Friday Debrief: Doggler EVO, Crank Length, Hirondelle Bikes, The Frek, 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…

Hudksi Doggler EVO

Intrigued by the versatility of the Hudski Doggler but still set on having some squish up front? The new Hudski Doggler EVO build includes a 40mm travel Fox 32TC Fork for riders who want to take sport utility touring to the next level. It’s sold as a frame/fork only but can be paired with their wheelset kits, and you can likely reach out directly to work on a complete build.

$1,600 at HudskiBikes.com

Custom Frame Bags from Restrap

In Restrap’s latest video, they walk you through the entire process of ordering a custom-fit frame bag from start to finish. There are two main options, which include a single zip with internal divider, or a double zip option. Find a link to the free design kit here.

£120-190 at Restrap

Funn FastAir Hi-Flow Tubeless Valve

Funn MTB’s new FastAir Hi-Flow Tubeless Valve promise enhanced performance and convenience with a unique design that they claim allows for three times more airflow than traditional Presta tubeless valve stems. At first glance, they look to use design elements from both the Reserve Fillmore valves and 76 Projects Hi Flow valves, and they’re are fully rebuildable, which is promising.

$35/pair at FunnMTB.com

Singular Cycles Laing Hi-Rise Stem Restock

UK-based Singular Cycles just restocked their Laing Ti stem in the 90/90/90 configuration, with a 90mm centre-to-centre extension, 90mm clamp height, and 90° angle. There’s also a 70mm extension version, and both are made from 3Al 2.4V grade Titanium.

£150 at SingularCycles.com

UNOTRE Mezzo

Launched this week, the UNOTRE Mezzo is an Italy-made steel bike that’s purpose-built for life in the city. The frame outfitted with a singlespeed drivetrain, an oval chainring, and hydraulic disc brakes, and it comes specced with comfy 55mm tires. It has mounts for racks and bottles and weighs just over 10 kilograms (22 pounds) for the complete build.

Made in Italy / €2,770 at UNOTRE.com

Hutchinson 50mm Gravel Tires

For the first time, Hutchinson’s complete range of gravel tires is now available in 700 x 50mm versions. This includes their aggressive Tundra tire, mixed-surface Touareg, and the fast and lightweight Overide tire.

Made in France / Hutchinson.com

Appleman 2XR FIT Crank

Appleman Bicycles’ new 2XR FIT Crank lets you try out different crank lengths from the comfort of your own bike. The crank is set up with six crank lengths (175, 165, 155, 145, 135, 100mm), making it a powerful tool for professional fitters, studios, physical therapy (PT), medical offices and crank length enthusiasts. It’s available to purchase for $585 USD or Appleman also rents it out for $50 + deposit.

Made in USA / $50-$585 at ApplemanBicycles.com

Chromag Pressure Pedals

The new Chromag Pressure pedals are a refinement of their popular Contact pedal. From Chromag: “The Pressure has a longer body than the Contact, but retains the smallest Q-Factor in the fleet. This makes it ideal for DJ and freeride, but many riders do like to use them for DH and trail riding too.”

$170 CAD at ChromagBikes.com

Attaquer x Egle Zvirblyte

Although you’re not likely to catch us wearing lycra, this psychedelic kit collaboration between Sydney, Australia’s Attaquer and London-based Lithuanian artist Egle Zvirblyte caught our attention. The full collection includes jerseys, bibs, a cap, and several T-shirts.

$30 to $220 at AttaquerCycling.com

In Conversation

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

What’s your favorite bike color?

In our Dispatch announcing Enve’s new MOG gravel bike, a reader mentioned the irony that Enve’s VP of Product and Brand is Jack Pantone, “and out of all the colours they choose sand… boring.” For those unfamiliar, PANTONE is a library of standardized colors in the graphic design world. At any rate, do you think “sand” is boring? And what colors would you like to see more of on stock bikes?

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Introducing Hirondelle Bicycle Company

Launched by the folks at Agave Finishworks and Juniper Components, Hirondelle Bicycle Company is a new brand based out of Durango, Colorado, specializing in handmade titanium bicycles. They’re kicking things off with their Raplee all-day gravel bike, which is based around a lightweight titanium frame, carbon fork, and clearance for 45mm tires. We’ll be sure to share more as models are released. For now, head over to HirondelleBicycleCo.com to learn more.

Pan Celtic Gravel Rally

The organizers of the Pan Celtic Series are bringing back their Gravel Rally event for 2023. On May 6th, riders will head to North Wales for a 128-kilometer micro-adventure, with an optional 16-kilometer night stage the night before. “Our first edition pitted our riders against some of the harshest weather conditions imaginable. Will it be the same this year, who knows? One thing is for sure, no amount of rain could dampen the spirits of our pioneering and intrepid Rally-ers.” Learn more here.

Grass Up the Middle Spring Forward ’23

To celebrate the official start of British Summer Time, our friends at Grass up the Middle are hosting the second annual Spring Forward in the UK’s Peak District on the weekend of March 25th and 26th. You’re invited to join them for a night under the stars, and you can take a peek at least year’s event on their website and find more details about the upcoming edition by sending them a message over on Instagram.

The Frek Story: an 82′ Trek 650b conversion

Our friend Daniel Stranahan of Forager Cycles shared Ben Schauland’s latest video project with us, and it was too good not to include here. The short film documents the creator of “The Frek,” Steve Frey, as he builds his 8th 1982 Trek 614 650b conversion.

A Philosophy of Lightpacking by Joe Cruz

The good people at Revelate Designs just published an article by our very own Joe Cruz on his philosophy around bikepacking and how he thinks about what he carries. Dig in to the full article at RevelateDesigns.com.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Tuatara 1000

The Tuatara 1000 is a journey through some of the best terrain in the deep south of New Zealand. The grand depart starts in Gore on the last Saturday in February, with two course options. The 1000 is around 1,100 kilometers and the Tuatara ITI is 480 kilomters long. Head over to the event listing to follow along live.

2023 Iditarod Trail Invitational

The Iditarod Trail Invitational is the world’s longest winter ultramarathon by fat bike, foot, and ski, and it follows the historic Iditarod Trail from Knik to Nome. Riders will challenge themselves with either a 350-mile or 1,000-mile journey through some of the toughest conditions around. You can follow their progress along live here.

Wish We Were Here

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

Lucas Winzenburg: Old Chalk Way

I’ve been hooked on touring in England ever since I pedaled the length and width of Great Britain (John o’ Groats to Land’s End to Harwich) back in 2012, and I’ve returned to ride a number of other routes since. I find the contrasts between urban and rural life particularly fascinating in the UK, and the endlessly rolling hills, vast expanses of coastline, sleepy back lanes, and dependable village pubs make for a beautiful and rewarding ride without needing to exhaust too much energy. These days, I’ve had my eye on getting back for a summer ride of the 350-mile Old Chalk Way to further uncover England’s rich 5,000-year history.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, some posts from folks out riding the Tour Aotearoa in New Zealand…

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