WholeGrain Cycles CLIFF and CARRIE Review: All in the Family

Note to readers: The early pre-production version of CLIFF I’ve been testing has several ugly welds and defects that WholeGrain Cycles says don’t meet their standards for production models. Buyers can expect a much more refined version.

Five years ago, UK-based WholeGrain Cycles released JACK the rack, and it received a ton of attention. The hype was justified, as its clever bolt-less design allows it to be mounted to practically any type of bike with a 31.8mm, 25.4mm, or 22.2mm handlebar. It relies on two high-strength straps that cantilever JACK over the front wheel. One thread runs under the stem, which holds the rack up and keeps it from rotating down toward the tire, and the other runs around the steerer tube, keeping the rack from rotating up. Since publishing my review, I’ve continued to use my pre-production JACK on many bikes, where it provides a solid platform for handlebar bags, baskets, totes, and more. It’s a great product.

• 
• 

WholeGrain Cycles has been pretty quiet since, but when founders Miles Gibbons and Luke Cardew mentioned a lightweight JACK-style cradle in the works, it piqued my attention. Over the last month, I’ve been testing a pre-production version of CLIFF and the new CARRIE harness, and I just returned from nine days of bikepacking in Baja using this setup. I was eager to discover whether it was different enough from JACK to be justified, and whether they could make any improvements on an already smart design.

Hello, My Name is CLIFF

Released today, the new WholeGrain Cycles CLIFF uses the same clever mounting system as JACK. The two main hooks attach to the handlebars on either side of your stem, and WholeGrain includes a variety of shims for 31.8mm, 25.4mm, and 22.2mm bars. It uses the same steerer tube strap and cam-lock buckle to keep the cradle from rotating upward. The yellow load strap that loops under the stem to prevent downward rotation has been updated to a daisy chain, allowing multiple positions with a single strap instead of keeping track of multiple lengths, as with JACK. That’s pretty much where JACK and CLIFF’s similarities end.

• 
• 

CLIFF is a bag support/handlebar cradle that can be used to carry dry bags, top-opening handlebar bags, and harnesses. It’s made from 304 stainless steel with an 8mm bar “core” that WholeGrain says is overbuilt for its designed use. Each CLIFF comes with handlebar shims, mounting straps, and a non-stretch retention cord to secure the base of any bag that you want to mount to it.

CLIFF’s main structure, or “hanger,” is made from a single shaped section of steel tubing that handles most of the heavy lifting (in tandem with the straps). The rest of the structure is designed to provide places to strap bags and harnesses, including the new WholeGrain CARRIE, which is being launched alongside CLIFF. It leaves about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of clearance from the handlebars, offering plenty of room for your hands, cables, or other accessories. It is designed to sit at a 90-degree angle, holding bags upright and in a more functional position.

• 
• 
• 

CLIFF’s suggested maximum weight limit is 11 pounds (5 kilograms), based on ISO testing for “permanent bicycle carriers” and its own field testing. The total weight of CLIFF is a hair over 400 grams, which includes the cradle, 31.8mm spacers, load strap, retention strap, and retention cord. For reference, JACK weighs 700 grams. CLIFF is about 150-200 grams heavier than other handlebar-mounted cradles, but it’s the only option we know of that doesn’t bolt directly to the bike, which makes installation, removal, and adjustments far quicker. CLIFF also has a higher-than-average weight limit, likely because it doesn’t rely on bolted hardware to prevent the cradle from rotating. This makes it better suited to supporting large handlebar bags, which isn’t how cradles are normally designed. You can find a quick comparison chart below, and then visit our Handlebar Cradle Gear Index for even more options.

As for bike compatibility, there’s a strong likelihood that CLIFF will work with your bike. It’s okay to use with rigid and suspension forks, any handlebar material, and 0° to +40° stems. Negative angle stems are compatible if the angle of the stem when fixed to the steerer tube doesn’t produce a negative angle to the ground level of 180°. When installed, CLIFF measures 7″ tall by about 9.5″ wide, so as long as your front tire isn’t within that, you should be okay. When mounting a bag or harness to CLIFF, the more important measurement is the minimum 2″ (5cm) gap between whatever is attached to CLIFF and your front tire.

Bikepacking with CLIFF and CARRIE

I received a pre-production version of CLIFF and CARRIE just in time for our Good Night 2025 campout, and I also used the system on a nine-day ride on the Baja’s Cape Loop, as mentioned above. WholeGrain sent over some instructional videos, but having used JACK so extensively, it was obvious how to set things up. It takes a few minutes to install CLIFF for the first time, dialing in the angle and the lower strap length, but it is otherwise much easier than messing around with bolts.

CARRIE is an optional harness and dry bag combo that pairs up perfectly with CLIFF. CARRIE’s two main compression straps loop through CLIFF’s upper slots and around the dry bag, creating a simple yet functional setup. Paired with the included lower strap, the harness has virtually no movement. CLIFF can move slightly on really rough terrain because it’s not bolted in place, and the retention straps have some give. I had a similar experience with JACK the rack, but it was never enough to be annoyed by.

• 
• 

The harness includes a generously sized, seam-taped 18L dry bag. It’s made from a lightweight recycled polyester ripstop fabric with a durable silicone coating. There are small plastic strips at each end to assist with a tight roll, but unfortunately, the plastic on my test version started cracking after only a few days of use. I reported this to WholeGrain Cycles, and the guys quickly started working on a fix. The bag closes with aluminum G-hook buckles and webbing at each end. I’ve already managed to puncture the dry bag, but that’s not totally surprising considering all the prickly plants in Baja.

CARRIE is equipped with various webbing loops and MOLLE-style webbing, which can be used to secure tent poles or other items. The two main faces of CARRIE have some structure thanks to internal recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) panels, which I found create a fantastic shelf, making loading the dry bag easier. With some tension in the two main compression straps, CARRIE has been one of the easiest-loading harnesses I’ve used. Two steel cam-lock buckles hold the main straps securely, and they never loosened while riding.

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 

The combined weight of the harness and dry bag is about 485 grams, or just over a pound. Add in the weight of CLIFF, and the entire system is around 890 grams, or nearly two pounds. When you compare it to lightweight cradles that don’t need a harness or even all-in-one handlebar rolls, the CLIFF + CARRIE setup is on the heavier side. You could theoretically strap a dry bag directly onto CLIFF, without CARRIE, but I found the V-shape of CARRIE to work best with a harness or bag with a lower attachment point, since it’s somewhat different from the cradling shape of bolt-on cradles.

• 
• 

I’m glad WholeGrain continues to design products that don’t lock you into a specific system or family of products. JACK the Rack is so useful because it serves as a versatile platform for whatever you choose to lug around. CLIFF is no different, providing a stable platform for virtually any type of harness or handlebar bag. You can add CARRIE into the kit for a slick setup, or strap on the harness/handlebar bag you already own. They say the Restrap Race Bar Bag system and Revelate Designs Pronghorn harness will work, and I’m sure most other harnesses would too. Plus, CARRIE can also be used as a standalone harness, without CLIFF.

CLIFF as a Handlebar Bag Support

I was so focused on testing CLIFF with CARRIE that I nearly overlooked its potential as a standalone handlebar bag support. WholeGrain specifically mentioned this as an option, and I’m glad I took the time to try it out. It turns out CLIFF makes an excellent support for top-loading handlebar bags, such as this prototype bag from Buckhorn Bags I’ve been using.

The beauty of top-loading bags is that they all attach to your bars in a similar way, and CLIFF accounts for this. The two upper mounting bars on CLIFF are spaced far enough apart to replicate a handlebar, so it’s easy to cinch down your bag’s straps for a secure fit. You also get the same great clearance around the bar for your hands, which can be a problem for larger top-opening bags. As a bonus, CLIFF only requires 12mm of free handlebar space on either side of the stem, so bags with wide-set straps, like the one pictured above, are no longer a hassle. Using CLIFF also removes the wiggle that often exists between foam spacers, the bag, and the bar, resulting in a more stable setup.

• 
• 

According to WholeGrain, all ~10L to ~15L top-loading handlebar bags, and some larger ~20L bags, from most brands should fit CLIFF well. Having used my fair share of such bags, I can’t imagine many options not working. They are working on a more specific compatibility diagram, but for now, they are 95% sure the following bags will work well with CLIFF:

• Wizard Works BadJelly Small and Medium
• Swift Industries Zeitgeist
• Swift Industries Catalyst
• Road Runner Jammer
• Road Runner Middle Earth Jammer
• Restrap Bar Pack
• Rons Bikes Fabri Chest Small
• Smaller bags from Ena Bags in Greece

Of course, using CLIFF adds about a pound to whatever handlebar bag you’re using, an increase worth noting. There are also bags, such as the new Outer Shell Mega Bar Bag I tested last fall, that have nifty integrated stabilization systems that don’t require additional gear. For bags with limited structure or that tend to sag forward, the CLIFF provides additional stability and keeps the bag at a 90-degree angle, as mentioned earlier, which makes accessing top and front-facing pockets easier.

WholeGrain Cycles put together a detailed instructional video for a thorough look at how CLIFF is installed. You can watch that below:

Getting your CLIFF and CARRIE

There are a few ways to get WholeGrain Cycles gear, including JACK, CLIFF, and CARRIE. The most direct option is to purchase directly from WholeGrain Cycles, as they ship worldwide. Another option is to find your local dealer/distributor. As of today, WholeGrain has several distributors set up who may work with your local bike shop. These include Interjet in Japan, Cosmic Sports (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and other EU countries), BTI in the USA, and DSB in Italy. Other distributors that will soon carry WholeGrain’s products include Unspokin in Southeast Asia, SPAD Channel in France, Campervan Brands in Canada, SCV Imports in Australia, and Cyclewerks in New Zealand.

WholeGrain CLIFF

• Load Limit: 11 pounds (5 kilograms)
• Material: 304 Stainless Steel
• Weight: 0.9 pounds (405 grams)
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Price: £69 ($99 USD)
• Manufacturer’s Details: WholeGrainCycles.com

WholeGrain CARRIE

• Capacity: 18L
• Material: 150D/900D recycled PET ripstop
• Weight: 1.1 pounds(485 grams)
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Price: £69 ($99 USD)
• Manufacturer’s Details: WholeGrainCycles.com

• 
• 

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...