Bikepacking bikes with fork cargo mounts
Which frames let you bolt cages to the fork?
How this is ranked
The maker publishes cage or bottle provision on the fork. Frames publishing only rack or fender mounts are excluded — a lowrider eyelet will not take a cargo cage.
Fork cages move weight low and off the bars, which is where a heavy bar roll does the most damage to the steering. It is also the one carrying decision you cannot retrofit: no mounts, no cages, and strapping to a fork blade is a good way to find out what fork blades are not designed for.
Every figure comes from the manufacturer's published geometry — see each bike's page for the source. Nothing here is a judgement about how a bike rides; it's one measurable property, ranked. Disagree with the criterion and the order changes, which is the point.
The ranking
- 1SurlyBridge Club
2 Four-pack mounts
435mm chainstays, about the median for the 66 current frames here. Bottom bracket drop 60mm, 10mm less than the 70mm median. The fork publishes cargo mounts, and the frame publishes up to 3 bottle or accessory positions. Surly publishes no rear rack answer, which is not the same as no — but it is not something to buy a rack on. Widest published tire 76mm on 26in, 71mm on 650b / 27.5in, 47mm on 700c / 29in. Surly publishes no dropper routing for this frame.
2 cagesfrom $1,449 - 2SalsaCutthroat
One set of Three-Pack mounts on each fork leg
445mm chainstays, 10mm longer than the 435mm median across the 66 current frames here. Bottom bracket drop 70mm, close to the 70mm median. The fork publishes cargo mounts, and the frame publishes up to 3 bottle or accessory positions. A rear rack needs a Rack-Lock seatpost collar, which the price does not include. Widest published tire 61mm on 700c / 29in. It takes a dropper post.
2 cagesfrom $3,599 - 3SurlyDisc Trucker 26
2 Three-Pack mounts; upper, lower, and mid-blade rack mounts
450mm chainstays, 15mm longer than the 435mm median across the 66 current frames here. Bottom bracket drop 50mm, 20mm less than the 70mm median. The fork publishes cargo mounts, and the frame publishes bottle or accessory mounts. A rear rack bolts straight on. Widest published tire 53mm on 26in. Surly publishes no dropper routing for this frame.
2 cagesfrom $2,099 - 42 cagesfrom $1,799.99
- 52 cagesfrom $1,799
- 62 cagesfrom $3,399
- 72 cagesfrom $3,299
- 82 cagesfrom $3,499
- 92 cagesfrom $1,699
- 102 cagesfrom $1,299
- 112 cagesfrom $1,849
- 122 cagesfrom $1,799
- 132 cagesfrom $3,499.99
- 14SalsaBeargrease
Bearpaw/Kingpin fork supports Three-Pack mounts and 165mm low-rider front rack mounts where equipped
cages, count not publishedfrom $2,319.99 - 15cages, count not publishedfrom €2,099.99
- 16cages, count not publishedfrom £1,649
- 17cages, count not publishedfrom £1,499.99
- 18cages, count not publishedfrom $4,199.99
- 19cages, count not publishedfrom $2,199.99
- 20Rodeo LabsFlaanimal
Three mid-leg eyelets per fork blade, spaced for a water bottle cage or three bolt cargo cage. (M5 x 0.8mm). Use 20mm bolts with washer for heavy loads. Two eyelets near axle per side (M5 x 0.8mm). Optional offset eyelet kit available.
cages, count not publishedfrom $1,650 - 21cages, count not publishedfrom $1,999
- 22BombtrackHook EXT
Fork: Seido MGV full carbon, TA, 1.1/2'' - 1.1/8'', fender / triple cage mounts, 180 mm max rotor size, lowrider rack compatible, internal hub dynamo cable routing
cages, count not published - 23cages, count not publishedfrom $1,999
- 24cages, count not publishedfrom £1,499.99
- 25TumbleweedProspector
upper and lower rack mounts, fender mounts, triple bottle cage mounts on fork legs, internal dynamo wire routing
cages, count not publishedfrom $1,650 - 26cages, count not publishedfrom $2,325
- 27cages, count not publishedfrom $2,299
- 28cages, count not publishedfrom $2,899
- 29SalsaVaya Frameset
Waxwing fork with Three-Pack mounts, mid-blade low-rider rack mounts, internal dynamo routing, fender mounts
cages, count not publishedfrom $749.99
Other ways to rank these bikes
Which frames swallow the biggest full-frame bag?
Best bag space on a small frameIf you ride a small frame, which bikes don't punish you on carrying capacity?
Most tire clearanceWhich frames take the biggest rubber?
Most stable under loadWhich frames put the most bike behind the bottom bracket?
Best set up for cargo out of the boxWhich frames let you bolt things on without straps and improvisation?
Cheapest frames that publish the full mount setWhich bikes come ready to carry luggage without buying an adapter or improvising a strap?
Takes a dropper post and a rear rackCan I run a dropper and still carry a real load behind the saddle?