Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Debrief features updated Framework Designs panniers, oil slick parts from Velocity, new fabric from 7mesh, a prototype full-suspension from Woodpecker Cycle Co., two events to follow live, and much more. Find it all here…
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…
Framework Designs’ Travellers Get Lighter!
The Travellers from Australia-based Framework Designs are roll-top mini panniers that can be bolted directly to your favourite rack or fork or strapped on thanks to their versatile design. Originally made with an aluminum backer, they were just updated with a plastic composite backing that saves around 100 grams per pair. They are also now available in Ecopak, which saves even more weight over the version we tested. Check out our review here.
$249-$275 AUD / Made in Australia / Details
Velocity Adds Oil Slick Upgrade
For folks ordering a custom wheel build, Velocity just added oil slick options for select hubs, spokes, and nipples. The list includes boost and non-boost disc hubs, double-butted spokes, and brass or alloy nipples. Each oil slick upgrade comes at a cost and is currently only offered for wheel builds, not separately.
$13-$100 / Made in USA / Details
7mesh WTV: Wind, Thermal, Ventilation
The new 7mesh WTV is a new fabric from the British Columbia-based cycling apparel brand that’s designed to address three challenges: wind, thermal, and ventilation. They developed a single fabric consisting of a high-density stretch woven outer face backed by loft insulation with brushed yarns to capture warm air—trapping warm air but allowing for excess heat and moisture to dump when needed. There are eight styles—four for men and four for women—including jerseys, vests, anoraks, and a neck warmer.
$160-$200 USD / Made in China / Details
PINND CS2s Pedals
Available in red or blue, the Scottish-made CS2 Small pedal from PINND is designed for riders with smaller feet to use on downhill, trail, and enduro mountain bike rides. A scaled-down version of the CS2 standard pedal, it’s built from CNC machined 7075 T6 aluminium and features a needle bearing and two cartridge bearings per pedal, six pins per side, a five-year warranty, and a weight of 334g per pair.
£155 / Made in Scotland / Details
Wolf Tooth Morse Cage Ti in Khaki
Wolf Tooth Components just added a limited edition Khaki Morse Cage Ti to their lineup, which is perfect for matching your favourite cargo shorts, tan wall tires, or that pile of cardboard boxes you’ve been holding onto. The Morse Cage Ti has a durable Cerakote finish, a dot-dash-dot-dash mounting pattern to dial in the position, and is made in the USA.
$84.95 / Made in USA / Details
Andrew The Maker Smaller TT Bag
Andrew The Maker’s Smaller TT Bag is, you guessed it, smaller. The new version is a few inches shorter in length, a little shorter in height at the stem side, and 1/4″ narrower at the knees. A smaller size can limit the internal space but Andrew made sure there’s still enough room for a standard size phone and some snacks. It’s available as a strap-on or bolt-on design, in your choice of Cordura, X-Pac, or Challenge Sailcloth exterior.
$90 / Made in USA / Details
Preorders Open for Bags By Bird Better Half Frame Bags
Our friend Jay over at Bags By Bird in Tucson, Arizona, just opened up preorders on their Better Half frame bags. The Better half is a partial frame bag with a unique flip-top opening that allows for easy access while riding. They work best on road/gravel bikes with near-horizontal top tubes and come in a variety of sizes and colors, including your choice of magnetic or metal buckle.
$110-$135 USD / Made in USA / Details
MKS x ANT Pedals at Blue Lug
Mike Flanigan (aka ANT Bikes) and MKS in Japan have teamed up on some new pedals that pay homage to the custom-plated pedals Mike would make for his custom bikes. They are based off of Sylvan Touring Pedals from MKS with the ANT logo punched out of the side plates, have a 9x6cm platform, and come in silver, copper, or black. They will be available in stores on September 3rd and online (global and domestic Blue Lug stores) on September 8th.
$44.95 USD / Made in Japan / Details
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…
Anne’s Dlouhy Cycles Gravel+
As Logan pointed out on the conversation on the 2022 Badlands Rigs roundup, Anne Schulze’s (@annefrischeluft) Dlouhy Cycles Gravel+ bike is a sight to behold. So, we looked into it and found these pics and details on maker Jan Dlouhy’s Instagram feed. In summary, this is bike #DC023, which the German builder named The Phoenix. Find more over at @dlouhycycles.
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
Planned Parenthood Fundraiser
Myth Cycles, Agave Finishworks, and King Cage have teamed up to raise money for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains’ Patient Assistance fund—helping patients get the care they need, regardless of their zip code or ability to pay. They’ve put together a custom package of anodized goodies, including a titanium handlebar, stem, spatula, bottle cages, and a titanium heart, all finished by Agave in their exclusive Gild pattern. Each $20 donation earns one raffle ticket put into the drawing. There is no limit on how many donations you can make. Learn more at MythCycles.com.
Woodpecker Cycle Co. Proto Baggins
Washington’s Woodpecker Cycle Co. just built their first full-suspension mountain bike, Proto Baggins. The goal is to enjoy it this summer and make some adjustments before having it powder coated and eventually offering it to their customers. It’s set up with a 170mm travel fork, 150mm shock, 470mm reach, and 440mm chainstays. Keep an eye on @woodpeckercycleco to learn more.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
2022 Gunny Loopy Loop
The Gunny Loopy Loop is an event based out of Gunnison, Colorado, built around two loops, both equally rowdy and amazing. The Shortie is 207 miles and 30,000 feet of climbing and descending and the Biggie is 304 miles and 44,000 feet of vertical madness. There are currently 10 riders signed up for the grand depart tomorrow on Trackleaders, and you can follow their progress live here.
2022 Badlands
The Badlands is a non-stop unsupported gravel challenge along the edge of Europe. The route is about 750 kilometers with 15,000 meters of climbing and crosses some of the most remote and challenging places in Europe: Gorafe Desert, Tabernas Desert, Cabo de Gata Natural Park, and Veleta Pass at 3,212 meters. The grand depart is scheduled for this Sunday at 8 a.m., and you can 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…
Jenny Tough (@jennytough): Slovenia
Slovenia is one of my top countries for riding. The combination of great roads and trails, a welcoming culture, relative accessibility, and stunning landscapes has always captivated me. The Trans Karavanks is a route that I’ve been pining for a long time – Emily Chappell and I had our eye on it and it was the reason we chose Slovenia to do our recent film project with Canyon (linked below), but sadly the trails were all under snow when we went out for the shoot. I’m not giving up – it’s definitely the next route I want to pedal!
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, Gary’s Projects, a DIY-focused YouTube channel out of Melbourne, Australia, that Lucas has been binge watching as of late. If you haven’t checked out Gary’s informative, entertaining, and laid-back retro bike rebuild videos yet, we recommend giving them a watch and following him on Instagram @garys.projects.
Related Content
Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...
Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.
