Friday Debrief: Cable Charms, Carbon Tent Stakes, New Beeswax Bags, 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…

Stealth Bike Bags Online Framebag Builder

Made in New Zealand / $335+ at Stealth Bike Bags

Stealth Bike Bags in New Zealand just launched a nifty new online custom frame bag maker to help customers visualize their dreams. The maker lets you pick your frame shape, bag shape, zips, colors, lacing, and extras. You can watch your bag come together as you go.

Pachallama 4g Pro Tent Stake

Made in USA / $7.95 at Garage Grown Gear

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Pachallama’s 2g carbon tent stakes have been abuzz in the backpacking world lately, and the Idaho brand has now released a more durable version: the 4g Pro Tent Stake, adding two grams for improved strength and impact resistance. Made from carbon fiber with a reinforced brass tip, it also features a glow-in-the-dark cap for visibility and a nylon cord loop for easy removal.

Final Reeb Sam’s Pants Pre-Order of the Year

Made in USA / $2,499+ at Reeb Cycles

The Reeb Sam’s Pants is a US-made steel gravel bike that clears 29 x 2.2″ tires, features external cable routing and plenty of mounting points, and comes in five sizes. Neil reviewed it last year and praised its balanced geometry and comfortable ride quality. Reeb just announced their final batch of the year.

Austere 3/4″ Pin Ladder Lock with Screw

Made in USA / $37+ at Austere Manufacturing

Austere Manufacturing, makers of some of the nicest buckles on the planet, just expanded their lineup with a 3/4″ pin ladder lock buckle with the optional fixing screw to hold the two pins in place. The screw makes it easier to remove and install, but the additional CNC machining adds a small price increase.

Rockgeist Geist T-Shirt

Made in USA / $30 at Rockgeist

Rockgeist’s new “Geist” T-shirt features a funky framebag creature on the front and “All Weather, All Bikes” on the back. Printed locally on a 100% cotton T-shirt, it comes in four sizes and costs $30 USD.

Ornot Alpha Wool Pullover

Made in USA / $198 at Ornot Men’s Women’s

Polartec’s new Alpha with Wool blends merino wool fibers into the lofted construction Alpha is known for. Wool adds natural temperature regulation and moisture management, and the folks at Ornot say it’s so soft that you’ll never want to take it off. The new Alpha Wool Pullover is available in men’s and women’s sizing, has a loose fit, and is hand-sewn in the USA.

PNW LOAM CARBON HANDLEBAR (31.8/50mm rise)

Made in Taiwan / $159 at PNW Components

After many requests and some testing by PNW Components, a 31.8mm diameter, 50mm rise Loam Carbon Handlebar is available. Like the other sizes, it features a 5° upsweep, a 10° backsweep, and is 800mm wide but can be trimmed to 740mm. It’s covered by a lifetime warranty and costs $159.

Chromag Limber Saddle

Made in Taiwan / $110 at Chromag Bikes

Chromag developed the new Limber Saddle for riders who want a more supportive platform without sacrificing mobility. It shares some similarities with Chromag’s Lift saddle but is shorter and has a more pronounced center relief channel. The Limber Saddle has chromoly steel rails, a 146mm overall width, a seamless synthetic top, and weighs 278 grams.

Parsec Objects Cable Charms

Made in China / $20 at Parsec Objects

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Parsec Objects’ new Cable Charms are clip-on letter beads designed to fit onto any 5mm brake housing, letting you share a personalized message with the world. They come in a cute embossed tin and include 45 charms: two of each of the most common letters and three blanks. Those in the US can order directly from Parsec, and Ten07 Cycles will be stocking them for everyone in Europe and the UK.

Beeswax Needle Works Fall Drop

Made in USA / $65+ at Beeswax Needle Works

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This morning at 11 a.m. MT, Beeswax Needle Works in Missoula, Montana, is dropping an exciting fresh collection of bags in their web store. The fall drop includes the Atrium basket bags, Honey Pot stem bags, and Holloway handlebar bags. Expect earth-toned waxed canvas, matching ripstop liner fabrics, and small batches, so they’ll likely sell out quickly.

PDW’s King of Ding Brass Bells

$22+ at Portland Design Works

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PDW’s classic brass bell, the King of Ding, now comes in two sizes: the wee King of Ding 40 ($22) and the big ol’ King of Ding 55 ($24). Both update the crowd-favorite King of Ding II. Each has a solid brass bell and a stainless steel striker for a clear, crisp ding that carries across busy bike paths. Installation is quick and easy with a satin stainless steel bracket.

Gramm Diamond Bag Tall and Grill Bag Pre-Order

Made in Germany / €269+ at Gramm Tourpacking

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Berlin’s Gramm Tourpacking just announced pre-orders for a limited batch of Diamond Bag Tall and Grill Bags made from Black X-Pac RX36 with UltraStretch side pockets. Several of us on the team have used one or both, and the highly functional, cleverly designed bags have received recognition in various Editor’s Dozen posts and reviews on the site over the years. Now’s your chance to snag one of the Berlin-made bags with a two-week turnaround.

In Conversation

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

Component Inclusivity

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After Velo Orange released their new Gravel Cranks, a few commenters weighed in. One noted that the lack of cranks under 160mm limited many riders, namely women, from getting the proper crank size. Igor of Velo Orange and Luke of Soma chimed in with the realities affecting these decisions, but what do you think? Should all companies make components in a wider range of sizes, or is it okay to leave it to the cottage industry to fill the gaps? Let us know in the Conversation below…

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

NO HANDS: The Wild Ride of the Schwinn Bicycle Company

For those of us of an older vintage, Schwinn evokes more than just cheap, Walmart-level bikes. Schwinn used to be one of the biggest and best bike companies in the world, and many in the cycling space have fond memories of their first Schwinn. NO HANDS is a new documentary that explains the rise and fall of this once-great bike manufacturer and the wild ride that made them a household name long after their rise to prominence.

Go Left Where Everybody Goes Right

In Schwalbe’s latest installment of the Heart & Hustle series, Erwin Sikkens discusses navigating life with ADHD and finding personal fulfillment through cycling and photography. Sharing a transition from a teaching career to professional bike industry work, the conversation explores the parallels between managing mental health and the challenges of long-distance bikepacking while staying true to your authentic self.

David Lamb’s Favorite Routes of 2026

With his 2026 bikepacking season wrapped up, David Lamb reflects on the bikepacking trips he tackled and five of his favorite bikepacking routes. In his latest video, he shares his thoughts on the Mojave Solitaire, The Fool’s Loop, La Paliza Grande, GDMBR – Section 5, and the Oregon Cascades Volcanic Arc.

Geoffrey Wong’s Vans Slip-On Mini Review

Words and photos by Geoffrey Wong

On the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016, I took a zero day in Mammoth, and all I could think about was skating. I picked up a pair of Vans Authentics, a used skateboard, and went straight to the skatepark. I would end up hiking the rest of the trail in those simple canvas shoes. A decade later, at the top of KoKo claims, I saw Alyssa Secreto with a pair of high-top Vans. Gearing up for the Colorado Trail and Arizona Trail Race, I knew I had reached final form.

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I made what seems like the most nonsensical shoe choice for the Triple Crown: the humble slip-on Vans. The shoe features a seamless, single-panel construction over the forefoot, meaning no dust, dirt, or rocks get into the shoe. Of course, the occasional pebble creeps in, but as the shoe’s namesake suggests, you can just slip (kick) it off. Kill two birds with one stone and air out the feet while you clean out your shoes. Waffles or pancakes? I’ve never been a pancake guy, and I’m here to waffle-print the world; the classic waffle sole grips flat pedals for those BMX vibes. Hike-a-biking? No problem. No stiff sole to fatigue the feet. These shoes remind me there are no rules, and cycling my way reminds me to always have fun.

Tout Terrain Adventure Hub: SON in the USA

With the new Adventure Hub, Tout Terrain is partnering with trusted German brands to simplify sales and distribution directly to customers and shops across the United States, starting with SON dynamo hubs and lights. In short, Tout Terrain North America is now the go-to spot for sales and service of SON dynamo systems, with more brands coming to the Hub soon. Learn more here.

Buy an Old Dad Bike, Trust Me

YouTuber 96Dan’s latest video documents his experience of buying an old Bianchi M.U.S.S. off Facebook Marketplace and turning it into a dad bike to bring his young daughter for rides in a trailer and on a Kids Ride Shotgun Seat. Watch the heartfelt video above to see why he believes everyone should buy a dad bike.

Bike Yoke Cockpit Calculator

The new Cockpit Calculator from Bike Yoke is a nifty online tool that allows you to compare the frame geometry and cockpit dimensions of two bikes. Unlike other online geometry comparison tools, you can add in stem length, headset height, and bar specs to dial in your riding position, and it looks like a helpful tool for any new bike setups if you’re trying to replicate the fit.

2026 Sunshine Coast Cycle Tourism Survey

Connect the Coast is an organization working to build a multi-use path from Langdale to Lund, British Columbia. They are currently collecting information on the economic impact of cycle tourism on the Sunshine Coast, so if you visit the area, please fill it out here.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Great Divide Trail

The GDT 400 follows the Great Dividing Trail in Victoria’s Goldfield Region, mixing doubletrack and singletrack along the way. There are 16 riders currently signed up for live tracking, and the 2026 grand depart rolls out from the Bendigo train station tomorrow morning, local time. Follow their progress live here.

Wish We Were Here

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

Daniel Jessee: Morocco

Ever since riding the Altravesur in 2019, when I could faintly make out the mountains of Morocco across the Straight of Gibraltar, I’ve wanted to see what was hiding in those rocky folds. I’ve spent this week working on a major update to our Route of the Caravans, and the diversity of terrain seems utterly astounding. With the addition of the Kings of the Middle Atlas and National Parks of the Middle Atlas, the options keep growing. Now I’ve got even more reason to visit!

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, Geoff’s Triple Crown Rig breakdown and a Blue Lug campout in Minneapolis…

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