Friday Debrief: Straggler Dropouts, Fresh Ergon Saddles, and Much 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…

Ergon Launches a New Mountain Bike Saddle

Made in Europe / $95-115 at Ergon

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The new SMS (Saddle Mountain Short” series from Ergon includes men’s and women’s saddles for a variety of mountain bike use. All of Ergon’s saddles are category- and gender-specific, which the brand states is specifically to “alleviate pressure from the sit area based on how most riders would use the saddle (as it relates to their posture and hip angle) in the given discipline and pressure points of the rider.” Available in a sport and comp version, the SMS saddles have a weight limit of 265 and 220lbs, respectively, and come in two sizes S/M and M/L. The saddles also feature a titanium rail system, which will lighten overall weight of the saddle considerably.

Zefal K-Traz Zip3 XL

€20 at Zefal

The new Zefal K-Traz Zip3 XL is a longer version of Zefal’s standard Zip3 lock, offering a lightweight and packable lock for quick errands or to pair with a U-lock to secure your bike’s wheels. It features a 3-digit cylinder lock, an 11mm-wide flat cable with a coated steel blade, and weighs just 100 grams.

Ornot x Spurcycle Titanium Key Clip

Made in USA / $59 at Ornot

Made in the USA by Paragon Machine Works, the Spurcycle Key Clip has gained cult status in the cycling and EDC world. Crafted from 6AI-UV Titanium and machined in California, the Key Clip has a hit of Ornot blue, weighs just 20 grams, and there’s even an integrated bottle opener.

Framework Designs Bespoke Handspan Sling and Handlebar Snack Pack

Made in Australia / $89/$185 AUD at Framework Designs

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In June, Tia Evans of Framework Designs in Melbourne, Australia, announced two product lines. Framework Bespoke is handmade from Australian-made canvas, and Framework Renew is ethically made in China. Tia just announced two new Bespoke offerings: Limited edition Handlebar Snack Packs in Jarrah and Coolabah waxed canvas, and the brand new Handspan Sling.

The Simworks Doppo Ronin Has Been Restocked

Made in Taiwan / $2,400 at Simworks

The SimWorks Doppo Ronin is the brand’s mixed-terrain, modern adventure bike that can clear 700 x 43mm or 650b x 56mm tires. Made in small batches in Japan, the bike’s price has been raised to $2,400 USD, but packs in all the same great features as before. With mounts and compatibility for racks and fenders, the Doppo Ronin features a new color—Ron Burgundy—and can be purchased directly from SimWorks.

Mica Rat Tail Pre-Order at Wizard Works

Made in Taiwan / £160 at Wizard Works

The ultra-minimal but highly-functional Mica Rat Tail rack is now available for pre-order through Wizard Works in the UK. Racks are expected to ship out to customers by the end of October. At just 410g with hardware, it’s lighter than many seat packs, yet more stable, dropper-friendly, and packed with mounting options for bottles, cages, or other gear, thanks to its long platform and two pairs of anything cage mounts. Read our review here.

New Arkel Forkpacker with OMM FLiP Cage

Made in Canada / $135 CAD at Arkel

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Arkel is the latest bag maker to incorporate Old Man Mountain’s FLiP Cage mounting system into their bags. The new Arkel Forkpacker is a roll-top cargo bag made from X-Pac RX30 and X-50 with a sealed liner that Arkel says is 100% waterproof. The bags use the FLiP Cage mounting hardware, so it can be bolted onto any three-pack of mounts, allowing the bag to release with a simple 90-degree turn of the handle.

In Conversation

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

Dropping Dropouts

Yesterday, Neil reviewed the new Surly Straggler—a unique and much beloved member of Surly’s lineup. Within it, it was revealed that Surly had made some changes to their polarizing dropouts in favor of, well, other polarizing Surly dropouts. Using a thru-axle-like system, the dropouts on the Straggler attempt to combine the convenience of a QR system with the stability and consistency of a thru-axle. However, some were less than impressed. What do you think about their hybrid thru-axle? Should Surly have stuck with QR and horizontal-slotted dropouts, committed to full thru-axle, or something different? Let us know in the Conversation below…

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Ban Dao Stationary (Video)

First time contributor, Jason Juang and his friend, biked 330 miles from the south to the north of Taiwan over 2025 Chinese New Year. His video is a montage of their first time bikepacking and of the beautiful landscapes throughout the island.

Cederberg Bikepacking

Daniel Grutter’s latest video captures a joyful bikepacking trip through South Africa’s spectacular Cederberg region. It’s far too good for a YouTuber with just 29 subscribers at the time of writing. Watch it above.

Endurance Racing Roundtable in Salida, Colorado

Absolute Bikes is hosting a roundtable discussion and live recording of The Travis Macy Show at the SteamPlant Event Center in Salida, Colorado. The show is centered around ultra endurance racing, and guests include Kait Boyle, Nicolette Jones, Nolan Van Harte, and Jeff Kerkove. The show takes place on October 11th at 7:00 p.m. Entry is free with a suggested $5 donation to Salida Mountain Trails.

Bright Midnight 2025

From the organizers: “The 2025 Bright Midnight took riders deep into Norway’s raw and dramatic landscapes—from fjords and glaciers, to the infamous Trollstigen “carry-bike” climb. Through rain, sunshine, marshes, and sleepless nights, the race tested limits while delivering unforgettable moments. Watch the breathtaking views of Jotunheimen National Park and the emotional highs and lows of riders chasing the midnight sun.”

Surly Launches their Updated Straggler

Surly’s updated Straggler, which Neil Reviewed here, also got a nice video release from the brand that is classic Surly—fun, light, playful, and a little sardonic, this wordless video tells you everything you need to know about the revamped Surly Straggler.

US Customs to Detain Bikes Made by Giant

Giant, one of the largest white label manufacturer bikes in the industry, is feeling the sting of the current administrations disjointed tariff and customs policy. Earlier this week, Bicycle Retailer reported that “Customs and Border Protection said it is detaining bikes, bike parts and accessories made by Giant in Taiwan because of allegations of forced-labor use.” Citing a 2011 law prohibiting goods suspected of being manufactured under forced labor, the major bike manufacturer is the first brand to suffer under the new regime’s perspective on foreign-made goods. For more information, click here.

Megan and Erin Finish GDMBR on a Tandem

A massive congratulations goes out to Megan and Erin (aka @QueerTandem) on completing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, riding 2,700 miles from Banff, Alberta, Canada, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, in just over 43 days on their tandem. The pair was riding a Co-Motion Java with stunning custom frame bags, and earlier this summer, they finished the Peru Great Divide on the same rig! Nice work, you two!

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

The High Plains Drifter

The High Plains Drifter is a 330-mile unsupported bikepacking adventure following a mix of gravel roads and double track just north of Denver, Colorado. There are nearly 40 riders registered for live tracking at this year’s grand depart, which started earlier this morning. Follow their progress along live here.

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. The 2025 grand depart starts this morning at 8:00 a.m. EST from Montpelier, Vermont, with nearly 50 riders registered for tracking. Follow their progress live here.

Istra Land

Istra Land is an off-road unsupported gravel race across Istria, a triangular-shaped peninsula in the turquoise Adriatic Sea. The 400km route is packed full of captivating landscapes, smooth gravel, challenging sections, and some spice where resupplies are spaced out. Riders will experience the white cliffs of the mountains and fall in love with the seashore trails and the small coastal villages. There are over 350 riders participating, and you can follow along live here.

Golden Horseshoe Bikepacking Race

The Golden Horseshoe Race aims to take riders through the best and most remote riding that Southern Ontario has to offer. Over the 1,650 kilometer course, riders will encounter everything from groomed single track, pristine pavement, and cadillac gravel, to overgrown ATV trails, riverbeds, creek crossings, and long forgotten roads. The inaugural grand depart takes off from Brockton Cyclery in Toronto tomorrow morning, and you can follow them along live here.

Wish We Were Here

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

Miles Arbour: Golden Jackrabbit Loop

With cooler temperatures already on the way here in the Pacific Northwest, I can’t help but start scheming up potential winter bikepacking escapes somewhere with a touch more sun. The usual destinations are Arizona or New Mexico, but for whatever reason, I have my sights on the Golden Jackrabbit Loop and the area east of Los Angeles. There are already (loose) plans to link up with Brendan Collier to try something new!

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, Marin de Saint-Exupéry’s Fairlight has seen some use…

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