Friday Debrief: Electronic Shifting Survey Results, Pedro’s Pack Chain Tool, MYOG Pattern Generator…

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…

Pedro’s Pack Chain Tool

Made in Taiwan / $32 at Pedro’s

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The new Pedro’s Pack Chain Tool looks like a bikepacker’s best friend. This nifty tool performs like a full-sized chain tool but is designed to be compact and packable. In addition to the chain breaker, it has a tire lever, chain hook, 3.23, 3.30, 3.45, and 4.40mm spoke wrenches, presta valve core tool, and quick link storage. The chain tool is compatible with 1 to 13-speed chains, including SRAM flattops, and it weighs just 80 grams.

Cotic Solaris In Stock

Made in Czechia / £1,199 at Cotic

Cotic just announced that they have a fresh batch of the redesigned Solaris in stock. Solaris frames are handmade in Czechia, and several sizes are on their way to the UK; the C4 size frames have already arrived. C2, C3, and C5 frames in both Forest and Ember will be coming into stock just before Christmas, shipping early January. The new Solaris has a Reynolds 853 triangle and a UDH dropout.

Skiloo V2: Carry Skis on Your Bike

Made in France / €50 (~$52 USD) at Skiloo

Launched earlier this year, Skiloo is a ski-carrying solution for your bike that provides a solid platform to mount skis along your top tube. Bastien from Skiloo just released an updated version that weighs less and is more durable than the original. The kit comes with a front and rear ski rack, two straps, and all the required hardware to install it.

Pre-orders Open for Sinvewave Cycles Taillight

Made in USA / $135 at Sinewave Cycles

Teased at the MADE bike show in Portland this year, Sinewave Cycles is finally taking pre-orders for the new dynamo-powered taillight. The powerful but pleasantly compact rear light can be connected directly to the taillight output of a dynamo headlight or directly to the dynamo itself for those not running a front light. It can also be powered from a DC power supply, including an eBike controller or USB battery. It has a solid and blinking mode and an integrated reflector, and Sinewave has two different adapters to help with mounting.

Learn MYOG Pattern Generator

FREE at Learn MYOG

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Anyone considering making their own gear this winter should be aware of Learn MYOG and their collection of sewing patterns for technical gear and apparel. The best part? They have several free patterns for folks just getting started, including nifty generators that create patterns for custom-sized roll-top bags, cinch sacks, and zip pouches.

SimWorks Konbini Bag and New SimLoader Colors

Made in USA / $119+ at Sim.Works

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This week, SimWorks restocked its entire SimLoader bag lineup and rolled out two fresh color options: Redwood and Carbon. The lineup includes a handlebar bag, saddle bag, rear rack bag, fork bags, and more. Among the releases is a brand new offering: the Konbini Bag. The Konbini Bag is a compact handlebar bag with a 3.5L capacity, bungee cord opening, and plastic liner to hold its shape. Check it out here.

Stealth Stem Pouch V2

Made in New Zealand / $100 NZD at Stealth

The new Stealth Stem Pouch V2 has been updated with more capacity, a larger stretchy exterior pocket, and laser-cut attachment point. It has a bright yellow liner, foam padding, and his supplied with a choice of webbing camlock straps or Voilé Nano Straps for secure and easy attachment. The Stem Pouch V2 is handmade in New Zealand and available in a number of color/fabric combinations.

In Conversation

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

Wireless/Electronic Shifting Survey Results

In last week’s Friday Debrief, we posted a simple, binary poll asking folks if they were generally for or against wireless/electronic shifting. Obviously, we could have added an easier third option like “indifferent” or “impartial” as there are many people who would fall in that category (a couple of us on the team included). However, we wanted the see how the results would shake out if people were forced to choose. With nearly 2,000 responses, here’s the tally. Let us know if you’re surprised or not in the conversation below.

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Wildwood Cycles’ Custom ENVE MTB Fork Rack

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Jesse Hildebrandt of Wildwood Cycles on Vancouver Island shared some photos of a custom rear rack, and we contacted him to learn more. A customer requested a custom front rack with a few specific asks: ENVE MTB fork compatibility, mounts for SKS fenders, room to mount Ortlieb fork bags, and a mount for their Sinewave Beacon 2 light. The result is something lightweight, rigid, and built with purpose. Jesse is hoping with a few design changes he will be able to flat pack this system for mailing and eventually have them ready to order as a made-to-order item.

Bicycle Industry Black Friday Deals

It’s Black Friday today, and for folks in need of new gear, it’s a smart day to buy it, as there are deals to be found across the industry. Some we’ve spotted include up to $750 off frames and completes from Jones Bikes, up to 60% off items from 7mesh, 20% off sitewide at Velo Orange, up to 40% off PEdALED, 20% off pedals from Wolf Tooth Components, up to 60% off Restrap goods, 20% off Old Man Mountain, up to 60% off 45NRTH, 15% off Revelate Designs, 20% off orders of $150+ at Outer Shell, and Austere has a 20% off sale using the code “BlackFriday2024” at checkout.

Oveja Negra Friends of the Flock: Transit Cycles

Oveja Negra’s “Friend of the Flock” blog series shines light on the people, shops, and organizations that make their brand what it is. The latest post is an interview with Jenna Majchrzak from Transit Cycles in Tucson, Arizona. Learn more about Jenna, her bike shop, and more here.

Velo Orange Bikeside Chat Episode One

Velo Orange released the first episode of its new Bikeside Chat series, featuring none other than the co-owner Igor Shteynbuk. The first episode covers a variety of topics, including upcoming product launches, timelines, and some opinions on frame design and materials, including a special mention of our aluminum bike survey/article.

Andrés Tagle and Bekka Book win 2024 Across Andes

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The fastest riders at this year’s Across Andes event, a 1,000-kilometer race from Chile to Argentina, are wrapping up their rides this week. The fastest overall and first place men’s rider was Andrés Tagle, who completed his ride in just 47 hours and 34 minutes. Bekka Book was the first woman to finish with a time of 61 hours and 34 minutes. A big congratulations to both riders and everyone else still out there tackling the route.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

The Munga

The Munga is a 1,125-kilometer mountain bike race across the middle of South Africa in the heat of the summer. This year’s grand depart started from South Africa’s capital, Bloemfontein, a few days ago, and the fastest riders are under 100 kilometers away from the finish. Follow along live here.

Wish We Were Here

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

Nic Morales: Ruta de Las Tres Cordilleras

As a Floridian, I always endeavor to “make up for lost time” in my travels and get as much elevation in as physically possible. But, aside from the stout climbing this route provides, I’ve long lusted at the sights Cass has often put up. The remoteness, sense of culture, and complete and total difference these landscapes offer from the places I’ve spent riding for so many years are exactly what I dream of during my daily grind. The Ruta de las Tres Cordilleras is a bucket list journey I hope I’ll get to before the best days of my riding are behind me.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a handful of updates from the 2024 Across Andes event…

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