Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness Review
In this review, Neil looks at the all-new Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness. After some rigorous testing on the Arizona Trail, he reports back on why it might just be the best handlebar cradle we’ve tested yet. Find Neil’s detailed review of the Arizona brand’s latest product here…
The Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness is an ultralight handlebar system featuring a pair of aluminum CNC-machined clamps designed to secure two 13mm carbon rods measuring 12 inch (30.5 centimeters) long. Threaded onto these rods are two nylon straps, available with either a nylon buckle or a three-quarter-inch cam buckle from Austere. These straps wrap around the outside of the carbon rods, ensuring a snug fit for a dry bag or other cylindrical items. While the straps move freely, they’re prevented from sliding off by four rubber ends attached to the carbon rods.
Other parts include two 3D-printed shims that fit within the clamps to secure to the bars. These shims come in three sizes to accommodate most handlebar clamp diameters: 35mm, 31.8mm, and 22.2 mm. The two-piece shims are placed over the clamp ring, which is then tightened using four T25 Torx bolts.
I had the opportunity to test the pre-production version, and although there are some minor changes, I now have the production version in hand. The main difference is that the pinch clamp has been relocated to the outside of the clamp, reducing the likelihood of the corner rubbing against your dry bag or stuff sack. Additionally, the harness now comes in black instead of silver. However, the functionality remains unchanged. Watch the full review below, and read on for the written version with photos and pros/cons.
In terms of weight, the pre-production model with Austere straps and 35mm clamp inserts tipped the scales at 252 grams. The production version, equipped with 31.8mm shims, weighed in at 240 grams. These weights do not include dry bags, as they are sold separately.
Installation
Installing the Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness is incredibly straightforward, and what sets it apart is its adjustable clamp rings. This feature allows for flexibility, enabling users to loosen the pinch bolts and adjust the clamps to accommodate wider stems—a feature not commonly found in similar cradles. According to Rogue Panda, the pinch bolts should be torqued to 3Nm, while the handlebar clamp torque should be set at 6Nm or the maximum torque rating of your handlebars, whichever is lower.
During the initial installation, I found that it’s helpful to loosely tighten the harness, position your dry bag, and adjust the angle to ensure it doesn’t rub against the head tube, giving it about a half inch. Once positioned correctly, the harness can be properly torqued down. The Blue Ridge Harness connects just to the bar instead of around the head tube or fork crown like many bikepacking handlebar systems, offering a clean and minimal appearance.
While the installation process is relatively simple, one potential improvement could be the inclusion of a hinged bar clamp. This would reduce the number of screws needing tightening from four to two, simplifying the process. However, it’s worth noting that Rogue Panda is working on an add-on feature for the harness that will accommodate accessories such as GPS units and lights. Incorporating a hinged clamp may hinder this functionality, so it’s a feature to keep an eye on as development progresses.
While Out Bikepacking
During a recent five-day trip in southern Arizona, I had the opportunity to test out the pre-production version of the Blue Ridge harness, and it performed admirably. One concern I had going into the trip was the potential for the system to shift downward. I opted not to position it directly against the head tube with the goal of creating some space between the harness and the bike’s cable housing, brake lines, and head tube. The objective was to strike a balance, keeping the harness close enough to the head tube to avoid shifting the weight too far forward.
It’s also worth noting that the Canelo harness, which is still available from Rogue Panda, is designed to sit snugly against the head tube with its Glideplate attachment. While I appreciate the overall design of the Canelo, the Blue Ridge harness offers a more secure and stable setup, minimizing any risk of rubbing against the frame.
Speaking of stability, I decided to conduct a test by marking the clamps to observe if the system would shift during my rides. While Rogue Panda suggested using carbon paste for added grip, I found it unnecessary as the harness remained securely in place throughout some rugged sections of the Arizona Trail. Riding with the harness felt excellent; there was no shifting or movement whatsoever, and it effectively secured the load tightly. Thanks to the long carbon rods, there was minimal side-to-side movement, even with a wider load. I typically packed my complete clothing kit along with a dehydrated meal and an additional Bedrock Bags pocket for my drone and batteries. The load felt perfectly integrated with the bike, providing a level of stability and cohesion unmatched by any other system I’ve tested. Rogue Panda recommends keeping loads below 6 pounds (3 kilograms), for the record.
Harnesses offer unparalleled simplicity and usability. Upon reaching camp with the Blue Ridge, I found it effortless to loosen the Austere straps and unbuckle the Bedrock pocket to release the dry bag. Tightening the load was also straightforward, although I discovered that pre-connecting the buckles made attaching the dry bag a bit easier. With the Austere cam buckles, securing the dry bag was quick and easy, and it ensured a very snug fit. However, this convenience comes with an additional cost of $40.
- Model Tested: Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness
- Actual Weight: 240 grams (8.47 ounces)
- Place of Manufacture: Arizona, USA
- Price: $185
- Manufacturer’s Details: Rogue Panda
Pros
- The most stable harness system I’ve used
- Extremely lightweight compared to other cradles
- Made in the USA (local to me)
- Adjustable stem spacing
- Simple, well-thought-out design that works great with drop and flat bars in three bar diameters!
Cons
- Expensive due to sourcing local parts
- Would love a hinge bar clamp option
- Installing the clamps to the bar can be a little cumbersome
Wrap Up
The concept of a rigid harness (or cradle) like the Blue Ridge was inspired by the Salsa Anything Cradle. While Salsa’s innovation doesn’t go unnoticed, there have been subsequent efforts to refine a hardware-mounted cradle design, focusing on reducing weight and keeping the load closer to the bike. One such option is the Miss Grape ILCOSO, which we tested last year. However, the Blue Ridge simplifies the concept and weighs in at only 240 grams. Unlike the ILCOSO, the Blue Ridge offers a simpler and more robust alternative, with all parts (excluding buckles and webbing) sourced in the United States. Additionally, the Blue Ridge provides two additional bar mounting options, 35mm and 22.2mm, which are not yet available with the ILCOSO. While there are certainly more affordable solutions on the market, if you prioritize a lightweight system that’s stable and secure, it will be challenging to find a better option than the Blue Ridge.
Certainly, premium products from a relatively small maker like Rogue Panda come with a higher price tag. The Blue Ridge is priced at $185 USD, with shim sets costing an additional $10 USD for 31.8mm/35mm or $20 USD for 22.2mm. Currently, all shims are sold at cost, with the hope of eventually transitioning from 3D printing to injection molding, which would reduce costs. Additionally, adding the Austere cam straps will incur an extra $40 USD.
What are your thoughts on the new Rogue Panda Blue Ridge? We’d love to hear your feedback and understand your priorities when it comes to handlebar systems. Please share your thoughts in the conversation below!
Further Reading
Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...
Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.
Share This
