Bringing the best in cycling to the head of the field
CALL UP Product / Tech / Trends / Know-How / from QBP and Friends
Gravel, Bikepacking, Touring, & All-Road / april 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
Tech, Trends, & Know-How 6 All-Road: All Roads Lead To Adventure 12 Gravel Racing: The Nitty Gritty Of Gravel 18 Touring: Forward Momentum 24 Bikepacking: Get Out Of Dodge 30 Last Stop
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Gravel, Bikepacking, Touring, & All-Road Products 4 Clif: Real Energy From Real Food 10 Challenge: Dedicated To The Dirt 16 Brooks: Elemental Style And Comfort 22 Sierra Designs: Flip Camping On Its Head 28 Hydro Brakes: Confidence Booster
lead out / about this issue A New Era Of Explorers
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y name is Ryan Horkey and I’m an event project manager at QBP. I‘ve been a cyclist my whole life, but in the last five years have made my first forays into the world of gravel racing and multi-day bikepacking trips. With the winter solstice behind us and longer days ahead, I can’t help but think of all the day-long training rides to come as I prepare for the season’s first gravel race, and the scouring of maps for my next bikepacking trip. The popularity of bike touring, bikepacking, and gravel riding is booming as more and more media outlets are sharing different routes, technical information, and rider experiences, encouraging all types of riders and rides. Cyclists are excited to plan new adventures around their desires and to stretch their comfort levels. We’ve seen growth here in many different forms of bike touring—from traditional, fully-loaded road touring to multi-day mountain bike trips with frame bags to ultra-light endurance racing on gravel. At QBP, something that once only a few of us did is starting to become a part of our regular Monday morning weekend recaps. As employees share their experiences of a multi-day bikepacking trip, others can’t help but be inspired to start planning their first overnighters. The story of someone’s 100-mile gravel race encourages another employee to take an unknown gravel road on his or her next ride. These shared stories and experiences are getting people excited to pedal their own bikes down roads and trails they’ve never explored before. Encouraging your customers to explore gravel or go on their first bikepacking trips is easy with QBP’s vast selection of products that ensure they’ll be properly equipped for the adventure ahead. They’ll appreciate any assistance they can get from you, too. Luckily QBP can help. Within the walls of QBP there is no shortage of stories and experience to share and pass on. Inside this edition of Call Up, you’ll find information about all-road touring, traditional touring, bikepacking, and gravel racing, as well as considerations for selecting a bike, gear, clothing, and shelter for overnights and beyond. We’re excited to showcase vendors whose offerings demonstrate that they’re just as knowledgeable and excited about these categories as we are. I hope this information helps get you and your customers ready to explore this coming season. Bring on the warm(er) weather!
These shared stories and experiences are getting people excited to pedal their own bikes down roads and trails they’ve never explored before.
on this page: Photo courtesy of SRAM
Cover photo by Scott Haraldson, courtesy of Salsa Cycles
CALL UP / Volume 2, Number 2 / April 2015 Published by Quality Bicycle Products 6400 West 105th Street Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.qbp.com Customer Service: 800.346.0004 customerservice@qbp.com If you’d like to stop receiving a paper version of Call Up, please contact Customer Service. All brands, trademarks and content in Call Up is the intellectual property of QBP or our vendor partners, all rights reserved. © Quality Bicycle Products, Inc. 2015
A Tour By Any Other Name Wonder what we mean by “all-road”? Don’t quite get the difference between touring and bikepacking? Wonder what makes a bike gravel-specific? See definitions at the top of pages 7, 13, 19, and 25.
Real Energy From Real Food
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One of the biggest challenges endurance athletes face is proper nutrition. Clif’s new Organic Energy Food is made from whole organic foods, providing essential nutrients that endurance athletes need to stay ahead of their competition. Offered in four flavors— two sweet and two savory—this new line offers flavors unlike anything else on the market. Organic Energy Food Sweet Banana Mango Coconut / EB6400 / HC20L Sweet Banana Beet with Ginger / EB6401 / RQ20C Savory Pizza Margherita / EB6410 / MD24Y Savory Sweet Potato Sea Salt / EB6411 / PU24K
APRIL 2015 / Gravel, Bikepacking, Touring, & All-Road / 5
All-Road
Photo courtesy of Errin Vasquez
All Roads Lead To Adventure Salsa Cycles met Errin Vasquez a couple of years ago when he entered our Reveal The Path Video Contest. His video, Adventure Is Where You Make It, won and landed him a new bike and a trip to ride it in Alaska. Errin continues to explore the terrain in his home city of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, proving that there’s always an opportunity to tour by bike, right out your door, no matter where you call home. My name is Errin Vasquez, and I’m a cyclist in Los Angeles, California. I spend most of my time commuting to and from work by bike, and I add in long rides along the way. Sometimes dirt and sometimes paved, but pretty much whatever is in front of me is what I like to ride. For these trips I always grab my trusty steel-frame, 650b-wheeled, fully fendered, dyno-lighted, friction-shifting, go-anywhere machine. It’s always ready to go with a front bag loaded with snacks, camera, and probably a bottle of Ensure just in case. As a bike owner I guess I’m a Luddite. My style of cycling is always based on some sort of adventure. If it sounds crazy, I’m in. I started riding to work on a fixed gear bike and using the L.A. light rail system. I was only riding about 1.5 miles to the station and then about the same to work, but once a week 6 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
I would try and ride the entire 12 miles home at the end of the day. I can remember how intimidating that was, being surrounded by the cars, feeling so far away from home and generally unsure of myself. Slowly I started adding more commutes by bike only, and eventually stopped using the trains altogether. Over the past few years my commute has grown more and more fun because I rarely head straight to work. I go out of my way to either add miles, add hills, or both. I string together different routes depending on how much time I have and how my legs feel that day. Sometimes I even get lost, in my own town! There is nothing more rewarding than getting completely turned around within a mile or two from your house, because you’re out there learning your area. It may not be the Great Divide, or remote Alaska, but you can tour with what you’ve got, and for me that’s Los Angeles. That just may mean connecting this alley to that alley to get to that hill that’s just over there. My commutes have become some of the rides I look most forward to. The time is already set aside, so it just becomes a matter of how I am going to use it. Weekly pedaling has lead to weekend randonneuring, which is now my main focus in cycling. Brevets, which are 200–1,200k events in randonneuring, offer a chance to see a lot of the world in a small amount of time. They are essentially fast tours with routes ranging from 200–600k, going up to 1,200k for the biggest events. You get to pedal a lot of roads and see many places that you might otherwise skip over. The events are not races, but you are working against the
All-Road: Lightly loaded, multi-surface touring and exploring. Ideal bicycles are designed around randonee, brevet, cyclocross, gravel racer, or touring geometries and specifications. Riders generally carry enough gear for a long day or an overnight trip in small frame bags or backpacks.
Choosing The Right Escape Vehicle Pete Koski, one of the engineers for Salsa, has had a hand in the design of many of Salsa’s renowned touring bikes. Here he shares some of the things the touring cyclist should consider when selecting the right bike for getting out and exploring the world. Standover – A touring bike is the one bike that you don’t want to compromise or skimp on when it comes to standover height. A lot of people like the “flat” top tube aesthetic because it gives you more front triangle space. But when you’re suddenly approaching a cattle punch in the middle of a pot-holed dirt road in South America, you want to be able to effortlessly slide forward off the saddle and stop your 80-pound bike. You can’t do this if the toptube is making contact with your groin and you’re reaching for the ground with your tippy toes. Getting the soles of your feet squarely planted and keeping yourself and your entire rig from hitting the dirt is the goal. Geometry – This is highly personal. Generally speaking though, a dedicated touring bike should have a lower bottom bracket (BB) and longer chainstay/ wheelbase than a similar sized road, gravel, commuting, or even mountain
bike. The idea here is that the lower BB lowers your saddle, and therefore your body relative to the axles. This results in a center of gravity that makes riding and steering a loaded bike a little easier and more consistent. A lower BB drop also lends itself to lower standover heights, all things being equal. Longer rearcenter lengths make for longer overall wheelbases that also help keep things stable and steady. This is an important function if you are trying to jockey your heavily loaded rig down a bumpy mountain road. Most other bike designs focus on shorter chainstay lengths for more performance-oriented handling into and out of corners, but this is not necessarily a key trait of, or a benefit for, a touring bike. Frame Material – Traditionally, good touring frames have been constructed out of steel. Steel is tough and strong, and has a very long life span. There is also a prevailing notion that in the event
of a field failure, finding someone that can weld steel is much more likely than finding someone that can weld titanium or aluminum, or repair a composite frame. Frame Stiffness & Strength – This is one of the most important traits in a touring bike. A good touring frame and fork both need to be adequately stiff so that when fully loaded, rider input still makes it to the wheels in a timely manner. As you lean over into a corner and turn the handlebars, you, the bars, your saddle, and the cranks all lean and turn together. Your panniers and wheels, however, follow Newton’s first law of motion and want to continue along in a straight trajectory. This requires the
A good touring frame and fork both need to be adequately stiff so that when fully loaded, rider input still makes it to the wheels in a timely manner. frame and fork to transmit your steering input to the wheels and your load so they travel along in the same direction. The frame and fork twist and flex as a result of the difference in direction between the two masses (you and the gear), winding up like a spring until they have enough energy to pull the panniers and wheels over to the same direction you are trying to go. The time it takes for this realignment of masses and their direction (CONTINUED ON PAGE 9)
clock so you can gauge your progress. Brevets are self-supported, so there is an emphasis on navigation and figuring things out if something goes wrong. Of course, that’s when things get fun right? Well, maybe not in the moment, but it is what memories are made of. If you’re just starting out with all-road touring and exploring, my main suggestion is to keep it light, both in terms of gear and attitude. Try riding to a coffee shop across town, to a farmer’s market, or just to a friend’s house. To me, cycling should be fun and if it’s not, well, why do it? Whenever I invite people on a ride I always make sure they are no-drop rides. If that means riding sweep or even walking alongside someone, then that’s what it takes. Everyone should have fun. To me, that’s what cycling is about.
It’s always been important to me to stop and enjoy my time out on a ride. Take a camera along and share the scenery with my friends, just like they share theirs with me. If you have a bike that’s ready for anything, there is no reason not to turn down that dirt road and see where it goes. Or push up that hill and see what view is waiting for you up there. Carry a stove and make some coffee up at the top. Don’t be afraid to get lost now and then.
My style of cycling is always based around some sort of adventure. If it sounds crazy, I’m in.
Follow Errin’s rides on frontageroads.com or instagram.com/area45 See his winning video: salsacycles.com/revealyourpath_video APRIL 2015 / Gravel, Bikepacking, Touring, & All-Road / 7
The good stuff / stock your shop Prepare For Bumps In The Road The most important piece of gear for any ride is proper head protection 1 Blade HE3380 / QD114B Lazer’s new classic cycling helmet features Rollsys retention system and styling from the acclaimed Z1.
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2 Magma HE3419 / CN120F Visor-equipped Magma is a mountain helmet erupting with style.
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New women’s-specific collection; unique colors and ponytail friendly. 3 Elle HE3431 / LR120C A high-performance helmet with the Advanced Rollsys retention system and 22 vents, with styling from the acclaimed Z1 helmet.
4 Kiss HE3455 / CN78D This helmet has the Rollsys retention system, integrated visor, and 16 vents.
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5 Summer HE3438 / XN48H An entry-level helmet that boasts 19 vents with the Advanced Turnfit system.
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3 1 Hutchinson Sector Tubeless Tire TR2810 / DS112K Enjoy the benefits this all-road tire offers: comfort, stability, light weight. Tubeless setup ensures no pinch flats.
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2 Clement Strada LGG Tire TR3254 / OC54X Featuring 120tpi casing, puncture protection, and dual compound rubber for fast rolling and secure cornering.
4 DT Swiss 240S 11-Speed Road Center-Lock Disc Hub HU0653 / ZD520E DT’s benchmark hub is now available in 11-speed road disc. Convert to 135mm QR with HU1373.
3 Michelin Pro 4 Endurance Tire TR8754 / UM70F High-mileage tread compound with a durable puncture protection layer to ward off rideruining flats.
5 DT Swiss 135mm QR End Caps for 11-Speed Road Hubs HU1373 / EO50S End caps are specific to 11-speed road DT Swiss freehub body. See above part HU0653.
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6 SRAM PG1170 11-36t 11-Speed Cassette FW4689 / FL142X New wide-range road cassette expands rider and course options for the popular Force CX-1 1x11 drive train. 7 Panaracer Gravel King Smooth Tread Tire TR6280 / MQ46B This all-road tire rides well at a wide range of air pressures, is very durable, and is among the industry’s lightest in the 26 and 28mm widths.
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can be felt as a wiggle and/or shimmy in the front and rear of the bike as you make steering inputs. To minimize this effect, a good touring frame should be built using larger diameter and/or thicker tubes so that any steering inputs are more immediately and directly transmitted from you to the wheels and load. When you test ride a touring bike, it might look beefy, feel heavy, handle “slow,” and be a little more harsh compared to a bike designed to carry just a rider. However, once all your gear is loaded on, the steering and handling will actually feel much more like what you are used to on a non-touring specific bike, as the frame and fork tubing is designed to support and wrangle that extra weight. Wheels – Like the frame and fork, wheels are a key load-bearing structure. 32–count spoke, threecross wheels are the generally accepted minimum, but 36-count is very common, especially for the rear. Like the beefier frame and fork idea, a sturdy rim and high spoke count enable the wheels to adequately support the rider plus gear, as well as keep up with steering input from the rider. Wheel size is always a huge debate. It used to be that any serious touring bike used a 26-inch (559) rim and tire size, as the odds of finding replacement tires, tubes, and spokes in remote locations was greater. With an increased popularity of 700c and 29ers, though, and better rim designs, the 622 rim size is a viable option. The choice really boils down to where you plan to tour and how easy a spare tire or tube will be to come by.
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Fitments – Touring bikes usually have a full complement of fittings for attaching racks (front and rear), fenders, and water bottles. Pump attachments and light mounts are also a bonus. The ability to configure a geared, singlespeed, and/or internally geared hub expands build possibilities even more.
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8 Easton EA90 XD Clincher Disc Wheels WE3208 / Front / KZ528F WE3210 / Rear / GC612S Tubeless-compatible, disc-specific wheels are light, fast, and bomb-proof. Convertible to 15mm thru-axle front and 12 x 142mm thru-axle rear. 9 Louis Garneau Modesto Jacket JK4222 / Women’s / QY76T JK4183 / Men’s / PD76N Lightweight jacket features windproof and breathable Diamond Air fabric so you stay dry and comfortable. 10 Beyond Coastal Natural Sunscreen TA0702 / PZ18W Non-greasy physical barrier sunscreen provides excellent protection and nourishes skin at the same time.
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Loading – This has nothing to do with good frame design, and everything to do with an experienced cyclotourist. In general, people load the rear of the bike with too much weight. Similar to driving a pickup truck or car with a load of bricks in the bed/trunk, the front end gets very “light” and the steering seems to float. In extreme cases, the front end can develop an un-damped oscillation at higher speeds (death shimmy!). This is generally an indication of improper weight balance and a sign that more items need to be shifted to the front panniers. Front low-rider racks that mount to the forks and position panniers next to the front axle are the best way to get a properly loaded and balanced touring bike. This location is also much lower than any rear pannier, and actually the best place to start placing the bulk of your load if you’re planning to tour with racks and panniers.
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Dedicated To The Dirt When it comes to gravel and dirt road riding, no brand has been committed to the category longer than Challenge. The company recognized early on that neither traditional cyclocross nor wider road tires were the ideal choice for a 100-mile gravel race. By enhancing a few of its handmade cyclocross and road tires with additional puncture protection and new rubber compounds, Challenge continues to be a leader on dirt roads everywhere.
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1 Almanzo 33 TR4445 / WT94T
Based on the championship-winning Grifo XS cross tire, the file tread pattern speeds the handmade Almanzo over trails and roads when the hard-pack conditions start to get loose. 2 Gravel Grinder 38 TR4447 / MD52Z
The Gravel Grinder takes the Chicane cross tires mixed-condition tread, widens the center section, and adds a second layer of puncture protection for fast, confidence inspiring ride. 3 Strada Bianca TR4444 / KV90F
Named for the white gravel roads of Northern Italy, the Strada Bianca features a supple handmade casing and double puncture protection to speed you comfortably over rough dirt roads. 4 Baby Limus TR4427 / SO94I
The Baby Limus is a fast-rolling mixedconditions tire using the legendary Limus side knobs and a fast-rolling center tread that provides low rolling resistance and impressive traction in all conditions.
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Gravel Racing
Photo by Scott Haraldson courtesy of Salsa Cycles
The Nitty Gritty of Gravel Before you send in that first postcard and get psyched for 100 or more miles of gravel racing, there are a few crucial things to consider. Proper nutrition, savvy tire choice, and choosing the right bike can make the difference between comfortably crossing the finish line and getting picked up at the halfway point. Rubber Side Dirty “What is the perfect gravel tire?” Now that is somewhat of a loaded question—one that everyone has varying opinions on based on their personal experiences and preferences, as well as where they ride. A tire that’s perfect for dealing with the sharp, jagged flint rocks encountered during the Dirty Kanza,
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for example, will probably have too much rolling resistance for the mix of pavement and gravel found at the Crusher in the Tushar. There is one thing that every gravel racer can agree upon when it comes to tires, however: Puncture protection is key. No matter what kind of gravel you’re riding on, your chances of puncturing are greatly increased compared to riding on pavement. The type of tread you use is really only the beginning when it comes to tires. Deciding between a tubular, a traditional clincher, or a tubeless compatible tire is another situationdependent call. Each one has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Tubulars are great in that they’re light and eliminate the worry of pinch flatting at low tire pressures. But what happens in the event that you do end up flatting? Gluing a new tire—if you have a spare with you—on the side of gravel road generally isn’t an ideal circumstance to find yourself in. Traditional clinchers offer the benefit of having the most
Gravel Racing: Equipped with the bare essentials for a self-supported competitive event on minimally serviced gravel and dirt roads. Ideal bicycles are designed around randonee, brevet, cyclocross, or gravel racing geometries and specifications. Races can range from 50 to 300 miles.
tire options available but limit how low your tire pressure can be before you risk pinch flatting. Many gravel racers have begun to gravitate towards tubeless compatible tires. Tubeless is a great option because it completely eliminates the possibility of pinch flats at low pressures, which are important for riding gravel. The drawback of tubeless tires is that there are fewer options available; you’ll also need an upgraded rim if your current wheelset is not tubeless ready.
Eat Your Heart Out Nutrition is one of the most important and most difficult things to prepare for. Since many events are self-supported, it’s up to you to make sure you have the proper amount of food to avoid bonking at the midway point of the race. Luckily, there are many viable nutrition options available as well as resources to make your own ahead of time. Pre-made snacks like Epic bars, Clif Organic Energy Food, and Kind bars are just a few of the options that offer endurance athletes Not Your Grandpa’s Gravel Bike an alternative to gels and chews. While gels and chews are great options for As gravel continues to grow in popularshorter rides, nothing compares to real ity, so do the number of gravel-specific food when you’re in the saddle for six to bikes. While these bikes aren’t crucial to complete a gravel race, they do make 16 hours. An alternative to pre-made snacks things a little easier and a lot more that some riders choose is to simply comfortable. With a geometry that make their own on-the-bike food. is somewhere between that of a Cookbooks like The Feed Zone (MA3415) cyclocross bike and a touring or and Skratch randonneuring Labs Portables bike, gravel bikes (MA3417) make are built to be ridcooking delicious, den comfortably portable foods for hours at a time. easy. Using whole Typically, they foods helps your have a slightly body be properly longer wheelbase fueled so you and lower bottom can make it to bracket height than the finish line. cyclocross bikes— Generally, you drastically different can estimate that than what your you’ll need 200 to grandpa rode back 300 calories per in the day. Other hour during gravel races. If you happen features, borrowed from the touring to miscalculate how much food to bring and randonneuring side of things, and need a quick pick-me-up, you can include fender mounts, wider tire usually find a gas station along the route clearance, and extra water bottle to save the day. With any luck, a quick mounts, all of which make these bikes stop will fill your jersey pockets—and the perfect steeds for an entire day on your stomach—with oat bars, peanut dirt roads. Disc brakes allow for a little butter cups, and the tried-and-true extra confidence on the multiple steep descents that many gravel races feature. secret weapon: the banana. While there are more things to consider when preparing for you first gravel race, tires, type of bike, and nutrition are the three most crucial to get dialed in.
While gels and chews are great options for shorter distances rides, nothing compares to real food when you’re in the saddle for six to sixteen hours.
CATCH THE GRAVEL FEVER As gravel racing continues to grow in popularity, more races pop up every year. Several events
have helped pave the way (pun intended) for newer events. These established events have been running for several years—more than a decade in some cases—and have only been growing in size and popularity. They attract both seasoned veterans as well as gravel racing newbies looking to see what all the hype is about. The following events should be on every gravel racer’s bucket list. They test riders’ limits and are
filled with challenges not often encountered in other disciplines of cycling. While you may have missed your chance to sign up for some of these this year, it’s never too early to start planning your 2016 gravel season! Land Run 100
March 14, 2015 / Stillwater, OK 100 miles / $45 www.landrun100.com Barry Roubaix
March 28, 2015 / Hastings, MI 24, 36, or 62 miles / $55 www.barry-roubaix.com Trans Iowa v11
April 25–26, 2015 / Grinnell, IA 320+ miles / Free www.transiowa.blogspot.com Almanzo
May 16, 2015 / Spring Valley, MN 100, 162, or 400 miles / Free www.almanzo.com Dirty Kanza
May 30, 2015 / Emporia, KS 50, 100, or 200 miles / $110 www.dirtykanza200.com Crusher in the Tushar
July 11, 2015 / Beaver, UT 70 miles / $145 www.tusharcrusher.com To find a race in your area, check out gravelgrindernews.com.
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1 Easton EC90 SL Carbon Clincher Disc Wheels WE3217 / Front / LS1560T WE3218 / Rear / PF1800G Easton’s proven Fantom carbon rim shape is tubeless compatible and provides impressive aerodynamics. Couple that with disc brakes and you have fast wheels for a wide variety of conditions. 2 Clement X’Plor MSO Tire TR3211 / AT78I Low weight, puncture resistant, fast rolling, and enough tread to keep you upright when things get loose. 3 Maxxis Mud Wrestler CX EXO Tubeless Ready Tire TR6223 / AZ60O Whether gravel racing in the spring, or CX racing in autumn sloppy conditions, this tire with puncture protection and tubeless ready capability can do it all.
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4 Panaracer Gravel King Aggressive Tread Tire TR6282 / YX46W The newest of the Gravel King series is set to take the gravel ride world by storm with its greater width and more aggressive tread. 5 WTB Nano TCS Tire TR1755 / YU56M The Nano 40 tube-type tire debuted in 2014 to wild popularity. The new tubeless compatible (TCS) version will take it to a new level of performance. 6 Speedfil Off-Road Hydration Bundle WB0062 / WQ104W Off-road hydration without the hydration pack! A secure frame mount F2 bottle and micro retractor hydration tube system— easy access when you need it, out of the way when you don’t.
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7 Epic Bar EB0908 / QQ52A 100% grass-fed animal protein bar provides plenty of calories and fat for sustained energy. A satisfying alternative to its sugary counterparts. Box of 12. 8 Louis Garneau Elite Touch Glove GL2707 / JW52I Lightweight glove features tactile areas to allow usage of touch screen devices; can also be used as a liner. 9 Prologo Nago Evo X15 Saddle SA1131 / KS174P Built on the technology and comfort of Prologo’s road saddles, but designed specifically for off-road applications. This titanium rail saddle is best suited for bikes with 150mm of travel. 10 Crank Brothers y16 Tool TL8131 / ZN54S Shop-quality, CNC-machined y-tool with bits and accessories for on-the-go.
King of the Dirt Road 2016 Overland Complete Bike BK2712 / LZ6300R The Overland was developed to be the only bike you need when it comes to gravel, ultra cross, and cyclocross. Titanium construction provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, a near infinite fatigue life, and a very lively feel that no other bicycle material can match in ride quality.
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11 Pearl Izumi Elite Gel Full-Finger Glove GL2900 / Men’s / YK48H GL2930 / Women’s / AX48I Gel padding in just the right spots, combined with breathability and touch screen compatibility, make the Gel FF the glove for long days in the saddle. 12 Crank Brothers Candy 3 Pedal PD8203 / NF140A Sophisticated pedal, defined by its simplicity. The Candy 3 has clean lines and just the right amount of platform for added stability.
13 Ritchey WCS Paradigm Pedal PD0050 / KH196N A CroMoly axle and forged aluminum body combine to deliver a lightweight and durable pedal that sheds the heaviest mud.
15 Time ATAC XC 8 Pedal PD2201 / XM274P CroMoly axle and stainless steel dual arches for durability and a light carbon body make the XC 8 a top choice for off-road riding.
14 MSW Silicone Bar Tape HT3904 / KI40D Silicone construction absorbs road vibrations to reduce fatigue and numbness while providing extra grip.
16 Pedal iSSi II PD0500 / HQ110U Fully serviceable, high performance SPDcompatible pedal equipped with a CroMoly spindle and sealed cartridge bearing.
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Elemental
Style And Comfort
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Over the years, Brooks has become synonymous with comfort and style—there are few things that compare to the look and feel of a broken-in Brooks saddle. This idea is carried through Brooks entire product line, including its latest offering—the Cambium series. An all-natural, vulcanized rubber saddle forms the base of the Cambium, while a weatherproof organic cotton canvas is wrapped around the exterior, providing resistance to the elements. For 2015, Brooks is expanding the Cambium line to include grips, bar tape, and the all-new C-15 racing saddle.
1 C17 Cambium Saddle SA5120 / VH208F
Built on vulcanized rubber, the organic canvas top of the C17 is uniquely flexible, maintenancefree and waterproof, acting like a second skin saddle. 2 Cambium Slender Grips HT1288 / Slate / PQ96Y HT1289 / Rust / OD96E
Lightweight and classic, the Cambium Slender Grips are an aluminum shell wrapped with the trademark Cambium fabric (organic canvas and rubber). 3 Cambium Bar Tape HT1292 / Natural / CD56J HT1293 / Rust / HU56S
Bar tape completes and Cambium line. Unparalleled comfort, classic colors, and matching bar ends. 4 C17 Cambium Carved Saddle SA5123 / BD212R
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Same superior technical features as the C17, yet with additional long distance comfort provided by the cutout section. 5 C15 Cambium Saddle SA5128 / DJ208Y
The first racing model in the Cambium family, the C15 is narrower and lighter than the C17, without sacrificing comfort.
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Touring
Photo by Kelly MacWilliams courtesy of Salsa Cycles
Forward Momentum Newcomers to touring can use short local Here are a few tips for getting started: shakedown rides to get their bikes and Pick a destination: State and county parks are obvious equipment dialed. Doug Shidell, QBP Business destinations, but don’t limit yourself. “Credit card touring” is a popular option, so check out B&Bs, motels, and resorts. Analyst, shares tips on how to get started. He is Another option is to camp in a friend’s backyard, or crash on the author of Bikeverywhere.com, an invaluable repository of cycling routes in the Upper Midwest their couch. Route Planning: You probably already know good routes near built from his extensive touring background. “Don’t wait to go cross country. Go overnight.” That simple piece of advice from Adventure Cycling Association could get you on your first bicycle tour this weekend. An overnight bike tour is just that. You leave today, spend the night and come home tomorrow. If you start from your front door, you’ll probably camp somewhere within an hour’s drive from home. That’s reassuring. Did you pack too much gear, or too little? Did the weather change unexpectedly? Mechanical failure? Can’t make it to the campsite before dark? Relax. Call a friend or family member. They can bring you the gear you need, or carry you home where you can make a few adjustments and try again next weekend. No matter the outcome, those short overnight trips will build confidence as you learn the finer points of bike touring. 18 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
home. Use these “escape” routes to get out of town, then start researching your options. MapMyRide, Strava, Garmin, and other crowd sourced websites offer a variety of options. Local bicycle advocacy groups and bike clubs are also good sources of route information. No matter what your information source, verify that the route will work for you. Many crowd-sourced sites appeal to hardcore riders. They may be more comfortable in traffic or riding steep hills than you. For a short overnight trip, you could drive the route to get a feel for it. Check for wide shoulders or awkwardly placed rumble strips. Bring your bike along so you can test ride a few miles of the route. You can also research the route from home. Follow the route on Google Maps and use Google Earth to zoom down to street level. The combination of satellite and
Touring: Loaded for extended trips and road exploring. Ideal bicycles are designed around traditional touring bike specifications but hardtail mountain bikes with smooth tires can also work. Riders carry equipment in panniers for extended trips camping in road accessible areas with amenities.
ground-level photos will give you a feel for the condition of the road, traffic levels, whether the road has a lot of truck traffic and if it has a shoulder. Anything that makes you feel more comfortable about the route will make you feel more confident and excited about the tour. Just Do It: You can’t go too wrong with an ultra-short overnight tour, so don’t go overboard with the planning. You can spend hours reading conflicting advice about how to pack your bike, for example, or you can load it up and ride
You probably already know good routes near home. Use these “escape” routes to get out of town. for a couple of hours. You can spend weeks planning the perfect trip, or you can do one this weekend, make a few adjustments, and go out again in two weeks. Nothing beats experience, and experience creates enthusiasm. That first cross-country tour could be just a couple of overnight trips away. If you’re in the Upper Midwest, check out Doug’s site: www.Bikeverywhere.com Also: www.strava.com www.mapmyride.com www.bikeovernights.org
Doug Shidell, one of QBP’s Business Analysts, started Little Transport Press in 1984 with the publication of its first bike map of the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area. The goal was to produce a map that was designed solely for bicyclists, not just a road map with an overlay of bike routes. As the miles kept piling on, Shidell started Bikeverywhere.com to house the expanding number of rides and tours he documented.
Home on the Range One of our resident outdoorsmen, Joe Benedict, offers things to think about before you hit the road or trail, so you’ll feel comfortable when you stop pedaling for the day. Shelter There are many varieties available from freestanding tents, single-wall tents, bivys, hammocks, and tarps. All of these options will work for a bike tour, but there are key things to think about before you go: • Do you know how to properly set this thing up? Try it before you go. This advice goes for tents, bivys, hammock systems, and especially tarps. Learn the quick-release trucker’s hitch knot before tarping. It makes setup and take down a breeze, allows you to get seriously taught lines, and makes readjustments simple. • Is your gear in proper working order? When was the last time you used your tent? Was it stored wet for a long period of time? Discover shortfalls or issues with gear before you hit the road. • Rain, wind, and storms happen. Are you comfortable being bound to a bivy, hammock, or tarp throughout the night? Know yourself and your preferences. Sleeping Gear A proper sleeping bag and pad will keep you warm and happy. Make sure your bag is sized appropriately, especially in cooler temps. Bags that are too big require extra body heat to fill the space and make for a cold night. To extend the range of your bag, think about an insulated pad or a sleeping bag liner, or simply wear extra layers to bed. Stove & Cookware Choose your stove and cookware based on the type of food you plan on eating. Fresh food takes larger cookware and more robust camp stoves to properly get the job done. Many liquid fuel stoves are much better at simmering and allow for
more in-depth preparation. Riding all day most definitely works up an appetite, and a large gourmet meal can really hit the spot. If you’re out for extended periods, look at purchasing a multi-fuel stove. Pressurized canisters may be difficult to find along your route, but white gas, kerosene, and unleaded auto fuel can be found most anywhere. Clothing Be prepare for the worst and expect the best. I prefer merino base layers for the warmth, comfort, and antistink properties. I always bring an insulated puffy jacket. Ditch the heavy micro-fleece and upgrade to a synthetic or down puffy. They compress and are so light that you won’t regret bringing them. I also bring a lightweight hat and gloves, too, in case the temps drop. Water While most tours won’t require you to fetch water from streams and lakes, having a lightweight backup is a safe idea. Chemical treatments are the cheapest and lightest options. For a quick and supereffective option, look at a SteriPEN UV purifier. It can treat water in as little as 48 seconds. Bring along extra water containers. Platypus collapsible bottles and tanks give you extra capacity and pack down to nothing when not in use. Other Items To Bring • Bike repair tools • Navigation/maps • Chamois cream • Camp lighting • Sun protection • Camp knife/tool • First aid • Duct tape • Toilet paper/ • Spare rope a trowel to • Book dig a hole • Camera
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Go The Distance 1 ECR Complete Bike BK3890 / 9-Speed / GA2520N BK3800 / 10-Speed / AL2800E The Swiss Army Chainsaw of 29+ bicycles, with a Shimano drivetrain and 710mm Jones Loop handlebar. 2 Long Haul Trucker Complete Bike BK3854 / 9-Speed / EL1530G BK6342 / 10-Speed / DF1700X Cantilever brakes, Shimano drivetrain, 4130 CroMoly frame. Built for the long haul.
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3 Disc Trucker Complete Bike BK0760 / 9-Speed / HX1520R BK2242 / 10-Speed / NC1900T Shimano drivetrain, BB7 disc brakes, 4130 CroMoly frame. 4 Frame Bag BG5820 / ER200L Durable rip- and water-resistant synthetic sailcloth. Made in the USA by Revelate Designs.
1 Problem Solvers Braze-On Light Mount LT0902 / RF18H Mounts to standard fender/rack braze-on to allow for additional head- or taillight mounting options. 2 Buff Insect Shield & UV Headwear CL1897 / SW32P Infused with an odorless insect repellent, blocks UV rays, and can be worn in over 12 ways. 3 Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag OB8896 / GM206B This specially designed sleeping bag features a hammock pass-through at both ends of the bag which allows it to fully wrap around the user while hammock camping. 4 Sweetwood Jerky EB0930 / EU84U This tasty handcrafted jerky from the Rocky Mountains comes in a convenient pouch for easy snacking.
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5 Louis Garneau Transpo R-12 Bag BG4257 / YN76C Removable, foam-insulted main compartment and internal multi-pockets. 6 Grand Trunk Nano Hammock OC8804 / JE86J One of the lightest hammocks on the market; an excellent camping solution or a relaxing luxury item on any tour. 7 Planet Bike Waterproof Saddle Cover SA0040 / JW14K Ideal for bikes in transit on the rack, commute parking, or bikepacking adventures.
8 Garmin Edge Touring Cycling Computer EC3102 / ZD372O Comes preloaded with bike-specific maps and points of interest, and provides both on-road and off-road navigation.
11 Selle Anatomica X Series Watershed Saddle SA0044 / SC224U No break-in period; designed for long hours in the saddle with reduced perineal pressure.
9 Continental Tour Ride Tire TR9423 / BG22U Whether your adventure takes you through the country or the city, the Tour Ride is an allaround trustworthy option.
12 Supernova the Plug USB Dynamo Charger LT9964 / IA290H Charge anything anywhere. Weighs only 46g, replaces your headset topcap, and uses a USB to supply clean 5V/500 mA AC power from virtually any hub dynamo.
10 Continental Touring Plus Tire TR9421 / SH30C Fear no flat! With smooth rolling, siped shoulders and added PlusBreaker, the Touring Plus is the ultimate touring tire.
13 Planet Bike Aluminum Cascadia ALX Hybrid Fender FE7063 / CO68P Reliable and versatile Cascadia fender now available in a classic, aluminum offering.
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Flip Camping On Its Head
Sierra Designs clothing and gear has been used by bikepackers and explorers the world over. The brand utilizes
unique and unorthodox design to make spending time in the outdoors comfortable and efficient. The brand’s new Tensegrity tent turns modern tent design on its head—literally. The first-of-its-kind tent gets wider towards the peak, enabling more shoulder space while sitting up. Pair with a BackCountry Bed sleeping bag for a comfortable bikepacking experience.
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Microlight 2 Jacket
DriDown Better Vest
BackCountry Bed
JK4141 / SM60R
CL4263 / WT118F
OB4227 / CG352Z
Your basic wind-resistant, waterrepellent jacket. Compresses small into the included stuff sack.
It’s a vest! It’s a jersey! Made with super light materials and filled with DriDown, it packs down small for emergency warmth.
There are no zippers to mess with at the end of the day, and the attached comforter on this bag helps to seal out drafts.
Tesegrity 1FL Shelter OT4241 / WK434J
Three pitching options and a roomy interior —and still light as a feather.
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Bikepacking
Photo courtesy of Errin Vasquez
Get Out of Dodge (or wherever you may be) We talked with Casey Greene, the cartographer behind Adventure Cycling Association’s Idaho Hot Springs route, to get a few beginner tips and strategies to make every bikepacking trip— big or small—something to remember. Bikepacking is a quickly growing segment of the mountain bike market. What was once a little-known activity done by a small group of hardcore DIYers is well on its way to becoming a full-blown category of bicycles and equipment. The selection of gear has increased greatly to offer anyone with the spirit for adventure numerous options. Yet, with seemingly endless options for bikes and gear, many people are left all dressed up but unsure where to go, as there are few well-established routes. First let’s take a look at what bikepacking is. The easiest way to explain bikepacking to the uninitiated is to simply 24 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
say it is backpacking on a bike. Where touring cyclists often tend to carry a significant amount of gear with panniers and racks, the bikepacker generally opts for a lighter-weight, more agile setup—using frame, handlebar, and seat bags along with a backpack for their gear-carrying needs. Trips can range from multi-week, multi-state adventures to the ever-popular “s24o,” or sub twenty-four hour overnight, just a simple excuse to spend a night in the woods. This increased agility is freeing, allowing people to cover more ground and see more of the outdoors. However, not everyone lives in an area with hundreds and hundreds of continuous miles of singletrack, and route planning can become an issue. Many people aren’t able to bag the big trails and instead have to find adventure in their back yards. It pays to treat every trip, no matter the scope, as a true wilderness outing. Route selection and mapping are of paramount importance when one ventures into the wilderness. While the touring cyclist is generally never too far from some type of civilization,
Bikepacking: Loaded for remote, extended trips and exploring off road. Ideal bicycles are mountain bikes and fat bikes. Riders generally carry enough equipment for camping and surviving in areas with minimal amenities. Gear is carried inside frame bags as opposed to panniers and racks.
“Connect destinations that give you that warm fuzzy feeling of excitement or that grizzled sufferfest feeling of accomplishment.” the bikepacker can easily find him- or herself days away from another person, let alone a town or store. Preparedness when it comes to route selection can also help determine what parts of the route may or may not be open to cyclists. In general, any protected wilderness area is off limits to anything other than foot travel, while the National Forest Service and BLM have numerous guidelines for camping in their parks. “One routing technique that has worked for me is to plot out destinations in an area, then connect them,” says Greene, who advocates taking a destination-first approach to mapping. “Here in the Northern Rockies, I love connecting hot springs and forest fire lookout towers, but you may prefer waterfalls, quaint towns, ice cream stands, breweries, knitting shops, gold mines, idyllic streams to fish, or desert towers to climb. Connect destinations that give you that warm, fuzzy feeling of excitement or that grizzled sufferfest
feeling of accomplishment. Your destination goals do not have to be points. They can also be linear parts of the greater route, such as singletrack you’ve always wanted to ride.” From there, Greene explains that all you have to do is add in the rest of your trip, such as places to sleep, resupply, or simply rest, and you have yourself the workings of a basic bikepacking route. “Work in where you are going to sleep each night. Again, this can be a point such as a campground. Or, it can be a rough area like along a certain creek. If it is a longer trip, you will need to locate resupply destinations, and work them in. It also helps to figure out water sources, especially in arid environments.” Start small. Don’t make your first adventure the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. While famous routes such as the GDMBR, the Idaho Hot Springs Route, or the Arizona Trail may be well mapped, an important part of bikepacking is to make sure your gear is dialed and your fitness is up to snuff. The sub-24 hour overnighter is a great time to experiment and shakedown your gear to ensure that everything is working properly when you head out on your real-deal adventure. Fine-tune your nutrition plan. Food resupplies can be few and far between in the backcountry. Make sure you have enough food to sustain long days in the saddle and enough extra calories in the event you are out on the trail longer than you planned. Foods that are calorically dense and high in energy, like nuts, honey, or almond butter, are good choices on the bike while foods that are high in protein for recovery once you reach your camp can make a big difference in your ride. Bikepacking is a great way to experience your favorite places and trails in a different way. All it takes to have the trip of a lifetime is a little preparation and planning. When you’re adequately prepared, you’re free to truly enjoy your surroundings instead of worrying about the basics.
THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE A little experience can go a long way, and helping your customers get started bikepacking can encourage them to come back to your shop again and again. Salvegetti Bicycle Workshop in Denver, Colo., has had success creating events that get people outdoors and on bikes, while building customer loyalty. A key example is the annual Salvegetti/ Surly Camping Extravaganza. “It’s a new way to expose customers to bikes,” says Arleigh Jenkins, Salvegetti general manager, of the shop’s event partnership with Surly. “It gets them out on the bikes in the environment in which they are meant to be ridden. It creates a sense of community and gets people more excited than if you were just in a parking lot. And after three years of doing the event, shop employees and shop customers alike look forward to it and get excited to be there.”
Information & Inspiration
Here are some great online resources to help you get started bikepacking. From gear selection and route information to writeups on setups and ride reports, these will help new bikepackers in their quest for information and inspiration. • • • • • • • • • • • •
bikepacking.net pedalingnowhere.com whileoutriding.com gypsybytrade.wordpress.com tourdivide.org/bikepacking bunyanvelo.com adventurecycling.org blm.gov fs.fed.us nps.gov/index.htm lnt.org fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/ passes-permit • doi.gov/index.cfm
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Rest Easy Under The Stars Ensure a good night’s sleep after a long day of riding. 1 Z-Lite SOL Sleeping Pad OB0101 / LZ64A ThermaCapture coating plus hundreds of dimples trap and reflect heat back to the user. A softer foam on top for user comfort combined with a denser foam on the bottom for durability.
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2 RidgeRest Solar Sleeping Pad OB0104 / HS58C Durable closed-cell foam sleeping pad lined with a ThermaCapture coating to reflect radiant heat back to your body.
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3 NeoAir Venture WV Sleeping Pad OB0103 / KR100V Light and packable air mattress with over one hundred insulating cells to keep you warm. Stuff sack included. 4 Capella 3-Season Women’s Sleeping Bag OB0113 / PF274V Water-resistant insulation in combination with ThermaCapture fabric makes this sleeping bag an ideal choice for women looking for a three season option. 22°F temperature rating, includes stuff and storage sack.
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5 Saros Synthetic Sleeping Bag OB0111 / DS262O The insulation of this sleeping bag offers warmth and dries quickly, perfect for adventures in wet or unpredictable parts of the world.
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Everything But The Kitchen Sink Bring everything you need for a day, a week, or a month.
1 Anything Bag BG8880 / XV36X The Salsa Anything Bag is a 4.5 liter, waterproof, roll-top bag designed to work perfectly with the Anything Cage and Anything Cage HD. 2 Anything Cage HD RK8065 / XW36S Creates a flexible carrying system for attaching lightweight gear or larger bottles of water to the bicycle.
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3 Touring Panniers BG8885 / Front / PC90S BG8886 / Rear / OS100V These all-condition, waterproof panniers come with adjustable mounting hardware and carry handles for off-bike convenience. Front capacity is 14 liters and rear is 27 liters. 4 Warbird Frame Bag BG5727 / JH200W Super-durable construction with water-resistant zippers keep gear dry and are designed to avoid constricting cables when attached to the frame.
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1 Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp OL2559 / LP52B A combination of Maxbright and Ultrabright LEDs make this headlamp perfect for both longdistance spotting and closerange illumination. 2 GSI Crossover Camp Kitchen Kit OC0611 / BD46L Get gourmet in the woods while being conscious of weight. Includes cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, spice vessel, and carrying tote. 3 CRKT Eat’N Tool OC0500 / TT10E More than just a lightweight spork, the Eat’N Tool also has a bottle opener, flathead screwdriver, and 6, 8, and 10mm box wrenches. 4 Gerber Gear GDC Zip Light OA0629 / BU18M This tiny light acts as a zipper pull, and when things go dark it provides eight lumens of light with a run time of 3.5 hours.
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5 MSR DragonFly Stove OS0022 / RL200G Multi-fuel design allows use with almost any fuel, and a dual valve provides precise flame control. Folds down to a third of its size.
9 Platypus GravityWorks 4L System OH0014 / EM156M The GravityWorks system is as easy as filling the reservoir and waiting two minutes.
6 Jetboil MiniMO Cooking System OS8025 / IP170E With a redesigned cooking cup and new valve design, the MiniMo provides the user with an easy-toeat experience on the trail.
10 GSI Ultralight Java Drip OC0647 / DW12M Make excellent pourovers in the woods at a minimal weight.
7 SteriPEN Adventure Opti Water Purifier OH0100 / UI126O UV light purifier is effective against a variety of harmful organisms found in water. Doubles as a flashlight and runs off of CR123 batteries. 8 Steripen Freedom Water Purifier OH0101 / DY140B The rechargeable Freedom is the smallest UV purifier on the market and treats water in as little as 48 seconds.
11 Maxxis Chronicle 29+ Tire TR6375 / CI142Q Great for aggressive trail rides or bike packing. 3" wide casing with puncture protection and tubeless ready capability provides a secure and responsive ride. 12 MSR Alpine Nesting Bowl OC0126 / DK10W A rugged stainless steel bowl that nests with another for compact storage while on the move; can also nest in an Alpine 2 pot set.
13 Ultimate Survival Technologies Stormproof Matches OA9264 / BH8M Windproof, waterproof, and ultra compact—these matches will provide reliable fire whatever conditions you face. 14 Gerber Gear Sport Axe 2 OA0626 / KA72U Lightweight, tough, and able to tackle all of your camp chores — featuring a shock-absorbing handle and hardened steel head. 15 GSI Halulite Minimalist Cookset OC0604 / WR36F Rivals the weight of titanium at half the cost. Includes insulating sleeve, pot gripper, straining lid, and spork.
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3 TRP Cable Actuated Hydraulic System BR7738 / PA178H
Combines the stopping power of hydraulic disc brakes and the functionality of cableactuated lever options. Caliper hydraulics are self-contained and are pre-bled for easy install. 1 Shimano RS685 11-Speed Hydraulic Set LD0002 / RG1008Y
Proven STI mechanical shifting along with the unparalleled stopping power of Shimano’s Ice Technology in this oneof-a-kind hydraulic road system. 2 Shimano Saint XTR RT99S Center-Lock IceTech Disc Brake Rotor BR0689 / QR98S
Features Freeza technology, which drastically reduces rotor temperature compared to standard rotors.
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4 Avid HSX Heat-Shedding Center-Lock Rotor BR4693 / TD84Y
Lightweight minimalist design for secure braking without additional bulk. 5 SRAM Force 22 Hydraulic Brake System BR5876 / Left / DS584V BR5877 / Right / WQ584K
Force hydraulic road brake/lever sets combine the power and control of disc braking with the precision and ergonomics of Doubletap lever design.
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The ability to descend quickly and confidently during a gravel race can go a long way toward crossing the finish line ahead of everyone else.
Hydraulic disc brakes allow you to carry extra speed and confidence through the inevitable turn at the bottom of so many gravel descents. QBP has all of the hottest dropbar–specific hydraulic disc brakes on the market, ensuring you’ll be able to find something to boost your speed and confidence.
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Last stop
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Green power, many miles into the Trans Iowa. Photo by Scott Haraldson courtesy of Salsa Cycles
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