Friday Debrief: DIY Panniers, Big Agnes VST Tents, Stinner Bikepacking Setup, 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…

MOV Packer Rack

$160 CAD at MOV Bikes

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Designed and manufactured in British Columbia, Canada, the new MOV Packer Rack is a clamp-on cargo cage system that carries bags, stuff sacks, handlebar bags, backpacks, or other items on the seatpost. It’s compatible with 27.0, 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, and 31.8mm seatposts, is made from anodized aluminum parts, and the full kit weighs 287 grams. It’s rated for 7 kilograms (15 pounds) on roads and 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) off-road, and it looks like an interesting place to stash gear.

Big Agnes VST Series Tents

$550+ at Big Agnes

In a video released yesterday, Big Agnes walks through their new VST Series, a lineup of tents that cuts weight with their new polyester HyperBead fabric, single-double wall construction, and revamped layouts. They look to be made for those who hike fast and light but could suit bikepackers well, too.

TOPsy-tuRVY Frame Bag

Made in Humboldt, California / $250+ at Kyoot Bikes

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The TOPsy-tuRVY Frame Bag is a new collaboration from Mad Monkey Designs and Kyoot Bikes. Capable of being used as both a frame and top tube bag, this unique design features multiple openings and attachment points that make it suitable for either position. Each bag is handmade in California and comes in four unique patterns: Miku Blue, Blue Denim Cowboy, Dark Oak, and Burgundy.

PAUL x Cyber Cycles Square Stem

Made in Germany / $258 at Cyber Cycles

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Paul Components has collaborated with Cyber Cycles in Europe to deliver the Square Stem. Featuring a rear plate printed from stainless steel, the Square Stem comes with a removable PAUL Comp face plate in black or silver. Compatible with 1 1/8″ steerers, the stem also uses a 31.8mm clamp diameter, has a rise of -7° or 0°, and is made of both 4130 chromoly and 316L stainless steel. The Square stem weighs in at 215 grams and is available in two finishes, black and raw.

Randi Jo Fabrications Merch

$30+ at Randi Jo Fabrications

After two decades in business, Randi Jo Fabrications in Oregon finally released their first pieces of merch. If you’re looking for a way to support a beloved small-scale maker, you can now get T-shirts, coffee mugs, and stickers.

In Conversation

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

Your Top Stories of 2025?

On Wednesday, we posted a list of the top-most visited articles and routes on our website for 2025. There were a few surprises for us in there, and not many comments on the post itself. We’d love to hear from a few of our regular readers. What were your favorite pieces that we published last year, and what would you like to see more of in ’26?

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Tom Wall’s Arctic Bikepacking Setup

For his annual winter bikepacking getaway, Tom Wall of the Cycling366 YouTube channel caught a cheap flight to Northern Finland and rode a loop through Pyhä Luosto National Park. His latest video provides a look at the bike and gear he trusted for his sub-zero adventure.

Rodeo Labs Sonoran Migration

Rodeo Labs is continuing its tradition of heading somewhere warmer for the winter! This year, the Rodeo Labs crew is hosting an open invite bikepacking trip in Scottsdale, Arizona. At 175 miles, they expect to take roughly three days. Mostly self-supported, this seems like a great way to break up the winter doldrums.

Tailfin’s Top 5 Mini-Pannier Features

In the brand’s latest video, Molly from Tailfin walks through their Mini Panniers, sharing a handful of her favorite features and showcasing some of their many unique uses. Give it a watch above.

Rodeo Labs is Hiring a Painter

If there’s one thing that makes Rodeo Labs’ bikes stand out, it’s their unique and complicated custom paint jobs. Rodeo Labs is seeking a new painter to continue the reputation for creativity and excellence they’ve established. This is an on-site, full-time position, so you must live within a reasonable commuting distance of Rodeo Labs HQ in Lakewood (Denver), Colorado. Learn more and apply here.

Making DIY Panniers to Cycle around the World

A few days ago, 26-year-old Hayato Koyama started a massive around-the-world bikepacking journey, and to make it happen, he fabricated his own set of panniers. Watch the video he made documenting the process, and then head over to his YouTube channel for more updates from his trip, including his first day in Iraq.

Stinner Tunnel Bikepacking Setup

In Stinner’s latest video, they take a look at John Benett’s custom Stinner Tunnel Hardtail, built specifically for a two-week bikepacking trip on New Zealand’s South Island. Watch it above.

The Science of Tire Tread

In today’s Rene Herse journal entry, Jan Heine shares how they use science to design their tread patterns and why they are different from other road and gravel tires. If you’ve ever wondered about tread patterns and how they interact with road and trail surfaces, it’s worth giving it a read. Dig into it at ReneHerseCycles.com.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Fat Pursuit Camp

Fat Pursuit Camp is meant to give folks taking part in the Fat Pursuit—but not limited to those participants—an opportunity to test gear, acclimate to the environment and elevation, and learn additional winter travel cycling tips and tricks. The camp starts on Monday, and you can keep an eye on what they’re up to via their Instagram page.

Wish We Were Here

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

Logan: El Dorado Loop (and Arepas)

With Cass and Emma leaving for Colombia, I spent a couple of hours looking over a few route recommendations for them and providing contacts. That got me dreaming about the big climbs and scenic rewards around Bogota. The Ruta El Dorado loop would be excellent right now, and I really want some fresh arepas!

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