtatrex]

Nice solution ! Total cost of $140.-- just to add some bottle cages to your bike. Better buy yourself a bike that has these eyelets on your fork, saves you a lot of money.

[@cyrusf.4039]

$140 might just be the cost of getting an other fork with the eyelets.

[@taknname]

You guys got forks that perform as well as a RockShox Pike with eyelets for $140? Where is this unicorn?

[@BradLong-bj2ug]

@@taknname do you own OMM or something? Is this your design? Are you trying to steal from the poor man just pedaling around and giving to the rich/your pockets? If you have the money to waste on something completely unnecessary, by all means, waste it. I’m here to let people know that this is a waste. Buy a weeks worth of groceries for your next adventure, a new frame bag, splurge on a hotel in the middle of a bike packing trip before buying this garbage.

[@taknname]

@@BradLong-bj2ug I'm beginning to think you work at Ace Hardware.

[@BradLong-bj2ug]

@@taknname Ha! Just a lifelong outdoorsman. Keeping dialogue so people don’t get scammed is important.

[@509bunnyhaven]

Its great to have more mounting options for suspension forks but i think just getting the topeak versacage is a much more cost effective option. It certainly cant carry as much weight as the old man mountain axel pack but id take the loss in order to splurge on more bags, gear etc.

[@michaelaiello9525]

How about for 80’s and 90’s mountain bikes like half the world still rides?

[@weeringjohnny]

Too much money for what you get in my view but I'm a tight Scot.

[@edprotas4148]

I am right there with you. Our consumer society never lacks for people who can and will come up with a better mouse trap, time and time again, to get a chunk of your change.

[@Dash199t]

Old man Mountain in general is really overpriced for made in Taiwan stuff. I just dont see where the price comes from regarding their Racks

[@Ghjhfbnn]

Good solution but too expensive to buy

[@royunderwood7514]

Great design.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Thanks!

[@kevinselin2288]

Sounds like a great solution for a Lauf TR boost fork.

[@allenjanes5976]

I use their products on my stumpjumper. They're very well built

[@ellerybice3787]

Translation; bladed carbon fork, think "Lauf forks".

[@richmurphy1787]

Great idea but too expensive.

[@gregh7387]

Seems a tad over engineered imo. I say get a new fork w/ eyelets.

[@Incorruptus1]

So half mounted, half zaptiehs. LOL... next attempt please!

[@BradLong-bj2ug]

Don’t spend the money. $140 for something that WILL break with zip ties and expected to last a while does not move this industry forward. Be resourceful. Use your favorite cages with band clamps that cost $1.00 or less. This is dumb. It is not a solution. I love the company as a whole but these are just plain stupid. Ace hardware has just as good if not better options for a fraction of the cost.

[@taknname]

1) The zip tie on the OMM rack is not carrying any weight relative to the axle. 2) There is no way your favorite band clamps can carry 22 lbs like the OMM rack and not compress the lower legs of your fork to the point that the bushings are negatively affecting your stanchion. 3) Maybe it's not for you, but the Axle Pack is far from a "dumb" design.

[@BradLong-bj2ug]

@@taknname It’s dumb and your suggestion is wrong. Silicone tape and band clamps get the job done for about $2.00. My partner and I have been running our suspension fork setup without issue for years. We keep up with our maintenance and have never seen compressed housing for the stanchions. This is a rich person product. It’s unfortunate that the industry has come to this instead of putting resources into making products that get people outside at a lower cost. $2 vs. $140 is absurd. I never comment on things. This is next level greed.

[@gabormolnar6126]

Thanks for this info! I actually didnt think about silidone tape, i will try that 100% and not this revolutionary product xd

[@BradLong-bj2ug]

I was gifted these and they are an amazing addition. I’m still not sure about the price with the through axle but they are the best solution I’ve found for suspension forks. I would still use the cheaper alternative on a budget.