Neil Beltchenko

Canyon just dropped the new Grizl Escape ECLIPS, and it’s a full-on love letter to bikepacking. Packed with thoughtful details—right down to a gummy bear graphic on the seat tube—it’s clear they didn’t just design this bike for adventure; they designed it for us. Find our full review here…

Adding to their flood of mountain bike drivetrain launches this month, Shimano has another big announcement today: their first-ever fully wireless gravel groupset. It leans heavily on their latest wireless derailleur tech but is a compelling addition to the lineup. Neil has been riding the new Shimano GRX Di2 group for the past month and breaks down everything you need to know in this review, including specs, weights, install tips, highlights, and more…

After we published our Rigs of the 2025 Tour Divide, Neil dug into the submissions, uncovering the essential details and trends to reveal a clearer picture of the bikes and gear used in this year’s event. In this piece, we break down the data and highlight some interesting findings, including where folks are from, what bikes, tires, drivetrains, gearing, and cargo setups they’re running, and much more. Dive in here…

The new wireless XTR drivetrain isn’t the only thing that’s new today from Shimano. They also dropped their latest brakes, and there are a lot of notable updates. We tested the all-new Shimano XTR M9220 endurance trail brakes ahead of today’s launch for this review…

It was a long time coming, but Shimano finally launched their fully wireless XTR drivetrain. Was it worth the wait? To find out, we real-world tested the Shimano XTR Di2 wireless system on trail rides and bikepacking trips over the last few months for this full review, complete with actual weights and prices compared to other drivetrains…

In his latest video, Neil takes a look at the all-new Pact Ultra Lite Bathroom Kit, an impressively compact and light trowel system that contains everything you need to do your business in the woods. Find the full Pact Ultra Lite Bathroom Kit review video here…

The titanium Viral Wanderer is an adventure-focused drop-bar bike built around a Pinion Smart.Shift system. Neil spent several months testing one on off-road rides around Colorado to determine if this uniquely comfortable, durable, and low-maintenance rig could be a true “forever bike.” Find out in his video and written Viral Wanderer review here…

Two weeks ago at the 2025 Sea Otter Classic, we asked nearly everyone we interviewed whether tariffs were already affecting their business—or if they expected them to in the coming months. Hear a broad range of perspectives and find out what we learned in Neil’s latest video here…

Just announced, the new Tailfin CargoPack (formerly AeroPack Cargo) features expandable cargo pockets, roll-top access to the main body, optional cage mounts, and a few more interesting features. Plus, it’s backward compatible. Neil used one for a couple of months ahead of today’s release for this review…

The Spearfish has been Salsa’s XC-focused bike for more than a decade, and today, they launch the fourth iteration, an all-new short-travel full-suspension platform with adventure at its core. Neil’s been pedaling the redesigned 2025 Salsa Spearfish C for a couple of months for this review…

Neil’s latest video, “Cycling Past the Winter Blues in Rabbit Valley,” is a more emotional view of his recent bikepacking experiences. With so much going on in the world, Neil zooms out and reflects on a recent trip that stuck with him…

Over the years, Neil has picked up plenty of insights about bikepacking and the challenges that come with it. And while many readers are familiar with the frustrations, a few annoyances might take newcomers by surprise. Here’s Neil’s list of 13 frustrating things about bikepacking, why they happen, and how to prepare for and overcome them…