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.
Clearly of more interest to competitive, long-distance racers rather than budget bikepackers, Roval has just launched a $2650, featherweight cross country wheelset that’s claimed to be their lightest ever: the Control SL Team LTD. Not that its minimal weight – just 1248g – comes at the expense of strength, width, or pinch-flat resistance, as Cass Gilbert finds out on the dusty trails of Baja California.
The Wizard Works Shazam! Saddle Bag is a modern take on a classic design, with a massive carrying capacity, roll top closure, and rugged construction. After several months of use, Miles shares his impressions, including the positives and negatives of relying on such an enormous bag for bikepacking as a saddle bag and handlebar bag—plus a closer look at the Carradice Bagman Support.
Announced earlier this month, the new Shimano Deore 12-speed group brings the massive 510% 1x gear range of XTR/XT/SLX to a more affordable package. We had a chance to weigh the complete Deore group and install it on a new Surly Karate Monkey to see how it all works together. Here are our impressions, actual weights, and the full build kit.
In this Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) tutorial, Josh Rizzo guides us through the process of sewing a trail wallet, the perfect everyday accessory for carrying keys, small tools, cash, and snacks. Find step-by-step instructions with photos here…
The updated 2020 Swift Zeitgeist saddlebag/handlebar bag was announced a couple months ago. Prior to its release, we had the chance to put a lot of hard miles on a prototype model, provide feedback, and ultimately help make improvements to the final design. Here’s the full review…
The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo has won numerous awards since its introduction, and the feature spec makes it plenty appealing for bikepacking. Joe has been testing it on three continents for nearly a year, and has spent upwards of 75 nights in it. Read on to see how it has fared.
The Ergon GA3 has quickly become the favorite grip for at least four of us here at BIKEPACKING.com. Watch this short video review to see why. Plus learn about the GA3’s new sizing option and seven color variations…
Just announced, the new 2×12 SRAM Force AXS “Wide” drivetrain has a lower and wider range of gears, and a wider chainline for fatter tire clearance and 73mm bottom bracket shell compatibility. But is it wide enough? We got a hold of a group for photos, gearing analysis, and actual weights. Find all the details here…
In this Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) tutorial, Franzi Wernsing provides a step-by-step guide to making your own cycling cap. Find her detailed tutorial here, complete with lots of photos…
Ornot is a San Francisco-based cycling apparel company dedicated to doing things differently. From their minimal branding, to their full line of US-made products, to their commitment to operating an environmentally conscious business, they’ve got a lot going for them. After some spring riding, Miles is ready to share his thoughts on the Ornot Mission Shorts and newly released Trail Shirt. Read more here…
Believe it or not, it was just a few years ago when Shimano introduced their 11-speed 11-46T cassette—2016, to be exact—providing a huge jump in range that was still compatible with a standard Shimano freehub. The XT-level M-8000 cassette was, and still is, a solid option for bikepacking. It’s an inexpensive and reliable way to […]
In this video Neil walks us through his ultimate Tour Divide drivetrain, a 585%, ultra-wide range 2×11 using an 11-42 cassette with a Shimano GRX 815 or 810 derailleur. We tested three different cassette ranges and the limits of the GRX derailleurs in this how-to video…
