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Rockgeist Microwave Panniers Now in Ultra PE 200 ALUULA Fabric

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Rockgeist Microwave Panniers Now in Ultra PE 200 ALUULA Fabric

Rockgeist went right to work this year with an update to the original Porcelain Rocket-designed Microwave Panniers. Being a brand that’s focused on always producing the best possible, water-proof products, Rockgeist has now began making its Microwave Pannier drybags welded with an Ultra PE Fabric from ALUULA. The North Carolina-based maker upped the ante by including a Ultra 200 face for the holster bags themselve. This drops weight and adds a significant bump in abrasion resistance to this already bomber setup.

You can find these linked from the Rockgeist homepage in the drop down menu for the fabric selection. Retail is $335 for these upgraded bags.

Kyrgyzstan Won: The (Uncompleted) Bishkek Spectacular

Reportage By: Belén Castelló & Tristan Bogaard

Kyrgyzstan Won: The (Uncompleted) Bishkek Spectacular

On their fourth trip to Kyrgyzstan, Belén Castello and Tristan Bogaard return for Tristan to ride the 2023 Silk Road Mountain Race. But with a few days on their hands before the start, they decide to blaze a new 250-mile route that circumnavigates the Ala-Too, from the capital of Bishkek. With hopeful hearts and full panniers, they start their ride by setting out over Kegeti Pass (12,401′). After surmounting the pass, tragedy strikes as Tristan falls ill. Things aren’t always sunsets and tailwinds on bike tours, so come take a journey through accepting defeat in the beautiful mountains and valleys of Kyrgyzstan.

San Util Mini and Light Weight Panniers Review

Radar By: john watson

San Util Mini and Light Weight Panniers Review

Modern ultralight/minimal panniers are worlds apart from what we were using 15 years ago. They’re simple, have no complicated hardware, require no tools for adjustment, and are completely rattle-free. John worked with Colorado bag maker San Util Design on designing these in-stock Mini Panniers ($125 each) for his Ritchey restoration project and has a full breakdown review comparing the Mini Panniers to the normal-sized custom-order Light Weight Panniers ($140 each) below. 

John’s Restoration of a 1983 Ritchey Everest With a “Touring Package”

Reportage By: john watson

John’s Restoration of a 1983 Ritchey Everest With a “Touring Package”

Forever tinkering with his bikes, John recently wrapped up a complete restoration of the 1983 Ritchey Everest that we looked at last year. Remember? The gray one? The bike appeared to have been subjected to a sloppy respray at some point in the early 2000s, and John wanted to restore the bike to its formal glory. 

He pinged Rick at D&D, the guy who has painted more Ritchey frames than perhaps anyone, to respray the Everest in Imron Bright Gold paint with the uber-rare Palo Alto Ritchey decals to finish the look. The Everest also had a “touring package” added when Tom built the frame in 1983. Since John acquired it, the Everest has always felt a bit naked without the proper racks…

We know John’s posted a lot of vintage projects over the past few years, but this might be the best yet! Let’s check it out below…

Deadfall, Cow Sh*t, and Monsoons: A Well Used Revelate Nano Panniers Review

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Deadfall, Cow Sh*t, and Monsoons: A Well Used Revelate Nano Panniers Review

In a world where traditional bicycle touring setups are seemingly overtaking strap-on bikepacking bags, micro or mini panniers make a lot of sense. If you have a rear or front rack, why not run a pannier over a lashed, structureless bag? Panniers are great for many reasons, mainly their ease of loading and stability. They don’t flop all over or rub your tires on smaller frames like bikepacking bags tend to, and if they’re packed and mounted right, they stay out of your way during the inevitable hike-a-bike. Plus, depending on how you load your rear rack, you can still use a dropper post. 

John recently took the new Revelate Nano Panniers ($250/pair) out on the Northern New Mexico CDT for four days of navigating deadfall, battling cow shit, and being trounced by Southwestern Monsoons, i.e., the true test of a pannier’s reliability!

Read on for his well-used review!

An Ode to Bicycle Touring: A Look at Buckhorn Bags’ New Made in New Mexico Waxed Panniers

Reportage By: john watson

An Ode to Bicycle Touring: A Look at Buckhorn Bags’ New Made in New Mexico Waxed Panniers

When I first fell in love with bicycle touring, I used panniers, mounted on a front low-rider rack, on a mid-low trail bike. We used to ride from New York to Philly with similar kits in 2008 or so, actually using newly-released Revelate saddle packs in conjunction with traditional “touring” garb. In the following years, makers were starting to move towards more customized bicycle bags, leaning away from Berthoud, Ortlieb, and the mix of classic, timeless, and staple brands.

There are so many idiosyncratic ways to camp by bicycle and these days, I feel like the soul of bicycle touring, vis a vis Adventure Cycling’s Bikecentennial in the summer of ’76 and even the 1983 Pearl Pass tour (complete with MTBs equipped with racks and panniers), still exists and is cherished by many, myself included. Many brands have since picked up this torch to carry on similar vibes. Brands like Swift Industries, whose image feels as timeless as the Bikecentennial, began launching their first randonneuring and touring bags at the 2012 Philly Bike Expo where I had the pleasure to meet Jason and Martina.

Here in New Mexico, we’ve got a few bag makers, one of which is Buckhorn Bags that just released its own pannier design, in line with the tourers of yesteryear. Let’s wax poetic about some waxed canvas vibes below!

Tailfin’s New Mini Panniers

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Tailfin’s New Mini Panniers

Tailfin, makers of ultralight carbon and aluminum bike racks, just announced their new Mini Panniers, which work with both their racks and other third-party racks. These new roll-top panniers are long and slender, in a 5L ($85) and 10L ($110) size, and feature a new X Clamp aluminum mechanism designed to bring the ultimate clamping power. These panniers are shipping August 24th, so head on over to Tailfin to see more information…

North St. Bags: 21L Macro Panniers

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North St. Bags: 21L Macro Panniers

Portland-based North St. Bags have an extensive pannier model lineup and within it are these 21L Macro Panniers. These bags are made from recycled EcoPak. This lightweight, ultra-durable, waterproof outer layer is crafted from recycled plastic bottles turned woven polyester by heritage sailmaker Challenge Sailcloth. Our EcoPak bags are available in 6 vibrant colors, VOC free, and come with a big reduction in carbon footprint over traditional manufacturing methods.

Looking for something a little smaller? Check out the 14L Micro Pannier!

See the entire pannier line at North St. Bags.

The Swift X Kona Rove ST Touring Bike

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The Swift X Kona Rove ST Touring Bike

With only 201 models in circulation, this Swift Industries x Kona Rove ST is a very limited edition project. Built for touring, the Rove ST comes with a limited edition headbadge, Tubus Tara Big Apple front Lowrider rack, fenders with mudflaps, limited edition Swift Industries bags, and Shimano’s GRX 600/800 group. If you’re in the Seattle area, you can rent this bike from Swift Adventure Co. Check out more photos below and all the details at Kona.

Peak Design Peak Design
Yeti Yeti
Thomson Bike Thomson Bike
Tern Tern
Peak Design Peak Design
Leatt Leatt
Paul Paul
RiG'd Supply RiG'd Supply
State Bicycle Co. State Bicycle Co.
Rivendell Rivendell
SimWorks SimWorks
Industry Nine Industry Nine