This week’s Debrief features the new Veloci Bongo Jungle, LNT gear, a question about whether titanium cranks should exist, Crust Fazed Out Bars, several fresh videos, events to follow live, and more. Find it all here…
The weekly Debrief highlights small but important bits of news, products, and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. These include upcoming events and interesting items our readers shared in the comments. Check out this week’s findings below.
Bits & Bobs
New products that are worth highlighting but didn’t make the Dispatch…
Veloci Bongo Jungle
$750 at Veloci
Available in four sizes and with or without a matching rigid steel fork, the Bongo Jungle is a new hardtail that Veloci calls a “blank canvas, ready to go in whatever direction your imagination takes it.” It features a seamless, heat-treated, multi-butted chromoly frame with a 73-degree seat angle and a 67.5-degree head angle, paired with a longer reach and an extended wheelbase for confident cruising over any terrain, plus tons of mounts for bottles, cages, and racks.
Karl Millett x Mishigami Challenge Tee
$40 at Midwest Ultra Cycling
UK-based illustrator Karl Millett, who we featured in an installment of Rider’s Lens, has partnered up with Midwest Ultra Cycling for a special edition T-shirt that highlights the massive, 1,000+ mile route. It’s a unique and fun design for an up-and-coming bikepacking race.
Garage Grown Gear LNT Gear
$0.35+ at Garage Grown Gear
Our friends at Garage Grown Gear’s latest email included a nice reminder of the Leave No Trace principles, along with a new category of gear that can help folks travel in the backcountry without a trace. Find that above, and be sure to check out our Leave No Trace for Bikepackers, which we originally published way back in 2015 and have since evolved.
Otso’s Mythology Collection
$35+ at Otso Cycles
Otso dropped some new apparel earlier this week. Pulling from their animal-centric imagery, the Mythology collection features some nice illustrations of their bear logo on some new hats, hoodies, and T-shirts.
Crust Fazed Out Bars
Made in Taiwan / $123 at Crust Bikes
Crust has released a new set of drop bars, though “new” is a little generous. Simply a remake of their Towel Rack bars but with a 31.8mm clamp, the Fazed Out bars also borrow the extra-long drops from one of their other 31.8mm offerings, the Nullabars. Available in both silver and black, the Fazed Out bars are made of aluminum and come in widths ranging between 560 and 660mm.
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…
Do we really need Titanium Cranks?
It’s fair to say that, between Lucas’s 10 Things I’m Not Buying in 2026 feature and a first look at one very expensive titanium crankset, we’ve got quite the dichotomy of content on the site this week. As it happens, the question of whether titanium cranks should even exist came up in our Slack channel. I (Logan) love my eeWings, and as I voiced in the recent What I’d Do Differently (if I Didn’t Work in the Bike Industry) feature, I may not buy a titanium frame, but think it’s a worthy metal for other components, including cranks. In my eyes, eeWings are a lifelong investment that perform well, stand up to time and abuse, and look great. On the other side, Neil mentioned that he thinks, and I quote, “Ti cranks are dumb.” So, what do you think, should titanium cranks exist? Let us know in the comments below.
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
The Spirit of Gravel
As human activities deface this planet, Alexis Cartier has been looking for ways to ride his bike more responsibly. In 2025, he linked nine of the biggest races in North America by bike rather than by flying or driving. The Spirit of Gravel explains the motivations behind his 15,000-kilometer, seven-month bikepacking trip across the continent, divided into six principles.
What a Difference a Day Makes
The vibes are just right in this video from Hands Bicycle Club, which documents a day off on the bikes with friends and serves as an easygoing 10-minute reminder of what it’s really all about. Watch it above.
Mathieu van der Poel: This is Home
Although the professional racing scene is beyond the scope of what we cover here on the site, it’s hard not to admire Mathieu van der Poel. Shimano’s latest video above shares an inside look at his family, foundations, and philosophy.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
Gravel del Fuego
Held at the southernmost edge of the planet, Gravel del Fuego has earned its title as the world’s southernmost ultra-cycling race, challenging the boldest cyclists to ride far beyond the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields. There are routes ranging from 170 to 1,000 kilometers, and just 24 riders are participating. Follow along live here starting tomorrow morning.
Norfolk 360
Norfolk 360 is a hybrid cycling event where participants ride both road and off-road segments that lead to some of Norfolk’s most iconic sights. Cycling from coast to castles, riders will travel from Thetford Forest to the North Norfolk Coast, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way. Follow along via Instagram for updates.
Race Across South Africa
The Race Across South Africa is an unforgettable bike adventure that takes riders to remote parts of the country, where they will experience the country’s true splendor and the warm hospitality of its people. The event kicks off on Monday, and you can keep an eye on it via their Instagram feed.
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, an open house featuring some great Bay Area people and brands and a Sea Otter bikepacking campout and afterparty…
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