Backcountry Research Brings Us The Mutherload of Straps
The Mutherload Strap from Backcountry Research provides a strong and versatile system to mount what you want, where you want it, anywhere on your frame.
Super lightweight and constructed with rugged materials, the Mutherload Strap is a simple yet very effective solution to securely strapping essential gear to your bike, and lighten the load in your pack.
Backcountry Research are a relatively small brand based in Bozeman Montana and have been making ingenious little gems like this since 2008. Backcountry Research have grown their brand slowly and solidly over the years through word of mouth. 2017 saw them co-sponsor the Yeti/Fox World Enduro team, equipping riders like Richie Rude, Cody Kelley and women’s pro-rider Anne Galyeanand.
First Impressions
There’s no denying, the Mutherload Strap is one tough cookie. Made from #92 industrial UV and rot resistant bonded polyester thread, you could literally hang a car off this thing. So don’t ever fret about it coming apart anytime soon.
The strap features a velcro tab section, two rubber like shock rings and the whole package only weighs around 42 grams. The best designs are sometimes the simplest ones.
In terms of colours, we opted for a stealthy (some may say boring) black colour option but the Mutherload Strap comes in about 50 colours and creative patterns to choose from.
The Mutherload Strap is a simple but very effective solution and is now a common sight on the EWS circuit, for very good reasons. Pic:©Richard McGibbon
Features
- Quickly and easily mounts anywhere on your frame
- Adjusts to accommodate frames as small as 4″ in circumference (think steel frame) all the way up to a 9″ circumference carbon frame
- 1″ width easily fits in tight spaces
- Unique design maximizes grip quotient to keep your precious cargo from hula hooping
- No more juggling, rubber bands or one handed cinching. Our proprietary dual shockcord preload-strap keeps your tubes, levers, inflation and more tightly bound to keep your goodies from falling on the ground during installation
- Heavy duty Bartacks used on all shockcord stress points
- Intuitive on/off design
- Picker free and won’t snag shorts
- Sewn with #92 industrial UV and rot resistant bonded polyester thread
- Clean up is easy, hose off or throw in the wash
- Built in Bozeman, MT USA
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Installation
To set up is quick and pain free. Although on our first set up we did put it on slightly wrong, so the installation video was very useful, we’d recommend you watching that first.
To Load
Simply centre your inner tube on the grip-strip and pull the dual shockcords up and over the ends of the tube to lock it down…flip it over and slide in your choice of inflation, multi-tool or levers.
Once the tube is in place, flip it over and pull some slack on the strap and just slide other items underneath. Pic:©Richard McGibbon
To Mount
Position your bundle where you want it on the bike with the tube and shock cords facing the frame. Feed the slack end through the contoured loop and reef tight.
Adjusts to accommodate frames as small as 4″ in circumference (think steel frame) all the way up to a 9″ circumference carbon frame. Pic:©Richard McGibbon
Carrying Capacity
The Mutherload Strap has been designed to take a standard 26″, 27.5″ or 29″ tube by itself or with 1-2 16g cartridges, 1-2 20g cartridges, 1-2 25g cartridges, multi-tool, mini pump, levers or whatever combo you want. In our test we packed a 29″ tube, a 25g CO2 cartridge and two tyre levers.
The Mutherload Strap can carry just your inner tubes or a combination of tubes, CO2 cartridges and/or multi-tool, levers. It’s entirely up to you how you load it up. Pic:©Richard McGibbon
Out On The Trails
Any strap system must only really pass one or two very simple tests. How much can it carry and does it stay put. Meaning, will my gear fall off at the first rock garden I hit? Well, in terms of how much it can carry, it’s pretty basic but these are essential items we are talking about. So we’re all good with only having 3-5 items. Any more and we’re heading into pack territory.
In regards to does it stay put. Well, yes it does. The Mutherload Strap has the gripping power of a barnacle on steroids. It just doesn’t move, at all! On rocky terrain, all day rides, it never budged. Un-mounting is a breeze and you can simply throw it your kit bag with all the items still attached.
On those crusty, wet and muddy rides it will get covered in grunge but washing the strap is easy. We just took it into the shower and got it lathered up and the drying time is pretty swift so it’s ready to go again in no time at all.
This strap will flat out stick like “poo to shoe” over the most demanding XC/Enduro race courses and trails anywhere. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon
Where to Buy / Price
You can purchase the Backcountry Mutherload Strap at most good bike shops, local or online.
Price: Around $29 AUD
Feature photo: Backcountry Research
Conclusions
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