Restrap pulled together a quick video showcasing some tips to prepare for winter touring…
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Ratio, A UK Startup, Releases a 1×12 Mechanical Upgrade Kit for £49.50
The Ratio upgrade kit allows you to pair 11-speed mechanical shifters with 12-speed Eagle MTB derailleurs and cassettes. While it includes dissecting your shifter and derailleur, Ratio’s instructions are super clear and enable you to ride a wide-range 1×12 drivetrain on a gravel, road, or touring bike without the expense and hassle of electronics and batteries.
Check out the Upgrade Kit at Ratio. We just bought a kit, so stay tuned for a full-review in the near future.
Radar
Readers’ RIdes: Chris’ Bombtrack Arise Fixed Gravel Bike
This week’s Readers’ Rides is a little different. Chris sent in his parts bin Bombtrack Arise gravel bike. What makes this build unique is that his current build on this frame is a fixed gear. Read on below for the full build breakdown and some words by Chris…
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The Hard Way
Have you seen the X9 from Orange Bikes? Well, check out this short video showcasing this machine!
Radar
Restrap Updates their Custom Frame Bags
Restrap, the UK-based cycling portage company, has just updated their custom frame bags. Their full-frame bag comes standard with one (right side/drive side) large compartment with an internal velcro divider (optional) and a long slender document pocket (left side/non-drive side). Each bag is made with YKK zips, textured nylon outer, and VX21 fabrics. Included in all sizes is a slot for camelback/dynamo positioned on the top of the bag. Each bag is finished with Restrap’s classic label (PU leather/vegan-friendly).
Check out this video for all the details on how to submit an order and see more information at Restrap.
Specs:
-One large main compartment with optional internal velcro divider (right side/drive side).
(optional) longer slender document pocket (left side/non-drive side).
– YKK zips, textured nylon outer and VX21 fabrics.
– Tough, durable and versatile design.
– Slot for camelback/dynamo positioned on the top of the bag.
– Finished with our classic label (PU leather/vegan-friendly).
– Choice of colours – black, grey, olive, navy and digital camouflage.
Small: £74.99, €84.99, $99.99
Medium: £94.99, €109.99, $129.99
Large: £109.99, €124.99, $149.99
Radar
E-Adventures With Steve McClure
Steve McClure is one of the UK’s best climbers and has set some of the hardest routes. A bike keeps Steve in shape, climbing is demanding on your body, requiring total body fitness. Check out this video showcasing how Steve uses his Cairn e-bike to access areas that would otherwise require long hikes or 4WDs.
Reportage
Panaracer GravelKing SS Review: The New GravelKing SS Tire
Gravel? What is gravel? If you live in the US, you instantly think about the big gravel rollers which you can find out in the mid west. Gravel roads where you can ride a 100 miles before turning, well at times they definitely feel like a 100 miles. Those brutal headwinds!
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Choose Cycling
Choose Cycling looks at two UK-based cyclists, Ore and Lucy, and spotlights what drew them to bikes and commuting.
Radar
Brother Cycles: Kepler All-Rounder Frame Updates
The Kepler is Brother Cycles’ do it all drop-bar bike. Gravel, light touring, commuting, and forest-bound shenanigans. The Kepler is a 4130 frame, with ED coating under the paint to prevent corrosion, can run either 700×45 or 650×48 wheels, has mounts for racks/fenders, with three bottle mounts. For 2021 the new Kepler now features flat-mount thru-axle dropouts with a replaceable derailleur hanger, s-shaped chainstays, and a unicrown steel fork.
Price for us non UK/EU dwellers is £520.83 which is not bad at all!
Pre-order your Kepler at Brother Cycles today for a October 12, 2020 release date.
Radar
The Nukeproof 2021 Scout Has Us Drooling
With a hydroformed 6061 triple-butted aluminum frame, a 65º head angle (66.6º when sagged for Satan), 1191mm (Large Scout 275) wheelbase, and 435mm chainstays, the Nukeproof Scout is not messing around. This little shit of a bike mocks its bigger, rear-shocked brethren with cackles as it cascades through chundah and foresaken forests. Nukeproof really did it this round, speccing the bikes with with “trail appropriate” tires, so you don’t have to swap out for some meaty Maxxis rubber first thing, and there is plenty of clearance for the wet dust out back (2.6” in 27.5 and 2.5” width in 29er). Plus in that shiny, pretty boy, polished aluminum it’s almost mocking you for not getting it filthy.
-Frame Finish: Brushed ‘n Raw with Black decals
-Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select Charger RC 150mm, 46mm Offset, BOOST, Debonair
-Wheelset: DT Swiss M1900 SPLINE
-Tyres: Front: Maxxis Assegai, Maxx Terra, EXO, TR/ Rear: Maxxis Dissector Maxx Terra EXO+, TR,
-Crankset: Shimano SLX M7100 12-Speed
-Brakes: Shimano SLX M7120, 4 Pot Brake, Resin Pads with Fins
-Handlebars: Nukeproof Horizon V2 25mm Rise, Width – S780mm, M780mm, L800mm, XL800mm)
-Stem: Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm, Black
-Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon SL, Black/Grey
-Seatpost: Brand X Ascend internal w Shimano SL-MT500-IL Remote lever, S:125mm drop; M:150mm drop; L/XL:170mm drop
-Headset: Nukeproof, 44-56 IITS
-Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
-SRP: £2100 (GBP)
Impressive! See more for yourself at Nukeproof.
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Graviator
Our friend and videographer Sandy Plenty worked on this flick for Fustle, featuring their Causeway gravel bike. What he came up with is right up our alley! Check out more at Fustle.
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Britain’s Fastest Self-Powered Human: Mike Burrows
In what I hope will be the first of many monthly(ish) articles, of varying lengths, Nikolai and I visited (in)famous bicycle designer Mike Burrows, who has been a constant in terms of support, inspiration and taking me down a peg or two when I need it (always). Nikolai filmed our trip on my Sony A7iii as part of an ongoing project, so I decided it would be especially fitting for Mike to document our trip on celluloid with my Mamiya C330, and a little Olympus rangefinder on Kodak Portra 800 film.
Radar
The Fairlight Faran MKII Touring Bike
The Faran 2.0 is the latest from the UK builders Fairlight. It’s a multi-purpose tourer, built with custom-specified Reynolds tubing, like a Reynolds 631 DZB downtube, and 631 front triangle, with a 37mm 4130 head tube and stays, with 68mm of chainstay clearance which will fit either a 700 or 27.5 wheel. That’s big enough to fit a 27.5 x 2.4” Continental X-King Tyre on Hope XC rims. These bikes have all the fixins to make them an ally on randonneuring events, S24O, or even a full-on tour. Fairlight has pulled together an extensive product catalog on the features of the Faran MKII, which I highly suggest checking out. It’s not often a bicycle manufacturer goes to these lengths describing their new product.
A £500.00 lands you a deposit (£899 frameset retail) for a Faran MKII and the queue is open for business, with the first batch shipping in September/October, with the colors to be announced shortly so head to Fairlight if you like what you see!
Radar
Cotic’s Steel Escapade is a Do-It-All Drop Bar Bike with Dirty Intentions
Cotic, the MTB brand from the UK, known for the full suspension steel MTBs and other trail-ready bikes have updated their steel Escapade bike. The revamped design includes improved cable routing for crisper shifts, a 142x12mm rear thru-axle, and this bright, Molteni orange paint job. This is the 4th generation of the Escapade which means it’s not going anywhere but up! Check out all the information and ordering details, including their 0% financing offers, at Cotic.
Reportage
Deer and Wolves: Josh Ibbett on the GBDURO 2020
Josh Ibbett just won the GBduro. A 2000 km mostly off-road Ultra Distance race from the most southern tip of the UK to the most northern in Scotland.
This is the second edition of this race.
The first one was won by Lachlan Morton last year.
The Racing Collective, organizers of the race, best described by themselves as “the UK’s flagship not-for-profit bikepacking club” had to change their race format this year. They did it, brilliantly.
There were no stages anymore, the race described as “a scrappy rolling picnic through Britain’s ever-changing landscapes” had that new daunting rule about it, you had to be “self-sufficient”, no stopping allowed in shops, cafe, restaurant or hotel, whatsoever, so you carry your own food, filter water from streams or sources and mind yourself and your bike ‘till the end. There is a new level in the game of Epic.
Radar
Restrap: the Packable Race Musette
While Restrap markets their new Adventure Musette as an accessory bag for bicycle touring, we can’t help but note that packable bags like this reduce paper and plastic bag use. When they’re this small, you can stuff them anywhere. These 70g bags are made in the UK, come in three colors (safety orange, olive drab, and black) and are available for ordering at Restrap for $37.49.
Reportage
A Gorgeous ISEN Workshop All Season Carbon and Titanium Disc Road
Last year, ENVE opened its doors to the public for an Open House event. Once inside, visitors took a tour of its Ogden, Utah facilities and were greeted by two-dozen custom bikes from builders across the globe. This year the pandemic forced ENVE to pivot a bit, holding a virtual tour and framebuilder showcase they’re calling the Builder Round-Up. We’re pleased to once again host this showcase, with two-part coverage, so read on below for a full breakdown on these Beautiful Bicycles along with a few teasers of new ENVE product…
Radar
Are the PEMBREE R1V Pedals the Most Sustainable on the Market?
At this point, we should all be paying attention to what we consume and these days it’s hard to tell what is a good product versus what is good marketing. Make things people want instead of making people want things, right? Companies taking the stand and pushing for sustainable production and also recycling is important. I for one, want products with environmental considerations, that push progression of product design. That’s why the PEMBREE R1V pedals caught my eye. Here’s why:
They are carbon Neutral, including transport to customers.
Materials: All individual components of the R1V are fully recyclable.
Recycling aluminium reduces energy consumption by 95% compared to producing new.
Energy: The Pembree factory solely uses renewable energy from Ecotricity
Manufacturing: All swarf is 100% recycled. No waste to landfill.
Packaging: All Pembree packaging is recycled, can be recycled and is 100% plastic free
Trade In: At the end of life all of your Pembree products will be welcomed back for recycling and you will get a credit on future Pembree products.
These pedals retail for $218 but come with a 5-year warranty. Even if you balked at that price – like I did – it’s good to see the environmental considerations motivating production. See more at PEMBREE.