A staple among cyclo-tourists and commuters, Ortlieb’s products are famous for their durability and functionality. While the storied German brand might not be the first marque that comes to mind for bikepacking or gravel touring, the Ortlieb Gravel-Pack panniers ($180 MSRP) deliver added storage for the times when frame packs and handlebar rolls come up short on capacity.
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If you were a bike nerd in the 90s, you probably remember Spinergy’s iconic Rev-X wheels. With their eight carbon spokes, the futuristic-looking hoops were all the rage in the pro peloton and domestic race scene. And while the Rev-X is no more, Spinergy’s current offerings are anything but low tech. Utilizing the company’s patented PBO composite spokes, Spinergy wheels are available for practically every discipline, including four gravel models. So when the California-based company asked if I’d like to test their new 650B GX gravel wheelset ($599 MSRP), I simply couldn’t say no.
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Founded by a team of avid riders working in the bicycle industry, newcomer Marque Cycling offers a practical selection of accessories, tools, and bar tape and grips. By working closely with the same factories that produce goods for the big brands, Marque can offer reliable products at affordable prices. We recently tested three of the company’s tools, putting them through the wringer in the workshop and on the trail.
The article you’re currently reading didn’t start out as a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS review. Nope, far from it. My original plan was to test a complete bicycle equipped with SRAM’s new SRAM Force eTap AXS™ components. Rather than using an unfamiliar bike as my test rig, the folks at SRAM suggested a different approach: send them a rolling chassis–in this case, a Breezer Radar Pro frameset, PUB Gravel 734 carbon wheels–and their tech wizards would build up the bike with a Force eTap AXS group. Like many plans, though, that would change.
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If you’re not familiar with Tunitas Carryall, that’s OK. I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that I stumbled upon the brand a few months ago during a marathon Instagram session. Boasting clean lines and distinctive color palettes, the San Francisco-based company’s basket bags immediately caught my eye. A few emails and a couple of weeks later, a fresh Tunitas Carryall Basket Bag arrived at GRAVELBIKE for review.
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