Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Rogue Panda Frame Bag Thumb Screw Review
Sometimes, you have to reinvent the wheel. Rogue Panda just did that with a completely out-of-the-box frame bag thumb screw and washer design. We’ve been using pre-production versions for several months to see how they work. Find our mini-review of the all-new Rogue Panda Frame Bag Thumb Screw system here…
Bolt-on frame bags offer a clean look, and they have fewer straps to wear the paint off our precious steel frames, but installing them can be a pain, especially in the smaller recesses where it’s hard to squeeze an Allen tool. Plus, the bolts that hold them in place tend to quickly loosen and back out from vibration. Salsa Cycles came out with their rubber-head thumb screws several years ago. However, without a drop or two of Loctite, they too loosened up—not to mention the fact that they’ve been discontinued. The new Rogue Panda Frame Bag Thumb Screw and Washer aims to solve many of these woes. I’ve been using a pair for several hundred miles to see how they compare. Read on for details.
Rogue Panda addressed all the issues mentioned above by designing something completely different: a two-piece thumb screw and washer system. The screw itself is an 18mm M5 x 0.8 with a 5mm tall by 20mm wide plastic knurled head for easier grip and a fairly low-profile shape.
Each screw is paired with a US-made, custom-molded oblong washer, which is 65 percent lighter than a 1.5″ steel fender washer and provides a large surface against the bag for better compression against the tube. The smooth tapered design not only prevents clothing or other gear from snagging on the screw but also covers most elongated bolt holes better than a round washer. I suppose another hidden benefit is the fact that these plastic washers don’t rust; I have pulled out plenty of rusty frame bag bolt washers due to the dank conditions around Pisgah National Forest.
The best thing about these is that they don’t loosen and back out of the frame eyelets. I’ve now put several hundred miles on this fancy frame bag with two Rogue Panda Frame Bag Thumb Screw and Washer sets. Neither has moved at all. That’s a first. My best guess is that the plastic washer dampens the vibrations enough to not cause any bolt rotation.
The thumb screws are currently made in China, and the washers are manufactured in the USA. Rogue Panda has plans to bring full production stateside in the future. As of May 2025, Rogue Panda includes these screws with all new bolt-on frame bags, but riders with earlier purchases can order them separately, with a limited-time 40 percent discount available. Find that on their product page linked below. Plus, as mentioned below in the Conversation, they’ll be making a version without the panda branding for OEM resale to other bag makers. Thumbscrews for all!
- Model Tested: Rogue Panda Frame Bag Thumb Screw and Washer
- Actual Weight: 8 grams (0.28 oz)
- Place of Manufacture: China and USA
- Price: $3.50
- Manufacturer’s Details: Rogue Panda
Pros
- Easy to install and remove
- Screw offers plenty of grip and leverage
- Washer design seems to diffuse vibration and prevent loosening
- They look nice
- Included with Rogue Panda Frame Bags
Cons
- Bulkier than standard bolts
- Hard plastic can be rattly with things like pumps bouncing around
Further Reading
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