Friday Debrief: New Carradice Poncho, Stealth Mountain Panniers, 32″=29+?, 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…

Carradice Duxback Poncho

£112 at Carradice

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Designed with wet British weather in mind, the updated Carradice Duxback Poncho is made from 6oz waterproof P200 EverWax dry cotton duck fabric, with an extended rear cut to help cover the saddle and handlebars. An elasticated helmet-compatible hood, internal waist belt, and wrist loops keep the poncho stable while riding. When not in use, it packs into a compact drawstring carry bag.

Hyperlite Pemi 15 Vest

Made in Mexico / $250 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Although it’s designed for running, the new Hyperlite Pemi 15 Vest could be a good option for cyclists looking to add lightweight carrying capacity in the form of a pack. The pack is made from welded ALUULA 97 fabric, with a UHMWPE Stretch Mesh pocket on the front. It has a roll-top main closure, a hydration bladder sleeve, loads of smaller pockets, and multiple compression straps to keep things tight. The Pemi 15 Vest is available in four sizes to fit a range of body sizes.

Coming Soon: Bedrock Sandals Rockhound Flip-Flop

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In response to customer requests, Bedrock Sandals has been teasing a new adventure flip-flop called the Rockhound, and it’s almost available for purchase. As Bedrock puts it, the Rockhound “is not just a reworked Cairn, we designed this sandal with a whole new silhouette, featuring an adjustable strap system, 3D+ footbed, and sticky Vibram outsole.” The Rockhound goes live on March 24th, and we’ll share more then.

South City Stitchworks

Made in St.Louis, Missouri / $30 at SCSW

SCSW has made a few ballpark-style caps that go great under a helmet or just about anywhere. Available in two colors, black and white, with an embroidered SCSW logo, these packable caps are a great way to support a small bag maker.

Teravail Launches a Special Edition Mid South Updraft

$75 at Teravail

Teravail has launched a special version of their Updraft tire for the Mid South. Complete with cartoon imagery reminiscent of those iconic Oklahoma roads, the tire is available in both 700 x 45 and 50mm widths.

Ornot Alpha Sweater

Made in USA / $148 at Ornot

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The new Ornot Alpha Sweater is part of a collection made entirely of pre-existing, abandoned deadstock fabric, which they call the “Special Projects Collection.” The sweater is made from Polartec Alpha Direct active insulation that wicks moisture, dries quickly, and retains its insulating properties even when damp. It’s available in two colors and six sizes and costs $148 USD.

Updated Stealth Mountain Panniers

Made in New Zealand / $350 NZD at Stealth Bike Bags

The Stealth Mountain Panniers have just been updated with a completely new attachment system and two sizes. There are now three adjustable velcro straps up top and a lower adjustable strap to create a secure connection and accommodate a wider range of racks. Plus, when you order a custom set, you can add on an Ultra-stretch mesh front pocket. They are sold as a set and available in two sizes: 8L (16L set) or 10L (20L set).

In Conversation

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

Will 32″ fade away like 29+ did?

One of our worries is whether 32” will be a flash in the proverbial bike industry pan like 29+? Some of us think 29+ tires are the perfect platform. As a reader pointed out in Logan’s review of the new 29 x 2.8” Ehline, “Everyone who rides it loves it, and you get to sell lower cost rigid bikes to people who want to enjoy mountain biking but don’t want to spend 3 large on a high maintenance bouncer. It’s like bike industry dropped it as they had to move on, not because it was a passing fad. 32″ early adopters beware, this coming your way.” The big question is whether 32” tires will be widely adopted enough for tire brands to meet sales targets and continue producing them. Same with 32” bikes. This obviously didn’t happen with 29+, and as a result, many tires were discontinued. What do you think? Will 32″ be another short-lived industry darling like 29+?

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Desert Dogs: Texas Tech Adventure Media

Set in the Chihuahuan Desert, the new Desert Dogs docuseries was shot, edited, and produced by Texas Tech students in the 2024 Adventure Media course taught by Dr. Jerod Foster. The three-part series follows Texas Tech students as they bikepack 100 miles of remote, rugged trail in Big Bend Ranch State Park during the 2024 spring break. Watch the first episode here, and then visit their YouTube channel for the next two.

Queer Cyclist’s Best Day Ever

Queer Cyclist recently took another stab at the Huracan Bikepacking Challenge in Central Florida and is releasing a three-part video series about her experience. In part two, she runs us through the trials and tribulations of bikepacking through Florida.

Angry Catfish is Hiring

Angry Catfish in Minneapolis is hiring. With three positions available, there are a variety of ways to get involved. For more information on how to apply, visit their website.

Industry Nine Galaxy Treatment

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Industry Nine has an in-house design team that is testing and experimenting with unique finishes and anodizations. Their latest is a custom one-of-one Galaxy treatment featuring an impressive level of detail. See more on Instagram here.

MONDIAL Launch Party: March 18th

Atelier Olympia in Montreal, Quebec, is launching a new house brand called Mondial and is hosting a launch party. With the support of Shimano, Skratch Labs, MEMENTO Cycles, and GLUKOZ, they are inviting the public to check out the new Mondial platform and take a closer look at several complete builds that show off the frame’s versatility. There will be a DJ, snacks, and exclusive on-site merch. Plus, the event is free, so anyone in the area should go check it out. The event is on March 18th at WIP (3487 Boul. Saint-Laurent) from 6-9 p.m. Learn more and RSVP here.

A Custom Wilde from Dismount in Toronto

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Dismount Bike Shop in Toronto recently finished up a stunning custom Titanium Wilde Yo Jeffy! for a lucky customer, inspired by an ’80s Toyota pickup truck. It features a custom paint job, a Fox 34 fork, a SRAM XX AXS drivetrain, and more. Head over to the Dismount website for the complete build and more photos.

Old Man Mountain is Hiring!

Old Man Mountain is hiring a customer service specialist. They are looking for a team member to serve as their customer service representative for the Robert Axle Project and Old Man Mountain. This person is responsible for all customer inquiries and for processing orders, returns, and refunds. This person is the voice of the company and the primary point of contact for customers. If you’re interested, explore their listing.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

DOOM

The 2026 DOOM sets off today, Friday the 13th, an appropriately ominous date for an event built around long miles, remote country, and terrain that reveals its character only when you’re deep in it. All three routes launch from Hot Springs and move quickly into the Ouachitas, where singletrack, forest roads, tarmac, and rugged doubletrack blend into long, shifting patterns. Follow their progress and find updates from the event via our Tracker page.

The Drift 100

The Drift 100 is a self-supported winter race in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, the state’s largest mountain range. Forty riders are registered for live tracking, and you can follow their progress live via the event page. The race kicks off this morning.

Wish We Were Here

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

Miles: The Colorado Trail

I’m coming up on two months in Baja, Mexico, which has been a glorious escape from another winter in the Pacific Northwest, but I can only take so much heat and sand. I’m already starting to scheme up some bikepacking trips to the Colorado high country, and the Colorado Trail is high on my list. I’m equally excited by the idea of some shorter routes, including those in the Gunnison Bikepacking Route Network.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, Natalie Peet’s bikepacking trip through Chile and a DOOM-ready rig…

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