Friday Debrief: 3,000% Drivetrain, Ron’s R-Werks 29er, The Perfect Hardtail, 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…

Handup Rambler Shorts

$74 at Handup Co

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The new Handup Rambler Shorts look like comfortable, versatile bottoms for those who like a slightly longer short. They have an 11.5″ inseam, ventilation through the inner inseam and across the lower back, a self-locking waist buckle, and are made from a four-way stretch fabric.

MSR Hubba Hubba LT

Made in China / $469+ at REI

The new MSR Hubba Hubba LT series is deisgned to be more breathable and liveable than the standard Hubba Hubba lineup. Available in one, two, and three-person models, the Hubba Hubba LT maximizes interior space with a true rectangular floor plan, increased headroom, and two large vestibules on all sizes. The tent body is made mostly of micro mesh, which MSR says minimizes condensation and improves airflow. All sizes use PFAS-free DWR coatings, are seam-sealed, and all fabrics are solution-dyed to minimize the water and energy required to color the fabric. The Hubba Hubba LT series is available exclusively through REI until December 31st.

Bontrager High Flow Valve Adapter promises 300% more airflow

$24.99 at Trek Bikes

The Bontrager High Flow Valve Adapter installs to any Presta valve that uses a removable core. Simply remove the existing core using the integrated removal tool in High Flow’s cap and thread on the adapter. In their latest video, they claim increased flow for easier tubeless setup and no more sealant-clogged valves.

Dyed in the Wool Custom Printed EcoPak Pre-Orders

Made in Poland / 10% OFF at Dyed in the Wool

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The bag makers at Dyed in the Wool (DITW) just opened up pre-orders for their latest collection of custom-printed EcoPak. The patterns are designed in-house and then printed on EcoPak locally before being made into bags. They’re available on any bag at no extra cost. The collection includes four patterns: Classic (black/white), Brick red, Lilic, and Mint. Plus, our readers can use the code “DEBRIEF” at checkout for 10% off!

Corvid x O’baware Pour Over Pre-Order

Made in USA / $60 at O’baware

Corvid Cycles, best known for their custom titanium bicycles, teamed up with the pottery and sculpture studio O’baware on a stunning limited edition pour over setup, available for pre-order now. The kit includes a titanium dripper stand made by Corvid’s Chad Corbin and a handmade ceramic filter cone made by Kazu Oba at O’baware. Limited to 50 sets. Pre-order sales end on December 2nd, 2024, at midnight.

Bicycle Pubes Dropper Post Stickers

Made in USA / $6 at Bicycle Pubes

Are dropper posts bullshit or is not having one bullshit? Bicycle Pubes’ latest sticker design speaks to this question. Pre-order is open now and includes two of each sticker.

In Conversation

Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…

3,000% Gear Range

This is more of a conversation shout-out than a question. A reader mentioned in our Pinion/Derailleur experiment yesterday that we weren’t the first to mess around with wacky drivetrain combos. Back in 2018, Tout Terrain combined a Rohloff Speedhub and a Pinion gearbox to net a 3,000% gear range and 168 gear combinations. Obviously, this is ridiculous, but it’s entertaining, nonetheless!

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Ron’s Bikes R-WERKS 29er build

Mr. Romance’s latest video talks a little about the concept and build around his newest bike. Pre-order details and more specs in coming soon, apparently.

The perfect hardtail?

As usual, Daniel Yang’s latest video offers some interesting insight. In this one, he runs through his personal Neuhaus Soltice and talks about the decisions made in its design, geometry, and frame features, plus details about how he set it up and why. It’s well worth a watch.

Making Ultralight Bags for the Alps Divide: Leanne Bentley

Leanne Bentley was the first woman and 12th overall to finish the innagural Alps Divide race from the Mediterranean Sea to Lake Geneva, Switzerland. The route followed a 1,050-kilometer rollercoaster route along the national borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland with a staggering 32,000 meters of climbing through some of Europe’s tallest peaks. Leanne, the owner of Carrie Gere, put together an interesting blog post about how she shaved two kilograms off her racing setup and the design process behind the bags she used. Read it here.

Bender’s New Yoke

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William Bender of Bender Bicycle Co. shared a photo of his redesigned 3D-printed yoke, and got in touch to learn more. Here’s what he had to say: “I recently designed a new yoke for Bender Bicycle Company, featuring built-in fender mounts and cable guides. I love the balance between aesthetics and functionality, making it ideal for a clean-looking bike and efficiency in the build process. Since the beginning, we’ve utilized 3D-printed yokes, and this one continues that tradition while pushing the design forward.”

Fire Lines

Patagonia’s latest film, Fire Lines, uncovers the story of California’s complex history with forest fires—including the Dixie Fire, which in 2021 devastated the Lost Sierra’s already struggling communities. In the face of that destruction, one group turned to trails for hope and to the past for a better future.

Wizard Works Fairlight Fit Gallery

Do you own a Fairlight or plan to? Curious what frame bag will fit best? Wizard Works was too, and they took every size of their Forres Full Frame Bag and Osyth Partial Frame Bag to North London to Fairlight HQ and try them on their Faran and Secan frames. Find the fit gallery here.

An Interview with Logan Kasper: Eastern Divide Trail FKT

Our friend Karlos Bernart intercepted Logan Kasper this week, who is currently 40 days into his attempt at a new Eastern Divide Trail fastest known time (FKT). Karlos put together a short interview with Logan that you can watch above. After that, follow Logan’s progress live here as he makes his way toward the southern tip of Florida.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Vermont Super 8

The Vermont Super 8 is a self-supported bikepacking adventure following unmaintained roads, pathways, and singletrack. Riders have three mileage options: the 280-mile North Lobe, the 375-mile South Lobe, or the 655-mile Full 8. Nearly 50 riders have registered for this year’s grand depart, which started this morning from Montpelier. Follow along live here.

Istra Land

Istra Land is an off-road, unsupported bikepacking event across Istria, a triangular-shaped peninsula in the turquoise Adriatic Sea. Istria offers a breathtaking and complex region, going from stunning cliffs on the seashore of Kamenjak National Park to charming vineyards and olive groves in the central regions. The third edition started earlier today with over 400 riders participating. Follow their progress live here.

North Central Washington 250

The North Central Washington (NCW) 250 is a 250-mile self-supported bikepacking event that samples some of the best backcountry riding in North Central Washington during prime fall colors. The 2024 grand depart takes off from Wenatchee tomorrow at midnight. Follow them live here.

East Idaho Epic

The East Idaho Epic is a 430-mile self-supported, single-stage bikepacking event. This route showcases remote gravel roads throughout various picturesque landscapes in southeast Idaho and a bit of western Wyoming. There are nearly 30 riders registered for the 2024 grand depart, which starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. Follow along live here.

Cannonball 550

The Cannonball 550 offers 550 miles of self-supported bikepacking in eastern Kansas. Riders must be prepared for stretches of upward of 100 miles with no services or supply. There’s a small group registered for this year’s grand depart, which starts this morning. Follow their progress here.

Wish We Were Here

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

Miles: Northern Washington

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With the North Central Washington 250 taking off tomorrow, promising magical fall colors, stunning ponderosa forests, and vibrant golden larches, I’ve been dreaming of getting over the border and riding up high in search of big vistas. Riding in the Pacific Northwest is wonderful, but I spend most of my days trapped in thick forests with minimal views. The photos above are from a ride Emily and I had outside of Twisp, Washington, last fall.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a handful of photos from recent Sisters in the Wild trips…

Further Reading

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

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