Old Man Mountain Launches Flip Cages:
Old Man Mountain, a leader in rugged bikepacking racks and cargo systems, has released its latest innovation: the Flip Cages. More than just another cargo cage, these modular alloy platforms are the first products to officially support the new FLIP standard, a technology designed to solve mounting compatibility issues across the bikepacking industry.
The Flip Cages are now available for $80 dollars and come ready to mount via triple bottle bosses or directly into FLIP-standard fork and frame mounts. What sets them apart isn't just their burly design or modular function, but their adaptability to a new interface system that could standardize the way cargo is mounted to bikes going forward. You can also get the new Hemlock bags which are the first bikepacking bags developed with this standard.
Old Man Mountain Hemlock Bags
The first bags built with the FLIP standared! 7 Liters per bag
What is FLIP?
FLIP stands for Fast Lock In Place. It's an open-source mounting layout developed to bring order to the mix of incompatible cage mounting designs found across modern bikepacking forks and frames. As cargo cage use exploded, manufacturers came up with their own layouts for triple bosses and accessory mounts. The result was a chaotic mix of bolt spacings and patterns that often left riders frustrated.
The FLP mount doubles as a cage and we think that's pretty neat.
The FLIP system is ingenius in its simplicity. It attaches to any triple boss fork mount(or to an Elkhorn rack) and a rigid bag insert with an outer latch completes the system. This layout is designed to provide improved load distribution, reducing stress on forks and frames, especially when hauling heavier items or navigating rough terrain.
By making the FLIP spec publicly available, Old Man Mountain is inviting frame and fork manufacturers to adopt a single pattern. The goal is to bring much-needed consistency to an area that has been anything but standardized.
The Flip Cage Design
The Flip Cage itself is a modular aluminum cargo cage built for flexibility and strength. It includes a flat base with multiple cutouts for strap routing and optional bolt-on side rails that add lateral support for bottles, dry bags, or fuel canisters.
Each Flip Cage includes:
- An aluminum platform with wide support surface
- Attachable foot
- Compatibility with both traditional triple boss mounts and the new FLIP standard
- Stainless steel mounting bolts and hardware
The cages can be run with or without the foot depending on your load and packing style. They offer a secure, customizable solution for carrying gear that doesn't fit in a traditional bottle cage.
Why It Matters
While the Flip Cage is a solid piece of kit on its own, the bigger story is the launch of the FLIP standard. For years, riders have dealt with misaligned bolt patterns, incompatible cage designs, and sketchy DIY fixes. By introducing a universal standard and providing the spec for free, Old Man Mountain is inviting the industry to join the standard and bring more products into the fold. We haven't really seen this approach before and we're excited to see what comes of this.
About Old Man Mountain
Founded in the 1990s and based in Bend, Oregon, Old Man Mountain is known for designing racks and cargo solutions that work on nearly any bike. Their products are favored by expedition riders and commuters alike for their strength, adaptability, and durability. With the introduction of the Flip Cage and the FLIP standard, they are once again looking to solve real-world problems with practical innovation.
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