In the latest Friday Debrief from BIKEPACKING.com, several noteworthy developments in the cycling world have been highlighted. Here’s a curated selection of the most significant updates:
Product Highlights
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Cosmic Grape Camp Snap: Camp Snap has introduced a new colorway for their compact, screen-free digital camera, the Camp Snap. The “Cosmic Grape” variant draws inspiration from the translucent tech of the ’90s, offering a nostalgic design that’s both functional and stylish.
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Fairdale Rockitship: Fairdale Bikes has relaunched the Rockitship, their top-of-the-line gravel bike. Built around a Reynolds 725 steel frame and an ENVE carbon fork, it now features UDH dropouts, rack and fender mounts, and is available in Blood Orange or Gloss Black.
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Banta Bars: Banta Bikes has unveiled the Banta Bars, designed to preserve the original frame-fork-stem combination found on vintage mountain bikes while delivering modern comfort and performance. Manufactured in the USA, they have a 777mm width, 92mm rise, 22.2° backsweep, and 22.2mm clamp size.
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Rene Herse 32″ Tubes: Rene Herse has launched a line of 32″ tubes, ideal for tires up to 2.6″ wide. Made of TPU, these tubes feature Rene Herse branding on the casing and are priced at $43.
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COROS PACE 4 in Ultraviolet and Neon Yellow: COROS has introduced two new standard colors for its popular aluminum PACE 4 sport watch: Ultraviolet and Neon Yellow. Both are available with matching silicone bands and come packed with features for $279.
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New Wheels MFG 8-Bolt Chainrings: Wheels MFG has released new 8-Bolt Gravel Chainrings, machined from 7075 aluminum and available in SRAM and Shimano-compatible tooth profiles, with four tooth counts: 40T, 42T, 44T, and 46T. They are offered in a range of colors, including Black, Blue, Teal, Green, Red, Purple, and Orange.
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Park Tool TS-2.50: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the TS-2 truing stand, Park Tool has produced 50 special edition TS-2.50 stands. Finished in gold powder coating, each features an engraved numbered nameplate, custom decals, and CNC-machined aluminum knobs bearing the original Park Tool logo. A select number of these stands will be made available via online auction, with the proceeds going to bicycle-focused nonprofit organizations.
In Conversation
- Ultra-Wide Bars: Best of Both Worlds?: A discussion has emerged regarding the benefits of ultra-wide drop handlebars, which claim to offer the advantages of both drop and flat bars. While some riders have found them beneficial, others question their effectiveness. The conversation continues as cyclists share their experiences and opinions.
Around the Community
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Our Video Review of the Restrap Switch Rack: Neil from BIKEPACKING.com shared his review of the Restrap Switch Rack, a highly modular rear cargo carrier compatible with various accessories that increase capacity and versatility. The 25-minute video provides an in-depth look at its features and performance.
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Bikepacking The Hood Loop: Chris Wilson of the PNW Bikepacking YouTube channel documents a 125-mile bikepacking trip around Oregon’s Mount Hood, following Cedar Kyes’ Mount Hood Loop. The video offers insights into the route, challenges faced, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
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Bicycle Mechanic Stickers: Randy Collette from MTB Suspension Service has released new stickers featuring dogmatic designs. Details and purchasing information are available on his Instagram post.
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Hidden Gems at Ritchey HQ: Nolan from the BikeSauce YouTube channel recently visited Ritchey’s headquarters, where Fergus provided a tour, showcasing vintage components and sharing insights into the company’s history and operations. The video offers a unique look behind the scenes of one of cycling’s most storied brands.
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No Wrong Turns Ep. 2: Origin Lore: The second episode of the “No Wrong Turns” podcast, hosted by Adam Sklar, Jim Santos, and Adam Leibow, delves into the origin stories of Sklar Bikes, Outer Shell, and Calling in Sick Mag. The episode provides listeners with a deeper understanding of these influential brands in the cycling community.
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Cairngorms Outer Loop: Mona Grabowska recently embarked on a solo mountain bikepacking adventure, riding the Cairngorms Outer Loop in the UK. Covering 225 kilometers with 3,255 meters of elevation gain, Mona shares her experiences, challenges, and the beauty of the Scottish Highlands in her video.
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Peter Verdone’s PVD Corsair: Peter Verdone, a contract designer for the bicycle, motorcycle, and skateboard industries, has unveiled details about a 32-inch-wheeled all-road project he’s calling the PVD Corsair. The bike features a custom fork with a 3D-printed stainless steel crown and dropouts bonded to titanium fork legs, a bonded all-in-one bar-and-stem combo, and 2,583 grams of 3D-printed 316L stainless steel parts.
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Apidura is Hiring: Apidura, the bag makers, are looking to fill key roles at their London headquarters. Current positions include Sports Marketing & Community Manager, Technical Repair Specialist, and Product Developer. Details and application information are available on their website.
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Off Course 2.0 Survey: Melbourne, Australia’s beloved Off Course Bike Shop was destroyed by a fire in May. They’ve set up a temporary shop in a small warehouse and are seeking feedback to help shape their new shop. Customers are encouraged to participate in the survey to share their thoughts and preferences.
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Custom-painted Stumpjumper: Isaak Man recently showcased a completely custom-painted Stumpjumper, inspired by ’90s colors and graphics. The frame and fork have no decals, with all graphics achieved through masking and airbrushing. The project pays homage to the original Judy fork from 1995, reimagined on a modern Lyrik Ultimate.
Events Starting Soon
- 2026 Silk Road Mountain Race: The Silk Road Mountain Race is a bikepacking race through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. This year’s event