Stuckylife takes to the roads and trails surrounding Victoria BC in this year’s “don’t call it Groad” ride.
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Porcelain Rocket Redesigns the Nigel Handlebar Bag
Porcelain Rocket has redesigned the Nigel Handlebar Bag. This redesign aims to distill the design elements that made the original Nigel unique and practical, into a much simpler, sleeker package. The new Nigel is smaller, which will allow for use on a larger variety of bikes. However, at 4.5L, it is still larger than typical burrito-style bar bags. Its wide opening and one-handed bungee closure make for extremely easy access on the bike.
The whole thing has been made much sturdier, with Voilé Nano Straps main straps, a semi-rigid back plate, and a removable EVA foam “bed liner” in the base. Also included are die-cut foam spacers, so that people can space the bag out for clearance for their hands on the tops, or for cables/hoses.
By paring down the design Porcelain Rocket is now able to sell the Nigel for $150CAD / US$115. They’re in stock now at Porcelain Rocket.
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Porcelain Rocket: New Microwave Panniers
Panniers can be an interesting pickle for bag designers. With so many racks out on the market, being flexible in terms of mounting is of the utmost importance. With their new Microwave Panniers, they have solved that problem, creating a cradle pannier which holds onto individual dry bags. The system itself is secure, adaptable, modular, and practical, as all panniers should be. Check out their mounting instructions, and rack fitment for answers to your questions before heading to Porcelain Rocket to check them out!
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Outskirts II: The Big Land
In part two of the Outskirts series, four riders travel to Canada’s northeastern province of Labrador to traverse the Trans-Labrador Highway, one of the most remote and isolated highways in the world.
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Riding Rock Rolls and Waterfalls in Québec City
IFHT spent a week in Quebec riding everything from the bike park at Mont-Sainte-Anne to the backcountry singletrack in Valée-Bras-du-Nord.
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Landyachtz’s Reform Saddle
A carbon and leather saddle, made in Canada, with revolutionary construction techniques, available in various widths and comes in both brown or black? Sign me up! See more information on the new Reform Saddle at their website.
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Biketown
I love seeing videos like this!
“Biketown is a celebration of cycling in Victoria, BC. A parody of Downtown by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Biketown features the people and places that make Victoria the cycling capital of Canada.”
Read more at CBC.
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Mike Zinger of Farsik Supply
Here’s another video from Sigma’s cine lens campaign, featuring Mike Zinger of Farsik Supply!
Reportage
Bikepacking British Columbia’s Chilcotin Range – Gabe Tiller
Bikepacking British Columbia’s Chilcotin Range
Photos and words by Gabe Tiller
I merely whetted my appetite for the Chilcotins last year. It was a fun, albeit short trip. It was challenging in its own right, but really gave me an appreciation for Canada’s mountain ranges and how, errrr, ‘fun’ it is to drag your mountain bike through them. Regardless, in recent years the Chilcotins have become quite popular. They’re one of the few Provincial Parks to allow mountain biking and one of the few places to ride alpine terrain.
I mean: push your bike through alpine terrain. Scott from Porcelain Rocket once told me “The Chilcotins are a perfect place for a singlespeed. You’re either pushing your bike, or grabbing handfuls of brake lever. There’s very little pedaling to be had.” And he’s right. Regardless, the payoff is worth it. Once you push your bike—or more frequently the case—lift and hoist and scramble your bike to the top of a pass you’re rewarded with hordes of giant vicious biting horse flies.
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Keeping Cool in the Summer
When I saw Scott from Porcelain Rocket selling these buffalo plaid (Canadian Camo) roll top shred packs on his Instagram, I had to buy one for Morgan, knowing he’d be making his way from Canada down to Los Angeles this summer. So… what’s he do with it the first day? Buys a gallon of ice cream.
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Porcelain Rocket’s Mr Fusion V2
Here I was thinking the Mr Fusion was as good as it gets. Like all great minds, Scott at Porcelain Rocket wasn’t satisfied with V1, wanting to make he and Rick Hunter’s collaboration project even better.
Mr. Fusion V2 is the evolution of the Porcelain Rocket bag system. It uses the same support rack design, is 100% waterproof, and with the snap of one buckle, it’s insanely easy to load or unload. The included RF-welded Porcelain Rocket drybag has a 5–13L capacity, just roll it as your crap seems fit.
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Solo
Sometimes things are lovely, until they’re not…
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Le Domestique
What is Le Domestique? Watch this video to find out and check out a nice post that Rapha published on their blog.
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YNOT’s Magnetic Series
YNOT have been working on new bags with new hardware and have an IndieGoGo Campaign to help get things moving. Head on over to check it out.
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SOLD OUT: Porcelain Rocket and the Radavist MultiKOM Charlene Seat Packs
If Froome and Porte decided to take on a bit of soul riding, they might don these new collaboration Charlene seat packs. Whether you’re actually trying to KOM hard climbs, or just want to take on the Mountains of Madness within, these MultiKOM packs will inspire both heckling from friends as well as personal badassery. Made in Canada by Porcelain Rocket, printed on licensed MultiCam fabric and the perfect size for everything from commuting to road riding to light bikepacking trips.
Oh and Happy Bastille day!
Limited Edition of 21 only for 21 stages of the Tour. Each bag is $150 USD and costs $5 for shipping to the USA and $10 International.
See more information and pick one up below SORRY, SOLD OUT.
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What is Porcelain Rocket Up To?
White MultiKOM? What’s this? You’ll have to pester Scott on Instagram to find out!
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Porcelain Rocket’s DSLR Slingers
Scott from Porcelain Rocket launched a small run of DSLR Slingers on his site yesterday. These on-the-go camera bags allow you to drop in a mid-sized DSLR, rangefinder or Micro 4/3s camera, and simply pull them out to get the shot. There’s no need to stop and open a backpack or a handlebar bag.
While they’re not big enough for a pro DSLR with a battery grip, they fit a 5Dmkiii and a smallish lens. I fit a 5Dmkiii in mine with a 24-70 mkii lens but it felt a lot better on the bike with my Mamiya 7ii, Leica M7 or my little Fuji x100t. Remember, you’re putting weight on one side of the bike and they tend to hit your knees while climbing, so the smaller the camera, the better in my opinion.
The DSLR Slingers are in stock now at Porcelain Rocket for $150.
Radar
Is it Worth it? Kitsbow’s Alpha Snap Jacket
While doing reviews of higher pricepoint products like the Kitsbow Alpha Snap Jacket, I’ve found it’s best to set the expectations in the opening paragraph, so here I am, setting those expectations. Now, this jacket is close to $400. It’s made in Canada, from Polartec® Alpha® insulation, a fabric used by the military for years. Read that as very expensive fabric please. This review’s intent is to answer if indeed, the Alpha Snap Jacket is worth the pricepoint, addressing anyone who might be considering the purchase, yet want more information.
I’m not trying to sell every single reader of this site a $400 jacket, I’m simply showcasing some details and thoughts of said jacket to help anyone who has considered buying it. If you want to read on, please do, if this jacket isn’t for you, no worries, no harm done.