I'VE HAD THIS ITCH LATELY TO HOP
onto a bike loaded with camping gear
and ride way out there. Every time I
see bikepacking images, I envision
being on a ridgeline, far from every-
thing and everyone, watching the sunrise
as I pack up my campsite before setting out
for another amazing day on the bike. I know
I’m not alone in this desire. Most cyclists
I speak with love adventure, and most see
multiday bike trips as a romantic endeavor
they’d love to experience. But while “tour-
ing” bikes—the ones we picture crossing
the country on paved roads—have been
around longer than any of us have been
riding, more and more these days people are
looking to take their adventures off-road,
away from cars. It’s the biggest reason gravel
bikes are the hottest thing in the drop-bar
space right now.
With bigger tires and a greater emphasis
on comfort than a road racing–style bike,
a gravel bike can venture onto everything
from gravel and fire roads to single- and
doubletrack, all places you’re less likely to
see motorists. Add a few small frame bags,
and a gravel bike can take you away—not
just for an afternoon but also for multiday,
overnight adventures.
But to really get out there, far away from
cars, and to stay out there for a longer period
of time, you need something bigger and
more capable than a gravel bike. You need
a super-gravel bike (a.k.a. an adventure-
touring bike or bikepacking bike). MATT PHILLIPS | FROM: DURANGO, COLORADO (ORIGINALLY CONNECTICUT) | CREDENTIALS: I’VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME | GO-TO BIKE: MOSAIC RS-1 (ROAD), EVIL OFFERING (MOUNTAIN),
CERVÉLO ÁSPERO (GRAVEL) | FAVORITE PIECE OF GEAR: PERFECTLY TUNED SUSPENSION | HARDEST RIDE EVER: GET TING LOST IN ITALY ON THE WAY BACK TO MY HOTEL AFTER FINISHING A 110-MILE
GRAN FONDO | BEST RIDE EVER: MY FIRST OUTDOOR RIDE AFTER RECOVERING FROM A BROKEN TIBIA | SOUL ROUTE: ENGINEER MOUNTAIN TRAIL | CYCLING PHILOSOPHY: BICYCLES ARE AMAZINGTO GET WAAAY
OUT THERE—
LIKE, REALLY OUT
THERE—YOU NEED
A SUPER BIKE
2 MORE SUPER-
GRAVEL BIKES
FOR YOUR NEXT
ADVENTURE
CO-MOTION DIVIDE /$3,495
AND UP
Steel frame with options
that include clearance for
up to 2.25-inch tires and
an S&S coupler that lets
you split the bike in two
for easier travel.BOMBTRACK BEYOND 1
/$2,100
Columbus-steel frame,
lots of mounts, a 2x10
drivetrain (28/32 low gear),
and clearance for 2.1-inch
tires—this value-priced
super-gravel has it all.❯❯
A LIGHTWEIGHT
CARBON FRAME,
MASSIVE MUD
CLEARANCE, AND
MUCHO MOUNTS
MAKE THE SALSA
CUTTHROAT
THE ULTIMATE
ADVENTURE BIKE.Trevor^ Raab(Cutthroat,Phillips);^ Courtesy^Co- M
otion(Divide);^ Courtesy^Bombtrack^(Beyond^1)22 BICYCLING.COM • ISSUE 1 | 2020