Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Debrief features the Klamper Stem Cap, all-new Panaracer Gravelkings, Revel Rascal V2, and “Can I ride that on a gravel bike?” Plus, your favorite focal lengths for bikepacking, two events to follow live, and more. Find it all here…
The weekly Debrief highlights small but important bits of news, products, and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. These include upcoming events and interesting items our readers shared in the comments. Check out this week’s findings below.
Bits & Bobs
New products that are worth highlighting but didn’t make the Dispatch…
PAUL Klamper Stem Cap
Made in USA / $25-40 at PAUL Comp
The new PAUL Klamper Stem Caps look incredibly cool. PAUL explains how they came to be: “A Klamper pad adjuster had fallen into the steerer-clamp part of a Boxcar stem, and we were like, ‘Hey, this looks cool…’ We started showing it around the shop saying ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ and everybody was like ‘YES! That’s a great idea!’ So, we sat down and designed this headset top cap to look like our Klamper pad adjuster but fit the top of any stem/spacer situation. Of course, we machined them to tolerances waaaay beyond what a topcap needs (we can’t help ourselves), and machined “Have A Nice Ride” on there, because we really do want you to have a nice ride.”
The new American-milled 6061 aluminum caps are machined in sunny Chico, California, weigh six grams, and come in a polished finish or anodized in Black, Purple, Silver, Pewter, Gold, Blue, Orange, Red, Green, or Pink. They each come with a stainless bolt for a $25 (or $40 for polished finish).
Mix ‘n’ Match and Save with Buckhorn Bags
Made in USA / $80+ at Buckhorn Bags
Looking for a perfectly matching set of bike bags? Arkansas-based bag maker Buckhorn Bags is currently offering a $25 discount when a custom framebag and top tube bag are purchased together. Both bags are handmade in Fayetteville from your choice of X-Pac or waxed canvas, and there are loads of color options to choose from. Simply use the code “ILIKETOMATCH” at checkout for the discount.
2024 Panaracer Gravelking
Made in Japan / $65+ at Panaracer
Panaracer is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their popular Gravelking tire with a complete lineup update as well as a totally new model, the Gravelking X1. Updates include easier rim mounting, better durability, improved puncture resistance, and more size options than ever before. The new X1 tire (on the right) is a mixed-terrain gravel tire that comes in three casing options, with the widest option at 700 x 45mm.
Revel Rascal V2
Made in Taiwan / $5,999+ at Revel Bikes
Revel Bikes was launched in 2019 after founder Adam Miller fell in love with Canfield’s CBF suspension system. He received permission to license the design, and the rest is history. The Revel Rascal played an important role in the brand’s launch, positioned as a go-everywhere, do-everything trail bike that Revel describes as “mischievously fast, nimble, and adept.” Until today, the Rascal hasn’t seen any major updates, and we’re excited to finally share the Rascal V2.
The core design of the latest Rascal remains the same. It still features the CBF suspension system, 140mm travel fork, 130mm travel rear shock, carbon frame, and 29″ wheels. Each size has a single bottle mount inside the main triangle (the XXL has two) alongside an additional mount under the downtube. The Rascal V2 is now offered in five sizes, from small to XXL, to fit a wider range of riders. Geometry updates include a 0.5° steeper head tube angle, steeper seat tube angles on larger sizes, slightly lower bottom bracket, and a longer overall wheelbase.
Revel is offering the Rascal V2 in six complete build options ranging from $5,999 (SRAM GX Eagle) to $10,499 USD (SRAM XX Transmission). RockShox and Fox frame kits (frame + shock) are also available and start at $3,599. Plus, for the first time, all Rascals will be assembled in-house at their Carbondale headquarters and Taiwan facility.
Stomp Lox Slack Flat Shoes
Made in China / $250 at Stomp Lox
The Stomp Lox Slack shoes are unique lace-up cycling shoes with a wide toe-box, a Vibram sole, and an unmistakable look. Miles tested them and was particularly impressed with their comfortable fit and how much room his toes have to move around. Stomp Lox is back with a flat version of their Slack shoes, offering all the same specs as the ones we tested but for flat pedals instead of SPDs.
Durston X-Mid Pro Tents Shed More Weight for 2024
Made in China / $549+ at Durston Gear
The Durston X-Mid Pro Tent lineup is packed full of clever features but also manages to keep the weight down thanks to a Dyneema construction and thoughtful design. Miles put together a detailed review of the X-Mid Pro 2 that you can read here. Durston just announced that the X-Mid Pro lineup is once again shedding weight for 2024, dropping 5-10 grams, depending on the model. According to Durston, most of their tents are the world’s lightest for their size.
2024 Marin Gestalt XR
Made in Taiwan / $2,399 at Marin Bikes
Released last year, the Marin Gestalt XR is a premium, more off-road capable version of the Gestalt X10. Both bikes feature the same mountain-bike-inspired geometry, 10mm longer chainstays, and a slacker 67.5° head tube angle. They have clearance for tires up to 700 x 50mm or 27.5 x 2.1”, dropper post compatibility, and are designed around a short stem and wide bars. The Gestalt XR takes off-road capability to a new level with a short travel TranzX dropper post, 1×12 SRAM Apex drivetrain with an integrated dropper lever, and a flared Marin handlebar. Nothing has changed for 2024 beyond the fresh Gloss Black/Gray/Blue paint job.
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…
Your Favorite Focal Length
Last week, we asked folks to chime in one their favorite focal length lens for bikepacking and bike touring. Over 300 people responded, and to no surprise, 35mm took the top spot, with 50mm in second, 28mm in third, 40mm in fourth, and 24mm in fifth. Next up, 27mm and 85mm were in sixth and seventh, with longer lengths getting just a few votes each.
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
2024 Esker Ambassador Team Announced
Esker Cycles announced their 2024 Ambassador Team this week, which includes a diverse group of cyclists from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and New Zealand. The team includes: Paulo Laberge (Canada), Jon Yazzie (USA), Karla Robles (Mexico), Ihi Heke (New Zealand), Nadine Johnson (USA), David Glover (USA), Takashi Minamiura (Japan), Heather Plewes (Canada), TJ Kearns (USA), Johnny Price (USA), Michelle & JB Matthews (USA), Daniel Diaz (Mexico). Learn more about them here.
MSR Camping Pot Recall
Last week, MSR released a recall notice for a handful of their camping pots as the pot handle can come loose or disengage, potentially spilling contents, including hot liquids, and creating a burn hazard. MSR Trail Lite and Reactor pots are affected, and returns/replacements are being processed online, not in store. Learn more here.
Three days of Winter Bikepacking in the Forest of Maine (Video)
Panorama Cycles and a group of their ambassadors recently got out on a three day, two night winter bikepacking trip in Maine, connecting a few of the Maine Huts & Trails winterized huts together. Jade and Yanouk, two Canadian filmakers and Panorama Cycles ambassadors, put together a video from the trip that you can watch above.
Can I ride that on a Gravel Bike?
The most common question on our routes pages gets an answer from the incredibly talented Gabriel Wibmer. Theoretically, and according to Gabriel, yes, you can. See his exploits in the video above.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
Florida Divide 2024
The Florida Divide is the the ultimate self-supported bikepacking event in the Southeast, taking riders on a 1,500-mile odyssey of everything Florida has to offer. The 2024 grand depart takes off from Conecuh National Forest tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. local time, and you can follow along live here.
2024 Queen’s Ransom
The Queen’s Ransom is a 227-mile bikepacking route around the greater East Valley of metro Phoenix, Arizona. Each year, route creator John Schilling organizes a small group ride with designated camp spots along the route for nightly meetups. The ride started on Thursday morning, and the riders are just starting to leave their first camp. Follow their progress live here.
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a two-part series from Mythical State of’s The Search for ATB following regular contributor Allan Shaw on an ambitious ride along our La Vuelta de Citlaltépetl route in Mexico…
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