Omnium Folding Backrest

Omnium Folding Backrest — passenger capability when you need it, out of the way when you don't

Some days the front rack carries a child. Other days it carries crates, boxes, a week of shopping or a parcel that needs the full length of the platform. The Folding Backrest is Omnium's answer to that rhythm: a full-size passenger backrest that folds flat against the rack in seconds, without tools and without ever leaving the bike.

Where the classic Back Rest is a fixed installation you fit at the start of the season and remove at the end, this version is built around transitions. Release the two locking plungers, drop the backrest to 0°, and the platform is clear. Raise it back to 110°, lock the pivots, and your passenger has the same supportive padded backrest, nylon armrests and seatbelt. Same protection, different tempo.

Two positions, one movement

The backrest pivots on two aluminium clamps, each fitted with a spring plunger that locks the position mechanically. Retract both plungers, rotate them 90°, move the backrest, then let them re-engage. There are only two positions by design — folded at 0° and open at 110° — so there is no ambiguity about whether the mechanism is properly seated. Both pivots must be locked before riding.

Built for daily transitions

• Folds flat in seconds — no tools, no removal from the bike
• Mechanical spring-plunger locking at both pivot points
• Padded backrest panel with nylon armrests
• Integrated seatbelt, adjustable to the passenger
• Velcro bottom cover secured around the rack's transverse webbing
• Side straps routed around the front transverse tube for lateral stability

Fit and compatibility

The Folding Backrest mounts to the Omnium front rack and is compatible with:

• Cargo Classic, Cargo WiFi, Cargo V3, Cargo V3.1
• Mini-Max Classic, Mini-Max WiFi, Mini-Max V3, Mini-Max V3.1

It is not compatible with the Omnium Nano or the CXC. If your bike runs the V2 / Dual-Axis webbing, the rack can stay on the frame during installation.

Installation and safety

Installation calls for 4 mm and 6 mm Allen keys. The transverse and longitudinal webbing straps are repositioned, the side pieces are clamped to the rack, and the side straps are tensioned around the front transverse tube.

• M8 clamp bolts: 5 Nm
• Hidden pivot bolts: 4 Nm
• Both spring plungers fully engaged before every ride
• Seatbelt always fastened and adjusted to the passenger
• Seating area designed for children of approximately 5–8 years
• Never exceed the maximum load rating of the rack

Keep fingers, clothing and straps clear of the pivot areas when folding. Inspect bolts, padding and the locking mechanism regularly, and clean and grease the clamps and plungers periodically so the movement stays smooth. Full installation and maintenance instructions are supplied with the product.

Specifications

• Weight: 1700 g
• Colour: Black
• Materials: aluminium clamps and frame, nylon armrests and fabric
• Positions: folded 0° / open 110°
• Locking: two mechanical spring plungers, rotated 90° to release
• Torque values: M8 clamp bolts 5 Nm, hidden pivot bolts 4 Nm
• Tools required for installation: 4 mm and 6 mm Allen keys
• Included: folding backrest frame, padding, nylon armrests, seatbelt, bottom cover
• Compatibility: Omnium Cargo and Mini-Max (Classic, WiFi, V3, V3.1)
• Passenger age: approximately 5–8 years
• Designed in Copenhagen, Denmark

Frequently asked questions

Does this replace the classic Omnium Back Rest?

No — Omnium offers the two side by side. The classic Back Rest gives a more fixed, enclosed setup and stays where you put it. The Folding Backrest is for riders who alternate between passengers and cargo and want that switch to take seconds. Both mount to the same Omnium front rack.

Which Omnium bikes does it fit?

Cargo Classic, Cargo WiFi, Cargo V3 and Cargo V3.1, plus Mini-Max Classic, Mini-Max WiFi, Mini-Max V3 and Mini-Max V3.1. It does not fit the Nano or the CXC. If you are unsure which generation your bike is, send us the frame number and our team at L'Hirondelle Bike Shop in Meppel will confirm it before you order.

What size passenger is it designed for?

The seating area is designed for children of approximately 5 to 8 years, with a seatbelt that adjusts to the child. Younger children who cannot sit unsupported are better served by a dedicated child seat — the Thule Yepp Maxi with the Omnium adapter is the usual solution. Whatever the setup, the maximum load rating of the rack must never be exceeded.

Do I need tools to fold it?

No. Folding and unfolding is entirely tool-free: retract the two spring plungers, rotate them 90°, move the backrest, and let them lock again. The 4 mm and 6 mm Allen keys are only needed for the initial installation and for periodic maintenance.

Is it repairable?

Yes. The construction is bolted aluminium, and the clamps can be taken apart for cleaning and greasing — which is exactly what to do if the movement becomes stiff or the plungers stop running freely. One important exception: the spring plungers are bonded into the aluminium clamps and are not removable, so they should never be unscrewed. Padding, armrests and seatbelt are wearing parts we can source for you from Meppel.