Crust Bikes has launched a new aluminum bike fit for rough terrain. With clearance for a 29 x 2.6″ tire, a portage handle, and a kickstand mount, it’s a quirky model with a unique paint job. Read on below for more on the brand’s latest rider-inspired design…

Colorado’s Rollins Pass is the stuff of legend. It’s the highest point on a wild, rugged railroad built in 1904 and a crossing that’s now accessible only to cyclists and hikers. Reachable by public transport and a day’s pedaling, it’s also an alternative gateway to the state’s largest bike park. Fueled by gummy worms and dreams of endless descents, Cass and Sage combined bikepacking with bikepark-ing for their first experience of gravity-fed riding…

This week’s Debrief features a rainbow of Microwave Pannier colors, Vetra’s Rattlesnake Stem, niche shop tools, a limited-edition Brooks saddle, multiple events to follow live, and more. Find it all here…

The new Revelate Designs Underpackers are a bolt-free, minimalist cargo solution for carbon and aluminum frames with wide, flat-bottomed downtubes. Take a closer look here…

Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from Nathan in Bend, Oregon, who shares the custom Mostly Forever titanium hardtail he uses to pursue his main passion of heading out for adventurous rides through remote places. Meet Nathan and read a little about the challenges of finding a well-fitting bike as a 6’8” cyclist here…

Neil’s latest video is a thoughtful look back at a recent journey along the picturesque Colorado Trail. Reflecting on how his outlook on life, bikepacking, and more has changed as he’s gotten older, it’s an insightful personal story with lessons for everyone. Watch it and find a written version with photos here…

For Collective Reward #249, we partnered with Californian component manufacturer White Industries to give one lucky winner an aluminum crankset and chainring of their choice. Find details on our latest giveaway here…

Last summer, Tad Jiunn Kho and Wen Yee Kok went on a five-day bikepacking trip around Cornwall, England. Tad’s latest video offers a dreamy look at the coastal paths, snack stops, and quintessential summer camp spots they enjoyed along the way. Find a short written recap and watch his video here…

The L’esperit del Bikepacking Startline Bursary aims to increase diversity by providing financial assistance and gear to underrepresented riders at their events. Gabrielle Antoine was a recipient of this year’s El Piri bursary, and she completed the 800-kilometer route across the Pyrenees on her restored 26-inch mountain bike. Find her heartfelt written recap and photos from the journey here…

After testing the original version of San Util’s Mini Panniers for over a year, Miles got his hands on an updated version that addresses some of the issues he uncovered. The San Util Mini Panniers V2 have an external stretch pocket, a simplified attachment system, and optional waterproof taped seams. Following several months of riding, dig into Miles’s review here…

The Trickstuff Maxima has earned an almost mythical reputation among mountain bikers, pairing eye-watering pricing with claims of unrivaled braking performance. After two years of testing them on the steep descents in Oaxaca, Mexico, Logan weighs in on whether they’re simply boutique bling or genuinely in a class of their own. Find his full Trickstuff Maxima Review here…

Leigh Foster’s latest video chronicles a 572-mile ride between Chicago, Illinois, and Saint Paul, Minnesota. By connecting various scenic trails, quiet back roads, small towns, state parks, and stretches along the Mississippi River, Leigh created what he calls the perfect Midwest bikepacking route. Watch the 16-minute video here…