Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Debrief features colorful new releases from Austere and ESI, a full-suspension gravel e-bike from Salsa, several fresh videos, a Voile alternative from Old Man Mountain, an event to follow live, and more. Find it all here…
The weekly Debrief highlights small but important bits of news, products, and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. These include upcoming events and interesting items our readers shared in the comments. Check out this week’s findings below.
Bits & Bobs
New products that are worth highlighting but didn’t make the Dispatch…
Limited Edition Austere Yellow’n’Blue
Made in USA / $27 at Austere MFG
Austere Manufacturing just released a limited edition run of their US-made cam-lock buckles/straps. They feature a blue Type II anodized aluminum buckle paired with yellow nylon webbing, available with a stainless steel or titanium pin.
Salsa Launch Wanderosa E-Bike
$8,000+ at Salsa Cycles
Salsa launched their new electric full-suspension gravel bike this week, the Wanderosa. Said to be a “genre-bending blend” of full-suspension capability, progressive drop-bar geometry, and motorized assistance, the Wanderosa is now available directly through Salsa. Check out their launch video above to see it in action.
Pretty Great Instant is Back in Stock
Made in the USA / $25+ at Pretty Great Instant
Announced via Lachlan Morton’s Instagram earlier this week, Pretty Great Instant is back and rolling with instant offerings. After a quiet second half of the year, unable to secure consistent stock, the California-based coffee company is in full swing with some fresh merch and three coffees: a Guatemalan, a Brazilian, and a decaf option.
Old Man Mountain Cargo Straps
$18/pair at Old Man Mountain
Launched alongside the new 12L Atlas Rack Pack, Old Man Mountain has also released its own cargo straps. The OMM Cargo Straps are Voile-style straps made from Polypropylene, and are available in 20” (500mm) and 25” (650mm) lengths. They cost $18 per pair and are available now.
Fairweather Singlespeed Kit
Made in Japan / $43 at Blue Lug Silver Black
Fairweather’s new singlespeed kit is designed for Shimano HG freehubs and includes everything you need to get rolling with one gear, including a cog, lockring, and spacers. The included 18T cog is made of stainless steel, and the kit comes with an array of spacers. It’s available in black or silver.
ESI Limited Edition in Wild Plum
Made in USA / $19.99 at ESI Grips
ESI Grips just added a limited “wild plum” color option to their lineup of made-in-USA silicone grips. They are available for a limited time in select models. Here’s how ESI describes the new color: “Wild Plum is a saturated, earthy purple with a matte finish. It is a gorgeous, deep shade of purple that’s sophisticated enough for a high-end build but has enough ‘pop’ to stand out on the trail!”
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…
One Wheelset to Rule Them All
There were over 70 comments on our review of We Are One’s Wanderer Wheels, which the brand somewhat dubiously claims is “the world’s first bikepacking wheelset.” Some readers took issue with this, finding their “world’s first” claim to be stretch, and others had opinions on what their ideal bikepacking wheelset would look like. How would you build your perfect wheels for bikepacking? Let us know what rims and hubs you’d pick in the conversation below.
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
Bikepacking the Western Monumental Loop (2.75)
In November, Katrina Hase pedaled the updated Monumental Loop 2.75 route over five days with a couple of friends, where she discovered a quiet synergy between the quality of the desert and the women riding through it. Her video above captures their experience.
Josh Ibbett’s Mason Bokeh Bikepacking Setup
Josh Ibbett’s latest video is an in-depth breakdown of his Mason Bokeh gravel bike and the gear he used bikepacking through northern Morocco. From component choices to the small items that make up his pack list, it’s a deep dive into Josh’s kit and a good insight for those looking to make the most of gravel-oriented bikepacking setup.
Clipless Salomon Shoes by Valcko
Forever converting non-clipless shoes to clipless, Valcko Studios just shared some photos of some awesome SPD-equipped Salomon shoes. Could these be the ultimate bikepacking and hike-a-bike shoes? See more on their Instagram.
Why Building Bikes in America Is Harder Than Ever
In Stinner’s latest video, owner Aaron Stinner sits down with long time friend and collaborator Bradford Smith from Afterhours Frameworks to speak to the challenges of fabricating bikes in the states. In this video, they run through their history as friends and their combined experience in the industry.
Guy Stuart Wins a Mark Gunther Photo Award
During Guy Stuart’s Goodnight 2025 overnighter, he took a snapshot of his fat bike and tent nestled in the snow. This month, the image was awarded eighth place in the Smartphone category in the 10th Annual Mark Gunther Photo Awards 2025. Congrats, Guy! Find all the award recipients here.
Back to the Atlas
Complementing his recent feature, Morocco Without the Clock, Valerio Stuart’s “Back to the Atlas” is a 14-minute video that documents a bikepacking trip along a track that combined sections of the Atlas Mountain Race route and our Kings of the Atlas route. Watch it above.
Third Annual Vintage Mountain Bike Show
The Vintage Mountain Bike Show presented by BoneshakerMTB and Gremlins Bicycle Emporium is back for 2026! The Toronto, Ontario, show will display over 30 vintage MTBs, components, clothing, and more from the sport’s most influential creators. There will be a photo exhibition featuring work by Wende Cragg, an American photographer whose images vividly captured the origins of mountain biking in the 1970s. The Opening Reception is March 5th, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m. The show will be open March 6th to 8th, from 12 to 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
The Mule Trail
The Mule Trail is approximately 630 kilometers long across the length of Costa Rica, from its southern border in Panama to the northern one with Nicaragua. The 2026 grand depart started yesterday morning, and riders are well on their way. Follow their progress live here.
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a lighthearted animation on the perils of riding a bike in the winter from Aharon Hovsepyan…
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