Friday Debrief: Stridsland Barge, Self-Supported Rules, Nesting Stem Bags, 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…

Photo Book: Silk Road Mountain Race 2024

Made in USA / $48 at Stephen Shelesky

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Photographer Stephen Shelesky put together a stunning 130-page softcover book packed with chronologically ordered photos following mid-pack riders from the recent edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan. Today is your last chance to pre-order the book, which should ship in mid-January.

SimWorks by MKS Bronze Series

Made in Japan / $98 at SimWorks

When SimWorks first released the Bubbly as its first SimWorks original pedal offering, the bronze color was offered in a limited run, and it was shut down after just two batches. After fielding countless requests to bring it back online, SimWorks finally caved, and it’s back to close out 2024, now offered in all three of their best-selling pedal models: Bubbly, Tiny Bubbly, and Taco.

Heading Into Sunday Driller Stem Bag

Made in USA / $110 at Heading into Sunday

While the Driller Stem Bag from Heading into Sunday might look like every other stem bag, it has a little trick up its sleeve that we’ve never seen before. The Driller is a two-part bag with a removable interior bag for grab-and-go occasions, leaving the exterior bag secured to the bike. It’s big enough to fit a 32oz Nalgene, the inner bag is padded, and each bag is handmade in California.

IRD Dreamcatcher 1x Chainrings

Made in Taiwan / $59.95 at IRD

Interloc Racing Design (IRD) has never offered 1x chainrings before, but that’s changed with the release of the IRD Dreamcatcher 1x Chainrings. The Dreamcatcher rings are available in three fitments: 4-bolt 110 BCD, 4-bolt 104 BCD, and 5-bolt 110 BCD, 34T to 38T sizes, and are made from 7075 T6 aluminum. They fit all 9-11-speed chains, some 12-speed chains, but not Shimano HG+, KMC 12, SRAM Flat Top, Campagnolo 12 and 13. We’re glad to see more options that aren’t boring black!

Nittany Mountain Works Moose Mitts

Made in USA / $78 at Nittany

Made for the last 20 years by Mike and Abby in Michigan, Nittany Mountain Works is continuing the legacy of the iconic Moose Mitts. The Moose Mitts are made of a 1000 Denier Cordura exterior shell, providing a light, strong, water/windproof, and abrasion-resistant construction. They are offered in four color options, have reflective detailing, and are now handmade by Nittany in Pennsylvania.

Post Carry Co. Slim Pack Collection

$42-$80 at Post Carry Co.

The new Post Carry Co. Slim Pack Collection is fine-tuned to prioritize aerodynamics. The collection includes a 4L seat pack, a partial frame bag in two sizes, and a long top tube bag. All the bags are made from a waterproof-coated fabric with RF-welded seams, cable ports, and removable/adjustable velcro straps. They are available for pre-order today and are expected to be delivered by mid-January 2025.

The SimWorks Fun 3 Bar CrMo is Back!

Made in Japan / $90 at SimWorks

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After a lengthy hiatus, the SimWorks Fun 3 CrMo Bar is back and better than ever. It features the same recognizable triple bend shape, a Chromoly steel construction, 680mm width, 25.4mm clamp, 25mm rise, 35° backsweep, and 1.5° upsweep. The latest version comes in a new Silver Dullbright finish as well as the standard Black option. Each bar comes with a custom decal kit.

Lost Summers and Half-Forgotten Afternoons

£35 at Isola Press

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Lost Summers and Half-Forgotten Afternoons is the first ever anthology of Jo Burt’s much loved cult comic strip. Jo Burt has been drawing the Mint Sauce cartoon since 1987 and this is the first time it has ever been collected in a book. Featuring a new six-page story, a selection of classic strips from 1987-2023 and calendar images, plus commentary and an introduction by Jo.

“Mint has always been about gently immersing yourself within the landscape and experiencing all of what that may bring. Mud, brambles, rain, the odd glimpse of sunshine, roots, nettles, and very immovable trees. And a necessary stillness. While others might see mountain biking as a way of owning something or smashing it, Mint has always seen a ride as a way to disappear, dissolve into the hill and become an intimate and quiet part of the scenery.” – Jo Burt

In Conversation

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

Is the Bike Industry Doomed?

Yesterday, PinkBike’s sister site, Bicycle Retailer, reported that Rocky Mountain is restructuring its finances under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in an effort to prevent bankruptcy. “The brand cited pandemic-era supply chain issues, rising costs, and post-pandemic price drops as factors behind tightened margins and financial pressure, and says it’s taking these measures to ensure continued operations.” This is just one of several other brands closing their doors or restructuring in the aftermath of the post-Covid bicycle boom. Is the bike industry doomed?

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Stridsland Barge Prototype

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Matias of Stridsland recently put together a prototype of his latest model, the Barge, and it looks like one heck of a good time. Although a few details will change before a production run, the Barge is based around 27.5+ tires, a 65° head tube angle, 75° seat tube angle, 420mm chainstays, and a 430mm rigid fork. Keep an eye on Stridsland’s Instagram to see more, and we’ll be sure to share details here when we have them.

John Schilling: Emotional Support Has Nothing To Do With It

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from reporting on bikepacking races and rides, it’s that there are no internationally accepted rules in the ultra-endurance world. To weigh in on the rules, permits, and complex nature of bikepacking events, John Schilling, the Arizona Trail Race director, joins Dylan Turner on the latest episode of the Endurance Studio podcast.

Building Joy and Community with Cheshire Li

Featuring Cheshire Li, the latest video from Freehub is a short documentary centering queer folks and women of color as they navigate the challenges and joys of building an inclusive community, learning about themselves, and increasing representation in mountain biking.

Bearclaw Bicycle Co. on Soundcloud

Did you know Bearclaw Bicycle Co. had a Soundcloud account with two hits? We recently stumbled upon the song “Balthazar,” which is named after Bearclaw’s fat bike. “In a world desperate for relevance. We give you Balthazar. It’s not just a bike, it’s a song… about a bike.”

A Soma Rufus Mini Velo Review

In Soma’s latest video, their in-house designer shares his impressions on the Rufus mini velo. Two specific things stand out. Watch the video to learn more.

Bikepacking New Zealand: The North Island

Josh Reid’s latest YouTube video shares the story of his experience bikepacking New Zealand’s North Island, following the Tour Aotearoa route, a massive 3,000-kilometer route from Cape Reinga to Bluff on cycle trails, tracks, paths, and lanes connected by the most enjoyable country roads available. See more from Josh on Instagram.

Wish We Were Here

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

Lucas Winzenburg: Oaxaca, Mexico

With Logan and Virginia spending most winters there and Cass a permanent resident who regularly taunts me with stunning photos and videos on WhatsApp, I’m long overdue for a visit to beautiful Oaxaca. Especially on a cold winter morning, Cass’s weeklong San José del Pacífico Grand Dirt Tour is calling out to me. I’m eager to savor some of the Mexican states sights, sounds, and most importantly, flavors.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, an incredibly detailed poster from Dean Liebau, commissioned by Vermont Bikepackers to commemorate the 2024 Super 8. See more on Instagram here.

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Further Reading

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

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