Bottle cages are simple. They are usually a curved piece of metal that is designed for one job only, to hold water bottle while you’re riding. Blackburn, however, has decided to let the simple bottle cage become something much more than that. With the Outpost Cargo Cage, they have combined the bottle cage with a carrying rack, and transformed the simple cage into a versatile load-carrying system.
I’ve dreamt of building up a bikepacking rig ever since I heard of the concept. The idea of human powered transport across the countryside to remote camping areas pulled at my adventurer’s heartstrings and made me start fantasizing about racks, bags and other touring gear. I spotted the Outpost in my shop during the summer and quickly snapped it up to add to my growing touring frame. What pulled me in the most was the fact that it was made to carry not only waterbottles, but any other gear that could fit into a cylindrical shape. To me, that was a lot. It turned my frame from an empty space to a gear-carrying system and has allowed me to carry much more than a simple bottle.
While the versatility is great and all, the primary function of this cage is to carry water. For longer treks, the added capacity is amazing. I can now strap a two litre bottle to my bike and stay hydrated all day. The only drawback to this system is that in order to take a drink, I must stop riding, undo the straps and drink from my bottle. It isn’t possible to pull your bidon out while riding, and for hot days this constant stopping can make for very slow progress.
As a rack, though, the Outpost is amazing. My main idea was to carry my tent inside the rack, saving room on the rear of my bike for a sleeping system and food bags. With the tent inside the frame, there is much more room for other gear around the rest of the bike. The weight of the gear is low and centred in the frame, making for a solid and smooth ride that doesn’t throw itself around. It is also possible on some frames to mount two or more Outposts, making the system ever more versatile.
The most interesting way i’ve used the cage so far was to carry home a litre of ice cream strapped to the inside of my frame. It makes grocery trips so much easier, and its sheer versatilty is what keeps me coming back to it.
If you’re looking for a cage that functions as both a traditional bottle cage and as a fully functional rack, the Outpost has you covered. The only drawback is that hydrating on the go is impossible with the strap system.