Super73 Z1 CNC Tactical MOLLE Panel: The Cleanest Way I’ve Found to Carry Gear on the Z1
April 23, 2021
If you ride a Super73 Z1, you already know the “problem”: the bike is simple, fun, and surprisingly capable, but carrying real everyday stuff can get awkward fast. Backpacks work… until they don’t. Handlebar bags can mess with steering. Rear racks add bulk.
The open triangle in the Z1 frame is basically wasted space, so I set out to use it.
This is my hands-on take on a CNC-cut tactical-style MOLLE panel for the Super73 Z1—what it’s like to install, how it feels on rides, and why it’s one of those mods that quietly makes the bike more livable.
Why I wanted a MOLLE panel on the Z1
MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is essentially a grid of mounting slots designed for straps. The whole point is flexibility: instead of committing to one bag shape forever, you can mount different pouches and gear depending on the day.
On the Z1, that flexibility really clicks because the frame is so open. A panel turns that empty space into an adaptable cargo zone.
In my case, I like having a place for essentials like tools, keys, and small ride items, and it’s also a really practical mounting platform if you’re running a larger add-on battery in the frame.
The panel itself (and why CNC matters)
This version is made from 1/8" ABS plastic and cut on a large-format CNC machine.
The biggest real-world benefit of CNC here isn’t “tactical vibes”—it’s consistency. The cuts are clean, the slots are uniform, and the edges come out smoother than what most people can do at home with a Dremel.
It’s also intentionally simple: no branding, no flashy shapes, just a functional grid sized to fill the Z1’s frame opening. That also means it’s easy to paint if you want it to blend into your bike.
Installation: what I actually did
The install is refreshingly low-stress.
I mounted it using zip ties right to the frame. You can use as many as you want, but the more weight you plan to carry, the more you’ll want to distribute the load across multiple tie points.
A couple install details that mattered for me:
Panel orientation: I lined up the left side and top first to make sure I wasn’t mounting it rotated the wrong way.
Motor cable routing: at the rear of the panel, I routed the motor cable through one of the MOLLE “boxes” so it sits naturally and doesn’t get pinched.
Zip tie length: depending on where you tie in, longer zip ties can help. If I didn’t have the perfect length, doubling up worked fine.
Once everything was where I wanted it, I tightened it down and clipped the excess.
Fit and clearance on the bike
This was my main concern going in: would it mess with pedaling, crank clearance, or anything near the rear wheel?
Mounted correctly, it stayed nicely tucked and pretty much flush with the frame. My pedaling felt normal, and the panel didn’t interfere with riding.
The key is obvious but important: don’t mount it too low or sloppily. The Z1 gives you enough room under that top tube area for pouches to sit inside the frame space without hanging into crank or tire territory, but only if you position everything carefully.
Riding with it: how it changes the day-to-day
On the road (and on quick errands), the biggest difference is that I stopped thinking so hard about where to put stuff.
A frame-mounted solution feels more stable than hanging weight off the bars, and it keeps the bike’s silhouette clean. The panel also makes it easy to swap setups—small pouch one day, larger bag another—without re-engineering your whole storage plan.
And because it’s ABS, it has that sweet spot feel: light enough that it doesn’t make the bike feel bulky, but sturdy enough that it doesn’t feel like a flimsy accessory once it’s tied down.
What We Like
Uses the Z1’s open frame space in a smart, low-profile way
MOLLE slots make it easy to mount and re-mount different pouches
CNC-cutting gives cleaner, more consistent results than most DIY cuts
No branding, and it’s easy to paint to match your build
Zip-tie mounting keeps installation simple and accessible
Things To Consider
Mounting hardware is on you (zip ties work, but plan your tie points for your load)
Cable routing matters—especially near the rear/motor cable—so take your time
Clearance depends on a clean install; sloppy placement can create crank/wheel interference
This style of setup is best if you already use (or want to use) MOLLE-compatible bags/straps
Availability can change (the original order form has been marked sold out)
Final Thoughts
If your Super73 Z1 is a daily rider, this is one of those upgrades that makes the bike feel more complete. It doesn’t change the speed or the power, but it absolutely changes how usable the bike is when real life happens—commutes, small errands, carrying basics, or setting up a more modular gear system.
I like mods that disappear into the ride, and that’s exactly what this did. Once it’s on and dialed, you just… use it.
Links
Want a discount on your Super73? https://www.talkable.com/x/fqj0WT
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/