Bikepacking Gear

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…

Originally published October 2022, updated June 2025 In our guide to bikepacking with a dropper post, we covered the benefits and reliability of modern droppers. To sum up the experience, […]

Just two weeks after unveiling their first fully wireless drivetrain, XTR Di2, Shimano followed up with two waves of trickle-down tech in the mid-range XT and entry-level Deore lines. We got our mitts on the new Shimano XT Di2 before its official launch to dig in and see what gives. Find our first-ride review here, including details, weights, pricing, and 10 key takeaways from our time with the group…

The new SRAM Force XPLR AXS (and Rival XPLR) 1×13 drivetrain pushes gravel gearing into new terrain with a direct-mount derailleur, refined ergonomics, and tighter gear progression. Skeptics may question the need for a 13th cog, but this groupset appears to offer meaningful improvements for endurance-focused exploits. Find our initial thoughts in this first look…

Nic recently took the opportunity to make his Ritchey P-29er a bit more gravel-y by adding a new offering from the same company. With three-pack mounts, a drilled fork crown, and sleek looks, dig into his Ritchey WCS MTN Adventure Fork review for more on how this suspension-corrected carbon fork changed an already fantastic bike for the better…

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…

After a couple dozen rides on the all-new Race Face Turbine pedals, Logan cracks them open, stacks them up against a few longtime favorite flats, and shares his take on whether Race Face truly delivered on their mission to create the grippiest pedal out there. Find out how they fared in our full Race Face Turbine review…

Always mindful of the hidden costs of convenience, Nic recently added a new tool to his home workshop that seems to offer all benefit with no real tradeoffs. The Straz sealant funnel might be one of the simplest yet most effective pieces of kit for the DIY-minded mechanic. Find the full review here…

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…

After nearly half a year of day rides and bikepacking jaunts in Mexico and the Eastern US, Logan and Virginia highlight a handful of standout gear picks they’ve discovered along the way. From a few under-the-radar standouts to some long-overdue additions, here are a baker’s dozen items that have earned a spot on their summer favorites list…

Originally published Feb 2023, Updated May 2025 For most of us, traveling by bike started with a rear rack and a pair of panniers. This timeless and straightforward combination is […]