Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Old Man Mountain Axle Pack Review: Fork Cargo Reimagined
The Old Man Mountain Axle Pack is unlike any cargo mount we’ve seen before. It provides a four-pack of mounts and can be attached to almost any fork without eyelets, including suspension forks. We had the chance to review a pair on a rough trip along the Arizona Trail for this full review…
Teased last fall at the MADE bike show in Portland, we’ve been patiently waiting for the official release of the new Old Man Mountain Axle Pack. Well, the time came and went a few months ago, but as always, we made to sure to put down some rough miles of real-world testing before we released a review. Find the video review below and scroll down for specs, photos, and a written version.
The Old Man Mountain Axle Pack is a fork-mount adapter that attaches to any fork using their thru-axle Fit Kit and mounting pucks. Each upright is made from 6061 aluminum, measures just under a foot (~30cm), and weighs 74 grams without hardware. The Ale Packs are rated to carry up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) per pair. According to OMM, most standard forks with triple pack mounts are only rated for 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) each.
The uniformity of construction on both sides eliminates the need for side-specific uprights, simplifying the installation process. The Axle Packs feature weight-cutting slots and offer four different mounting positions on each side, accompanied by six bolts for attaching bottle or cargo cages. The lower section seamlessly fits into the Fit Kit axle and secures in place with the provided hardware. Additionally, the Axle Pack includes the necessary hardware for integration with the Axle Fit Kit, which is a separate but essential component.
Fit Kits
The Axle Packs are specifically designed for use with Old Man Mountain Axle Fit Kits, which is a byproduct of Old Man Mountain’s merger with Robert Axle Project. For those unfamiliar with Old Man Mountain Fit Kits, it’s important to clarify that these kits consist of thru-axles with eyelets. This allows you to mount a rack on a bike that isn’t originally designed for racks, like the Axle Packs. By using their handy threaded axles as a means to mount racks, folks can run any OMM rack, front or back, on any frame, whether it has rack mounts or not. The OMM Axle Pack builds on this approach by offering a way for folks who don’t have fork mounts but want to use triple-mount cargo cages, such as Salsa’s Anything Cage or the King Cage Manythings Cage. Unfortunately, for those still utilizing Quick Release forks, this product may not be suitable.
Attaching to the axle means the adapter can’t slip or spin, and it uses the same spacing as their racks, so it’s easy to swap between them depending your needs. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a carbon road bike, a suspension fork, or an older aluminum bike: if it uses a thru-axle, then OMM has a Fit Kit that will work.
Each Fit Kit includes a specific axle tailored to your fork, along with pucks for bikes and forks lacking upper eyelets. The package also contains clear protective tape for the pucks and durable UV-resistant panduit zip ties for attaching the pucks to the bike or fork. To simplify the process of finding the right axle, Old Man Mountain provides a Fit Kit finder on their website. It’s worth noting that Fit Kits are priced separately at an additional $80 and are not bundled with the Axle Packs due to the vast variety of axle types available in the market.
Installing the Axle Packs
The Axle Pack introduces a unique solution to a longstanding concern in the biking community—how to effectively increase cargo capacity on the fork. This pack is mounted in two distinct positions: one via the axle and another using two robust zip ties and pucks on the upper part of the fork’s lower section. This configuration ensures that most of the weight is supported by the axle itself and is firmly secured to the upper part of the fork. This sets it apart from fork bottle mounts, commonly situated on the fork’s lower part where bushings are prone to premature wear if overtightened. More details about our findings can be explored in our Bikepacking with a Suspension Fork article. The Axle Pack completely mitigates this wear issue, providing assurance that the load won’t slip or spin on a fork leg.
However, it’s important to note that the Axle Pack tends to be heavier than many clamp-on fork systems, such as the Tailfin Suspension Fork Mounts, especially when factoring in the additional weight of the Fit Kit. In fact, the axle alone is twice as heavy as the FOX axle that originally came with the bike. It’s worth considering that the Axle Pack may not work well with non-round forks, such as bladed carbon forks. Installation is more time-consuming, and some effort may be required. Certain users may not appreciate the appearance of the pucks on the Fit Kits when the Axle Packs are not in use, or the one-time use of the zip ties. However, beyond the initial setup, I found the system easy to install, uninstall, and use.
Using the Old Man Mountain Axle Pack
I utilized the Axle Packs on the Pivot Mach 4SL during my testing, and the performance was commendable. Typically, I avoid loading my fork with significant weight, usually limiting it to a water bottle for this particular trip. However, the Axle Packs proved to be remarkably helpful and stable, providing a solid and stable feeling. Notably, they’re are versatile, capable of carrying more than just bottles, with three-pack mounts supporting up to 10 kilograms or 22 pounds.
For my setup, I opted for the upper position to mount bottles, but the flexibility allows for adjusting positions to distribute weight lower if carrying heavier loads or adding panniers. While I appreciated the mounting options, I’d also be interested in a solution for angled mounts, especially for bottles, to enhance accessibility on the go and maintain a sleek appearance.
Although there’s no concern about cages rotating, it’s crucial to ensure everything remains securely tightened. The use of simple split ring lock washers to connect the system to the axle, along with locking washers in the puck, kept the setup tight and secure throughout a lot of rugged miles along the Arizona Trail.
While my Axle Pack testing was specific to a suspension fork, it offers an excellent solution for newer gravel suspension forks or bikes without eyelets, like bladed carbon forks. It not only offers versatile mounting options but also ensures stress is not placed on parts of the fork not designed for such loads.
- Model/Size Tested: Old Man Mountain Axle Packs
- Actual Weight: 74 grams per Upright
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Price: $60 USD per Pair + $80 for Fit Kit
- Manufacturer’s Details: OldManMountain.com
Pros
- Very solid and secure system
- Reduces risk of damaging bushings or fork
- Massive weight capacity
- Four different mounts
- Works on any fork with a thru-axle
Cons
- Heavy when considering all parts required
- Need Fit Kit to work, which is additional cost
- Install is more intensive than other fork systems
- Would love to see an angled option
Wrap Up
Despite some initial installation challenges, I found the Axle Packs impressive and effective throughout my testing period. While I didn’t push them to carry heavy loads or cargo cages, their versatility is noteworthy. The only potential enhancement I would suggest is the addition of an angled mount option. Manufactured in Taiwan, the Axle Pack comes with a lifetime warranty and is priced at $60 USD for a pair, excluding the required $80 Fit Kit, bring the cost of the complete kit to $140.
Further Reading
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