Friday Debrief: Drop-Bar Full-Suspension, Lael at Frostbike, Pink Racks, 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…

Pivot Vault in Copper Comet

Made in Taiwan / $4,199+ at Pivot Cycles

Pivot Cycles just added a fresh colorway to its Vault gravel bike lineup called “Copper Comet.” From Pivot: “At once both striking and in tune with nature, this new color brings a touch of class and sophistication to gravel riding. Fast, sleek, refined, and ready for everything from solo epics to big race days.” All builds are available with the new color.

Sklar Fall Merch Drop

$24+ at Sklar Bikes

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Sklar Bikes released a mini fall merch drop that includes a color update to their favorite wool socks and a new hat. Designed by Nicholas Haig-Arack, these hats are made from a lightweight gridstop fabric with a flexible bill and no button on top so they are super comfy and also easy to wear under a helmet.

Custom Engraved Wolf Tooth Pedals and Pumps

Made in USA / $64+ at Wolf Tooth

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Perfect for gift giving or treating yourself, Wolf Tooth’s annual custom laser promotion opens up a few of their products to personalization each holiday season. This year, for the first time, they’re letting buyers add their name or something inspirational to a pair of Black or UV Purple Waveform pedals!

PDW Bingo Headset Spacer

Made in Taiwan / $25 at PDW

Designed in collaboration with Portland’s own Bingo Components and CNC-machined from a single chunk of aluminum, the Bingo Headset Spacer provides a clean connection for feedbag-style handlebar bags and bottle holders. This is especially useful on short mountain and gravel bike stems, where a standard Velcro strap may sit awkwardly. It fits 1 ⅛” steer tubes, replaces a 5mm spacer, and can be installed above or below the stem.

Mission Workshop Merino Wool Mission Tee

Made in USA / $95 at Mission Workshop

The new Merino Wool Mission Tee from Mission Workshop is made in California from 100% ultrafine Australian Merino wool. It’s soft, breathable, and odor-resistant, making it an ideal layer for a wide range of activities and conditions. Branding and labeling are kept to a minimum, with only a small bottom-seam label, and it’s available in three colors: grey, black, and olive.

Memento Cycles Pink Collection

Made in Canada / $255+ CAD at Memento Cycles

Memento Cycles in Quebec just released a limited edition batch of racks and other components in a stunning “Passion Pink River” colorway. Front racks, disc guards, and décaleurs are available, but only five of each were made, so they’ll likely sell out fast.

Cedaero Tank Top Pack: Slender James special edition

Made in USA / $99.95 at Cedaero

Cedaero in Two Harbors, Minnesota, just dropped a special edition version of its Tank Top bag made from custom-printed RVX15 X-Pac. From Cedaero: “Our resident Cedaero deity, Slender James, has jumped from their beach towel to some X-pac and is prepared to haunt top tubes with good vibes. Don’t worry, though, even without this pack, the spirit of Slender James is present wherever good shenanigans are afoot. Available in velcro strap and bolt-on versions.”

Restrap Cycling Caps and Tees

$45+ at Restrap

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Restrap recently released a new line of cycling tees and caps. The caps are made of a windproof, breathable cotton and polyester blend, and an anti-bacterial, elasticated band keep things fresh. The shirt is a cotton and polyester blend, good for on and off the bike.

Velo Orange Neutrino Re-stocked

Made in Taiwan / $875 at Velo Orange

The Velo Orange Neutrino has been restocked along with the complete the brand sells. The build kit featuring MicroSHIFT’s drivetrain for mini-velos has been changed to an all-black kit for this iteration of completes.

In Conversation

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

Why not just put drop-bars on a full-suspension mountain bike?

After our review of the Trek CheckOUT went live yesterday, it was clear that many folks are interested in the otherwise niche full-suspension drop-bar gravel/adventure bike sub-sub-category. Cy from Cotic brought up a question in the conversation: What are the drawbacks a similar price/material XC full suspension bike would have compared to this…? There’s a lot to unpack, including drop-bar-specific geometry, luggage space (massive frame bag, rack/mounts), and other such arguments. But, why not take an existing full-squish XC bike (like Ulrich’s BMC above) and retrofit it with drop-bars to have a little more capability? What do you think? Let us know in the conversation below.

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

JPaks Holiday Used Gear Sale

Joe from JPaks in Denver, Colorado, is hosting a holiday open house and gear sale at the shop this weekend. He’ll have pre-loved bags and accessories on sale up to 50 percent off, as well as deals on new packs, special colors, and more. If you’re in the Denver area, swing by between 12 and 4 p.m. this Saturday, December 6th. Find directions here.

Elite Acquires MissGrape

MissGrape, the Italian bikepacking brand, is entering a new phase of its journey by joining the Elite group, based in Fontaniva, Italy, and internationally recognized for its products dedicated to indoor training and hydration in cycling. MissGrape’s founder and CEO, Michele Boschetti, will continue to lead the brand, heading the new entity together with a renewed team within the Elite group.

Rhythmus: Lab Rats Wanted

Tom Kvilhaug at Rhythmus is looking for a handful of riders he can help support and who, in turn, can help support the brand. Ambassadors will get free Rhythmus gear, access to unreleased prototypes, affiliate links to make commission, and a chance for financial support. Learn more and apply here.

Bikepacking Coast to Coast Across Scotland

In Tom Wall’s latest YouTube video, he goes bikepacking solo across Scotland. He followed his own route from Ardnamurchan to Peterhead, the most western point of Scotland to the most easterly, covering around 300 miles across the West Highlands, the Cairngorms, and Aberdeenshire.

El Grupo is Hiring an Executive Director

Founded in 2005, Tucson, Arizona’s El Grupo is a non-profit organization that uses riding bikes as a framework for positive youth development while taking a holistic approach to combining physical, academic, and social well-being. They’re looking for their next Executive Director, applications will be accepted until December 31st, 2025. This is a great opportunity to make an impact with an organization doing important work. Learn more here.

Lael Wilcox to Speak at QBP Frostbike

The folks at QBP recently shared that Lael Wilcox will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Frostbike event. The 2025 Frostbike will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from February 26th-28th, and it promises in-depth access to the industry’s leading brands, compelling new products, business education, and in-person networking with peers, brand representatives, and QBP staff. Learn more here.

Riding Home from the Netherlands

Josh Ibbett made a fun winter video documenting his journey picking up, building, and riding home a new Ten:07 cargo bike. After seeing it built by owner Daniel Ghirtoi, Josh’s cold and dark journey home makes for interesting viewing as he breaks in his new cargo bike.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Rebel Ride South

After three successful years in the North Island, the Rebel Ride, New Zealand’s women’s bikepacking adventure, is heading south for the first time. The ride invites women to experience the region’s stunning landscapes, trails, and renowned southern hospitality by bike, following a 300-kilometer route from Cromwell, Otago. There isn’t live tracking, but the ride started yesterday, and you can follow along via Instagram.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, The Woods Cyclery posted a stunning staff bike, and an explainer on the second prototype of Skyler from Mica’s new front rack…

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.