Gravel & All-road

Continuing our coverage from Bombtrack’s Groundwork launch event: If you’re in the market for a bike primed for bikepacking and gravel riding, you’d be forgiven for thinking Bombtrack’s Audax range doesn’t tick the relevant boxes. But don’t be misled by the name, which suggests long distance, road-based randonneuring… because these bikes can do a whole lot more than that.

Cass Gilbert heads out to rooty, doubletrack-laced Bergisches Land to try out some of Bombtrack’s 2020 range of bikes. Here are his thoughts on the burly, gravel-chomping, bikepacking-friendly Hook EXT and EXT-C, as well as the (slightly oddball) Hook ADV…

We took three Salsa Journeyman 650B bikes on an epic trip through the wilds of Montana to see how Salsa’s budget off-road drop-bar rig would perform. After a broken derailleur in the first half mile, we were skeptical. Here’s what happened, the full review, and ride impressions from the trip…

The Cannondale Topstone Apex 1 promises “pure gravel goodness” at a price that won’t break the bank, but does it deliver? Lucas spent a few months riding one around the endless trails and roads surrounding Berlin to find out. See the full review here…

The Rocky Mountain Solo is an outlier within the brand’s mountain bike focused lineup. The 2019 Solo 70 has seen a few updates, including new drivetrain specs, a dropper post, and high volume 650B tires. Miles spent the winter seeking out gravel paths and quiet paved roads on British Columbia’s west coast, mixing up bikepacking and all-weather commuting. Find the full review below…

Basking in some well-deserved limelight at the 2019 Bespoked UK show, this sumptuous dirt drop mountain bike from London-based Stayer was quite the looker. Complete with custom porteur rack and a laser cut yoke for three-inch tires, its US-inspired aesthetic is complemented by a smattering of North American boutique parts. We find out more about the bike and the business behind it…

As gravel racing bikes and multi-day bikepacking rigs converge, the Warbird continues its evolutionary march with both niches in mind. Joe Cruz and Logan Watts had the chance to test a pair of V4 650b Warbirds during their Appalachian Gravel Growler ride and beyond. Here’s the full review…

On the surface, the 2.3″ tire capable Stinner Refugio and the wildly painted Sklar Custom All-road don’t have much in common. But these two steel gravel/all-road bikes were both created with one race in mind, and for the greater good of Northern California Trails…

Just released, the all-new Santa Cruz Stigmata CC and Juliana Quincy have clearance for 700c x 45mm or 650B x 2.1″ tires, threaded bottom brackets, and some very interesting paint schemes. We had a chance to take a look at both in Santa Cruz, CA, several weeks ago. Here are all the details…

As part of our Bespoked UK coverage, here’s a look the latest incarnation of Sven Cycles’ Pathfinder. Built to a semi-custom spec from stainless steel, it’s designed with a spritely ride in mind and features generous 650B tyre clearances, making it a great option for both on- and off-road bikepacking in the UK and beyond. And for those in search of chunkier terrain, there’s its big-tyred sibling, the Pathfinder Plus…

For the first of our reports from the Bespoked UK Handmade Bicycle Show, we zone in on a few makers and their bikes. To begin, we’ve dedicated a post to the all-in-one Clandestine Carrier from Bristol-based frame builder Pi Manson…

Here are seven more intriguing bikes we found at the 2019 Sea Otter Classic, including a Rock Lobster tandem mountain bike, the latest steel Norco Search, three bikes from Speedvagen, the latest Hakka MX color from Ibis, and the Thesis OB-1…