Welcome to RECON where you will find all of our latest stories including gear reviews, ride recaps and industry news.
All are welcome to join us for these conversations around how the collective industries and communities who thrive on the outdoors are being impacted by the coronavirus, the surge in solitary outdoor activities, and perspectives on what may be ahead for us all beyond our front door in the days and months to come.Today, April 9, 2020, we have witnessed perhaps the biggest news for carbon wheel manufacturing in recent memory with ENVE launching the Foundation Collection. With three new wheelsets, the Utah-based ENVE hopes to get their most well-known products in the frames of more global consumers. With premium, made in the USA, road and mountain wheelsets typically costing well over $2000, the move could disrupt an already super competitive space.
Read MoreIn the five short years since its inception, GRINDURO! has become the rallying cry for a movement that is captivating cyclists of all types (road racers, urban fixed gear riders, mountain bike riders) across the world.
Read MoreLooking back on it, we never expected The Mid South to be one of the last races "for a while." This makes it all the more meaningful that Payson and Hannah were able to persevere through some of the toughest conditions ever served up by the roads of Stillwater Oklahoma and take the top step of the podium for pro men and women. We're proud of the efforts they made in the preparation and on race day, and celebrate their spirit of toughness as we hunker down and ride out the COVID-19 storm. We'll come back to racing as soon as we can, and until then we'll keep chronicling the adventures of team riders Payson McElveen, Hannah Finchamp, Kye Cordes, and Dennis Van Winden as they navigate the strange new landscape of training for an uncertain season during social isolation.
Read MoreAlighting the Sleeper Train at the highest, remotest station on the West Highland Line, a group of cyclists head off on an opportunistic wintry journey to ride the old-established network of gravel drove roads, only to find themselves bogged-down exploring the alluring voids in between.
Read MoreIn this episode, we connect with Pete Stetina about transitioning into gravel racing from the World Tour Road Racing scene. Pete won Belgian Waffle Ride last year and it was a sort of switch for him that this could be a real possibility for him. One that brought him back to his roots of why he rides his bike and what motivates him to get out every day.
Read MoreInspired by the mud-laden conditions often observed at The Mid South gravel race in Stillwater, OK, Salsa Cycles has introduced the Stormchaser, an aluminum frame / carbon fork single speed gravel bike designed to withstand the worst conditions imaginable. Starting from the aluminum Warbird as a point of reference Salsa Engineers gave the Stormchaser a slacker head tube angle and longer wheelbase centers rider weight for more stability.
Read MoreEaston Cycling is has announced its 2020 Overland gravel race team. With an expanded roster for the new year, a few new faces will join an impressive lineup of race-winning athletes including Amity Rockwell.
Read MoreThe Salsa Cutthroat can largely be considered the default drop-bar bikepacking bike for several years running. With the 2020 Cutthroat model once again fitting squarely on the 'bikepacking' side of the gravel spectrum. Check out the Cutthroat and learn more about its design and features an interview with Salsa Cycles from The Gravel Ride Podcast.
Read MoreIn the first episode of Frontiers World Tour rider Ian Boswell announces his retirement from road cycling and his shift in focus to gravel racing. Ian has set his route to all things adventure. with his sights set on racing Belgian Waffle Ride, Dirty Kanza, Steamboat Springs Gravel, Rooted Vermont, Peacham Fall Fondo, and Oregon Gravel Grinder.
Read MoreThe Chamois Hagar defies classification and exudes stoke, taking what we knew gravel to be, and redefining it. 700 x 50c tire clearance, 430mm chainstays, a 66.67-degree headtube angle, 80mm of BB drop, real reach and wheelbase measurements, and a mind-numbing array of customizable configurations.
Read MorePeter Vollers and the crew over at The Vermont Overland just launched their short film from The Overland 2019. Looks like a great time in the Green Mountain State! Registration for the 2020 Overland opens on January 1st at 10am EST.
Read MoreUltra-endurance bike rider and racer Lael Wilcox and 2019 FKT attempt on The Tour Divide Gravel Race. Even if you don’t follow this bike race across the Great Divide, a 2750 mile route with 200,000 ft of elevation, this is a great video that captures the experience and controversies around this year’s event.
Read MoreA fantastic presentation all around, this Tire Ted Talk goes super deep into all things tires. Moderated by tire fetichist Ultra Ronnie Romance, and joined by industry pros from Schwalbe and WTB, this panel talk was recorded at the Philly Bike Expo. Learn all about carcass thread density, casing, puncture protection, tire pressures, the new Ultradynamico tire brand, and how to support drugs in cycling.
Read MoreAmity Rockwell is a pretty special human being, and knows her way around a cup of coffee as much as a long gravel climb. Check out the latest Rollout video from Easton Cycling, which takes a closer look inside Amity’s head.
Read MoreAfter a fantastic season opener win at the Landrun 100, Payson McElveen decided to tackle one of the most iconic records in American cycling: the White Rim Trail.
Read MoreNeil Shirley and the ENVE crew decided to find out what riding Kona Hawaii has to offer and set out to explore the best pavement and dirt on the island.
Read MoreThe latest instalment of EF Gone Racing's tour of alternative races around the world sees Lachlan Morton land in Yorkshire. An iconic race on the British cycling calendar, the Three Peaks Cyclocross event has drawn hundreds to the Dales for more than 50 years. But are these runners and riders, runners or riders? Tune in to find out how Morton fared on foot and in the saddle.
Read MoreA race? A ride? Whatever. Grinduro is an event for anyone who likes to have a good time around two wheels. This year was no exception as the weather rolled in for a monumental day on the bike - and a most excellent party off the bike.
Read MoreIt seems like some of our favorite products and designs often come from relatively small brands, creating from a place of passion rather than the result of a marketing strategy. This is certainly the case with the latest collaboration bike from OPEN. This time, delivering a beautiful limited edition Winding Detours adventure bike based on artwork from the newly released ‘Detour Kollection’ by Ass Savers.
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