Not so long ago, being a cycling enthusiast meant that your bike absolutely had to be equipped with clipless pedals. Whether you rode pavement, dirt, or gravel, those clipless pedals (and shoes) were a sign that you had made the transition from newbie to serious cyclist. But then, a few years ago, flat pedals began to enjoy a resurgence in popularity. Riders of all disciplines rediscovered the benefits–and freedom–of flat pedals.
Before hydration packs became the preferred method of carrying water and supplies, bikes had fittings for attaching water bottles. While bottle cages worked well on traditional diamond frames, cages became less practical as bicycle designs evolved over the years. When bikepacking and adventure riding became more popular, bottle cage fittings began reappearing on frames and even forks. Cool, right? Yup, until you wanted to use a frame bag and a bottle cage, or your frame was too small for high-capacity bottles. Thanks to Wolf Tooth Components’ B-RAD Double Bottle Adapter, you can satisfy your hydration and storage desires without resorting to hose clamps and duct tape.
Continue Reading “First Impressions: Wolf Tooth B-RAD Double Bottle Adapter”
“All about that personality crisis, you got it while it was hot” — New York Dolls
Who would have thought that a line from a 45-year-old song by a bunch of gender-bending glam rockers would so eloquently capture the state of gravel and adventure bikes in 2018? Gravel–and now, adventure–bikes have historically been difficult to define. Only a few short years ago, many gravel bikes were simply re-badged cyclocross rigs fitted with marginally wider tires and lower gears. While some companies did take chances and design their gravel/adventure bikes from the tires up, many were merely derivatives of someone else’s opinion of what a gravel bike was supposed to look like. Continue Reading “2018 Sea Otter Classic — The State of Gravel”