Friday Debrief: Framebagracadabra, Sandstone Buckles, Mason x Hope Collab, and More

We started “The Debrief” on our YouTube channel last year as a way of highlighting the week’s news and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. To take this a step further, we’re posting a weekly Debrief here on the site to highlight all of those things and more, including upcoming events and interesting things 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…

Mason Raw x Hope Technology

As a response to the strained supply chain and their desire to support more localized production, Mason Cycles has teamed up with Hope Technology on a neat Mason Raw x Hope collaboration build that’s now available. The collab build features the Hope EVO crankset, AM stem, and carbon handlebar, and wheelset with their proven Fortus 30 rims on Pro4 hubs. Learn more here.

SimWorks by Hoshi

Sim Works just announced a collaboration with Hoshi, Japan’s most esteemed spoke manufacturer and the only NJS-certified spoke manufacturer in the world. Their initial offerings include two distinct spoke models, each available in two butting profiles, as well as Hoshi’s own raw brass spoke nipples.

$16-219 / Made in Japan / Details

Wolf Tooth ReMote Dropper Lever in Olive

For the first time, Wolf Tooth Components has added an olive option to their lineup of limited edition ReMote Dropper Levers. It’s offered in both a standard and Light Action model and is manufactured in the USA.

$69.95 / Made in USA / Details

Wizard Works adds XL Framebagracadabra

Wizard Works just added an extra-large option for their half frame bag, the Framebagracadabra, complementing the three other size options and providing a great storage option for those riding large frames. The new XL Framebagracadabra holds 4.5L of gear, uses a lace-up attachment along the top tube, and is offered in several stock colors (as well as custom options).

£104 / Made in London, UK / Details

Silca Truth Gauge

Silca’s new Truth Gauge is an incredibly accurate (to 0.2%) tire pressure gauge that compensates for temperature, humidity, and elevation. It’s made in the USA, has a 3D printed titanium body, runs off a 9-volt battery, and has a bleed valve control knob for precise adjustments.

$249 / Made in USA / Details

Panorama Taiga Fork

Canada-based Panorama Cycles just added the option to purchase their carbon Panorama Taiga fork on its own, which looks like a good option for converting your 29″ or 27.5″ hardtail into a more versatile bikepacking rig. The fork has an axle-to-crown length of 500mm, making it a good substitute for 120mm travel forks, it uses boos hub spacing, has triple cargo cage mounts, and has clearance for 29×3.0″ / 27.5×3.25″ tires.

$565 CAD / Made in Taiwan / Details

Sandstone Austere Cam Utility Straps

Austere Manufacturing, the folks making some of the nicest cam locking buckles out there, just released a new colour option they are calling “sandstone.” It’s available with your choice of Coyote Brown or Ranger Green webbing in a few lengths. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to check out our shop visit from this spring.

$22.50 / Made in Washington, USA / Details

In Conversation

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

Steel, Aluminum, or Titanium?

Rodeo Labs’ second Show Pony prototype announcement stirred up quite a bit of great discussion on frame materials and thoughts on the ideal hardtail mountain bike for bikepacking. It seems many of our readers are totally open to the idea of an aluminum frame, as long as the geometry works and it fits big tires, while others are apprehensive. Aluminum bike manufacturing has come a long way, and the Salsa Timberjack has proven its capabilities as a trail-shredding bikepacking rig. Steel, aluminum, or titanium? Let us know below.

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Rapha Explore: Costa Rica

Celebrating their latest all-road apparel collection, the latest video in Rapha’s Explore series follows a group of riders on a multi-day bikepacking trip in beautiful Costa Rica, where they were tested by soaring temperatures, steep terrain, and rushing river crossings. Of course, it wasn’t all adversity, as they were also treated to delicious local cuisine, time with friendly locals, ocean swims, and stunning vistas that made all the effort worthwhile.

Cory Ostertag Wins 2022 BC Epic 1000

This week, Cory Ostertag took first place at the 2022 BC Epic 1000 event, a challenging 1,040-kilometer route between Merritt and Fernie, British Columbia. The event brought in over 50 riders for the grand depart last Saturday, and while lots of folks are still out enjoying the route, Cory smashed the ride in 2 days, 17 hours, and 37 minutes. Cory was riding a speedy-looking Panorama Taiga EXP outfitted with a custom Canada-made Shaka Packs frame bag, bags from Revelate Designs, and aero bars. He posted a quick reflection on his ride that you can check out here.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

North to South Colorado Bikepacking Race

The North to South Colorado Bikepacking Race is a 500+ mile bikepacking race that starts in Fort Collins and ends in Trinidad, Colorado. Highlights include Rollins Pass, two historic mining towns turned into small-town casinos, Shelf Road (part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway), and the Cache La Poudre River (a national heritage area). The grand depart started this morning at 6 a.m. Follow along live here.

Gravel Circumnavigation of the Olympic Range

GCOR is a circumnavigation of the Olympic Mountains primarily using the gravel roads of the Olympic National Forest, DNR, and state forests land. It’s 440 miles of beautiful, remote, and varied forest land. They’re not easy miles, either! There are seven major climbs over 2,000 feet for 40,000 feet of elevation total. The grand depart takes off from Sequim, Washington, at 8 a.m. on Saturday. 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…

Huw Oliver (@topofests): Ecuador

Perhaps it’s the result of a drawn-out pandemic curbing travel opportunities, or maybe the fact that Scottish summer sounds awfully similar to weather conditions on the páramo, but I’ve been reminded of how the Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route: Singletrack Version grabbed my attention several years ago and has been simmering away on the backburner ever since. Having given a lot of energy to racing in the last couple of years, part of me is hankering for the sort of freeform adventure and long, hard days in the mountains that Cass Gilbert promises in droves.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a lot of voices and projects in support of reproductive freedom following last Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court…

Sklar Fundraiser Raffle

Montana-based Sklar Bikes is raffling off one custom steel bike frame with 100% of proceeds going to the Susan Wickland Fund and Planned Parenthood Montana. The Susan Wickland Fund helps provide access to abortions, health care, and sex education to those who need it in Montana (and the three states around us with abortion bans) Planned Parenthood is a national public health provider that ensures all people have access to the care and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures. Tickets are $25 each and there’s no limit on how many you purchase. Get your tickets at SklarBikes.com. Since the raffle was announced, several other brands have teamed up on the fundraiser, including Paul, Alpine Luddites, and more.

States with Best Mountain Biking Trails and Infrastructure

Something to think about (this map isn’t about mountain biking).

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