CYCLISTS’[13] The Recipe [14] Steel: A Pocket Guide [15] A Chat About Steel [15] Caring for YourTRAVEL Steel Frame GUIDE [16] Keeping the Lights On: A Dynamo-Powered Explainer [18] Packing Lists [20] Bikepacking Bags

mong the many materials available for But with steel so prevalent, it can be hard to Atouring bicycles, steel is the big favorite. decipher the myriad options seen in the spec Although other materials are certainly popular sheets and on manufacturer websites. We’re — aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber among here to help. We’ll dive into the kinds of steel them — touring bike makers and touring employed by bicycle makers, take a look at cyclists overwhelmingly prefer the ferrous several common tubing manufacturers, and option thanks to its ease of use, affordability, provide tips on how to care for a steel frame and its ability to be repaired nearly anywhere. once you have one, if you don’t already.

DANIEL MRGAN DANIEL 12 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 CYCLISTS’ TRAVEL GUIDE [24] Road Test: Fuji Touring Disc [28] Road Test: Surly ECR [31] Geared Up BY NICK LEGAN

the recipe

The base of all steel is iron, “Fe” will recognize names like Reynolds, on the periodic table. One reason Columbus, and True Temper as steel is here to stay is that iron is manufacturers and purveyors of the fourth-most abundant element many types of chromoly tubing made on earth. This keeps the cost down, specifically for bicycle frames. We’ll although the additives used in explore those brands a bit more.

many alloys are rarer. Thanks to Fans of Surly bikes will likely be MABRY ALLY generations of experimentation with more familiar with 4130 chromoly. steel, there are many varieties, each Unlike “name-brand” tubing like with its own strengths, weaknesses, Columbus SL or Reynolds 853, 4130 and intended uses. Chromium increases the ability is a designation given by the Society When speaking about bicycles, to harden the alloy and enhances of Automotive Engineers (SAE) that we commonly refer to ferrous corrosion resistance. Molybdenum describes the metal’s ingredients. (deriving from the Latin word for increases toughness, or steel’s ability According to cycling industry legend iron, ferrum) frames as steel. In most to absorb energy and deform before Scot Nicol’s “Metallurgy for Cyclists” cases, and certainly in the case of fracturing. The combination also article (ibiscycles.com/support/ high-quality bicycles, that material increases the tubing’s strength- technical_articles/metallurgy_for_ is more accurately described as to-weight ratio. But these results cyclists), 4130 is very popular in quality chromoly steel. This isn’t the mild come from tiny, carefully measured frames thanks to its “affordability, steel or inexpensive steel seen at amounts of the additives — 95 percent weldabilty, formability, strength, the local hardware store. The steel of chromoly is still good ol’ iron. ductility, and toughness.” Continuing used in bicycle tubing is an alloy. Even within the somewhat the theme of SAE-designated alloys, Chromoly is the result of iron blended narrow category of chromoly, there less expensive frames, like those found with small amounts of chromium, is still great variety. Those who have at department stores, use plain carbon molybdenum, and other elements. ridden bicycles for many decades steel or 1020 with much lower strength.

ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 13

5 4 7

6

filler to create fillets that join the tubes. tubes. the join that fillets create to filler

Fabrications. Fabrications.

bikes from larger manufacturers. manufacturers. larger from bikes

forgo lugs and instead employ sections of of sections employ instead and lugs forgo

than their steel counterparts. counterparts. steel their than

To this day, Tange is used by brands like Soma Soma like brands by used is Tange day, this To

the steel most likely to be seen on touring touring on seen be to likely most steel the

material being joined. Fillet-brazed frames frames Fillet-brazed joined. being material

titanium tubes are often larger in diameter diameter in larger often are tubes titanium

sought them out to produce his Logic tubing. tubing. Logic his produce to out them sought

Marin uses on its Four Corners, but 4130 is is 4130 but Corners, Four its on uses Marin

melting temperature than that of the the of that than temperature melting

dimensions. This is why aluminum and and aluminum why is This dimensions.

Their expertise was such that Ritchey Tom that such was expertise Their

for its Marrakesh, or the “Utilitour” tubeset tubeset “Utilitour” the or Marrakesh, its for

Brazing uses a filler material with a lower lower a with material filler a uses Brazing

a titanium or aluminum tube of the same same the of tube aluminum or titanium a

been producing butted tubing since the 1950s. 1950s. the since tubing butted producing been

as the “Cobra Kai” tubeset Salsa designed designed Salsa tubeset Kai” “Cobra the as

Brazing

steel bicycle tube is typically stiffer than than stiffer typically is tube bicycle steel

business for over 60 years by then and has has and then by years 60 over for business many forms and be given many names, such such names, many given be and forms many

the number, the stiffer the material. A A material. the stiffer the number, the

Japanese tubing maker had been in the cycling cycling the in been had maker tubing Japanese

butted, to suit their design needs. It may take take may It needs. design their suit to butted,

can be joined using the technique. technique. the using joined be can

shape after the stress subsides. The larger larger The subsides. stress the after shape

Tange entered the cycling vernacular. But the the But vernacular. cycling the entered Tange

sometimes internally and/or externally externally and/or internally sometimes

designed for the higher heat of TIG welding welding TIG of heat higher the for designed

a stress, deform, and return to its original original its to return and deform, stress, a

and Nishiki made a splash in the 1980s, 1980s, the in splash a made Nishiki and

manufacturers have it custom drawn, drawn, custom it have manufacturers

gas, usually argon. Only steel alloys that are are that alloys steel Only argon. usually gas,

the degree to which a material can undergo undergo can material a which to degree the

When Japanese bicycles like Miyata, Fuji, Fuji, Miyata, like bicycles Japanese When

name like others we’ll discuss. Many bicycle bicycle Many discuss. we’ll others like name

puddle are protected by a stream of inert inert of stream a by protected are puddle

called modulus of elasticity. This refers to to refers This elasticity. of modulus called

Tange

frames. It is a generic term, not a brand brand a not term, generic a is It frames.

the welding arc. Both the tungsten and weld weld and tungsten the Both arc. welding the

The scientific measurement of stiffness is is stiffness of measurement scientific The

As mentioned, 4130 is widely used in bicycle bicycle in used widely is 4130 mentioned, As

tungsten electrode to deliver the current to to current the deliver to electrode tungsten

manufacturers. manufacturers. Stiffness

4130

of arc welding that uses a nonconsumable nonconsumable a uses that welding arc of Reynolds is widely used by touring bike bike touring by used widely is Reynolds

VARIANTS gas tungsten arc welding, GTAW), is a form form a is GTAW), welding, arc tungsten gas

resistant steel. steel. resistant and increasing dent and impact resistance. resistance. impact and dent increasing and

TIG welding is is welding TIG technically ( welding gas inert

saving weight and resulting in more damage- more in resulting and weight saving air-hardening alloys, offering stronger joints joints stronger offering alloys, air-hardening

a filler material. TIG welding, or tungsten tungsten or welding, TIG material. filler a

example. This allows for thinner tube walls, walls, tube thinner for allows This example. recently, Reynolds 853 was among the first first the among was 853 Reynolds recently,

melted and fused together with the aid of of aid the with together fused and melted

the joint after cooling. Reynolds 853 is one one is 853 Reynolds cooling. after joint the the iconic 531 double-butted tubeset. More More tubeset. double-butted 531 iconic the

the edges of the materials to be joined are are joined be to materials the of edges the

the material at the heat-affected area of of area heat-affected the at material the producing butted tubes. In 1934, they debuted debuted they 1934, In tubes. butted producing

inside the lugs. the inside Welding is a means of joining in which which in joining of means a is Welding

welding actually increases the strength of of strength the increases actually welding 1897, the company was granted a patent for for patent a granted was company the 1897,

either silver or brass filler to fix the tubes tubes the fix to filler brass or silver either TIG Welding TIG

meaning that the heat from brazing or or brazing from heat the that meaning history of producing tubing for bicycles. In In bicycles. for tubing producing of history

Lugged frames are brazed together with with together brazed are frames Lugged

Some modern steel tubesets are air hardened, hardened, air are tubesets steel modern Some Legendary British brand Reynolds has a long long a has Reynolds brand British Legendary

CONNECTING Lugging

Air Hardening Air Reynolds Reynolds

Columbus Double Butted Stalwart Italian tube maker Columbus was TERMINOLOGY Butted tubes have varying wall thicknesses founded in 1919 and is still going strong after with more material at the ends so that joints Fatigue Strength or Fatigue Life building its reputation during the era when remain strong. Meanwhile, the thinner In materials science, fatigue is the weakening steel reigned supreme among professional sections in the middle save weight. A double- of a material caused by repeatedly applied racers. Italian brands like Bianchi, Pinarello, butted tube has two thicknesses, a triple- loads. Fatigue strength, or fatigue life, De Rosa, Ciocc, and Colnago have all used butted tube has three, and so on. describes the range of cyclic stress that can tubes from the firm. Columbus currently be applied to a material without causing produces an expansive line of tubesets Heat Treating failure due to fatigue. Related is fatigue limit, ranging from the affordable Cromor, Heat treating — the controlled application a value beneath which a material can endure through its Niobium line of Spirit, Life, and of heat or cold — is used to harden or an infinite number of stresses without failure. SL tubing, all the way to its gorgeous XCr soften a material. In the case of steel, the Steel does have a fatigue limit whereas stainless steel tubeset. application of heat within a specific range aluminum does not. Counterintuitively, hardens the material, making it more this means that an aluminum tube will True Temper durable. But too much heat can produce eventually fail no matter how low the cyclic Unfortunately, after many years of making a brittle material, and too little heat will stress remains. To mitigate this, aluminum high-quality U.S.-produced steel tubing for result in soft steel. Steel tubes are heat tubes usually have thicker walls. Thankfully, bicycles, True Temper phased out its bicycle treated during the manufacturing process the stresses involved in cycling are so low tubing options at the end of 2016. But because to increase strength. Unlike aluminum compared to industrial scales of stress that a the firm’s tubesets were so popular, you alloy frames, steel frames are not heat well-designed aluminum frame can last many may still see them in use, especially if you’re treated after they are welded or brazed. decades. Titanium, on the other hand, has a looking at the used bicycle market. fatigue strength and fatigue limit similar to 8 steel alloys.2 3 A CHAT with Adam Scholtes, ABOUT STEEL Surly Product Manager

Do you design and build for overall the climate of the bike industry and You mention design specificity for a strength and life span (fatigue life) manufacturing as a whole, other given intended use frequently. What on touring models? materials are less costly to work with. will a cyclist experience if he/she uses We do build for overall strength We like 4130 chromoly for a whole a Surly outside its intended purpose? 7 and durability but also for ride host of reasons. For the types of bikes For instance, what if a cyclist used a

characteristics. A balance between we strive to make, with an emphasis Long Haul Trucker, loaded with racks stiffness and ride quality is important. I on utility, versatility, and durability, and panniers, on an off-road trail? Are

Reynolds Legendary British brand Reynolds has a long history producing of tubing bicycles. In for the company was granted1897, for a patent producingbutted tubes. In they 1934, debuted the double-butted iconic 531 tubeset. More Reynoldsrecently, was 853 among the first air-hardening alloys, offering stronger joints and increasing and dent impact resistance. Reynolds is widely used touring by bike manufacturers. Tange Japanese likeWhen bicycles Miyata, Fuji, and Nishiki made a splash in the 1980s, theTange entered cycling vernacular. the But Japanese tubing maker had been in the cycling business 60 years over for then by and has been producing butted tubing since the 1950s. expertiseTheir was Ritchey such that Tom sought them to his produce out Logic tubing. this Tange isTo used day, brands by like Soma Fabrications. would say that we design for durability 4130 is the right material. We could use there risks involved, or is the margin for all models, given their specific use. more costly materials or cheaper ones, of error great enough to accommodate but they come with other compromises. some mild “abuse?” Will the downside Do other models receive lighter, be riding characteristics and not a more compliant tubes? How should Surly owners care for frame failure? They do where appropriate. And other their steel frames and forks? Should We do design around a given use, but models get heavier tubesets. they spray Frame Saver inside we also plan for and anticipate misuse. before assembly? Periodically? In your example, a fully loaded LHT Are your touring models built with Yes, they should use Frame Saver or ridden off-road might not be a great stouter versions to better handle the boiled linseed oil. Make sure it’s the scenario to find yourself in. The main weight of racks and panniers? pure, raw kind. You need to check issue here would be that the handling Sort of. We have different grades of as all linseed oil is not the same. We and geometry are not tuned for it. touring bikes. Our off-road–rated do ED coat our frames and forks In addition, the term “off-road” also

6 touring bikes, the Ogre, Troll, and ECR, (electrophoretic deposition is a method has a wide range of definitions. Full- receive a different tubeset, as they are of painting a corrosion-resistant on enduro-style singletrack is not a intended for both on-road and off-road primer on frames using a large bath place for a fully loaded road touring use, than say the standard Long Haul and an electric current), except the bike, whereas a gravel or minimally Trucker (LHT). On the Pack Rat, we Big Dummy and Big Fat Dummy maintained road would be fine. For can use a lighter tubeset as it’s intended frames. They don’t fit in the tank. some, the latter example could be called for a different use than the standard The ED coat is an excellent base coat “off road.” So, yeah, generally the main LHT as well. But, yes, we do. This is not and does a base-level protection on downside would be handling. But given just in the main triangle tubes, but also the inside of the frame. This ensures the example of the full-on mountain the seat- and chainstays, as well as the that throughout transportation bike trail — where features like drops fork blades, dropouts, and braze-ons. and distribution the frame gets to and other obstacles are common — that the customer in the best possible may lead to premature frame failure if Surly offers bicycles with good condition. But further protection is you were tackling it on your LHT. value. Is this thanks partly to the recommended. Not to be overlooked, affordability of 4130? keeping the outside surface protected Editor’s note: Many thanks to Adam for Thanks! We do try to pack a lot of helps preserve the frame. Surface rust taking the time to answer our questions value into our products. The cost is a primary contributor to premature on Surly’s use of steel. For more, head to: 5 structure of manufacturing with 4130 frame failure. surlybikes.com/info_hole/spew/some_ is certainly part of it. But given things_about_our_steel Caring for your steel frame Despite all of steel’s good • When you purchase a add one if necessary. Check qualities, no material is new frame, be sure to spray the drain periodically to perfect. The great enemy J.P. Weigle Frame Saver ensure that it hasn’t clogged. of chromoly is corrosion. inside each of the tubes. Vent • After wet rides, remove Here are some easy steps holes allow ingress. Rotate your seatpost, and in the to keep your frame from your frame as it dries so that case of quill stems, remove falling prey to oxidation. you coat the entire inside your stem as well. Turn your These are more urgent surface of each tube. bike upside down to empty for riders who live in wet • Ensure that your bottom any standing water, and then climates. Those living in the bracket has a drain hole. allow the frame to “breathe” desert can rest a bit easier. Have a qualified mechanic CONTINUED ON PAGE 23 4

turn this page into 15 an 8-page booklet! KEEPING THE a dynamo-powered explainer

Keeping your electronics charged during a bicycle tour can be a LIGHTS chore. Although USB battery packs extend the range of GPS units, lights, and mobile phones, they too store a finite amount of energy. Those packs also create more items to plug in while at a hotel, restaurant, or campground. ON Many cyclists have explored the benefits of dynamo, or generator, hubs to charge their electronic accessories. Although no system is perfect, a well-made dynamo hub with a quality wiring harness, light, and USB charger can keep you off the grid in near perpetuity. But there are limitations. Dynamo hubs can’t produce enough current to top off laptops or larger batteries. You need to research your needs and perform tests during your rides at home before taking off for longer periods. Before we dive deeply into popular options, here’s a quick primer on how a generator hub works. Inside a dynamo hub is a series of magnets and a stationary coil. As the wheel spins, the magnets rotate around the coil, creating alternating current — AC electricity. A wiring harness routes the juice to a light, a USB charger, or both. Of course, the speed of the hub determines the output of electricity. So at lower speeds,

16 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 power is not supplied to accessories wired to the hub. This is why many dynamo lights have built-in capacitors that store enough energy to keep your lights on while stopped. While hubs continue to improve, advances in LED lighting technology have made dynamo systems more reliable than ever, thanks to lower power requirements and bulbs that are more robust than halogen options. The Germans are the unquestionable kings of both generator hubs and lights. Schmidt hubs are typically viewed as not only the most expensive models available but also the most reliable. Japanese companies Shutter Precision, Panasonic, and Shimano also produce SHIMANO COURTESY dynamo hubs, but of lesser quality. Lights from Schmidt, Busch & I can service some of the Schmidt Müller, and Supernova get the lion’s hubs here in New Hampshire. Some share of attention. All produce great of them need to be sent to Germany. headlights with options for urban Because of the electrical wiring, they cyclists, brevet riders, and touring are not user serviceable. cyclists. Smaller firms like Sinewave and kLite also produce lights of exceptional What goes wrong when a dynamo quality aimed at long-haul riders. hub stops producing electricity? No discussion of generator hubs That will take a little explaining. If would be complete without speaking charge most cell phones. Some giant your bike is indoors and it’s 35 degrees with Peter White of peterwhitecycles. Samsung phones are too big. GPS units and raining outside, when you take your com. He is the largest U.S. importer can also be powered. bike outside and start riding, the cold air of Schmidt hubs and many generator and the rain cool the hub shell. The hub lights and accessories. White also has What maintenance is there for a shell cools the air inside the hub. That nearly 20 years of experience with dynamo hub system? creates a partial vacuum. The low air dynamo systems. If it’s gone wrong, There really isn’t any. For the really pressure inside the hub shell then sucks he’s likely seen it before. inexpensive hubs we sell from Sanyo, air in from the outside. If water intrudes Here are his answers to common now called Panasonic, along with the at the gap at the axle and the hub shell, questions about dynamo hubs: Shimano hubs, there is no service to it will be drawn in and eventually cause be done on them. I can’t tell you in any corrosion in the dynamo. What electronics can you charge detail why that is. But neither company Schmidt has a way of mitigating the with a dynamo hub? provides any service information. problem with a clever axle design that With the newer chargers and You’re likely to do more harm than allows air to circulate freely but doesn’t headlight/charger combos, you can good by trying. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 17 hen you imagine a loaded touring Wbicycle, you often conjure two racks, four panniers, and a handlebar bag. This is the classic manner of conveying rider and camp gear across counties, states, continents, or even around the globe. But just as no two snowflakes are alike, diversity in touring setups is infinite. Here we explore three popular ways that touring cyclists carry their gear, from traditional racks and panniers to ultralight bikepacking, with one hybrid system thrown in the mix. Gear lists provide inspiration for many of us, but no list is comprehensive or offers the perfect solution for all riders. Use these as a starting point and build from there based on personal experience and experimentation. Enjoy!

Download sample lists online at adventurecycling.org/2018ctg

Racks and Panniers Just as the name implies, here we have two racks and four panniers. Although it is perhaps the heaviest of the three methods outlined here, it also provides more space for cyclists on the road for months at a time who might indulge in a few more luxury items. It is tried and true and extremely versatile for touring as well as for commuting and general bicycle transportation.

18 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 Hybrid system This is for the rider looking to save some weight or cover ground more quickly than on a traditional touring setup without foregoing all creature comforts. Using a single rack and only one pair of lightweight panniers, extra cargo is carried using bikepacking bags inside the main triangle, on the handlebars, and mounted to the front fork.

Ultralight Bikepacking This is for the newest breed of touring cyclists, for whom minimalism delivers more. This allows for speedier and more technical riding while still camping in the wild. Many bikepackers forgo cook systems and carry ready-to-eat food instead. If you’re looking to go ultralight, tents are often substituted by bivouac sacks or tarp systems.

ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 19 BIKEPACKING BAGS As adventure and mixed-surface cycling has boomed myriad options? Support a small operation or stick to a in recent years, so too has interest in soft luggage that is brand with which one may have experience? Let’s take a strapped directly to a bicycle, forgoing traditional racks. look at options and explore each manufacturer’s strengths The appeal is widespread, even for cyclists who never and weaknesses. plan on sleeping under the stars. A convenient way to On the whole, we think that for the typical bikepacker, carry items, whether during a round of errands, on the buying front and rear bags from a larger manufacturer way to work, or when traversing a mountain range, will is a great way to save a few dollars. We then recommend always be en vogue. you spend that saved money on a custom frame bag from Thankfully the industry has taken a look at the a smaller operation, one with the ability to tailor a bag to more practical needs of cyclists and responded. At the your bike and personal needs. Accessory bags like feed beginning of 2018, manufacturers both big and small are bags, top tube bags, etc., are used frequently throughout in on the bikepacking bag action. Previously the domain the day and typically see daily use even outside of long of small, cottage industry makers, bikepacking bags are tours. So look for higher quality there as well. now offered by the likes of Specialized, Topeak, and Salsa, Of course, if you have a lot of experience bikepacking as well as established pannier makers like Blackburn, and can’t find what you’re looking for in the bags of Ortlieb, and Arkel. In fact, bikepacking bags are so bigger manufacturers, or if you have an aesthetic that popular that a previously backroom operation, Revelate you’re trying to achieve, a custom bag maker like JPaks, Designs, is now arguably a behemoth in the segment. Nuclear Sunrise, Oveja Negro, Andrew the Maker, and So how does a prospective bag buyer decide among the Bike Bag Dude will likely fit the bill.

the big players

Revelate Designs attachment points, integrated bungees, as you’ll see from small makers, but Eric Parsons began making bags in and an air purge valve show that Ortlieb Blackburn’s bags do hold up nicely. his spare time while working as a civil did its homework before leaping into the If you’re curious about bikepacking, engineer. Eventually the demand for his category. We recommend these without Blackburn’s bags represent a good gear grew to the point that he took it on hesitation. Ortlieb also has smaller gateway into the arena. After using them full time. Revelate Designs now finds versions of its Handlebar and Seat Pack in the field, a newer bikepacker can then itself as the leader in the bikepacking arriving later this year. Expect a review figure out their personal preferences and bag category thanks to its early work in soon. ortlieb.com needs. But to gain that experience, you the segment and continued innovation. have to get out and get dirty. The Alaskan company offers a full Blackburn blackburndesign.com suite of bags, including several If you’re on a budget, Blackburn’s variations harnesses, seatbags and offerings are tough to beat. They get you EXP front rolls. revelatedesigns.com out and adventuring without breaking Designed by engineers with extensive the bank. Blackburn’s Outpost series bikepacking experience, Salsa’s EXP Ortlieb includes a large seat harness/drybag, a line impressed from day one. The EXP Like its excellent panniers, the handlebar harness/roll, an expandable Anything Cradle is a novel approach German brand’s bikepacking bags to carrying a front load that uses an are exceptional. Both the Seat Pack aluminum and plastic bracket to support and Handlebar Pack are waterproof a large drybag. The Cradle keeps its load and built to last. They are not as extremely stable and out of the way of light as other options on the market, cables and hoses on your handlebar, but but at the same time they verge on does so while adding more weight to cavernous in size. Smart features like your bike than most other front bags. a front Accessory Pack, well-executed For rugged riding though, the Cradle framebag, a top tube bag, and even a set is a fantastic option. An accessory of cargo cages. Quality is on par with Front Pouch integrates nicely into the other Blackburn accessories. They’re Anything Cradle Dry Bag and puts built to last, and with a few bells and smaller items up front and handy. whistles, but with a certain plastic The EXP Seatpack is a waterproof feel when compared to other options. bag with a quality attachment, a bungee Materials aren’t quite as lightweight storage area on top, convenient light

20 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 attachment loops, and a small air purge Apidura valve. At under 400 grams for up to 14 Based in the UK, Apidura produces Without any on-bike experience, it’s liters in carrying capacity, the Seatpack an extensive line of high-quality difficult to write much on Lezyne’s new is quite light. It, like the entire EXP line, bikepacking bags that have found bags. Dubbed “Adventure Bags,” they presents a good value as well. favor among ultra racing and touring debuted last fall at Interbike and look like Where the EXP line falls a bit short, enthusiasts. A clean aesthetic and clever a good budget option. The Bar Caddy in our opinion, is with its Framepack. features make each bag, whether top is small compared to many bar bags at Designed specifically for Salsa’s tube, frame, seat, or handlebar-mounted, only seven liters, but should work well Cutthroat frame, the bag lacks enough with dropbars. The XL Caddy seatbag is width to carry larger objects and the also on the conservative side at 7.5 liters. zippers feel strained even when the bag These are complemented with the Stuff is nearly empty. salsacycles.com Caddy, a feed bag that mounts alongside the stem, and the Energy Caddy XL, a Specialized top tube bag. lezyne.com Specialized is taking the adventure category seriously enough to hire an Arkel adventure brand manager. One result worth considering. When another UK Canadian bag maker Arkel has of their efforts is the Burra Burra line brand, Rapha, decided to produce a front expanded into bikepacking bags in the of bags. Two differently sized seatbags and rear pack, they collaborated with last couple years, but currently only (with an Apidura to ensure a success. produces bags to mount behind your optional With two seatbags, each offered in saddle. Bikepacking-style handlebar stabilizing three sizes, four framebags, also offered bags, top tube bags, and framebags are rack), three in varying sizes, multiple handlebar not on the Arkel menu. Its Seatpacker sizes of packs, and several accessory packs, 9 and 15, as well as the Rollpacker 15 partial Apidura hasn’t shied away from offering and 25, all feature a clamp-on brace to framebags, a cargo cage, a handlebar a variety of bags. Color though, like support the bag’s weight and eliminate harness, a couple drybags, and a top Henry Ford’s Model T, is limited to gray sway. Build quality is excellent, as tube bag complete the line. with yellow and black accents. we’ve come to expect from the Quebec- specialized.com apidura.com based company. arkel-od.com

going boutique

While the larger bag makers have Porcelain Rocket Andrew the Maker advantages like wide availability, Porcelain Rocket is one of the older Handmade Goods often lower prices, and shorter wait brands in the bikepacking game. The Midwest is no stranger to times (if any), smaller companies Alberta-based Scott Felter has bikepacking, especially with long gravel are more agile, experiment more years of experience making bags, epics dotted around the region. In frequently, and can easily accommodate and his experimentation has led to Kansas City, Missouri, Andrew Wiloid custom needs whether functional or innovations like dropper seatpost– produces some of the most beautiful aesthetic. Another reason to seek out a compatible seatbags and roll-top custom bikepacking bags currently on custom maker is that they are spread framebags. While he is no longer offer. With crisp lines, high-quality throughout the country. You may be materials, and near-perfect execution, able to visit a maker personally, bring his bags are often rendered in vibrant your bike along, and discuss your needs colors. Especially popular are his and wants. They are also likely to handlebar-mounted camera bags that understand regional needs like frequent protect but also keep photography wet conditions where a waterproof bag gear handy. He has also produced is important or the havoc that dust and many framebags that employ a lace-up dirt can wreak on zippers. mounting on the top tube. This is secure The list of boutique bag makers in the custom game, he does batch while also allowing some movement. in 2018 is massive and so we won’t runs of each of his bags and they are andrewthemaker.com attempt to be comprehensive here. offered for sale as they are produced. Instead we’ll highlight several brands This means that getting your hands JPaks with established reputations for on a bag may take some time, but Denver-based Joe Tonsager has making reliable bags, many of them the wait is worth it based on user pioneered bolt-in framebags, creating with unique features and looks. feedback. porcelainrocket.com an amazingly clean look while

ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 21 eliminating straps that scuff paint bikepacking rig. Last but not least is the is the “inside out” seams that wrap in the process. Tonsager produces RailWing Seat Bag Stabilizer, a design around frame tubes. This increases loads of custom bags, everything from used on both of Bedrock’s seatbags stability and interior space. BBD also water bladder attachments to carry but that can be retrofitted for use on acts as an importer of Oveja Negra extra liquid under down tubes, to split nearly any seatbag to reduce sway. seatbags (as BBD doesn’t produce one) framebags that can be used as a partial bedrockbags.com and BarYak gear into Australia. pack when a lighter load is needed. bikebagdude.com JPaks’ RukSak feed bag is a personal Oveja Negra favorite as it is deep enough to hold a Spanish for “black sheep,” the Salida, Bolder Bikepacking one-liter bottle, a camera, or thousands Colorado company has made a name Greg Wheelwright has quietly made of calories with ease. jpaks.com in the Rockies and beyond for high- top-notch bikepacking bags from his quality bikepacking bags. With seat, Boulder, Colorado, home for many Nuclear Sunrise frame, top tube, handlebar, and years. His focus on function was Stitchworks accessory bags, Oveja Negra can apparent during the design process Made in El Paso, Texas, by Dave outfit your entire bicycle. One of the for a custom top tube bag that I Wilson, Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks commissioned. I needed a narrow produces a complete line of custom but extremely long bag that didn’t handlebar, frame, seat, and accessory get in the way of my knees but held bags. Wilson is a Tour Divide vast quantities of food. Wheelwright veteran whose meticulous approach took the time to discuss options and is evident in his well-crafted bags. created a bag that fit the bill to a T. nukesunrise.com He has made bags for Tour Divide racers, tandem touring couples, and Bedrock Bags more unique bags they make is the everything in between. From the Four Corners area of Bootlegger bag, a bolt-on storage bolderbikepacking.wordpress.com Durango, Colorado, Bedrock Bags solution for fork legs with “Anything” makes a full suite of bags with several 3-bolt bosses. It uses an internal Portland Design Works unique options. The Tapeats Handlebar aluminum frame and holds a 32-ounce Portland Design Works produces Bag is a fantastic roll-top bag that Nalgene or 40-ounce Klean Kanteen its Bindle Rack, a seatpost-mounted is easy to use one-handed and large without the need to use a separate support for stuff sacks, as another enough for a massive water bottle. cage, bag, and straps. option for those who are willing to trade When carrying ovejanegrabikepacking.com extra weight for supreme stability. PDW little or empty, it has partnered with Andrew the Maker lies flat and out Bike Bag Dude and Revelate to offer a complete system of the way. The Out of New South Wales, Australia, with drybag options. ridepdw.com Honaker Bag is a BBD produces nearly a full suite of way to carry extra bikepacking bags using a variety of fluids or gear on materials, great for those who want the underside of a to focus on durability or weight. bike’s down tube. They employ sail-making techniques Bedrock’s SPOT to ensure durability and strength. Harness offers an affordable, secure One construction technique that way to mount your GPS tracker to your differentiates BBD from other makers

22 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 once or twice a year. Removing the headset bearings, fork, bottom bracket, and seatpost will allow you to dry out any moisture while also inspecting for corrosion. This is also an opportunity to spray in additional Frame Saver. • When installing or replacing the cables on your bike, apply a thin film CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 of grease to the cable ferrules. This CARING FOR YOUR STEEL FRAME is to keep cable stops from collecting overnight so that additional moisture rain or sweat, protecting them from can evaporate. Apply a fresh coat corrosion and making the ferrules of grease to your seatpost and quill easier to replace in the future. before installing them. In the case of carbon fiber seatposts, use assembly Conclusion compound, essentially grease with grit Chromoly has a long, illustrious to stop slippage. Titanium seatposts history in cycling. It is the material with should receive a coat of antiseize which framebuilders have the most compound instead of grease. history. One could contend that it is the • Touch up paint chips using most evolved of the materials used in fingernail polish as quickly as possible. bicycles. Chromoly, thanks to its unique If you see any rust, lightly sand the properties, will remain popular thanks area and clean it with isopropyl to its affordability, durability, and ease alcohol before painting. of use. For many reasons, steel is real. • If you ride frequently in the rain, But hopefully after this in-depth look, it it’s worth disassembling your frame isn’t really confusing. june 1–3, 2018 AARON TEASDALE AARON

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ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 23 FUJI TOURING DISC SPECIFICATIONS Road Test Price: $1,300 • Frame: Custom-butted Elios Sizes available: 49cm, 52cm, 2 chromoly, rack and fender 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm, 64cm mounts, flat mounts for disc brakes, three sets of bottle Size tested: 58cm bosses, pump peg, chain hanger, Weight: 29.9 lbs. with clip-and- down tube cable routing strap pedals and rear rack with • Fork: Elios 2 chromoly with 1 strap and oversized reflector 1/8-inch steerer, lowrider/bottle mounts, fender mounts, flat TEST BIKE MEASUREMENTS mounts for disc brakes • Stack: 620mm • Handlebar: Oval Concepts 310 • Reach: 386mm Ergo, 440mm, 31.8mm • Head tube length: 180mm • Tape: Oval Concepts 300 • Head tube angle: 71° • Stem: Oval Concepts 313 Ergo, • Seat tube: 550mm (center 110mm, 31.8mm, 7° +/- to top) • Brakes: TRP Spyre C • Seat tube angle: 73° mechanical disc, 160mm TRP rotors • Top tube: 575mm (effective) • Brake levers: TRP RRL SR FUJI TOURING DISC • Chainstays: 450mm • Front derailer: Shimano Deore • Bottom bracket drop: 78mm • Rear derailer: Shimano XT • Fork offset: 52mm T-8000, 10spd • Trail: 63mm BY PATRICK O’GRADY • Shifter: Microshift bar-cons • Wheelbase: 1070mm • Standover height: 838mm ➺IT WAS FALL 2015, and the Adventure Cyclist crew was stalking the jungles of Interbike in search of the wily touring bicycle when I noticed one such tucked away in a corner of the Fuji booth, looking forlorn. This was an old-school rig, the sort of bike that was becoming as rare as hen’s teeth in an industry besotted with the disc-braked, balloon-tired adventure/gravel/monster-crosser in all its splendiferous and preposterous incarnations. Afterward I blogged about our safari, noting that far from the thundering herd of “all-road bikes” I had seen “one lonely, overlooked traditional setup tucked away in the corner of one booth — a Fuji Touring bike with a triple crank, Tektro rim brakes, and bar-cons.” We didn’t bag the Touring that time around. But Fuji has added a disc-brake model to the lineup for 2018, and in fall ’17 we finally set our sights on one. The Touring first rolled around in the 1990s, and its disc-equipped incarnation is a no-nonsense roamer with serious spec and freshly updated geometry. If you’re in the market for a sturdy land cruiser, you’ll want to give the Fuji Touring Disc a look. My 58cm review model weighed in at 29.9 lbs. complete with clip- and-strap pedals and a rear rack with strap and oversized reflector. All these items are included with the bike, a thoughtful touch.

24 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 • Crankset: Shimano Deore T-6010, GEARING IN INCHES 175mm, 48/36/26T • Cassette: SRAM PG-1020 10spd, 26 36 48 11–36T 11 64.3 89.1 118.8 • Bottom bracket: Shimano BB- 13 54.5 75.5 100.5 SM52 sealed cartridge, threaded 15 47.1 65.4 87.2 • Seatpost: Oval Concepts 300, 27.2mm 17 41.7 57.8 76.8 • Saddle: Oval Concepts 300 19 37.3 51.5 68.9 Pavement 22 32.2 44.7 59.4 • Headset: FSA, sealed bearings 25 28.3 39.2 52.3 You’ll find a wide range of sizes • Chain: KMC X10EL Black Tech with 28 25.3 35.1 46.6 available, from 49cm to 64cm. And be MissingLink 32 22.1 30.8 40.9 sure to consult your local Fuji dealer • Hubs: Shimano Deore LX T-675 36 19.6 27.2 36.2 about fit. I’ve been ordering 58cm bikes centerlock disc, 36h lately, but in that size the Touring felt a • Rims: Vera Corsa DPD18 (rear), DPM20 (front) little big for me, especially with the stock • Tires: Vittoria Randonneur, wire 110mm stem. I might have been better bead, 700c x 35mm suited to a 56cm frame, or perhaps a • Pedals: Wellgo R126 with toeclips shorter stem. and straps For online video, see adventurecycling.org/ Like its predecessor, the America, • Rack: Fuji alloy with strap fujidisc the $1,300 Touring Disc’s frame is double-butted chromoly with three sets of bottle bosses and the usual rack and fender mounts, plus a pump peg and chain hanger. The fork has two bosses on each blade so you can install your choice of a lowrider rack, extra cages for water or whatnot, or perhaps a couple of lights for those extra-long days that don’t end at sundown. A tall head tube helps you find a comfortable upright position without a gazillion spacers, and the chainstays are long enough to keep your gear to the rear. If you clip a pannier with your clodhoppers on this rig, you should get back up in the trees where you belong, Sasquatch. At first glance the Touring Disc appears minimalist to the point of being nondescript. But be sure to roll it out of the showroom and into the sunlight before you write it off as visually uninteresting — there’s a sparkle to that anthracite paint job that doesn’t always show up indoors. You’ll find some more shiny bits in the 10-speed drivetrain. The bike comes with a Shimano Deore triple crankset (48/36/26T) and Deore/XT derailers, controlled via Microshift bar-end shifters. The 11–36T cassette is from SRAM, and the chain from KMC. I see a lot of compact double setups and the occasional 1x drivetrain, and after a steady diet of making do with too-tall gearing, I’ll confess that it’s refreshing to ride a triple around Albuquerque, especially if the bike is wearing racks

ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 25 and sacks. With the Touring Disc loaded, latter contributes the Touring Disc’s handling, McKinney said. These include I came to love spinning the 26x28 on Vera Corsa rims, beefy 36-holers like the longer head tubes to increase stack, extended climbs — and I still had 32T and hoops on another seasoned veteran with shorter seat tubes to decrease standover, 36T cogs to bail me out if the going got comparable spec and pricing, the Trek longer chainstays for pannier clearance, truly ugly. 520 (see the April 2017 issue of Adventure and finally, to accommodate the resulting The flat-mount disc brakes are Cyclist for my review). They’re laced to increase in wheelbase and keep the likewise proven performers — TRP Spyre Shimano Deore LX hubs. Touring responsive to steering input C mechanicals with 160mm rotors and Carrying a light load on a bike like without any twitchiness, a higher bottom drilled TRP RRL SR levers. Two fingers this — an Arkel TailRider and Dry- bracket and less fork offset. per lever do the trick for all but the most Lite panniers with a dozen pounds of “All of these tweaks result in a more panicked of stops. Okay, so more weight, overnight gear — feels like tossing a fanny stable and better-handling touring more fingers — but still. pack into the bed of an F-350. bike,” McKinney said. Indeed, loaded or The double-shielded 700c x 35mm The alloy rear rack can carry up to 40 unloaded, the Fuji Touring Disc was as Vittoria Randonneur tires weren’t what lbs., according to McKinney. Add a Tubus solid as the roads it rides. I’d call silky smooth on our blocky New Tara lowrider rack good for 33 lbs. and But what if you happen to prefer that Mexican chip seal at their maximum you can tackle what the company website old-school rig? pressure of 70 psi, but they kept on says the Touring is intended for — As it turns out, you’re in luck: a keeping on. I didn’t bother adding “multiple long days in the saddle carrying nine-speed Deore/Alivio Touring with sealant to the inner tubes and never a heavy load to your destination.” Shimano T4010 linear-pull brakes still had a flat, which is quite a feat in goat- My fun meter redlines well before rolls the earth. And it can be yours for head country. If you favor bigger tires, the 73 lb. mark, so I never approached $1,000. Fuji brand manager Brian McKinney the maximum even with four Ortlieb says you can run 40mm without fenders panniers, a Jandd handlebar bag, and Patrick O’Grady has written and cartooned and 38mm with. camping gear strapped on the rear rack. about cycling since 1989 for VeloNews, Bicycle Just about everything else comes from But others have grander schemes Retailer & Industry News, and a variety of other publications. To read more from Patrick, visit one of ASI’s component brands, Oval and legs to match. With that in mind, a maddogmedia.wordpress.com. Concepts or Vera. The former provides few frame sizes have gotten geometry bar, tape, stem, seatpost, and saddle; the makeovers to enhance stability and

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2014_Marathon_Plus_Full.indd 1 10/24/14 1:15 PM SURLY ECR SPECIFICATIONS Road Test Price: $1,899 • Frame: Surly 4130 Cromoly Sizes available: SX, S, M, L, XL steel; TIG-welded, double-butted main triangle; eyelets for rack, Size tested: S fender, and trailer mounts; two Weight: 32.7 lbs. triple mounts (without pedals) • Fork: 4130 Cromoly steel; two sets of triple mounts, rack and TEST BIKE MEASUREMENTS fender eyelets • Stack: 579.5mm • Handlebar: Surly Moloko • Reach: 398mm • Stem: HL Satori, 31.8 • Head tube length: 115mm • Brake calipers: Avid BB7, • Head tube angle: 69° Centerline Rotors. 180/160mm • Seat tube: 406.4mm (center front and rear to top) • Brake levers: Avid FR-5 • Seat tube angle: 73° • Front derailer: Shimano SLX • Top tube: 575mm (effective) FD-M661 • Chainstays: 435mm • Rear derailer: Shimano Deore RD-M615 SGS, 10 spd. SURLY ECR • Bottom bracket drop: 60mm • Fork offset: 43mm • Trail: 97mm • Wheelbase: 1074mm BY ANNA BAHNSON • Standover height: 766mm

➺ WHAT’S IN A NAME? What ECR stands for is unclear. Some say Epic Camping Rig while others argue for Exit Cities Rapidly. Both are equally fitting. Yet arguably more fitting is the color choice: beige pantsuit. For a woman, a well-tailored pantsuit conveys power and poise without being flashy. Easily worn in a boardroom or out for happy hour, the color beige boldly declares, “Dirt stains are nothing to fear!” The same is true of the ECR: a steel frame and plus tires provide a powerfully sturdy yet surprisingly smooth and easy ride on whatever dirt adventures you dream up. Extended bikepacking trip? Weekend gravel grinds? Lugging a six-pack to the local tailgate? Hitting some singletrack on the commute home from work? The beige pantsuit ECR is up to the task.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Riding the ECR turns heads and in a good way. This season’s model comes fit with Surly’s new Moloko handlebars. The Moloko is similar in style to the Jones loop bar offered on past ECR models with a few key convenient differences. First, the quirky shape of the Moloko offers slightly more real estate for diverse hand positions to stay comfy over the long haul. I frequently shifted my hands to the center and forward to

28 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 • Shift levers: Microshift SL-M10 GEARING IN INCHES gain traction while climbing or moved • Crankset: Surly O.D. 26/39T my hands wider and back for stability • Cassette: SunRace, 10 spd., 26 39 while descending. Accessorizing the 11–40T 11 68.4 102.9 Moloko with cargo bags or techy tools • Bottom bracket: Surly Enduro, 13 58.0 87.0 threaded is easy, although I admittedly lost some 15 50.2 75.4 • Seatpost: Kaloy SP-342, 30.0mm hand position utility when I strapped 18 41.7 62.9 • Saddle: WTB Volt Sport 21 35.9 53.9 more gadgets to the bars. Surly even • Headset: Cane Creek 40 series 24 31.3 47.3 offers its own handlebar bag that fits • Hubs: Front: Surly Ultra New Disc, 28 27.0 40.3 snugly in the center hole. 32h, Rear: Salsa 148 x 12mm thru-axle 32 23.5 35.4 A second difference from the Jones • Rims: Alex MD40 36 20.9 31.1 bar is the smaller, but still generous, • Tires: Surly Knard 27.5 x 3.0in., 40 18.8 28.4 sweep angle of 34 degrees. This angle tubeless ready kept my wrists comfortable while Contact: Surly Bicycles, 6400 W. 105th allowing easy handling on both trails St. Bloomington, MN 55438, 877.743.3191, and dirt roads. I rode with the stock surlybikes.com, [email protected] handlebar grips, but you could pop on a pair of ergonomic grips for an easy upgrade and you’ll be riding until sunset day after day. Weight is the main drawback of the Moloko — a hefty 703 grams (for reference, a carbon Jones bar is almost a pound lighter). More on weight later. The plus-size Surly Knard tires beg attention from onlookers. Many riders have written extensively about the merits and demerits of plus tires so I’ll focus my review on my experience as a first-timer with this increasingly popular tire option. In a word: adoration. I’m smitten with the smooth, stable ride provided by the 3.0in. width of the Knards. New this year, extra-small and small frame sizes come fit with 27.5 x 3.0in. tires, large and extra-large sport 29 x 3.0in., and medium riders get to pick their fancy with both sizes offered. However, the wheels are not interchangeable — the frames have been designed around their wheel size and are slightly different. As a small rider, I appreciate that Surly took the time to make this important change on their smaller frames to help with handling and comfort. The 27.5+ tires offer a similar outer diameter as my familiar, standard tires. The 3.0in. width provides exceptional float for dreamy descents. Tinkering with tire pressure gave me increased comfort and confidence in varying terrain. I ended up typically running less than 20 psi. The tires roll well on pavement and singletrack but are most at home devouring packed rock and dirt roads. Although I did not ride tubeless, the Knards come mounted to tubeless-

29 mount space galore that leaves other first, I found it awkward to shift with touring bikes blushing. Like to keep my thumbs above the handlebar, but I your rear free of mud? There’s a mount now find it second nature as they work for fenders. Fancy basketpacking or with Shimano front and rear derailers panniers? No problem, attaching front shifting smoothly and easily. With a and rear racks is a breeze. Prefer your 39/26T Surly double chainring and gear in a trailer? There’s a mount for a Sunrace 11–40T cassette, the ECR that too. Mix and match water bottles boasts a tremendous range of gear or Anything cages with ease. The 27.5+ inches with a low of 18.1 for seriously sizes feature two Three-Pack mounts long, steep climbs and a high of 102 for on the frame and four three-pack equally long descents. Have the dough mounts on the fork. For extended to run a Rohloff hub? The dropouts on touring, I’m more of a rack-free kind the frame feature a Rohloff torque arm of gal so I ran two water bottles on the slot should you desire to upgrade. fork, one bottle on the down tube, and Tried and true Avid BB7 mechanical carried my gear in a handlebar bag, brakes pair up with 180mm Centerline framebag, and seatbag. I had limited rotors in front and 160mm in rear. This clearance between my seatbag and rear combo stops a fully loaded ECR swiftly tire, but that is more the fault of my and equally well in hot, dry, cold, or short stature. For weekly grocery runs muddy adventures. Larger riders can and lugging cold snacks to tailgate (Go increase the front rotors up to 203mm, Dawgs!), I conveniently used Surly’s but the rear is limited to 160mm. The own 8-Pack Rack and Petite Porteur BB7s allow easy and simple caliper House Bag. In short, whatever you adjustments, providing an edge over ready Alex MD40 rims. Only the 27.5+ can dream up and are willing to carry, hydraulic brakes in the backcountry. Knard tires have a tubeless bead — there is a spot on the bike to attach it. Two realities of off-road touring Surly doesn’t openly endorse going prevail: it can be a blast and it can tubeless with the 29+ Knard. WHAT ABOUT WEIGHT? be expensive. Although the ECR The Knards deserve praise for their Weighing in at 32.7 lbs. without might not have all the techy bells or own performance, but they work in pedals, the ECR is anything but light. ultralight whistles of some touring tandem with the steel frame to provide When fully loaded, the bike is almost bikes, Surly built a quality bike that a cushy ride for long days in the saddle. half my weight. Yet as a non-racer won’t break the bank. At $1,899, As with all Surly frames, the ECR is touring long distances, I’m more the ECR boasts a bomber frame built with 4130 Chromoly steel for both concerned with durability and the accessorized with affordable and dependability and affordability. Whether bike’s ability to smoothly carry a load reliable components. Searching for a inching uphill, cruising the flats, or over the long haul, and the ECR does new off-road complete build to ride descending full throttle, the ECR has just that with the dependability of a blissfully into the dirt frontier? Head tremendous straight-line stability. My pack mule. I frequently found myself to your local dealer and try out the husband consistently outclimbed me, spinning uphill and grinning for miles. ECR. The beige pantsuit might be a but I confidently cruised by him on The components on the ECR help perfect fit. descents. The ECR performs admirably ease the weight burden while pedaling. both loaded and unloaded. I’ll gladly give two thumbs up to the Anna Bahnson is a freelance writer and bikepacker Speaking of loaded, the ECR boasts Microshift SL-M10 thumb shifters. At based in Georgia.

30 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018 BY NICK LEGAN

Full reviews + more gear at Suomy Gun Wind adventurecycling.org/0318-gear. Helmet, $225 Suomy’s Gun Wind Helmet is produced in a rainbow of colors, but we like the HV, or high visibility, line in particular. Despite a somewhat confusing model name, the Italian lid is wonderfully light and ventilates well. Although many high-end helmets are jagged and edgy, the Suomy features a welcome, more rounded shape. I also love the optional Bug Stop Net Padding and clear plastic rain covers (long and short), great for cool-weather riding. The Gun Wind is offered in two sizes and runs true on the XS-M I tested. –NL GEARED GEARED UP

Pedaling Innovations Catalyst Redshift ShockStop Pedals, $99 Suspension Stem, $140–$180 A fresh take on flat pedals comes in Cycle long enough and you’re bound the form of the Catalyst Pedal from to experience some hand numbness Pedaling Innovations (PI). With a huge or wrist pain. There are many ways 5-inch-long platform, it supports more to remedy and prevent such ailments. of your foot for increased efficiency in One to consider is Redshift’s ShockStop any shoe. PI promotes a mid-foot over Suspension Stem. It has a hinged axle position so the pedal supports extension and adjustable elastomers from the ball of your foot to the heel. that allow you to tune the ride feel. The construction of the pedal is top- Effective suspension travel varies with notch with an aluminum body, two sets stem length and handlebar (drop vs. of traction pins, and sealed cartridge flat), but the reduction in road buzz bearings. PI also offers a 30-day money- and bumps is noticeable. Redshift also back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied, produces slick accessories for mounting but I’m guessing you will be. –NL lights and GPS units to the stem. –NL

Big Agnes Wiley SL 30F sleeping bag, $260–$280 Sleep is such a personal thing, but both my wife and I have enjoyed Big Agnes’s Wiley SL 30 sleeping bag. With 650-fill DownTek water-repellent insulation and a mummy shape, it’s a cozy bag great for shoulder-season camping. The Wiley features the REM Pad Sleeve that keeps the bag on top of your sleeping pad and doubles as a storage sack when not in use (you’ll want to source a compression sack when carrying it on your bike). A regular size tips the scales at 1 lb. 12 oz, providing plenty of warmth without excess heft. –NL

ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 31 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 LEGAN: DYNAMO But I live out in the woods. I don’t need the IQ Fly. I don’t need a daytime allow moisture to enter the core of running light. I use prettier lights. I the dynamo. Fording a river will have two of the Edelux IIs and a B&M cause problems. But for 99.9 percent IQ X. They fit my needs best. of us who are crazy enough to enjoy When riding on unfamiliar roads riding our bikes in the rain, that isn’t — brevets or hilly terrain on fast a problem for a Schmidt hub. It is a descents — you want the brightest problem for a Shimano or Sanyo hub. light you can find. You can then aim the beam higher and see things Any tips on using a dynamo hub? earlier. That gives you more time to One way to help is to put your bike react. For those people, I recommend outside for 30 minutes, out of the the Schmidt Edelux II or the Busch & rain, to allow it to precool. This will Müller IQ X. decrease moisture being drawn in. For charging and lighting, the Busch I also strongly advise anyone, & Müller Luxos U is the best deal including the home mechanic who’s around. For someone who has neither really good at doing most things on his a charger nor a headlight and wants bike, against tearing into a dynamo. It’s to get both, it’s a great deal. It doesn’t a big mistake. have the very brightest beam, but it’s (Editor’s note: If you have a problem very wide and the differences are very with a Schmidt hub, please contact Peter small. And the charger works very well. White Cycles for help. They can perform The other options, if you already a repair or forward the hub to Germany have a really good light, include getting if need be. They also carry factory- a separate charger. To go on any refurbished hubs that are used to replace bicycle, the USB-Werk from B&M is an hubs in need of repair. This is far quicker excellent solution. It can go into any than sending the hub across the Atlantic.) bag on the bike or be strapped to the bicycle using O-rings. A more elegant What lights and chargers do solution goes on top of the steerer tube, you recommend? if the fork is threadless and 1 1/8in. and Recommendations depend on the steel. The Tout Terrain Cinq5 “The application and the person’s tolerance Plug” replaces the top cap. Supernova for uglifying their bike. A lot of people private labels the same product. want anything they put on their bike Sinewave, here in the U.S., also has top to look good. And there are headlights cap and box USB charger options. that look better than others. For instance, a Supernova or Schmidt Any tips on wiring and setup? Edelux II or the IQ X from Busch & Think about how you’re going to Müller are nice-looking lights with an use your bike. If you have to lock it aluminum housing. Someone in each outside, you need to be very careful case thought about making a light that about how you run the wire, especially is nice to look at. when using a taillight. If you have The Busch & Müller Lumitec IQ Fly a lot of scratches, you need to think is really tall and ugly, but its nighttime about how your bike is making contact beam is really good. Not quite as nice with the world. as their best lights, but the margin is You can also look at how the rear small. Underneath the lens is a reflector. derailer and rear brake cables are Embedded in that reflector are six routed and use those as pathways for LEDs. It has an ambient light sensor so your taillight wire. Just loop it around it knows whether it’s night or day. At the housing. Those routings are night it projects light on the road surface. typically in places that are less likely to In daytime those LEDs act as daytime get damaged. running lights, making a rider more (Editor’s note: We recommend spending visible to motorists and other road users. time on the Peter White Cycles website This particular light is probably the best (peterwhitecycles.com) for more in-depth dynamo light for the urban commuter information and technical discussion on because of what it does during the day. dynamo hubs, lighting, and recharging.)

32 ADVENTURE CYCLIST m a rch 2018