Nic Morales

Dainty tubes, a threaded headset, and lugs are just a few of the features that make the Crust Nor’Easter atypical in today’s bike market. A few years removed from its release, clearance for 29” x 2.6” tires sits at the very edge of what even the most experimental gravel bikes can offer. After waiting more than half a decade for a specific version of this bike to appear, Nic finally got his hands on one. In his Crust Nor’Easter Review, he shares whether this antiquated object lives up to the dream…

Brooks England has revamped its bikepacking bag collection with a fresh set of panniers, a handlebar bag, and a saddle bag. In what the storied brand is calling the Travelling Bags Collection, Brooks is offering a full suite of adventure-ready bags that match their classic aesthetic. Read on for details…

Launched yesterday, the Whisp XC wheels from Industry Nine feature 605 points of engagement, carbon rims from their sister company We Are One, and their Solix hub system. Explore all the details of this new wheel system below…

Minneapolis-based Twin Six has made its 32″ bike available for pre-sale. With clearance for 32 x 2.4″ tires, Boost spacing, and UDH compatibility, it looks to be another versatile mountain bike experimenting with the new wheel size. For more on how to get one at a discount, read on below…

Just a year after establishing the OCVA FKT benchmark, Jan Heine of Rene Herse has bettered his time on the 400+ mile route. With over 31,000 feet of elevation gain, a missing bridge, and plenty of other obstacles, Jan’s latest FKT might be his most impressive yet. Learn more about his monster ride below…

Craig from the 2nd Life Bikes YouTube channel has a new video about how he fit wider tires into his vintage mountain bike frame. Using a special tool from Konga Bicycles, he shows how he stopped the rubbing and got even rowdier. Watch the full video below…

In the second edition of Grinds and Gravel—a series focusing on coffee, bikes, and how the two connect—Nic takes a look at a familiar, local shop. Based in the heart of West Asheville, Cooperative Coffee plays an outsized role in both coffee production and providing a space for community. Explore this in-depth look at coffee, community, and bikes below…

Velo Orange launched new colors in four of their current models: the Chessie, Rando, Polyvalent, and Lowkicker. Though the changes are primarily aesthetic, a few of their bikes have been tweaked for greater cargo carrying capacity and ease of use. Explore all the details here…

Wizard Works just released a new made-to-order, waterproof frame bag. With a roll-top opening and taped seams, it promises large storage capacity and waterproof construction to withstand the elements. Find all the details about the Wizard Works roll-top frame bag here…

Launched earlier this year, Friend&Fiend is a small, handmade bag brand from industrial designer Bailey Van Etten. His initial launch featured a pair of On-Tube Storage bags designed to attach to accessory mounts, expanding carrying capacity for snacks, tubes, and other items. V2 is an improvement on that very same design. Check out all the details here…

The go-to option for riders taking on the Tour Divide, the Vittoria Mezcal has a reputation for offering an ideal balance of speed and grip and is one of the brand’s most recognizable models. Last fall, Vittoria released a new version of the tire, expanding its compounds with new XC Race, XC Trail, and Adventure models. Nic spent the past six months on the Mezcals and shares his in-depth review below…