A growing compilation of reviews, from bikepacking bags to bike components, apparel and camping gear. Sort through reviews by category, or find the latest below.
Okay, we know the core tenet of bikepacking is minimalism. We’ve waxed lyrical about the benefits of paring down possessions to the bare necessities, so our bikes are light and lively enough to explore a variety of backcountry terrain and enjoy the process of doing so… without busting a gut. So, what’s all this about […]
Let’s be honest, road 1x drivetrains just don’t cut it. The ideal 1x for gravel bikes and drop-bar bikepacking rigs comes in the form of a road shift lever paired with a mountain bike rear derailleur and/or cassette. For the past year and a half, we’ve been experimenting with various hacks and drivetrain modifications to achieve the best of both worlds: a wide gear range and an appreciable granny gear. We’ve fully tested nine solid “mullet” drivetrains for this in depth guide…
The Ratio 1×12 Wide Upgrade Kit allows you to easily hack an 11-speed SRAM road shifter to work with a 12-speed Eagle MTB derailleur. We installed and tested one with a well-used Rival 1 mechanical shifter and an equally worn Eagle X01 derailleur and cassette. Find details and our review here…
The Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket and pants are a favorite among bikepackers as an impressively packable emergency outer layer. After hearing that they updated the line to be a claimed five times more tear-resistant and twice as abrasion resistant than the previous version, we had to check it out for ourselves. Find our review here, featuring a side-by-side comparison with the old Helium jacket…
The Primus Firestick is a canister stove with a unique streamlined packable design. It caught our attention as an ideal stove to cram into a bikepacking bag without any prodding metal edges or rattling bits. We’ve been testing out the stainless steel and titanium versions this fall to see if it lived up to our expectations. Find the full review here…
In our final nod to the stuff of 2020, Logan and Virginia round up a dozen of their favorite pieces of gear that were special during a year of sanity rides, overnighter escapes, and local route scouting. Find it all here, ranging from pricey and odd, to cheap and game-changing…
Updated January 2021 Carrying water bottles and gear on your fork is now a standard bikepacking practice, and one that can be found on touring bikes going well back into the 1970s and 80s. However, forks with bottle cage mounts were hardly commonplace until recently. It wasn’t until the fall of 2008, on the inaugural […]
In our latest video, Neil dives into the world of satellite messengers, explaining their features, the differences between one-way and two-way devices, and the pros and cons of carrying one while cycling. He also reviews the Garmin InReach Mini and touches on a few other devices that are available on the market today…
Remember the funky new Farr Headspace Stem we checked out last month? They just announced a more mountain bike-centric version for those running 35mm handlebars who prefer a short stem. We’ve been trying one out for the last week for this first look. Learn more here…
Looking back on the year, Lucas rounds up 12 notable pieces of gear and experiences that improved his life in 2020, both on and off the bike. From affordable and practical accessories, to transformative upgrades, to a titanium dream build, find his Editor’s Dozen here…
In our latest video review, Neil takes a look at Salsa’s newly released Direct Mount Thumb Screws after using them for several months. See how they work and why we really like them here…
Are flannels the next best cycling garment? We think so. Whether you’re on a monthlong tour or a casual ride through town, a flannel is nearly always a safe bet—not to mention that a collar puts a little polish on any ol’ dirtbag. Here are our thoughts on eight of our favorite cycling-friendly flannels, including options from Anian, The Overland, Cascada, Kitsbow, Club Ride, and Search and State…
