Tag: Review

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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Long before gravel officially became a thing, Muc-Off hit the market in 1994 with their first product–the company’s original pink cleaner. Since then, Muc-Off’s offerings have grown to include chain lubes, detailing products, and even skin care items such as chamois cream and massage oil. And while more choices are definitely a good thing when it comes to bike care, it can be a little overwhelming when there are so many products to choose from. But whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to bike care and maintenance, the Muc-Off 8 in 1 Bicycle Cleaning Kit takes the guesswork out of keeping your ride looking showroom clean.

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For many years cyclists relied on high-viz clothing to grab motorists’ attention. Now, more and more riders are supplementing their neon apparel with lights to improve visibility for both night and day use. Even when daylight is plentiful, it’s not unusual to see cyclists along Colorado’s Front Range sporting high-powered front and rear lights on the sunniest of days. But what about side visibility? While some head and tail lights do provide extended coverage, Blackburn Design has upped the ante with their dedicated 360-degree-visible Grid Side Beacon light set.

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Since launching the GRAVELBIKE site in 2011, my track record for predicting whether I’ll like a product that’s under test has been pretty reliable. Sometimes, though, my intuition is way off base. Looking at the specs for Elite’s Rocko Carbon bottle cage, I figured the slender, 27-gram model would be more at home on a skinny-tired road bike rather than my gravel bike or plus-size MTB. But after several months’ testing, I’m happy to report that my spidey senses were indeed wrong when it came to the Rocko’s suitability for dirt and gravel riding.

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