Logan Watts

Part seven of our Sea Otter video coverage wraps up the roundups with an big assortment of standout bikes, clever components, and final takeaways from the show floor. From the eye-catching Sour Pasta Party 32 to low-drag DT Swiss hub internals and fresh gear from brands like Swift Industries, Curious Creatures, SQLab, Ortlieb, and Five Ten, there’s plenty to dig into…

Two small brands an ocean apart are challenging the status quo with derailleurs built around repairability, compatibility, and mechanical simplicity. In this two-in-one review, we put the Ratio Mech and Madrone Jab to the test on the same bike. The result is a compelling look at what happens when thoughtful engineering meets a growing demand for alternatives to today’s increasingly complex drivetrain ecosystem. Find our full Madrone Jab Review and Ratio Mech Review here…

The 16th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is just around the corner, and we’re excited to offer a first look at what’s inside. Plus, vote on your favorite cover to help us decide! Find details and learn how to reserve a copy before the April 17th deadline here…

Following up on their well-loved Diamond front rack, Allygn in Berlin has introduced a compact rear counterpart designed for lightweight bikepacking and modular setups. The Allygn Diamond Back Rack is lightweight and still offers features like internal light routing and plenty of accessory mounts, including their Anybolt Kit. Read on for details…

Wilde Bikes revived the iconic bullmoose bar with a twist, blending classic design with updated geometry for modern ATB and dirt-touring builds. The new Wilde Bullwinkle pairs an 800mm-wide platform with thoughtful geometry and tubing details for long days of off-road riding and loaded bikepacking. See what sets the Wilde Bullwinkle apart here…

Surly just announced two fresh paint colors for its core rigid dirt-touring bikes. Check out the new Salmon Skin Silver Krampus and Lingering Cranberry Bridge Club here…

For our 239th Collective Reward, we’re giving one randomly selected Bikepacking Collective member a Restrap Switch Rack and Cage—a clever, modular cargo system designed to bring rack functionality to nearly any modern thru-axle bike. Find details here…

In this opinion[ated] piece, BIKEPACKING.com’s founding editor offers a candid peek at what he’d do differently if he didn’t work in the bike industry. Find his thoughts on what bikes and gear he’d be using (and which he wouldn’t) if he didn’t have access to or the need to try the latest and greatest here…

Teravail recently expanded their tire lineup with new sizes and constructions for select models. That includes the 29+ Ehline we reviewed, new 120 TPI casings for most of their gravel line, fresh 27.5″ MTB options, and more. Learn more about the new collection and find overview videos here…

Over a decade after 29+ helped redefine bikepacking, the format has largely faded from the spotlight. However, many of us outliers still think it’s the perfect tire size. When Teravail mentioned the new Ehline 29 x 2.8, it felt like a welcome renewal of the platform that once inspired entire continents’ worth of dirt touring possibilities. After months riding a pair through the loose, rocky terrain of Oaxaca, Logan shares his review and thoughts on how this modern take on a classic plus tire stacks up…

The wildly popular Transition Spur returns with a second generation that stays true to the original’s downcountry roots while adding some thoughtful updates. Spur V2 brings in-frame storage, a geometry-adjusting flip chip, and cleaner cable routing, along with subtle tweaks to the frame and geometry. Find details and the tech video here…

“What rack is that?” is a question we hear almost daily. Lately, the answer has often been the Restrap Switch Rack. After a couple of months of testing this modular, axle-mounted system and its Rack Cage platform, we share thoughts on fit, function, compatibility, and how it stacks up against other modern rack options. If you’ve spotted it and been curious, find our full review here…