Tag
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The Best Way to Patch a Sleeping Pad
6 Mar 13 Neil Beltchenko / tipsInflatable pads are an essential part of a good night’s sleep while bikepacking, but they’re also prone to punctures. In this video and written guide, Neil shares some tips for locating and repairing holes in your sleeping pad at home and in the field. Dive in here…
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Are Satellite Messengers Dead? (Video)
27 Feb 13 Neil Beltchenko / planAfter testing both the inReach Messenger and the new iPhone satellite messaging feature on a recent trip, Neil had a realization that could save him money, space, and frustration. Find out what he learned in his latest video…
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How I Pack My New Hardtail for Bikepacking (Video)
12 Feb 6 Neil Beltchenko / tipsIn his latest video, Neil shares a detailed walkthrough of how he loaded up his new Goodday Curiosity hardtail for a five-day winter bikepacking trip along the Fool’s Loop in Arizona. Watch the video and find a list of everything he packed here…
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What’s with the Bivy? Two Ultralight Bivy Setups (Video)
12 Feb 3 Neil Beltchenko / gear-listsDuring a recent bikepacking trip in Arizona, Neil checked with his riding companions Joe Cruz and Willie Hatfield who tackled the route with ultra-minimal sleep setups. In our latest video, he sits down with them to hear the thought process behind their bivy-centric gear choices. Watch it here…
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Revel Rascal Review
8 Jan 15 Neil Beltchenko / bikesDoes its unique five-pivot (!?) suspension design make the Revel Rascal a more versatile trail bike than most others in its class and a better climber than many XC-oriented bikes? Neil shares his thoughts on the latest version in his full review here…
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650B Gravel Bikes: The Monster(cross) List
358 Jan 13 Team Work / bikesOriginally published Jan 2nd, 2019. Major update: Jan 8th, 2025 Bikepacking bikes come in all shapes and sizes—everything from plus-tire hardtails to svelte gravel race rigs and from full-squish to […]
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Framing the Question: Our Aluminum Bike Survey
37 Nov 19 Neil Beltchenko / cultureA few weeks ago, we surveyed folks with a few questions about aluminum bike frames. The results weren’t too surprising, but the comments we received afterward stoked the fire on the topic. Are aluminum bikes really as harsh as some people claim? Is aluminum as strong as other materials? Does it fatigue more than steel? Is marketing hype pushing riders toward pricier options? There’s a lot to unpack. Dive in to our aluminum bike survey recap here…
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29+ Bikes (The Complete List)
138 Oct 30 Logan Watts / bikesUpdated October 2024, Originally published February 2019 Believe it or not, it wasn’t until the summer of 2012 when plus tires first debuted. Surly Bikes was the originator, launching both […]
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Guide to DT Swiss Hubs: Ratchet Types, Wheel Maintenance, and 54T Upgrade
34 Oct 17 Logan Watts / gearAfter a recent visit to the DT Swiss Americas office in Grand Junction, Colorado, we have loads of insight to share. In this guide, we dig into everything you need to know about DT Swiss hubs, including the different ratchet systems, a crash course in preventative wheel maintenance for a big trip, and the DT Swiss 54T ratchet upgrade, a worthwhile and easy DIY improvement for classic ratchet hubs….
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Complete List of Cargo Cages and “Anything Bags” for Bikepacking and Touring
131 Aug 14 Logan Watts / accessoriesUpdated August 2024 (originally published in February, 2019) Back in 2010, Salsa Cycles released the original Anything Cage, an oversized, open-sided cage made from lightweight aluminum tubing. The idea of […]
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Rigs of the 2024 Colorado Trail Race Stats Analysis
9 Aug 13 Neil Beltchenko / bikesWe compiled data from more than 40 submissions for the Rigs of the 2024 Colorado Trail Race into a spreadsheet to gain insights into the bikes and gear featured in this year’s event. In this article, we explore the data and reveal some intriguing statistics, such as the most popular tires, drivetrains, types of bags, pedals, lights, and more. Dive into our Rigs of the 2024 Colorado Trail Race stats analysis here…
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How to Talk to Bikepacking Bag Makers: A Practical Guide
9 Jul 16 Guest / tipsNavigating the world of custom bikepacking bags can be daunting, even for experienced riders. Adding to our growing archive of guides to understanding and getting the most out of custom-built bike luggage, Ty Domin of Yeah Nah Thread Works compiled this primer featuring several key pointers to keep in mind when discussing projects with one-off bag makers. Read it here…