Old Man Mountain Gravel & MTB Luggage Rack Special

Which improvement to your bike falls into which category is, of course, a matter of taste and depends on a variety of factors. The new MT7 Pro brake system from Magura: definitely cool. The Galibier leather saddle from Gilles Berthoud? Depends on the bike, but certainly still in the green zone. The H1C fender set from Honjo? Probably means nothing to anyone now, but - perhaps because of that - extremely cool.

Cat's eyes or rearview mirrors for handlebar mounting, on the other hand? With other things, the decision seems to be clear. If you absolutely want it, why not. But a desire for such accessories that triggers an immediate purchase reflex is rather rare.

At least so far. Because ever since the modern Gravelbike has seen the light of day, these natural laws seem to have been suspended. Suddenly, MTB pedals on a road bike are acceptable, fenders are no longer sneered at as "soft", and it's almost good form to leave the house with at least seven panniers.

The latest trend lies in the cargo-fication of existing bikes. Urban cyclists have known this for a long time: The common luggage rack often tips the scales. It transforms your aging Puch Clubman in no time into a highly sought-after vintage sleigh for flat white sippers in the hip scene district.

But not only in city bikes is this trend noticeable, also in the bikepacking segment the luggage rack has gained significantly in momentum and seems to be becoming more and more popular as an alternative to shaky saddle bags. And rightly so, because anyone who has ever traveled with said pannier knows: practical, yes, but really good is different.

However, since many gravel bikes have to do without eyelets for mudguard or luggage rack mounting, the options are sparse, and with full-suspension mountain bikes, the situation is even more difficult.

As is often the case, an inventive American was not willing to accept this fact, and so as early as 1996, work was busily underway in a workshop in California on a rack solution for mountain bikes.
After decades of creation and countless tours where their products were successfully reviewed thoroughly, the company Old Man Mountain now offers rack solutions for both the fork and the rear, regardless of whether they are suspended or not.

The straightforward product range includes three models: the Elkhorn, which is suitable for both front and rear and is a clear recommendation especially for full-suspension bikes with large travel, as it offers generous space during compression. The Pizza Rack, which is specifically designed for the front and is almost identical to the Elkhorn except for the load area. Finally, the Divide, a versatile carrier that can function as both a front and a rear rack.

Since a rack system without suitable bags makes about as much sense as a saddle without a horse, I opted for the Ponderosa Pannier Set and the Juniper Trunk for variable storage space.

At first glance, the bags impress with their robust appearance: durable TPU outer material, which, thanks to welded seams and roll-top closure, is even waterproof. In combination with high-quality, adjustable snap buckles, the bags all make a very solid impression.
The loading volume of the two pannier bags, which are only available as a set, is 13 liters each. The Juniper Trunk offers an additional 7 liters. 32 liters of storage space may not be enough for a trip around the world, but for most tours, it is more than sufficient. The great thing about the set is that it fits both the front and rear racks, whether it's a Pizza Rack, Elkhorn, or Divide.

The attachment of the bags to the racks is done using Velcro or respectively, a buckle closure. While this is practical if you only do it once in a blue moon, anyone who wants to regularly take down the panniers, for instance, to bring them into the house, will eventually be either extremely dexterous or emotionally frazzled.

The goal was to be as quiet as possible on bumpy paths, which is why plastic parts were avoided. This actually works excellently, but especially for everyday use, such as commuting to work, it then becomes annoying that removing them is so complicated.

The weight of the Pannier Bags, at just over 1,100 grams, is significantly lower than comparable bags, such as the Sport Roller from Ortlieb. However, these are equipped with the QL system and with a volume of 14.5 liters are also somewhat larger.

The Juniper Bag works excellently as a small additional bag on the luggage rack. The installation via the four straps is significantly easier than with the Ponderosa Panniers, but the bag only holds about half as much.
On the outside of the bag, there is a waterproof compartment with a zip closure. As with the panniers, lights can also be mounted on the back.

The luggage rack bags from Old Man Mountain are actually primarily intended and designed as permanently mounted solutions. On the bike or the racks, they make a sleek impression, however, the somewhat cumbersome installation and the lack of carrying straps make them rather unsuitable for use off the bike.