Bikepacking Gear

Released in conjunction with their 50th anniversary, the Western Mountaineering Flylite might be the lightest fully baffled sleeping bag ever made. We’ve been testing one for over a year in a wide range of conditions and temperatures for this review. Read it here…

In this review, Cass Gilbert and Neil Beltchenko check out Tailfin’s latest release, a range of five top tube packs available in three sizes and with two closure systems. As we’ve come to expect from this innovative brand, they find there’s far more to these bags than initially meets the eye…

When the Pinion gearbox launched in 2006, the German company took a massive risk by abandoning the typical derailleur/cassette-style drivetrain in favor of the same technology used in automobile transmissions. Find our full Pinion gearbox review here with insight into this system and our findings on the 12-speed and 9-speed C-line after bikepacking and trail riding with them for several months. Plus, learn how the Pinion’s gearing compares to other drivetrains and much more…

In our latest Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) tutorial, Rémi Quinquin shares a simple guide to repurposing a worn-out tire to create a clever upcycled seat harness. Find his step-by-step guide to making a unique and functional seat harness that can reduce waste and save money here…

SRAM just dropped another innovation bomb on the mountain bike world with the new SRAM Eagle Transmission, a wireless drivetrain based on a hangerless direct-to-axle frame mount. We got a hold of the new X0 group for this first-ride review. Find that plus weights, prices, and details on the groups here…

New Zealand-based Neutron Components just launched a nifty emergency bleed kit system for on-the-go hydraulic brake tune-ups. We got our hands on one ahead of its release to see if it’s worthy of a spot in our repair kit. Find our review of the Neutron Components Emergency Brake Bleed Kit here…

A longflap saddlebag is the centerpiece of many neo-traditional dirt touring setups, and the Ron’s Bikes Fabio’s Chest has become a modern classic since its inception in 2016. In this review, Logan digs into the backstory behind Fab’s Chest and reports back on the latest Connecticut-made waxed Cordura model after 1,000 miles of use while bikepacking the Eastern Divide Trail and roaming around the mountains of western North Carolina…

Updated March 2023 (originally published July 2020) Attaching a basket to your bike as a means of hauling stuff is hardly a new idea, but basketpacking is a style of touring that’s returned to popularity over the past several years. Given a basket’s forward position and the added weight of the rack required to support […]

The Pathfinder Ti is an ultralight titanium camp stove that packs down small and weighs less than anything we’ve used before. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable canister stoves on the market. Find Miles’ thoughts after using one this winter here, including how it stacks up against other tiny stoves he’s tried…

Having used the original all-in-one USB-charging dynamo light over a number of years, Cass wires up its successor, the Sinewave Beacon 2, for a long-term review on the steep and bumpy roads of Mexico. Read on for his thoughts after almost a year of using it on multi-day bikepacking adventures and day-to-day transportation…

In this guide and gear roundup, we compiled a list of our favorite cycling gloves and organized them based on temperature range and use. Find a list of the best cycling gloves here, plus our thoughts on glove layering for outings and bikepacking expeditions in changing weather…

After testing shorter Appleman Bicycles cranks last fall, Miles was curious to take a deeper dive into crank length and its effect on power, body position, and bikepacking. Equipped with power pedals, a smart trainer, and cranks ranging from 145mm to 175mm, Miles and his friend Dave report back with some surprising findings. Find the full crank length test and an exclusive look at the making of Appleman’s 2XR cranks here…