Rigid & Plus Bike Reviews Archives - BIKEPACKING.com

Titus Silk Road Review: Adventure Titanium on a Budget

Lucas Winzenburg — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:00:03 +0000

Featuring an expedition-ready titanium frame and a carbon fork with cargo mounts, the relatively unknown Titus Silk Road is a peculiar go-anywhere machine that comes in at or under $2,000 complete. Intrigued by its value proposition, Lucas pedaled one around Colorado throughout several seasons. Find his detailed Titus Silk Road review here…

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Esker Hayduke LVS Review: A Future Classic

Logan Watts — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:34:32 +0000

The Esker Hayduke LVS is the latest sibling in the now-classic bikepacking-oriented Hayduke lineage. However, with 600mm chainstays, a feature-laden titanium frame, and a unique overlanding rear rack, the LVS is completely different from its predecessor. We tested the Hayduke LVS for several months in all sorts of permutations. Find out how it stacks up as a gravel bike, a trail ripper, a wheelie machine, and a cargo-carrying rig in this detailed review…

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Crust Scapegoat Review: ScapeBot Touring Through Time

Miles Arbour — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:28:15 +0000

The latest generation of the Crust Scapegoat (ScapeBot) features plenty of the specs we’d hope to see from a ride-around-the-world rigid mountain bike, including geometry tuned for heavy hauling, loads of mounting points, and clearance for 29 x 3.0” tires. After nearly a year of dirt-road rambling, packrafting, and bikepacking, find our long-term Crust Scapegoat review here…

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Stooge MK6 Review: (Not) Using Technology

Logan Watts — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:34:25 +0000

After a lot of waiting, we finally got ahold of a shiny new Stooge MK6 and proceeded to get it dirty while putting tons of miles on it throughout all manner of trail rides and bikepacking trips around the Appalachians. Find an extensive write-up on the MK6 featuring some Stooge history, a rumination on riding rigid mountain bikes, loads of photos, and an in-depth review here…

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Rigid Steel Mountain Bikes (The Best Off-road Touring Bikes)

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 14:00:42 +0000

Updated October, 2023 (originally published January, 2019) In our opinion, fully rigid steel mountain bikes—especially those with plus-sized tires—have inherited the crown of the first ATBs (All Terrain Bikes), offering sure-footed traction and an adventurous spirit. They’re the updated essence of the original 1980s mountain bikes, and like their forebears, are robust enough to be […]

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Curve GMX+ Titanium Review: Performance Overlanding

Miles Arbour — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 11:19:34 +0000

Inspired by Australia’s long-rooted history with overlanding, the Curve GMX+ Titanium is designed to handle big rides through challenging terrain, move swiftly in a variety of conditions, and easily carry everything needed along the way. Miles and Emily spent around two months living aboard the GMX+ during their recent trip to Australia and report back for this review. Find heaps of photos and their findings after 2,000 kilometers of pedaling here…

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Bike Friday All-Packa Review: Small Wheels, Big Pedaling

Joe Cruz — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:00:59 +0000

The Bike Friday All-Packa is a first-of-its-kind, dirt-forward 20" folding bike with room for 2.4" tires and loads of provisions. After thousands of miles of use and multiple bikepacking trips, Joe weighs in on it with this thorough review...

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Jones Titanium Plus LWB Spaceframe Review: Magic Carpet Ride

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:35:22 +0000

Coinciding with Jones Bicycles' 20th Anniversary, Cass knuckles down to write a long-term review of his dream bike, the Jones Titanium Plus LWB Spaceframe. After months of daily use, technical singletrack climbs, enduro trail descents, multi-day bikepacking trips, and trailer pulling, he attempts to explain why the latest iteration of Jones's iconic mountain bike is as special as it's always been...

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Tanglefoot Hardtack Review

Joe Cruz — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 11:27:18 +0000

At the end of last year, Joe reviewed the Tanglefoot Moonshiner, a sure-footed ATB conceived for woodsy New England terrain but suitable for all manner of bikepacking in rugged environs. Readers will remember that he loved the Moonshiner for its handling and flat-out prowess on his favorite kinds of exploratory rides. The Hardtack is a lighter-duty sibling to the ‘Shiner, and it shares its dominant philosophy. Read on to find out how Joe thinks the two compare...

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29+ Bikes (The Complete List)

Logan Watts — Wed, 18 May 2022 11:30:09 +0000

Updated May 2022 Believe it or not, it wasn’t until the summer of 2012 when plus tires first debuted. Surly Bikes was the originator, launching both the Instigator with 26+ tires and the Krampus with massive 29 x 3.0″ rubber. Coincidentally, it was around that same time when bikepacking began its rise in popularity. We […]

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Panorama Taiga Review: A Case for the Semi-Rad Steel Hardtail

Miles Arbour — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 13:11:06 +0000

Canada's Panorama Cycles released their first hardtail mountain bike, the Taïga, last summer. With a Reynolds 725 steel frame, clearance for 29 x 2.8” tires, sliding dropouts, and lots of mounting options, we were interested to see how it stood up against other similar steel hardtails. After riding the Taïga for several months with both a 120mm travel fork and with Panorama’s own rigid carbon fork, Miles shares his full review here…

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Tanglefoot Moonshiner Review: Triumphal Pedaling Toward Retro-Futurism

Joe Cruz — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 13:18:31 +0000

The Tanglefoot Moonshiner is a woods exploration bike conceived in and for the kind of riding you’ll find in Vermont and throughout New England. But its prowess doesn’t end there. It’s a bike for getting outside in the playful adventurous spirit that all-terrain bikes were supposed to be for. Dig in to this lengthy discussion to find out why—after riding one in a variety of conditions for a couple of months—Joe is excited and enthusiastic for what Tanglefoot has achieved.

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Miles’ Parts Bin Xtracycle EdgeRunner Cargo Bike

Miles Arbour — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 12:20:53 +0000

After picking up a rusty cargo bike frame for $75, Miles worked with his local bike shop on a budget parts-bin build to give a second life to a bike that was in desperate need of a new home. Learn more about his new Xtracycle EdgeRunner here...

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Tumbleweed Stargazer Review: Another Steel Drop-bar bike?

Logan Watts — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:05:18 +0000

The new Tumbleweed Stargazer is the second bike from the Idaho-based brand, and it’s vastly different from its predecessor. With a frameset featuring Boost spacing, clearance for 29 x 2.5” or 27.5 x 3.0” tires, a mountain bike demeanor, and a few interesting nuances, the Stargazer also sets itself apart from many other bikes in the category. Find our full review here after hundreds of miles trail riding, gravel grinding, and bikepacking…

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Brodie Mega Tour Review: Mega Affordable

Miles Arbour — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 12:41:22 +0000

The Brodie Mega Tour is positioned as an “alternative adventure touring bike” and is based around 29” wheels, a rigid aluminum frame and fork, and a good selection of mounting options and rack compatibility. Retailing for just $1,300 USD, we were curious to see how its value held up in the real world. Find Miles’ review here after some coastal rambling and route scouting…

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An Elegy for the Surly ECR… is 29+ Dead?

Logan Watts — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 12:10:09 +0000

In case you haven't gotten the inside scoop, Surly has discontinued another classic. The ECR is no more, and we're sad to see it go. Read on for our thoughts about this decision and how the ECR bridged the gap between bikepacking and long-distance touring. Plus, watch our latest video, "Is 29+ Dead?"

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Nordest Sardinha Review: One Size Fits

Logan Watts — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 12:23:41 +0000

With compelling geometry, all the right provisions, and an historically contemplative name, the Nordest Sardinha has been on our radar since it was first announced. Fortunately, we finally got to put the Sardinha II through its paces for this long-term review. Find all the details and loads of photos here...

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Esker Japhy Review: Next-Gen Steel Hardtail

Miles Arbour — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:23:04 +0000

Released as a 29” alternative to the incredibly versatile Hayduke, the Esker Japhy is a chromoly steel hardtail with 29+ tires, a 120mm travel fork, and three value-packed builds to choose from. We’ve been testing the mid-range Japhy J2 for the last few months to find out what it’s capable of. Find the full review here…

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Hudski Doggler Review: The Kids are All Right

Miles Arbour — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 13:50:37 +0000

The Hudski Doggler is a do-everything bike that's offered in three builds: Gravel, Mountain, and City, each with a $2,000 price tag and a well-rounded component group. We tested the Doggler in Gravel and Mountain mode to find out what it's capable of. After riding one for a few months and swapping between 700c x 50mm and 27.5 x 2.6” tires, here’s our full review…

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A Nod to the Surly Bridge Club

Logan Watts — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:58:43 +0000

When planning for the Ruta Chingaza trip, we helped outfit three riders who had never been bikepacking. When trying to decide on the ideal bikes to get them for the trip, the Bridge Club was one of the first to come to mind. Here’s why it might just be the best beginner bikepacking bike, out of the box...

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Jones SWB Titanium Review: A Dream Bike and Dream Build

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:59:33 +0000

We take Jones' premium, all titanium SWB—clad in a wardrobe of boutique parts—for an extended test ride. And we ask the question: if money is no object, can one frameset really provide a viable heart and soul for a bikepacking rig, a fast gravel machine, and a trail-worthy mountain bike? Read on to find out...

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Meet The New Why Wayward V2 (SquidWard!)

Logan Watts — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 13:33:27 +0000

The 2020 Why Wayward V2 was redesigned with a higher stack, more tire clearance, and a few other tweaks to improve its ride quality. We got our hands on the high-end build, featuring the new Oddity Squidfork and Lowrizer handlebar. Dig in for our initial impressions on the "SquidWard" and find all the specs, plus loads of photos...

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Bearclaw Beaux Jaxon Review: A Niche Within A Niche

Miles Arbour — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 13:39:22 +0000

Even as modern gravel bikes continue to fit ever-larger tires, some bikes still exist within a niche of their own. As a titanium drop-bar gravel bike with clearance for plus-sized mountain bike tires, Bearclaw Bicycle Co.’s Beaux Jaxon is one of those bikes. Miles spent a few months on a top-end SRAM AXS build tackling a wide assortment of terrain around his hometown in Ontario, and as far south as Big Bend, Texas. Check out the full review here…

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First Look: 2020 Bombtrack Beyond+ ADV

Cass Gilbert — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 12:11:54 +0000

2020 sees a few tweaks to Bombtrack's big-wheeled Beyond+ ADV, including three-pack cage mounts on each seatstay. Here are all the details, the full build kit, and a few thoughts on how it rides.

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Jones Plus SWB Complete Review: Jones Magic for Less $

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:56:55 +0000

Once the domain of the fully-fledged bike geek, Jones' Plus SWB Complete has opened up a very distinctive, capable, and comfortable bike to a far broader audience. After spending half a year riding one, read Cass Gilbert's in-depth review, along with SWB and LWB comparisons...

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Hecho en Tucson: Hubert’s Custom Bikepacking Machine

Cass Gilbert — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 13:25:25 +0000

We head out for a night bivying under the skies of southern Arizona with Hubert d'Autremont, framebuilder and tortilla maker, and find out about his custom bikepacking rig...

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Tumbleweed Prospector Review: Wolf in Mule’s Clothing

Logan Watts — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:41:34 +0000

The second version of the expedition-ready Tumbleweed Prospector was released just a couple months ago, and is available now. We got ahold of a V2 sample frame and fork, built it up with 29+ tires, took it for a test ride on Ethiopia’s rugged dirt tracks, then brought it back to the rough and tumble singletrack trails and forest roads of Pisgah to see what else it can do. Here’s the full review...

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Tout Terrain Outback Review: Vorsprung Durch Technik

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 13:15:56 +0000

Well established within the world of traditional touring, Tout Terrain’s first foray into the bikepacking realm comes by way of the 27.5+ Outback. Like other products in this German company’s extensive range of steel bikes, the Outback is a modern hardtail that embraces the technological marvels of an internal drivetrain, in the form of the Pinion C1.12. We take one to France's Alpes-de-Haute-Provence to find out what it's about...

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Why Cycles Wayward Review: The Unicorn

TJ Kearns — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:12:28 +0000

For bikepackers, 29+ is the stuff of legend. Added traction, floatation, suspension, and rollover make it the ideal platform for backcountry exploits. From afar, the latest rig in this niche, the titanium Why Cycles Wayward, looked to be the perfect specimen. TJ Kearns tested one on countless trail rides and several bikepacking trips to find out if it was indeed the mythical beast he’d been seeking...

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Brother Cycles Big Bro Review: Old Meets New

Cass Gilbert — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:07:02 +0000

Even in a world of long and slack full-suspension rigs, the humble, fully rigid MTB still has a place, especially when it comes in a plus-tyred flavour. We took the Brother Cycles Big Bro up and down the steep inclines of Dorset's Isle of Purbeck. Here's how it fared...

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Bombtrack Beyond+ 2 Review: Up and over the Alps

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 15:12:08 +0000

With just six years of business under its belt, Germany-based Bombtrack Bikes has grown quickly. It now offers a wide and exciting range of adventure-ready bikes, many of them designed with bikepackers in mind. Cass Gilbert takes a Bombtrack Beyond+ 2 up and over the European Alps, and reports back on the ride...

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Pivot Mach 429 Trail Review: The Ideal Full-suspension Bikepacking Rig?

Virginia Krabill — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 12:55:00 +0000

When choosing a new trail bike, bikepackers bring their own set of requirements to the table. After demoing several different full-suspension 27.5+ bikes, trying to find the perfect bikepacking/trail machine, the Pivot Mach 429 Trail got the nod for Gin's long-term review. Plus, our take on what's required for a full-suspension bike to make a great bikepacking rig…

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Trek 1120 Review: Footsteps of Giants

Logan Watts — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 14:11:27 +0000

The Trek 1120 follows in the same 29+ tracks that many bikepacking-specific rigs forged ahead of it, but this bike cuts its own trail with an innovative front rack, a thoughtfully designed rear harness system, and surprising trail prowess... all at a lighter weight than we expected. We’ve been quietly testing one over the last few months; here’s the full review.

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Niner SIR 9 Review: Tested On The Colorado Trail

Cass Gilbert — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:44:15 +0000

Niner's latest SIR 9 is the company's third iteration on their cult classic hardtail. For 2017, it retains the high-end Reynolds 853 tubeset for which the bike is known, infusing its new frame with an up-to-the-minute geometry, all the latest industry standards, clearances for 27.5+ tires, and a host of bikepacking-friendly braze-ons. Given that the company is based in Colorado... it only seemed fitting to it out on the technically demanding and physically challenging Colorado Trail.

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Why Cycles S7 Review: Rodeo Bikepacking

Joe Cruz — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 12:34:31 +0000

Joe took the 27.5+ titanium Why Cycles S7 to southeastern Utah for a bikepacking trip and trail rides on several Moab classics. Read the review to find out what this beautiful beast is all about, down to the engraved Ed Abbey quote and the torx-head bottle mount bolts...

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Viral Skeptic Review + The Pinion P1.12 Gearbox

Logan Watts — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:07:23 +0000

With a belt drive, Pinion Gearbox, 27.5+ tires, and an oddly colored titanium frame, the Viral Skeptic might come off as something of a concept bike when it’s clean and shiney. But after a couple months getting it dirty, the sum of its parts equals a rather slick future-proof rig. Read our comprehensive review as well as a detailed look at the Pinion P1.12.

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2017 Surly Ogre Review: ETs, Molokos, 27.5+, and a braze-on fiesta…

Cass Gilbert — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 13:47:06 +0000

Following the Troll's recent revamp, it was only a matter of time before Surly's 29er all-rounder, the Ogre, underwent a similar transformation. Read on to discover details of its 2017 incarnation and thoughts on its frameset, set up with 27.5+ wheels. Also included are musings on the relative merits of different Plus sizes, depending on the style of your backcountry explorations.

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Kona Big Honzo DL: Long-term Review

Skyler Des Roches — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:58:42 +0000

As the popularity of multi-day mountain biking soars to new levels, many bike manufacturers have set out to build bikepacking-specific models, aiming to split the difference between a touring bike and a mountain bike. Kona has made no such effort within their Honzo hardtails. The Honzos were built to be fun and capable trail bikes, with no apparent consideration toward the idea of carrying more than a single water bottle. Yet, by refusing to compromise on trail handling, Kona has by accident created an outstandingly comfortable and capable bikepacking machine – the Big Honzo DL…

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Interbike 2016 Outdoor Demo: Lucky 7

Logan Watts — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 14:59:40 +0000

Seven new bikes with a lot of adventure potential from the 2016 Interbike Outdoor Demo...

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Salsa Woodsmoke Review (29+ GX): Space Oddity

Logan Watts — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:40:04 +0000

The latest progeny in Salsa’s eccentric lineup is aimed to bridge the gap between trail ninja and adventure rig. In addition to a fair share of trail rides, we took the Woodsmoke 29+ GX1 on a 1,000km expedition in Kyrgyzstan to see if it lives up to its pedigree…

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First Look: Salsa Timberjack, Fargo 27.5+ & the New Mukluk

Logan Watts — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 13:44:36 +0000

At this weeks Saddledrive, with the introduction of a bikepacking bag kit, two new bikes, and major upgrades to several existing models, Salsa hammered their stake a little deeper in the Adventure cycling category. Here’s our first ride impressions on the Fargo 27.5+, the affordable Timberjack, and the redesigned carbon Mukluk…

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First Look: Surly Karate Monkey 27.5+ & 2017 Troll

Logan Watts — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:34:12 +0000

At SaddleDrive this week, Surly reintroduced two of their classics — each completely overhauled with a few very interesting features. We had a chance to look them over and take a few rides... here are our initial impressions.

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Salsa Pony Rustler Review: Smarten up, dumb down.

Logan Watts — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 13:27:11 +0000

Lines ignored. Corners railed. Roots degreased. Rock gardens manicured. Are trails being over-tamed by full-suspension plus tire bikes such as the Salsa Pony Rustler? Preface: this article is one part opinion, two parts review...

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Jones Plus Review: A Bike Like No Other

Cass Gilbert — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:15:20 +0000

With its unusual frame geometry, eye-catching truss fork, 29+ wheels, and rigid-specific design, the Jones Plus sets out to rewrite the rulebooks. We took this unconventional rig bikepacking, trail riding, and touring, and were more than a little surprised by what we found...

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Velo Orange Piolet Review: A Modern Classic.

Guest — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:37:53 +0000

Classic. From the segmented fork, to the clean lines, to the solid cerulean paint with brushed metal headbadge, Velo Orange’s Piolet harkens back to a time in mountain biking that predates suspension and indexed shifting. Its looks, however, are where the similarities end: unlike the early mountain bikes that heralded the off road boom of the 80s, the Piolet has disc brakes, 29” wheels (with 27.5+ compatibility), huge tire clearances, and more braze ons than you can count. I guess that would make the Piolet a “modern classic”.

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Advocate Cycles Hayduke Review: Baja Winter

Guest — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:57:33 +0000

In 2010, I rode through Baja, Mexico on a Surly Long Haul Trucker. On our first off-pavement excursion, Nick and I pushed our bikes through long sections of sand and washboard. It wasn't fun. We needed bigger tires. After this experience, we stuck to Highway 1 and pedaled past all the dirt tracks, wondering where they might lead. There is a lot more dirt than pavement on the peninsula. Five years later, Baja was still a huge question mark. This winter I came back with an Advocate Cycles Hayduke.

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Marin Pine Mountain 2 Review: In with the old

Logan Watts — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 15:52:16 +0000

In with the old, in with the new. That’s how Marin approached the 2016 Pine Mountain 2. We had the opportunity to thrash this steel 27.5+ adventure hardtail on southern Spain’s unyielding rocky trails. Here’s how she performed…

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Chumba Ursa 29+ BC Review

Guest — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:19:47 +0000

The Chumba Ursa 29+ BC tested on dirt roads, singletrack, rough cattle trails, and equestrian trails throughout the Eastern Sierra...

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Interbike 2015: Outdoor Demo Lucky 7

Logan Watts — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:47:12 +0000

Seven bikes that are worth noting from the 2015 Interbike Outdoor Demo...

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Salsa Deadwood Review: Trail Tested

Christophe Noel — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:16:25 +0000

If the last few years have taught me anything, it is to keep an open mind with regard to bicycle design. Conceding that resistance to change is futile, I have since become eager to adopt all the strange and new offerings on the market like the forthcoming Salsa Deadwood.

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Gabe’s Carver Gnarvester Review: Camp + Shred

Gabriel Amadeus — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:23:07 +0000

"I can pick my way up tight lines, ride skinnies, drop ledges, and then unpack and make a cup of pourover..."

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Bike Touring with the Surly ECR: 1,000 km Impressions + Build Specs

Logan Watts — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 21:05:55 +0000

“I think they [Knards] will be too slow.” “You won’t find 29er tires or tubes in Africa.” “That thing is going to be heavy.” I pretty much ignored the aforementioned comments, among a couple other worries that were floating around in my skull, and rolled into Africa with the ECR, complete with Knards. Here are my thoughts after 1,000 KMs.

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