Friday Debrief: Ron’s Red 01, Carbon Cargo Racks, 33.1mm Seatpost Clamp Petition, and more…

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…

Omnium Carbon Rack

Made in China / €380 at Omnium

Denmark’s Omnium Cargo just released a cargo rack that’s compatible with both Cargo and Mini-Max models. It can support up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds), weighs an impressive 540 grams (19 ounces), and is roughly 60% lighter than their standard rack. The rack was tested extensively, including on Allan Shaw’s 2023 Silk Road Mountain Race cargo bike setup.

Take a Trip x Bicycle Pubes

Made in USA / $31.99 at Take a Trip

Take a Trip Bags and the infamous Bicycle Pubes recently teamed up on a limited edition collaboration version of Take a Trip’s My Little Bungee. They are the same as the standard bungees, which Lucas included in his 2024 Summer Editor’s Dozen picks but are adorned with Bicycle Pubes logos and come in an… interesting little package. The pack includes two small bungees, one medium bungee, and a special surprise.

Fresh Wolf Tooth Ripsaw Colors

Made in USA / $199 at Wolf Tooth

Customers asked, so Wolf Tooth just announced two new colors of their Ripsaw Aluminum Pedals that we reviewed back in April. Orange and espresso join raw silver, black, and ultraviolet purple to make five color options.

Portland Design Works Tracker Keeper

Made in USA / $15 at Portland Design Works

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Portland Design Works’ new Tracker Keeper lashes on beneath the saddle to provide a stealthy spot for an AirTag, which should be out of view from potential thieves, especially if you have a saddle bag on over it. It’s made from waterproof, 100% recycled ballistic EcoPak fabric scraps and sells for $15.

Rodeo Labs Traildonkey 4.0 in Pacific Green

Made in Taiwan / $2,985 at Rodeo Labs

Rodeo Labs recently ordered a small batch of Traildonkey 4.0 frames in a limited edition colorway they are calling “Pacific Green.” The frames are factory painted in liquid gloss paint, so unlike Rodeo Labs’ paint-to-order Cerakote frames, you can have these colorful Donkeys without the added cost of custom. There are currently sizes 52, 54, 56, 58, and 61 available for pre-order.

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Archer Components is Shutting Down

Launched in 2016, Archer Components has been busy developing wireless shifting solutions that are compatible with nearly any type of bike. Their D1x Trail shifter and remote gained a lot of attention as it opened up all kinds of drivetrain combinations and wireless shifting for a fraction of the cost of upgrading to a big brand wireless drivetrain. However, earlier this week, Archer publicly announced they will be closing their doors and are winding down operations immediately. We wish the Archer team the best of luck in whatever comes next!

Ron’s Red 01: Ron’s Bikes

Ronnie Romance has been busy collecting parts for his MADE show bike, heavily inspired by Ned’s 1991/92 S-works, and he had Frank the Welder build up a 29er rigid aluminum frame for the project. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it didn’t fit the tires Ronnie was planning to use, so the project took a turn and resulted in an extra special build. Read all about it and find more photos on the Ron’s Bikes blog.

Fabricating a Steel Bicycle Fork

In the latest process video from Adam Sklar, he fabricates a custom segmented steel bicycle fork, talks about elements of fork design, machines and brass brazes the crown, and then TIG welds it all together.

Petition: Should Wolf Tooth Components Manufacture a 33​.​1mm Seat Post Clamp?

Jameson McHeathcliff started a petition this week calling for Wolf Tooth to offer 33.1mm seat-post clamps, which are apparently few and far between. A 33.1 clamp is common for a number of frames using 27.2mm seat posts, including All-City, Surly, Salsa, and others. While a quick google shows a number of high-end 33.1mm clamps, we’re curious to see if Wolf Tooth answers the call. If you’re so inclined, sign the petition here.

Joe Nation: Kyrgyzstan Pre Race Shakedown

Joe Nation is participating in the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race and has been out acclimatizing in the mountains to prepare for the grand depart. Alongside Rufus Wenlock, Joe put together a 25-minute video recap of their four-day loop that you can watch above.

DITW Custom Fidlock Magnet Bags

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Poland-based bag maker Dyed in the Wool (DITW) recently collaborated with True Love Cycles in Warsaw on a custom set of bags that use magnetic Fidlock clasps for a super clean, direct-mount setup. The frame was also custom-painted to match DITW’s pink splatter fabric, and they were so impressed with the Fidlock integration that they’re planning to create more bags with this unique strapless system.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Trans North Georgia Adventure (TNGA)

The Trans North Georgia Adventure is a 350-mile mountain bike route through the mountains of northern Georgia on trails, forest roads, and paved roads featuring challenging terrain, beautiful scenery, and a whole lot of climbing. There are more than 80 riders registered for live tracking at this year’s grand depart, which starts tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Follow them live here.

Silk Road Mountain Race

The Silk Road Mountain Race is a fixed route, unsupported, single-stage cycling race through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The clock does not stop and there are no prizes. It follows gravel, singletrack, doubletrack, and old soviet roads that have long been forgotten and fallen into disrepair. This year’s route is 1,938-kilometers long with over 30,000 meters of elevation. There are almost 200 riders registered for the grand depart, which takes off later today (10 p.m. on August 17th local time). Follow along via our Event Tracker page here.

Big Sky Spectaculaire

The Big Sky Spectaculaire starts and finishes in Bozeman in southwest Montana. It is a single stage, self-supported competitive adventure bicycle ride around southwest and central Montana following a 900-mile route with approximately 450 miles being gravel and two-track. There are currently just eight riders signed up for live tracking ahead of Monday’s grand depart. Follow their progress live here.

Wish We Were Here

Shedding a little light on a route one of us is dreaming about riding at the moment…

Lucas Winzenburg: The Driftless Area

Having left Minnesota for greener pastures years back, it feels a little odd to be dreaming of Midwest riding now that I’m settled in Colorado, but since I grew up in the region, I know some of its hidden gems. The Driftless Area is certainly among them. It’s a spectacular part of the country that’s either overlooked or unknown to most people, but it’s well worth a visit. Scott Haraldson’s five-day MinneIoWisco offers a grand tour of the distinctive sector of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa that stands out from the surrounding area with its unique topography. See the full route guide here.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a handful of posts ahead of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan…

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

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