Earlier this year, Bend, Oregon’s bikepacking aficionados, Old Man Mountain (OMM) released their first handlebar cradle which was developed in partnership with Salsa Cycles. Building on the success of Salsa’s popular Anything Cradle, the new Manzanita Cradle was initially launched as a bag and cradle combo, but now it’s available as a stand alone option as well!
This bracket-mounted system is compatible with all types of riding styles, ranging from technical off-road adventures to smoother gravel routes. The Manzanita utilizes a hook-and-loop attachment system, where bags hang from corner hooks, like a jacket on a coat rack. This creates a secure connection without the need for complicated hardware. Easy, secure, and silent.
Once the bag hooks into place, riders can easily secure it with compression straps that route through specially designed holes in the front stretch pocket.
This means you can tighten down your gear without losing access to the most convenient storage space on the bag. The process eliminates the usual struggle of trying to manage loose bags while securing straps.
The cradle sports six M5 mounting points along its arms. This allows you to attach lights, bike computers, phones, GPS trackers, or water bottles directly to the cradle, keeping your handlebars from cluttering up.
This way, the rider can also preserve their grip positions. Plus, it creates a cleaner setup overall. All of this can make a real difference on longer rides where hand comfort matters.
Cradle Only?
Obviously, a lot of thought and effort has been put into designing the bag and the cradle combo, so why would you want to buy the cradle only? Depending on your setup, you may be planning to only run a tent, sleeping system, or other item that has its own stuff sack that won’t fit inside the Manzanita bag. If that’s the case and you want to save some money, it could be the way to go.
Alternatively, you could have another bag maker create their own custom bag for the cradle. OMM is making this collaborative approach as easy as possible by providing the FLiP fork pack hardware and attachment dimensions of the cradle to bag makers who could be considered competitors. “Of course we love the bags we make, but every bikepacker has unique needs and, let’s be honest, fashion tastes too. Offering our hardware to other bag makers supports the bikepacking community and helps riders dial in their setup to exactly what they want,” said Erik Fenner, Marketing Director at Old Man Mountain.
Manzanita Cradle Retail & Detail
Pricing for the cradle only starts at $150, which also includes the mounting straps. The cradle plus either a 9 or 11L bag increases the price to $240. The bags alone are $110 each, so if you’re planning to get one, it’s still a better deal to get the combo.
Retail: $110 – $240
- Mounting hooks on the cradle and simple loops on the bags make mounting your bag easy and quick. So easy it can even be done one-handed.
- Quick stash, stretch pockets provide easy access to snacks, and essentials you need while riding.
- Six accessory mounting points on the top of the cradle provide plenty of room for computers, lights, and other accessories.
- Dual bolt handlebar clamps provide ample grip to prevent the cradle from slipping, rotating, even the roughest trails.
- Handlebar mounts protect the brake and shift housing to maintain smooth functionality.
- Angle adjustability makes tire clearance on small bikes a breeze while maintaining an ideal mounting angle.
- Waterproof fabrics and roll top closures keep your gear safe and protected in harsh weather and stream crossings.
- Air purge valves make it easy to securely compress your gear to save space and stabilize your load.
- 9L Top Load bag and 11L Side Load bag options for refined fit on every bike.
The new Manzanita Handlebar Cradle comes in two different bag options: an 11-liter side-loading bag designed for flat handlebars, and a 9-liter top-loading version.
Both bags share the same features and mounting system, with the main difference being where/how you access your gear. The combination gives riders a straightforward way to carry essentials up front while keeping their handlebars clear for comfortable riding.
Check the link below for more details about the Manzanita Cradle and all of the bikepacking goodness at OMM
