Friday Debrief: Altar Artist Pedals, Too Many Chain Standards, Hip Pack Camera Insert, 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…

Tectonic Components Altar Pedal Artist Series

Made in USA / $249 at Tectonic Components

The Tectonic Components Altar Pedals are made in Durango, Colorado, and feature a large lightweight aluminum body, stainless steel spindle, and weigh 405 grams/pair. They just released the first limited edition artist series featuring a rainbow anodized pattern they call Mahi Mahi by the talented Ashley of ashley.anodized.it.

Ready-to-ship Cedaero Salsa Cutthroat Frame Bags

Made in USA / $199 at Cedaero.com

If you don’t want to wait the 3-4 weeks for a fully custom frame bag, Minnesota-based bag maker Cedaero just made a batch of ready-to-ship frame packs for the Salsa Cutthroat. They are designed to fit the 2020-2023 Cutthroat, come in black or grey, and are made from a highly water-resistant 1000D Cordura fabric.

Esker UDH Portage Dropouts

Made in TBD / $130-150 at Esker

Esker’s Portage dropout system—which comes on all Haydukes and Japhys—was designed to be “future proof” from the Hayduke’s release in 2016. The proof is in the pudding with Esker’s latest offering, the UDH dropout set, which allows you to upgrade your Esker hardtail to use the SRAM Transmission. You can also get the version with the UDH hanger to use other SRAM derailleurs. The UDH set includes left and right plates, a SRAM UDH Hanger, and a 180mm axle for $150, and the Transmission set forgoes the UDH hanger and includes left and right plates and a 180mm Axle for $130.

Dispersed Bikepacking Camera Insert

Made in USA / $35 at Dispersed Bikepacking

Can’t leave home without bringing a camera along? Our friends Katie and Andrew Strempke at Dispersed Bikepacking just launched a padded camera insert designed specifically for their Dispersed Roll Top Hip Pack. It features an adjustable divider, two small accessory pockets, and 0.5″ foam throughout to protect your camera. The external dimensions are 8.5″x5″x5″ (LxWxH) and the camera pictured is a Fuji X-T2 with a 18-135mm lens.

In Conversation

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

Too Many Chain Standards

As regular commenter Moof questioned in last week’s Debrief, “So, how may 12 speed chain standards are we up to? SRAM has their Eagle, T-type, and flat top road (confused if the new T-type is the same thing)? Shimano has their Hyperglide+.” Moof is right, the sequestration of 12-speed chain types and families is getting a little frustrating and confusing. Every week, it seems like Wolf Tooth is playing catchup and releasing a new chainring to work with the different permutations of 12-speed chains and direct mount patterns. Third-party companies are claiming some level of cross-compatibility, but it’s tricky. 11-speed chains required zero thought or consideration, no matter the drivetrain brand, but both Shimano and SRAM now have chain standards that are specific to their 12-speed drivetrains, which requires specific chain rings to operate correctly. What’s the best solution and the ultimate outcome?

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

How Sofiane Sehili Won The Bright Midnight

The Bright Midnight is a 1,000-kilometer bikepacking adventure in Norway through small villages by way of gravel roads. The inaugural event was earlier this month, and Sofiane Sehili finished the race in first place. He put together a video recapping how the event went and how he managed to win his fastest sprint race yet.

Two Prototypes on Two Prototypes: Bohemian Boarder Bash Race

Marc and Matze signed up for the 2022 Bohemian Border Bash (BBBR) to test prototype versions of the Focus Atlas gravel bike. The BBBR circumnavigates the ancient borders of Bohemia on and off-roads and is around 1,300 kilometers long with 23,000 meters of climbing. The unsupported, single-stage ultra-endurance cycling competition was a real test of both their bikes’ abilities. Watch the 50-minute film above.

Singletrack Samurai Beer and Bourbon Bicycle Tour 2023

Pedalpower Adventures attended the last Singletrack Samurai group ride before the summer break, one of Karlos Bernart’s many events in Florida. Watch the video recap they made along the way, and if you’re interested in any of his events or want to purchase one of his routes, please checkout his website.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

2023 NorthCape 4000

1 continent, 10 countries, and more than 4,000 kilometers of self-supported riding with a legendary destination: the Arctic Circle! This is the NorthCape 4000. The grand depart takes off from Trentino, Italy, tomorrow morning, and there are more than 250 riders registered for the event. Follow along live here.

Lost Elephant Ultra Race 2023

The Lost Elephant Ultra Race is nestled quietly between the Purcell Mountains and the Southern Rockies in British Columbia’s East Kootenay Region. The route changes year to year, and for the last few years has offered a Jumbo (longer) and a Dumbo (shorter) version. These routes are generally pretty rough, and gravel bikes don’t get along well with them. The grand depart takes off from Crankbrook, British Columbia, tomorrow morning and you can follow along live here.

Transcontinental Race No.9

Founded by Mike Hall in 2013, the Transcontinental Race (TCR) is an annual self-supported, ultra-distance bikepacking race across Europe. The route varies for each edition, but participants are free to choose their own route between the mandatory checkpoints. The grand depart starts this Sunday from Flanders, Belgium, and you can follow the riders live here.

Wish We Were Here

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

Logan Watts: Kyrgyzstan

It’s hard to believe that is has been exactly seven years since we originally scouted the Tian Shan Traverse in Kyrgyzstan. After re-editing photos from that trip for the forthcoming 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal, I’ve been dreaming about the lovely campsites, scenic doubletrack roads, and incredible people we met on that trip.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

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