Radar Roundup: Reynolds Finds Steel is Real(er) for Co2, 7 Roads Racks, Quick-Rack, ENVE Dropper in Stock, Outbound Lighting, Vermont Super 8, and Loam and Gravel Society Ep 2

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Reynolds Environmental Impact Study

Curious what steel tubing manufacturer Reynolds found when it did its Environmental Impact Study? Well, roll on over to Reynolds to read the report. TL;DR, steel produces less Co2 than titanium and stainless. Check out the full report at Reynolds.

7Roads Front Rack €83

7Roads is a Ukrainian bagmaker that recently announced its new front rack design. This demi-porteur rack weighs 610 grams and is rated for a 8-10 kg load. The rack has adjustable legs, light mounts, and comes in a black powercoat. Like all porteur racks, it’s recommended to run a strap around the hoop to the bars in case of rack failure. Roll over to 7Roads to check it out.

Ortlieb’s Quick Rack and Quick Rack Light Transforms Any Bike to a Touring Bike €49.46/€56.53

While bikepacking bags make it easy to tour on any bike, there’s something to be noted about the wear-n-tear a frame endures by rack-less bags. We’re of the mindset that racks will become more popular in the coming years and that the floppy, structureless bikepacking bags will take a back seat to racks, rigid bags, and panniers. With Ortlieb’s Quick Rack (580 g) and new Quick Rack Light (440 g), it’s easy to turn your rigid MTB or commuter bike into a touring bike with this easy rack system. Suitable for 26” and 27.5” wheels (limited suitability for 29” wheels – up to max. 2.35” tire width), the Quick Rack system attaches to the seat tube or seat post in 15 seconds, and can carry up to 44 pounds of gear. Check out more information for the Quick Rack and Quick Rack Light at Ortlieb.

ENVE’s Gravel Dropper is in Stock $325

Built for the lightweight modern gravel bike, the G Series Dropper Seatpost features 40mm of drop to deliver the confidence that a lower center of gravity provides on descents of any kind. The inverted design sheds mud and allows for your excess length to be trimmed off for additional weight savings. Lower to the ground gets you closer to gravel nirvana.

Specs:

40mm of drop
395g, with up to 50g in cuttable weight savings
Mechanically actuated
Compatible with most cable-actuated dropper post remote levers
27.2mm Diameter
Includes shims for 30.9mm and 31.6mm
Fully Serviceable
Bike packing, saddle bag friendly

In stock through your local dealer or at ENVE.

Outbound Lighting Introduces Wireless Bike Lights – Evo Downhill Package $365

Like it or not, the days are getting shorter, and winter riding is on the way, so you better have good riding lights. Outbound Lighting just announced its line of bike lights, suitable for road or mountain, in bar or helmet mounted configurations.

This particular setup looks key: Trail Evo on the handlebars for that up-close and mid-range fill light, Hangover on your bike helmet that gives a wide but punchy light throw that with their powers combined, creates the Evo Downhill Package.

More importantly? No wires. No one wants that for their bike lights; let’s be real.

Engineered & assembled in Chicago, IL!

The Evo Downhill Package Includes:

Trail Evo bike light for the handlebar with a quick release mount
Hangover for bike helmet, with a GoPro mount installed
Customized USB-C to USB-A charging cables

See more at Outbound Lighting.

Better Together: A Vermont Super 8 Story

In September 2021, Dean Liebau and his wife Ashley set out to attempt the Vermont Super 8 north lobe; a bikepacking race through some of Vermont’s most beautiful but roughest terrain. As the only couple, they was asked to document our experience. Here is that footage.