Following his impressive AZT300 singlespeed record and the launch of a new bike named after him, this week’s special Reader’s Rig is Jefe Branham’s Why Cycles El Jefe. Find a detailed look at Jefe’s record-setting prototype here…

Words by Jefe Branham (@jwookstar); Photos By Josh Weinberg (@Jweinberg) courtesy of Why Cycles

Hi, I’m Jefe Branham. I live in Gunnison, Colorado—life at 7,700 feet. I make my living making food and wrenching on bikes. I have a wonderful two-year-old daughter and an avid bikepacking wife. We are always outside hiking, biking, camping, and bikepacking, and hope to raise our little girl on dirt, adventure, and acceptance of others. I love bikes and all the ways to ride them. My favorite thing to do on a bike is heading off for long rides from my door.

Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe

El Jefe is a project that I’ve been working on for almost a year with Chris Reichel and Adam Miller of Why Cycles. We wanted to bring a faster bikepacking bike into the Why quiver. This bike delivers on that! I have been riding one of the original prototypes since sometime last fall, and the El Jefe is a really rad and fun bike that also likes to be loaded and pushed hard. I smile so big every time I throw a leg over and take it for a spin.

  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe

The bike features artwork based on some of my sketches. Mountains, trees, trails, bikes, and a lily on the seatube. I wanted the graphics to beg one to take it out into those places and explore. The lily is an homage to my daughter, Lillian, and a reminder that no matter how far I am from home, I will always carry some of that love with me.

  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Frame Why Cycles El Jefe (Large)
  • Fork Rock Shox Pike RCT, 120mm
  • Rims Revel R27
  • Hubs I9 Hydra
  • Tires Maxxis Rekon / Dissector, 2.6″
  • Handlebars Custom Goodday Cycles
  • Headset Cane Creek 110
  • Crankset SRAM DUB XO1, 30T
  • Cassette Ti 21T rear cog
  • Brakes SRAM Guide G2
  • Saddle Ergon
  • Seatpost Fox Transfer 125mm dropper
  • Stem Race Face Atlus (70mm)
  • Front bags Homemade
  • Frame bags Homemade
  • Accessory bags JPaks feedbag
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
  • Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe
Jefe Branham, Why Cycles El Jefe

For more, be sure to check out Logan’s recent review of the El Jefe. We also covered Jefe’s record-setting time on the Arizona Trail earlier this month. Check that out here. You can keep up with Jefe on Instagram @jwookstar.

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Use the form below to submit your bikepacking rig. We’ll choose one per week to feature in a Reader’s Rig Dispatch and on Instagram. To enter, email us your best photo of the bike (preferably at a 90° angle), your Instagram username (optional), and a short description of you and your rig. If your bike is selected, we’ll need a total of five photos and a little bit more info.

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