Introducing: Salsa EXP Series Bikepacking Bags

Today, I’m more than a little excited to introduce to you our new EXP Series Framepacks – built with the same adventure-ready intentionality, functionality, and get-after-it-ability that you’ve come to expect from Salsa. Not gonna lie, I love me some well-built packs; they invite possibility and introduce the potential to transform any ride into so much more.

Our collective bikepacking experiences led to our want list, and helped guide the hands of our engineers Andrew Cottrell, Joe Meiser, and Sean Mailen. The EXP Series checks off all the boxes we were after and then some. The EXP moniker was chosen to link “explore, expedition, and experience” and as you’ll see as we get into the details, every piece is built with those words in mind.

The EXP Series includes: EXP Series Cutthroat Framepack, EXP Series Seatpack, EXP Series Toptube Bag, EXP Series Anything Cradle, EXP Series Dry Bag, EXP Series Anything Cradle Front Pouch, and EXP Series Anything Cradle Front Straps

EXP Series Cutthroat Framepack

The EXP Series Framepack creates storage capacity in the main triangle of your frame, keeping weight centered, and gear out of the way of off-road obstacles. It’s built with extremely durable fabric and zippers, and the result will see you through many miles, and many adventures. Our first framepacks are designed to fit the Cutthroat frame perfectly.

Materials- 500D Nylon with TPU lamination and PU coating, 1000D Polyester with dual sided TPU lamination, #10 weather-resistant YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware

Construction Methods- Cut and sewn with welded-in-in zippers

Features

• Weather-resistant with fully welded-in #10 YKK weather-resistant zippers
• Internal hook and loop divider for separating gear and managing storage
• D-ring to keep water bladder from compressing itself in the bottom of the bag
• Exit port along downtube for use with water bladder or lights
• Non-driveside flat pocket for storage of maps, tools, phones, wallet, etc.

XL - Weight- 360 g, Volume- 6.1L

L - Weight- 320 g, Volume- 5.2L

M - Weight- 300 g, Volume- 4.5L

S - Weight- 260 g, Volume- 3.5L

EXP Series Toptube Bag

The EXP Series Toptube Bag provides quick and easy access to essential food and gear needed during quick rides or throughout a bikepacking adventure. Mates perfectly to our frames with two-bolt mounting eyelets on the toptube, or adjusts with hook and loop straps to just about any other.

Materials- 500D Nylon with TPU lamination and PU coating, Duraflex hardware, #5 YKK weather-resistant zipper

Construction Methods- Fully welded-in construction

Features

• Weather-resistant welded-in design
• 2 bolt holes in the bottom for use without straps on Salsa frames with toptube mounts
• Closed cell foam internal structure for stability
• 2 internal mesh pockets
• 2-way #5 YKK zipper for managing access

Weight- 160g, Volume- 1.2L

EXP Series Anything Cradle

The Anything Cradle, much like our Anything Cage HD, is built to create carrying capacity where once there was none. The Anything Cradle mounts horizontally in front of your handlebars with super tough 6066 aluminum mounting hardware, and hinges for supremely easy installation and removal. The same amount of thoughtful flexibility in our Anything Cage HD can be found throughout as well with multiple loop options for our Anything Straps. The placement of the Anything Cradle holds your gear about two inches away from bars. This gives ample room for cables without fear of kinking them, but not so far away that handling feels like you’re grabbing the pointy end of a fencing sword. Loaded up, everything feels well distributed and cockpit components can still be adjusted just how you like them.

We also offer the Anything Cradle in two other configurations. 1) Anything Cradle, Straps, and Dry Bag 2) Anything Cradle, Straps, Dry Bag, and Front Pouch. Note that each part can be purchased individually as well.

Materials - Nylon 6/6 composite cradle, 6061 forged aluminum arms

Construction Methods- Injection-molded cradle and forged arms

Features-

• Modular system, use our EXP Series Dry Bags for the perfect carrying system or your own dry bag with a ladder strap system
• Works with or without front pouch
• “Ladder Lock” 3-slot strap weave design that eliminates straps from slipping
• Extremely versatile

Weight- 420g with hardware, Max. Load Weight – 8 lbs (3.7 kgs)

EXP Series Dry Bag

The EXP Series Dry Bag is tailored to fit the Anything Cradle, attached via a pair of our Anything Cradle Straps. Fully welded construction, maximum versatility, and clever hook and loop points for ease of attachment make this supremely useful dry bag a crucial part of your bikepacking set up.

Materials- 420D Nylon with TPU lamination and PU coating

Construction Methods- Fully welded-in construction

Dimensions – Length- 850mm, Diameter-200mm

Features-

• Slots and hook and loop for easy installation,
• Slots for straps to keep bag from moving sided to side when installed
• Weather-resistant welded-in design

Weight- 220g, Volume- 15L

EXP Series Anything Cradle Front Pouch

The Exp Series Anything Cradle Front Pouch adds easy accessibility to the kinds of gear you rely on throughout the day on a bikepacking adventure. Fully welded-in construction for day in, day out abuse, and a buckle attachment design that fully integrates with our EXP Series Anything Cradle and EXP Series Dry Bag.

Materials- 500D Nylon with TPU lamination and PU coating, 1000D Polyester with dual sided TPU lamination, Duraflex hardware, #5 YKK zipper, nylon webbing

Construction Methods- Fully welded-in construction

Dimensions – Length- 250mm, Width- 150mm, Height- 50mm

Features-

• Designed for use with our EXP Series Anything Cradle and EXP Series Dry Bag system
• Extremely weather-resistant welded-in design

Weight- 160g, Volume- 1.7L

EXP Series Anything Cradle Front Straps

Anything Cradle Straps are the perfect width for our Anything Cradle, but can also be used to strap stuff down on racks or wherever the heck you want to strap stuff. They cinch tight but easily release tension with a push of the buckle. Carry a couple with you for your planned or unplanned strapping needs.

Materials- 25mm nylon webbing, Duraflex hardware

EXP Series Seatpack - CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION - STAY TUNED FOR PRODUCT DETAILS

So there you have it. With the EXP Series, you’ve eliminated a big hurdle to get out, and stay out as long as you can with everything you need. We thank you for your continued support of Salsa Cycles.

EXP Series Anything Cradle Kit…complete with Anything Cradle, Straps, Dry Bag, and Front Pouch…

This post filed under topics: Bikepacking Gravel Mark Sirek Mountain Biking New Product Road Tour Divide Ultra Racing

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Sirek

I had to live on both coasts a couple of times to realize that maybe being born in the Midwest wasn’t just arbitrary. I’m drawn to the terrain here, and if you catch me with one of this region’s supreme IPAs in hand, I’ll talk your ear off about my favorite spots. I’ll always take every opportunity though to explore every nook and cranny anywhere I can on a bike, because that’s what makes me feel most alive.

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