Bikepacking Hack: DIY Handlebar Cradle w/ Amazon Parts = Cheap & Ultralight
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- If you're searching for an ultralight handlebar cradle / harness for bikepacking and don't wanna break the bank, look no further. I sourced it with parts found on Amazon. If you're traveling light and fast, on a drop bar bike - this might be up your alley! #diy #bikepacking #adventure
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Man I’m tired of these “bike hack videos” that don’t provide anything useful… (Clicks video while sipping morning coffee) Moments later finds himself on Amazon looking at the damned things. Thanks- this is actually a great find!
Thanks for watching and commenting, OldDocThedan - much appreciated!!
Pretty much the same : D
Thank you for this. I purchased two of the handlebar extenders you link and set them 80 degrees to on another - one down and forward, one up a bit. The pair support a drybag spaced sufficiently from the bars to open the tops hand position and clear the cables (drop bar bike). I moved phone mount and bell to the extender. It works much like a Salsa Anything Cradle.
Thanks for sharing 🤙
I’ve watched like 50 videos this week about bags and this was by far the most helpful
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting 🤙
I really enjoy my extension, I opted for one with internal batteries that I can plug my electronics into it for a quick charge.
Nice!! Thanks for sharing :)
1000% recommend this to all of my friends that bikepack, both new and experienced. Have used this setup for the past few years and have loved every bit of it. Lighter, cheaper, more modular than any other setup out there! I use the straps for other things when not bikepacking, it’s great.
Thanks for watching and sharing :) Ride on!
He said MacGyver. 😂. Finally a reference I’m old enough to appreciate. Good stuff.
Hahaha... thanks for the smiles, Bill :) my kids have no idea about MacGyver or half of my references... glad someone gets me!
This guy is like some sort of bike packing mad scientist. Adaption, experimentation, passing on the results. Much appreciated!
I actually use the EXP Anything cradle myself & it is heavy but, the bag is 100% waterproof & with the straps swapped out for a set of big ROK straps, it's perfect for me. I prefer strong & heavy over light.
Thanks for watching and commenting, My Frequencies... ride on!
Reach out to them.. you might change your mind..
tell them who you are..
This idea is genius! Thanks for sharing. I wouldn't even call this a hack. It works too well. And looks pretty dope!
I modified the idea slightly by using 2 accessory mounts rather than use the handlebar as the second ridgid contact point . Keeps the bag away from the cables.
Thanks for keeping it real dirty teeth.!
Thanks for watching and commenting, A Pistachio - much appreciated!
Perfect! I’m trying to figure out how to strap my walking stick to my bicycle, and this sounds like it will be affordable, durable and easy to strap and unstrap. Thank you for sharing this!
Hope it worked well for you! Thanks for watching :)
I used your idea on our road bikes and it worked perfectly for our last trip. Thanks for sharing !!
That's great to hear, Chuck :) Glad it was helpful!!
That zip tie hack changed my life, made me efficient and calmed my ocd. Thank you!
Haha! Thanks Daniel :) cheers to a great 2022 🍻
Maybe the best video about bikepacking! Practice is important.
Thanks for watching!
Best video I've seen in months. I have been going over several ideas in my mind for a cheap secure handlebar bag system. Looked at this bar several times more for the clamps to build on than anything else. But, your solution is simple, easy and cheap. Buying today. One thing I will add is home made foam spacers on handlebars with straps threaded through.
THX1138 - glad you enjoyed the video, I like your idea about the foam spacers! Ride on :)
@@DirtyTeethMTB Bought a cheap handlebar extension on Amazon, made some spacers out of 1/2" foam with two slits in them to thread 25" G3 straps through. Stacked two foam spacers. The setup gives me room for my fingers between bars and pack and the pack sits solid as a rock. Going to use a 3L or 5L drybag as the pack. Thanks for this brilliant hack. Total cost without drybag is about 40$CDN (30$ US).
@@KowalskiVanishing_Point Fantastic :)
This is a gold advise! It safe a lot of money (when you beginner and you don't know what exactly you need) and you may spend more money for better sleeping bag and tent... Thanks a lot!!!
Thanks for watching, Nuclear Slayer!! Ride on :)
Been doing this hack for years all around the world. Great advice.
Thanks for watching and sharing your input, Renaissance Cyclist - ride on 🙌
So glad I am not the only one doing this. I also have tinkered around with split aero bars and mtb bar ends from the extension for heavier loads. I have also found self fusing silicone tape as excellent non slip, no adhesive surface to prevent sliding.
Thanks for sharing!
A couple of points for those still watching the comments.
1) You can 3D print those Salsa Cradles i.e. Modify them to suit your needs. Search Thingiverse.com for the 'Salsa Cradle'
2) You can save even more weight by ditching the Voile straps and using the velcro straps. Google Velcro brand Hi vis strap with buckle. They hold up to 30kg's and weigh 16 grams.
Thanks for this video, I'm just adding the finishing touches to my V2 Cutthroat and you've given me some great pointers.
thanks for the input, J Davey... good notes :) I'll have to check out those velcro straps and give em a beat down... ride on!
Great idea, simple, cheap, light and adjustable - what's not to love!
Thanks for watching :)
I have this same setup, but didn't think to put zipties on the Voile straps. Nice touch!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Josh - ride on :)
What a budget friendly, great idea! Gonna look into it. Many, many thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks a bunch for the tip. I use 2 brackets instead and it keeps my top handlebar free. Perfect for my road bike.
Nice to hear👍 Duder! - thanks for watching and chiming in 🙏
Amazing. Thank you.
Thanks for watching :)
Used this method on my Europe trip and loved it. Thank you for this!
Glad it worked for ya!
Great video! I love how sometimes the best fixes are from parts and pieces so many of us already have stashed in the bike shed. Thanks for another helpful tip.
right on, Shane - nothing like repurposing / giving new life to some old piece that's collecting dust! ride on :)
This is absolutely amazing, thanks for sharing it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
30k views. You hit out of the park with this hack. Will test next month. thank you
thanks, dusty 1971 - hope it works well for ya!
Ohhhh myyy GOOOOODDD...So damn siiiimple.... Dude you nailed it. That's the way to do it..
thanks for watching and commenting, Kaptajn :) Ride on!
Did this two years ago. Cracked.
Thanks for your insight, Joe... curious which part cracked, how heavy was the load, and how long did you ride on it before it cracked? Ride on!
My accessory mount of the same type cracked across the aluminium, underneath one of the bolts where it's counterbored and thin. It had been carrying an action camera and headlamp for a few months.
@@haahmsuplou You likely ham fisted the bolts as they were over torqued. All you need is 4-6nm.
@@thisishowiedewitt76 Perhaps. I did incrementally tighten the bolts as the action camera and headlamps tended to point in the wrong direction after a bump. I think it was unsuitable for the items I had put on it.
What about a wooden dowel instead of aluminum or carbon?
Just watched a similar vid because this is exactly what I.,m looking for on drop bars. Now convinced cheers.
Glad I could help, Peter 🙌🙌
Exellent ! Großartig !
Many thanks and best regards from Germany / Berlin
DANKE !!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Salsa's action lawsuit in 3...2...1 Ingenious and so simple, pure ownage ! 😁
🤣🤣
I followed your hack. I went with nylon backpacking strapping & Fastex type clips instead ($7 for a set of (4) 40" straps). It works. If I could suggest one hack on your hack, spread the mounting brackets as far as possible on the bar and install the strapping "inside" of the brackets. This will always keep them evenly spaced and they'll never slide off the ends because they'll always be contained. Of course, this will depend on the width & accessories already on the bar too.
While I set it up with a 10L SealLine, I'm going to down size to the 9L USMC MAC Sack which comes in a slightly softer build, but includes a purge valve to compress the load even more and is much narrower. Plus, the green fits my color scheme more. Thanks for sharing the hack.
SolitaryRefinement - thanks for chiming in with your refinements :) great ideas!
Thanks for video. I already have the CF T bar mounted that I use as a extra hand position, having 3D printed wide grips. Your concept will allow securing a light HB bag nicely.
Very cool! Ride on :)
This works great on my setup...thank-you for the suggestion.
Glad to hear it, ride on!!
That was a beer burp!😂...another great tip Jaco thanks
KC - thanks for watching loco - salute!
Great idea. I noticed that you have an additional set of extenders with a short crossbar holding a light. That helps create a semi- curved cradle shape that greatly assists the dry bag fit on your system.
Anthony, thanks for watching and commenting :) I've used this system plenty with and without the little mount holding my light... but yes, when I set that little light mount to be snug just over the dry bag, it does fit nicely :) Ride on and happy holidays!
@Genghis kharnage sorry but it's been discontinued - it's called an eclyspe control center sl - maybe ebay? ride on!
Great! Just took first bikepacking trip and am figuring out gear. Thanks!
Tom, glad you've got the bikepacking bug :) thanks for watching and commenting, Ride on!
This is great. Even as better support for existing bags.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Christopher... yeah, definitely modular and adaptable for different needs/scenarios :) Ride on!!
I just did the EXACT same thing! Got the thingy for 14 bucks or so off Amazon. Working fine so far. Will test it in the Colorado Trail Race in a few weeks. The idea to fix the straps to the bar with zip ties is a good one. Right now I just use the pressure of the straps to prevent them from slipping but it's more complicated to put the bag on, and not as secure. Will try this. Thanks for the video!
Segundo, thanks for watching and commenting - best of luck on the CTR!
I just got one of these bars from Amazon, it seems like a good solution to the problem of carrying a u lock.
John, thanks for chiming in... interesting idea! Ride on :)
Briliant. Thanks Bro.
Thanks for watching and commenting... ride on!
Such an awesome hack! Really appreciated this video as I have been extremely frustrated with my current cradle setup. Trying to cinch everything down without smashing down on all of my cables is exactly what I am looking for! Going to give this a try! Thx so much!
Thanks for watching, hope it works out for ya Reed Page :)
I just used a old padded camera bag for a large video camera and used paracord to attach it to my handlebars . My mountain bike seams to accept it increadibly well. For a bag on Rear my bike rack I used a old 4 wheeler bag that is for the tank and it works great.
Thanks for sharing- ride on 🙌
I recently paired this exact bar mount together with a revelate harness. Now I have no clearance issues with my cables any more ✌🏻
Sounds like clean setup, thanks for sharing!!
Great tip... A couple of thoughts: If people are concerned about this breaking, bring a spare bracket, their light. For a MTB I've just added midbars (Profile Design) then put a plastic pipe between the the two to carry a tent...... Bonus: I found a baby stroller handle bar bag that fits between them to carry water bottles or snacks!
Kevin - thanks for watching and chiming in with your tips - much appreciated :) Ride on!! Baby stroller bag - perfect!
Hi. I have profile design midbars too. How did you attach the plastic bar in between? Thanks!
Just did this brilliant hack for my bike. Works great. Paid $18.00 Cdn. Had all the other required bits, so it was super cheap any easy
awesome, thanks for sharing Patrick :)
HEY.... Keep that comming ..EXCELLENT,I wanna be like you when I grow Up!!!!!
hahaha!! thanks, John... I don't wanna grow up :)!!
Excellent! This is exactly what I was looking for
Thanks for watching and commenting, Doug - ride on!
I had the same idea and while on my last tour I found these exact items and now that I'm home they are still sitting in my checkout cart! Once I started making money again I figured I'd buy these. The algorithm is freaking creepy and recommended me this video.
I just don't want my handle bar bag or lights to clutter my bars.
Bought my first fat bike ever last week to get ahead of next winter. I was waffling over the cost but your channel is maxing out the stoke for me man. Cheers
You're gonna be so stoked next Winter when you've got a fatty ready to go!
Going to try this,this summer. Salsa gear is nice,but heavy and pretty pricey.
Thanks,Alan!
thanks for watching and best of luck on your upcoming adventures!
srill waiting for that MTB/flatbar solution :D
This works fine- I just had to adjust my cable/housing lengths- or get the miss grape
I’ve been using a setup like this for a couple of seasons now and it’s been totally solid.
Works great with a Jones loop bar... instagram.com/p/ByWpM5RlXul/?igshid=1pyllcrwz41o2
I also sewed up a simple harness to protect the dry bag and simplify loading (not ultra light), but on my mtb I run the voile straps around the whole thing and through the fork crown and it can’t go anywhere... instagram.com/p/B9L-Qb7lypk/?igshid=1tqf2tcser82u
Here’s a shot actually on my mtb... instagram.com/p/CHWb9EfB9px/?igshid=vul5gtdrqhov
Greg thanks for taking the time to comment and for sharing those pics! Hard for me to tell from the pic on your mtb w/flat bars... how do you deal with cable routing? my biggest issue when I put it on flat bars was that I couldn't get it far enough back towards the head tube without totally jamming up my shift/brake cables...
@@DirtyTeethMTB with the homemade harness it works just like the rockgeist barjam... rockgeist.com/product/barjam/
I find there is enough space for the cables to fit behind the bag. They are definitely crowded, but nothing extreme that would impede operation or lead to premature wear
Thanks for covering us ocd'rs 👍
Any time!
Thanks dude! Great idea. I had a similar thought recently and Whaddya know? you were a year ahead of me! 👍 😂
Ride on, Paul :) Best of luck and thanks for watching!
@@DirtyTeethMTB thx again! Just found your channel. the link still worked and I was glad to see the carbon rod is now bigger and better at 8”, and $18.
@@paulvidovich7910 glad to hear :) best of luck!!!
Thanks for the idea! I love it when that super simple and cheap idea finally pops into view. You just know there's a better way than dropping a ton of cash, and whammo! Simplicity and functionality all in an affordable package. :)
Thanks for watching and commenting, Leonard 🙌 ride on!
Got me thinking! Have a Fat Bike that I need to get something like this to work on !
Scott, I'm trying to figure out something like this for flat bars / my fat bike too... but so far, doesn't fit that well because of shift/brake cables getting in the way... will let ya know if I come up with something - ride on!
This is genius, as all simple solutions are
Thanks for watching and commenting- ride on 🙌
You had me at *Bleerrhh*
David, hahaha 🤣 one of my favorite comments ever 🙌🙌 ride on!
@@DirtyTeethMTB 🤘😉
Amazing video, liking it for the burp though. XD
Thanks for watching
This is awesome! I'm gonna use it as a cradle to push forward a small handlebar bag with the sole intention of preventing cable squish. Hope it works!
Best of luck - thanks for watching!
Great idea! Thank you
You are so welcome!
Brilliant idea, thanks for sharing!
Perfect for Trans Am -- this system plus a dry bag, lightweight down bag, thermarest, bivi bag, footprint and pillow would come in at a hair over 1.6 kgs/3.5 lbs, and enough to keep you comfy down to freezing.
Thanks, S Smith- best of luck on the Trans Am 🙌🙌
Perfect set up, thank you
Tony, thanks for your kind words - ride on!
Had the same idea in mind but the aerobars came in early, so went with it. Will do this when it arrives. Fun video. Your videos have been most helpful. Thank you :)
thanks for watching and commenting, Frozen Mercury... ride on!
Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Woah I clicked on a link someone posted on Reddit on a thread about budget bikepacking gear and came across this... NICE! I am definitely going to try this! Also just subscribed!
Thanks for watching :) ride on!
Thank you. Great diy and belch🤭
Love it love it especially with beer
T Mayberry - thanks for watching - ride on :)
I love this channel! A little corny and lots of fun!
Ben, you've got me pegged :) - Living the dream! - Ride on :)
May have already been said but if you did 2 of these separated 6 inches parallel to each other, would hold a dry bag steady on a flat bar. I have been in the market for the salsa cradle and that’s impossible to find these days so I thing I’m gonna try this. Thanks for the tip.
Maybe 2 old single bolt quill stems upside down pointing forward could create 2 forks like a fork lift that a dry bag could lay on? Stoked that came across this idea 👌
Hi Corey, yes what's fun about this is how modular it can be and creative you can be with how to use it best for your scenario... some have used stems as you mention as well as used a couple of these units as you suggest... have fun playing around with it!! Ride on :)
The information was great but the burp got me to like.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Samuel - ride on!
I love the ingenuity! I gave this a shot before an overnight bikepacking trip mostly on mountain bike single track trails. It was unbelievably bouncy and the zip ties kept slipping off the ends of the bar. After the trip, I cut a couple slots in the bar and threaded the voile straps through the slots. Next trip was a bit better. The straps didn’t slide off the ends of the bar. But, the setup is just too bouncy because the dry bag is only stabilized at one point. I bought the Salsa cradle, which is much better. Yes, the Salsa cradle is expensive and heavy, but so stable.
mine is stabilized at two points... the handlebars and the accessory bar... not bouncy at all... did you use it on drop bars and strap it on as I did with the accessory bar aimed down below the handlebars? and I’ve never have my ski straps slide off... super tight and solid wrapped around both bars- as I mention in the video, I also enjoy the exp salsa cradle for heavier loads... wish they’d make a lighter version- ride on!
What I love about this idea is, I already have the handlebar mount bought for another purpose and so it will cost me nothing.
I do however need a bar bag 😊
Ian, hope it works out well for ya!!! Thanks for watching :)
thanks for the idea...i been strugling with the handlebar Bag and the cables...... even with harnesses I just bought this system like 13 $ in uk. I hope it work ...
good luck with it Adrian - it's been working well for me :) ride on!
I like it . Will give it a go. Thanks for sharing
thanks for watching, hope it's been working out!!
Nice ,I did see another way on a bike touring fb page they put in a stem in place of head tube spacers then bit of pipe through to get the same result .
Stephen, someone just commented about using that extra stem + pipe for a Fred Bar hack - seems smart, I might have to check it out...
Awesome video. Definitely want to try it out for my next bikepacking trip
Thanks for watching and commenting, Paul- ride on!
BRILLIANT!
Thanks for watching!
Excellent hack. I've been using the same bar to mount my light and camera mount on drop bars. Will be looking to use another to mount my roll. Thank you very much! All the best.
Steve, thanks for watching and commenting - all the best in your cycling adventures :)
Genius!!
Thanks for watching!
I have one of those bar things, I will have to try that! I will have to rewatch this to see what you did with the zip ties and straps.
yeah, give it a shot, Hunter - works great... I just looped the zip ties through the holes on ski straps, tightened up to the bar, cut of the excess... hoot!
Thanks for the tip
No problem! Thanks for watching!!
Excellent salutation I'd been thinking it out for a while even made something but wasn't up to standard. Found them on amazon perfect. Great video I'll have a look at your channel
Thanks for watching :)
Awesome. I actually have the same bar sitting in my garage. Gonna give this a go. Thanks!
Right on, Mike - best of luck and thanks for chiming in!
Hi Dirty Teeth! Ex Pat Brit here, in the Philippines, I ride a Giant Fathom 29er, perfect for the rough road conditions here. Looking forward to your report about MTB, flat bars. How to rig a dry bag and not fowling the cables. BTW I'm 70 and still at it!
You’re an inspiration - ride on :)
I love doing bike hacks. I made some custom rack supports for my Trek 1120. I heard reports that the rear racks were breaking under heavy loads and hard trails.
Using some aluminum angle pieces, a hack saw, and some spray paint I made supports for the front and back racks. My 6' tall buddy even sat on the front rack no problem (it's rated for 25kg/55lbs). Keep tinkering and Happy Trails buddy 👍
Rustic Russell, that sounds awesome - I'd love to see some pics!
I'll send some via IG 👍
Thank you for this idea.
Glad you liked it, Hiking Nurse!
Nice! I need this in my arsenal. I hate floppy bags, too. I have an ortlieb handlebar bag and my solution to fix the saggy bag syndrome was to cut some HPDE to insert into the bag to make it ridgid.
Jon, thanks for watching and commenting... I like that idea for the HPDE insert... thanks for sharing :) Ride on! #floppybags
Thanks!! Great video I have the carbon bar already I can't wait to get a drybag and stuff it!!
Right on, Tecate Dan 🍻 best of luck 🙌
Funny, I’m waiting for my handlebar extension to get delivered with this idea in mind.
Glad it worked out for you, I can’t wait to replicate it.
My only suggestion is to show the equipment more. It’s a 6 minute video of you talking a few second clips of the actual setup.
thanks for chiming in, Tim - best of luck with your setup :)
I have been looking for something like this. Thanks for the video.
Glad to help!
@@DirtyTeethMTB I think we are definitely going to use this setup for our 2023 summer tour! Great inexpensive idea!
@@joshandjamesvosperfromhere6887 awesome, best of luck!
Great idea. Thank you
Thanks for watching and commenting, ride on :)
I love the idea you've come up with. I now use a Jones Loop H-Bar on my bike packing rig. With that I can lash dry bags below, and above the loop portion, and they are very stable that way. One thing I've added to this cheapo set up is a few pieces of foam pipe insulation (secured with black electricians tape) to avoid rubbing and chaffing against the head tube. Other than that, this works out very well. But I have a drop bar gravel bike and I want to use it for bike packing too, so your idea intrigues me. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for commenting, Ed :) - May your New Year be filled with lots of riding bikes!
Thank your sharing this idea!
You are so welcome!
I love DIY hacking things for my bike... As a Teacher and having a limited budget I am always looking for alternatives. Thank you
Jeffrey, thanks for watching and commenting! Ride on :)
I already have one of those clamp-on bars, so I'm stoked to be able to try it out as a handlebar bag holder for my drop bar bike. Thanks for the tip, Alan!!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Steve - it's definitely worth a try for lighter loads... still working great for me, haven't broken it yet :)
I used my aero and flat bars to get a firm fit on my front loader cradle.
Awesome, thanks for sharing, Tony!
good video- I have the same accessory bar- use it to offset my bag from the bars so I don't loose hand space while touring, likely a longer bar for the accessory would help if you rode w flat bars
thanks for sharing, Nanci - ride on :)
They do slide I found with a heavier load. I put it on my bike and rode over bumpy terrain on a 3 day backcountry bikepack and it slid even after I tightened and added duck tape hoping it wouldn't slip. I Would stick to smaller load probably the tent was too much and maybe should have been the sleeping bag instead upfront. So light load works heavy load might not be advisable.
Thanks for your insight, Aydin... you just confirmed what I was thinking... ride on!