Joe Cruz

The Bike Friday All-Packa is a first-of-its-kind, dirt-forward 20″ folding bike with room for 2.4″ tires and loads of provisions. After thousands of miles of use and multiple bikepacking trips, Joe weighs in on it with this thorough review…

At the end of last year, Joe reviewed the Tanglefoot Moonshiner, a sure-footed ATB conceived for woodsy New England terrain but suitable for all manner of bikepacking in rugged environs. Readers will remember that he loved the Moonshiner for its handling and flat-out prowess on his favorite kinds of exploratory rides. The Hardtack is a lighter-duty sibling to the ‘Shiner, and it shares its dominant philosophy. Read on to find out how Joe thinks the two compare…

Bike Friday recently unveiled their new bike designed for gravel riding and bikepacking on everything from dirt roads to chunky doubletrack to flowy singletrack. Like most Bike Fridays, the All-Packa has 20” wheels and folds into a standard suitcase for travel. It also features clearance for 2.4” tires, a newly developed alt-bar, and loads of mounts and space for bags. Read more about it and find an interview with the designer here…

Analog Cycles is a small shop in Poultney, Vermont, specializing in a thoughtful, intentional approach to all-terrain adventure riding. In a short time, it has become fiercely beloved to many customers in the northeast of the USA. We visited Analog at their just-opened new location, and we think their reputation is rightfully earned. Find photos and our interview with co-owners James Johnson and Candice Passehl here…

In a dozen years, QUOC shoes have made a name for themselves by attending to fit and function with a clean, distinctive styling. The Gran Tourer II is the evolution of an earlier model that was exemplary in everything from spirited gravel rides to drop-bar bikepacking. Does the update exceed the high standard set by the original? Read on to find out why Joe thinks it’s only a qualified success…

The Tanglefoot Moonshiner is a woods exploration bike conceived in and for the kind of riding you’ll find in Vermont and throughout New England. But its prowess doesn’t end there. It’s a bike for getting outside in the playful adventurous spirit that all-terrain bikes were supposed to be for. Dig in to this lengthy discussion to find out why—after riding one in a variety of conditions for a couple of months—Joe is excited and enthusiastic for what Tanglefoot has achieved.

The 2021 Nutmeg Nor’Easter (aka Thee Non-Competitive Alt Cycling World Championship) happened a couple of weeks ago, leaving all attendees with hope for the cycling community at large. Find a reflection from the event by Joe Cruz here, alongside a stunning gallery of photos by Conan Thai…

Joe spent six months last year on the Kona Rove LTD. Even with limited opportunities for far afield adventure, he took it on multiple bikepacking trips in New England and on countless day rides. Following Kona’s recent announcement of its 2022 Roves with essentially only a color change for the LTD, we share this review…