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Da Brim Review: Riding Under Da Brimfluence
67 Apr 1 Josh Meissner / apparelIt may be the first of April, but sun protection is serious business. After extensive testing in Spain, Josh Meissner shares his experience with Da Brim, a polarizing helmet-mounted visor that casts shade and ignites opinions in equal measure. Read on to learn more about the sexiest cycling accessory under the sun…
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It Takes a Village: Building a Rohloff ATB at Big Forest Frameworks
25 Feb 6 Josh Meissner / cultureEver wondered what goes into crafting a bike frame by hand? At the beginner-friendly framebuilding course at Big Forest Frameworks in Berlin, Josh Meissner built a custom 29+ ATB from scratch and documented the process from start to finish. Find his detailed report and photos from the workshop here…
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Introducing the Hulsroy Bottle Cage
17 Jan 22 Josh Meissner / newsMads Hulsrøj Jæger, the Danish framebuilder behind Hulsroy Cycles, recently released a sleek side-loading stainless steel bottle cage, which he makes by hand. Find an overview of the well-crafted accessory and a soothing video on how it’s made here…
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Editor’s Dozen: Josh’s Favorite Gear of 2023
88 Jan 10 Josh Meissner / accessoriesIn our final Editor’s Dozen from 2023, Josh Meissner reflects on 12 highlights that shaped his eventful last year of touring all over Europe. Ranging from practical gear to immaterial inspiration, find his collection of favorites that blur the lines of bikepacking here…
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The Real-World Guide to Dynamo Hubs, Lighting, and Charging
121 Dec 19 Josh Meissner / tipsDynamo-curious? In this easy-to-follow guide, we shine some light on what makes always-on dynamo lighting and charging a perfect fit for bikepacking and more. Read on to find essential concepts about dynamo hubs, guiding questions, and advice for assembling a transformative dynamo setup that’s right for you…
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10 Highlights from Bespoked 2023 in Dresden
26 Oct 18 Josh Meissner / cultureIn the second installment of our Bespoked 2023 coverage from Germany, Josh Meissner walks us through his top 10 highlights from the handmade bike show that extend beyond bikes and gear. Read on for his thoughts and photos spurred by the immense talent and collaboration on display at this year’s gathering…
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12 Stunning Bicycles from Bespoked 2023
40 Oct 16 Josh Meissner / bikesThe Bespoked 2023 handmade bike show was held for the first time on the European mainland in Dresden, Germany, and nobody knew quite what to expect. Over the packed weekend, writer Josh Meissner and photographer Stefan Haehnel weaved through the crowds to scope out their favorite bikes of the bunch. Read on for the backstories and superb photos of a dozen stunning rigs for bikepacking and beyond here…
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Introducing Akinn Cycles: Handbuilt Frames from Berlin
8 Aug 23 Josh Meissner / newsThe builders behind Drust Cycles and Vetra Bikes in Berlin have joined forces under the name Akinn Cycles to manufacture batches of customized bicycles, starting with the Subsun all-roader. Find a look at their handbuilt frameset, a fun set of studio and process photos, and details on pre-ordering a discounted Subsun here…
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Inside Vetra Bikes: Building Bridges in Berlin
12 Aug 18 Josh Meissner / field-tripsBased in Berlin and rooted in the world, Vetra Bikes manufactures eye-catching custom bicycles inspired by nature. In this field trip, Josh Meissner and multi-talented founder André Roberedo explore the many tensions that energize the collaborative project. Settle in for a photo-heavy deep dive on inspiration, process, and the many challenges of framebuilding…
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Montanas Vacias, Ernesto Pastor, and his Surly Ogre
33 Aug 4 Josh Meissner / bikesErnesto Pastor crafted his revered Montañas Vacías bikepacking route with an unusual level of care and dedication, and it now draws a steady stream of bikepackers to Spain’s remote interior. In this Rider & Rig feature, we examine his motivation behind the project, its local impact, and his trusty Rohloff-equipped Surly Ogre’s role in experiencing and documenting the landscapes he calls home…
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New Gramm Universal Diamond Bag Works with all Kinds of Front Racks
3 Jul 24 Josh Meissner / newsThe new Universal model of the striking Gramm Diamond Bag mounts seamlessly to popular front racks from Nitto, Velo Orange, and Rene Herse. Find photos and details of the small Berlin brand’s innovative rando bag below…
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Inside Rohloff: Legendary Internal Gear Hubs
44 Jul 13 Josh Meissner / field-tripsWhile bikepacking around Europe this spring, Joshua Meissner made a stop at Rohloff headquarters in Hesse, Germany, to tour the space where their iconic internal gear Speedhub is made. Learn more about the beloved company’s past and present and take a photographic tour of their production and repair processes here…