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PedalEd has launched a limited edition pack featuring their bikepacking bags and various apparel designed for bikepacking and touring in Coral red. Included in the drop is their Cluster saddle pack, Internode half frame bag, Node snack pack, and Tendril handlebar bag. Head to PedalEd to see the entire drop.
Porcelain Rocket has redesigned the Nigel Handlebar Bag. This redesign aims to distill the design elements that made the original Nigel unique and practical, into a much simpler, sleeker package. The new Nigel is smaller, which will allow for use on a larger variety of bikes. However, at 4.5L, it is still larger than typical burrito-style bar bags. Its wide opening and one-handed bungee closure make for extremely easy access on the bike.
The whole thing has been made much sturdier, with Voilé Nano Straps main straps, a semi-rigid back plate, and a removable EVA foam “bed liner” in the base. Also included are die-cut foam spacers, so that people can space the bag out for clearance for their hands on the tops, or for cables/hoses.
By paring down the design Porcelain Rocket is now able to sell the Nigel for $150CAD / US$115. They’re in stock now at Porcelain Rocket.
Panniers can be an interesting pickle for bag designers. With so many racks out on the market, being flexible in terms of mounting is of the utmost importance. With their new Microwave Panniers, they have solved that problem, creating a cradle pannier which holds onto individual dry bags. The system itself is secure, adaptable, modular, and practical, as all panniers should be. Check out their mounting instructions, and rack fitment for answers to your questions before heading to Porcelain Rocket to check them out!
To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, EVOK invited Danny MacAskill to check out their archives and to test out their new EVOC NEO 16l pack, which is dropping in April.
After last year’s successful collaboration with Colorado-based Topo Designs on their handlebar bag, All-City designed a new model to compliment this year’s colorations. These bags are made in Colorado from durable materials with a waterproof liner, oversized waterproof YKK zippers, velcro attachments, and it includes a removable shoulder strap for off-the-bike usage. Head to All-City for more details and head over to your local dealer to check one out!
The Crust Bikes Evasion is a production bike that set the bar for versatility in a production bike made overseas. Previously, this sort of frame was only tapped into by small, one-off framebuilding outfits, which can run a pretty penny and have long wait times. Wanting to address this market with affordable options, Matt from Crust Bikes has built his brand off of supporting the niche cycling world’s demands. Only thing is, what was once a small niche is now a substantial portion of the market’s interest and Crust Bikes has grown with it.
Take the Evasion for instance. A do-it-all dirt tourer, designed for the 26+ platform, but will also roll just as smooth on 27.5″ wheels and tires. As Matt from Crust describes the Evasion: “It’s a randonneur bike on steroids, “The Satanic Rando” if you will. Comfortable for the long haul, but fast and nimble, while still being ready for some pretty technical/rough riding; if that’s what the route throws your way.”
What a genius copywriter!
Hanson’s Evasion is raw steel, with a few coats of spraypaint clear, 27.5″ wheels, a 1x drivetrain, and loaded with his brand’s, Dark Realm, prototype bags. How else can you tell if your bags really work without putting them to the test? He races XC MTB races in Austin on this bike, does tours, dirt road rides, trail ripping, and straight up rips the rocky trails of Austin’s Greenbelt on this beast. An ex-pro BMX’r maybe he just feels more comfortable on a rigid bike?
As for the Dark Realm bags, keep an eye on their Webshop for new product drops, or hit him up on IG if you have a request.
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Follow Hanson on Instagram, Crust on Instagram, and follow Dark Realm on Instagram.
I’ve been using one of the new Outer Shell Mini Saddle Bags and I have to say, it does what it’s supposed to do in a nice and tight package that doesn’t rub on your thighs. Best of all, it’s made by Outer Shell! Head over to Outer Shell see more information.
Rogue Panda, makers of burly, lightweight bikepacking bags in Arizona, just launched their new website, making it easier to order custom and universal fitting bags for your next trip. They have many designs in stock and ready to ship as well as forms to get your custom bag made with ease, including their state flag designs.
Check out our Reportage today and then head over to Rogue Panda to see their new site. Use the coupon code NEWSITE2019 for $20 off any $100 or more order.
Bikepacking Bags Made in Arizona at Rogue Panda
Photos and words by Locke Hassett
A small, unassuming garage accessed from a residential alley in Flagstaff houses one of the world’s best bikepacking bag makers: Rogue Panda Designs. The folks here pride themselves on thoughtful design, innovation, and blending function and form seamlessly. I visited RP on my way back from Utah to get a prototype bolt-on frame bag, chat with the makers, and snap some photos of the shop.
Every single time Acorn Bags posts a batch of bags, they sell out immediately, so I never get a chance to post them. Well, there’s a re-up now, unfortunately all that’s available is this saddle bag. Head to Acorn to see their full lineup because, hey, it’s been a while since we’ve posted their bags!
A bar bag that turns into a fanny pack or vice versa. The Fabio’s Fanny Pack is a bag for sharp shooters. A photo bag that allows for easy access and can expand to carry even more! This pack is on pre-order now, with an April 2nd delivery from Swift Industries over at Ultra Romance’s Web Shop!
Mission Workshop are wizards of bag manufacturing. Their packs have some of the most well thought-out detailing in the industry and with all the hidden buckles, pockets, and straps, come added weight – especially considering you could already be carrying camera gear or a laptop! To alleviate that, the brand often puts out VX material bags that shed some of the weight. The newest bag to get the VX treatment is the RHAKE. A unique bag that pairs exceptionally well with their camera insert. As with all their bags, these are made in the USA with a lifetime warranty. Head to Mission Workshop for more information.
Well, the team at Compass has quite the post up on their blog about the design process behind their new Ultralight Bag. Head over to the Compass blog to check it out and you can pre-order the bag now.
Jay Ritchey’s bag company, Bags by Bird, launched earlier this month with the Goldback saddle pack, a modern spin on a classic bag design. BXB just announced their new Teardrop Handlebar Bag, designed for dirt drops, or other handlebars with flare. The bag’s unique profile allows for maximum portage storage with drops, keeping to a tapered design. Naturally, it won’t fit on all drops, so check out the dimensions at Bags by Bird before ordering!
Our friends at Swift Industries worked with Dirt Rag Magazine on a giveaway for one of their Elwha Hip Packs. The contest is easy, so head to Dirt Rag to find out more!
The Fabio’s Chest bag, a do-it-all, bikepacking, cyclo-touring, errand, all-rounder bag that expands to carry necessities and cinches down for security, all in a Made in the USA package by Swift Industries is now in stock – again. Head on over to Ultra Romance’s webshop for more and if you have a Fab’s Chest, perhaps you can share photos of yours in the comments!
Bags by Bird is a side project of Jay from JayBird films. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Jay makes beautiful videos, most notably El Silencio, a project with Tumbleweed Bikes. On these intense bikepacking trips, Jay was testing out his prototype bag, and working on launching his company, Bags by Bird, or BXB for short. His flagship bag is the Goldback, available in a variety of sizing and material options and made one at a time by Jay. See the Goldback bags at Bags by Bird.
Bikes, Bags, and USA Made Tags: Bedrock Bags
Photos and words by Kyle Kelley
One of Liz and my stops along the great American Bike Shop Tour of 2017 was Bedrock Bags in Durango, Colorado. A larger than life operation, in a very small space, boasting that they “make the best bikepacking gear on the market.” And when I mean small…I mean small, at first I had no clue how everyone worked in this small space at the same time, but as Joey Ernst, one of the owners, and Tae Hillyer, the production manager, and I chatted about the business I began to understand. This space had been thought out in the same tailored, tight, and clean aesthetic as all of their bags. Just like you don’t want your knees rubbing your framebag, everyone at Bedrock Bags had created a very workable space with no elbow rubbing in a very small, but very efficient corridor.
So you know your knees aren’t going to be rubbing one of their framebags.
