landyachtz ab st review

2022 Landyachtz Bikes AB-st Frame & Fork L

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AB-st – Gold – Complete – Apex HRD

AB-st - SRAM Apex HRD

FRAME Select 4130 chromoly FORK Landyachtz ADV fork with triple mounts for all your accessories

Handlebar Ritchey Beacon Comp Stem Ritchey Comp Seat post Ritchey Comp Saddle WTB SL8

Rims WTB KOM lite i30 Hubs Novatec SL Team Tires WTB Nano 29 x 2.1”

Derailleur Sram Apex1 11speed Cranks RaceFace Ride Shifters Sram Apex1 Brakes Sram Apex1 HRD

Designed to take on whatever terrain you throw at, be it your daily commute, exploring your local trails, or camping in the bush the AB-st is up for the task. Built with 4130 LY Select Chromoly Steel and our carbon ADV fork, The AB-st offers a stable, confident, yet playful feel. The frameset, front forks and the top tube are well equipped with mounting options, allowing you to attach all the accessories you need and where you want them.  With clearance for up to 29×2.25” tires and a long wheelbase, this bike is designed with bikepacking and getting RAD in mind.

KEY FEATURES

4130 LY Select Chromoly Steel Frame with Internal Routing Carbon Adventure Fork with Internal Routing Front Fork Rake Adjustable to 47mm or 52mm Thru Axels Front and Rear (12×100 F, 12×142 R) Available Sizing – S, M, L, XL

SRAM’s Apex® 1 drivetrain provides the gear range and the shifting simplicity to let you simply go where you want. The Apex 1 rear derailleur makes that gearing choice a reality with clean, crisp shifts, thanks to SRAM’s X-HORIZON™ geometry and our ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH™.

SRAM APEX1 HRD CONTROLS

The secret to great fun on any ride is confident and secure braking. Letting it rip where you want, knowing that you can stop when you want. Enter the Apex 1 HRD shift-brake controls. Using our proven HydroR braking system, Apex 1 delivers quiet confidence on every ride. Mated to our HydroR brake lever is our DoubleTap® 11-speed shift lever, built to provide accurate shifting that you can rely on no matter where you ride.

SRAM PG 1130 CASSETTE

No matter what kind of 11-speed drivetrain you have the PG-1130 will provide you with smooth, consistent shift performance. Featuring SRAM PowerGlide™ II shift technology.

RACE FACE RIDE & EASTON CRANKSET

With the Ride Crankset you get a rock-solid construction and user-friendly versatility that lets you get out and ride, as hard and as often, as you want.

SRAM APEX1 FLATMOUNT BRAKES

The secret to great fun on any ride is confident and secure braking. The Apex 1 HRD delivers quiet confidence on every ride.

WTB NANO 29×2.1” TIRES  

Nano combines an iconic tread pattern to create a well-rounded tire designed to go the distance. The raised centerline tread minimizes rolling resistance on hardpack while outer knobs are given the space to dig independently.

RITCHEY COMP BEACON

Ideal for adventure touring and bikepacking, on asphalt or gravel trails – comfort with a tonne of control.

– Double-butted 6061 alloy – Drop: 80mm. – Reach: 65mm – Drop Flare: 36° @ Flare out 6° – Backsweep: 4.5°

WTB SILVERADO SADDLE

The Silverado is one of WTB’s most iconic and revered saddle shapes. Lightweight and slim, the design oozes speed while proving to be incredibly comfortable.

All orders are shipped from our Head Quarters in British Columbia, Canada.  P.O. Boxes are not accepted. Please use only English characters in the cart and checkout.

USA & CANADA: Flat rate shipping fee of $60 for bikes and accessory shipping is based on actual rates.  USA based customers are responsible for any local taxes, duties and customs clearance fees on their order.

INTERNATIONAL: If you’re outside of North America please reach out to us to arrange shipping. To do so please contact us  HERE 

DELIVERY TIMES: Before we ship out any bike we assemble it to perform a thorough QC process before preparing it for transport.  There is a small amount of assembly required by the customer to get the bike on the road, this is done to reduce your shipping costs and to arrive undamaged.

At Landyachtz Bikes we have always aimed to improve the quality of the ride you ride and we strongly believe in the bikes we make. You can rest assured knowing that, in the rare case of defect, our bikes come with a 1 year warranty.  Components are supported by the manufacturer from which we are supplied.

The more we know, the easier it is to help your claim!  There you can provide all of the necessary information and images we require to assess your warranty claim. Before completing the form please ensure you have photos that show the full bike as well as detailed pictures of the affected area.

Please allow us 5-7 business days for us to asses your warranty claim and get in contact with you. We will do our best to make sure you’re back on a quality bike as soon as possible.

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Flex Ratings

We’ve categorized the stiffness of our boards into 3 main groups, listed below.  The general rule is the faster you’re skating, the stiffer the deck, but this is not universal.

Flexy – Soft and supple flex profile best suited for carving and cruising on longer boards. The bouncy nature of these decks lets you turn deeper and surf your surrounds.

Medium – The do it all of our boards, a perfect balance of stability and carve. 

Stiff – From cruisers to downhill boards a stiff flex profile excels in stability and responsiveness.  Whether you’re dipping into driveways or bombing a mountain pass you’ll be down with the stiffness.

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Landyachtz AB1 Review: One for the road

By Miles Arbour

Associate Editor & Events Manager

1,872 Posts

Earlier this year, British Columbia-based Landyachtz Bikes released the AB1 (Adventure Bike 1), positioned as a versatile and capable drop bar rig with a mid-point price tag. Miles spent time exploring the gravel roads on the west coast to find out what it does best. Find his review here, plus a deep dive into the geometry of several other comparable alloy gravel bikes…

PUBLISHED Dec 2, 2020

There are so many of gravel bikes to choose from these days. I can only imagine that the increasing number of price points, models, and geometries makes it very challenging for potential buyers to hone in on a shortlist of candidates. To confuse things further, brands have gotten into the habit of using mountain bike terminology and feeding unrealistic expectations for what a gravel bike can do. This may be true for a small number of them, but it’s a stretch for the rest. The point I’m trying to make is that with so many options, gravel bikes can fall into several different categories, and it’s worth digging into geometry charts to figure out exactly what’s what.

Earlier this year, Vancouver, BC-based Landyachtz Bikes released their premier gravel bike, the AB1 (Adventure Bike). It’s based around an aluminum frame, carbon fork, a 650b wheelset, and is offered in a single well-rounded build kit. Landyachtz labels it as their “do-everything” bike, ideal for your “daily commute, exploring your local trails or a fully loaded bikepacking expedition.” The frame features a nice selection of mounting options, reasonable tire clearance, and a crowd-pleasing threaded bottom bracket. Coming from a brand that’s better known for their single speed city bikes and skateboards, the AB1 looks like a solid gravel realm contender. But did they get it right? To find out, I spent about a month riding one while getting to know my new backyard on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.

The AB1 At a Glance

The Landyachtz AB1 is built up around a Taiwanese-made Select 6061 Aluminum frame with dual dropped chainstays, an English threaded bottom bracket, and fully internally routed cables. It comes stock with their new carbon ADV fork, which adds some versatility with three-pack mounts, thru-axle, and a clean aesthetic that blends in nicely with the contours of the frame. The frame has triple mounts on the downtube, plus standard bottle mounts on the seat tube and under the downtube. There are rack mounts above the rear dropouts that can be paired with the hidden mounts on the inside of the seat stays. Although the AB1 has clearance for 700c x 42mm or 650b x 47mm tires, it’s offered in a single build that comes with 650b x 47mm WTB Ventures mounted to tubeless-ready WTB KOM Light rims.

• Frame/fork: Aluminum/Carbon
• Angles (L): 72° Headtube, 73.5° Seattube
• Stack/Reach: 592mm/399mm
• BB Drop/Chainstay: 71mm/430mm
• Bottom Bracket: T47 threaded
• Hub specs: 12x100mm / 12x142mm, TA
• Seatpost: 30.9mm
• Max tire size: 700c x 42mm or 650b x 47mm
• Price: $2,749 CAD / $2,100 USD

As far as geometry goes, the Landyachtz AB1 sets itself apart from most of the gravel bikes we’ve seen here on the site—but not how you might expect. Although Landyachtz makes some pretty lofty claims on their website and in their product launch video, the AB1 has a short stack height (vertical distance from bottom bracket to the centre of the top of the head tube) and a longish reach that’s fairly aggressive for a the gravel bike. More on that later. The build includes a 1×11 SRAM Apex drivetrain, complete with an 11-42T cassette and 44T chainring, Apex hydraulic brakes, and finished off with Ritchey’s mountain bike rated Comp seatpost, stem, saddle, and Ergomax bars.

As far as pricing goes, the AB1 retails for $2,749 CAD (~$2,100 USD), which puts it roughly in line to compete with the Salsa Journeyman Apex 1 650 and the Kona Libre, which retail for $1,499 and $1,799 USD, respectively. All three of which have a 6061 Aluminum frame, carbon fork with mounts, and Apex build kits.

First Impressions

The demo that Landyachtz sent over is identical to the complete bike they have listed online. Having a single, mid-priced build definitely keeps things straightforward. Justin at TAWS Bike Shop in Powell River set it up for me, and there were no huge surprises for either of us. The paint job looks better in person than it does online, especially with some mud splattered across it, and the build kit came exactly as listed. We did notice a few small imperfections, including some easily chipped paint around the various bosses and what looks to be a slightly crooked bottle mount on the downtube, but otherwise, it needed very little tuning or set up. It came with a build checklist from Landyachtz showing that the build had be torqued to spec in all the right places, which provided some reassurance.

One thing that stood out for us was the low front end on the AB1. Even on the size large I was sent, I needed a healthy portion of my seatpost exposed to get the right saddle height, and the resulting drop to the bars was different than I’m used to. Paired with a long (but not out of the ordinary) reach and 100mm stem, I immediately found myself stretched out beyond comfort. Flipping the stem up and getting all available spacers under it helped, but I still consider the resulting position more aggressive than what I anticipated. On paved roads and smooth gravel, I was able to settle in comfortably, but on rough terrain and loose descents, I felt out of my element.

Landyachtz AB1 Build Kit

There’s a lot to like about the AB1’s build kit. I appreciate the use of a complete SRAM Apex drivetrain, not trying to save a buck or two with more affordable cassettes or cranks. It’s nice to see hydraulic brakes and some trusty WTB rims and tires specced, providing a great baseline build that makes sense for the price point. The Ritchey Comp ErgoMax bars are also a welcoming touch, with their large ovalized section across the top of the bar for some added comfort. I would have preferred Ritchey’s WCS VentureMax bar that came specced on the Ritchey Outback I reviewed this summer , which is better suited for off-road use.

There are also a few quirks that don’t really align with Landyachtz’s “do-everything” mantra. Perhaps the biggest is the decision to spec a 44T chainring alongside an 11-42T cassette, which is more suited to on-road, not very hilly, types of rides. On the frame itself, I would have preferred the upper rack mounts be positioned on the exterior of the seat stays, as they are very awkward to get to with a hex key and nearly impossible to get to with a multi-tool. Also, for a newly released fork, I was a little disappointed not to see lower mounts for even more front rack compatibility. Check out the full build kit below.

• Frame Select 6061 Aluminium
• Fork Landyachtz ADV Carbon
• Headset FSA Integrated
• Bottom Bracket SRAM GXP English Threaded
• Crankset SRAM Apex 1, 44T
• Cassette SRAM PG-1130 11-42T
• Rear Derailleur SRAM Apex 1
• Shifter SRAM Apex 1 HRD
• Brakes SRAM Apex 1 Hydraulic
• Rotors Avid G2 160mm
• Front Hub Novatech 12x100mm
• Rear Hub Novatech 12x142mm
• Rims WTB KOM light i27
• Tires WTB Venture 650b x 47mm
• Handlebar Ritchey Ergomax Comp
• Stem Ritchey Comp
• Seatpost Ritchey Comp
• Saddle Ritchey trail Comp

Thoughts While Riding

After spending the better part of the fall riding exclusively on my Why S7 with chunky 27.5+ tires, it was great to get onto something faster. Taking advantage of breaks in the weather was that much easier on a speedy bike that I could leave from home on. Instead of poring over local trail maps for the best possible escape from town, I just rode. The AB1 is totally capable enough to handle smooth singletrack and service roads, which resulted in some pretty silly loops around town and out along some of the more remote logging roads.

Coming from a mountain bike with a 30T chainring and 10-51T cassette to the AB1’s massive 44T chainring and 11-42T cassette, climbs took some serious effort. While riding fully loaded, I found myself dreading the thought of tackling another hill, so I eventually stuck to more adventurous day rides. The AB1 really excelled at zipping along rolling, relatively smooth terrain—including the maze of logging roads that serve as the gateways to most outdoor pursuits in Powell River.

I’ve enjoyed riding the 650b x 47mm WTB Venture tires that come stock on the AB1. They’ve been perfect for cruising between different surfaces and the occasional trail. The centre tread of the Venture is fast on the road, while the smaller intermediate knobs provide enough traction for gravel and dirt, and do a great job at shedding water here in the PNW. I actually think the AB1 would be an ideal candidate for the larger 700c x 50mm Ventures, but with a max tire clearance of just 42mm, that’s really just a pipe dream.

Stack, Reach, and Gravel

Although geometry and more specific details will come down to personal preference, I thought it might be worth comparing the AB1 against some comparably priced / specced aluminum drop bar gravel bikes. For the sake of consistency, I’ve compared some key angles of the Landyachtz AB1, Salsa Journeyman, and Kona Libre below—followed by some thoughts on what this means.

Unless I’m focusing on speed and hammering out a fast-paced ride, I usually prefer a more upright position when it comes to drop bar bikes. When looking at the reach and stack numbers above, the AB1 leans further to the road side of things than the Libre and Journeyman. It’s worth noting that I also compared the AB1’s stack numbers against some other drop bar gravel bikes I’ve ridden over the years, and none of them fall below 600mm, except for the AB1. Without diving much deeper than that, I would think the AB1 would be perfect for those coming from a road biking background looking to enter the gravel scene. It might be a little low in the front compared to what I’m used to, but perhaps a different (shorter and taller) stem would have helped remedy that for me. I have a long inseam, so this may not be an issue for those who prefer a shorter stack.

Although the shorter wheelbase may not be conducive for longer tours, it did result in a quick-handling ride that didn’t feel out of place on pavement or gravel. Whether in the saddle or standing while climbing, the AB1 felt responsive and powerful—making it a little easier to push that giant 44T chainring around.

I asked Landyachtz for their thoughts on the AB1’s geometry, and it actually aligned quite closely with what I’ve described. “A lot of the riding/testing we do in is in and around the Northshore so we wanted to go with a 650b tire to be able to handle the roughness of the trails that the shore throws at us,” George Bailey from Landyachtz explains, “but we also wanted to be able to swap the wheel for a 700c and be able to keep up with the pack on a gravel race. The bike was designed to have a racy feel but still be long, low, and slack.”

When you break it down, the AB1 falls into line with bikes like the Trek Checkpoint and Cannondale Topstone or more traditional gravel bikes. Although these aren’t the monstercross breed of gravel bikes we’re accustomed to, they are all fast, lightweight, and provide enough versatility and comfort for big, epic rides. As long as you’re okay with the racy riding position, that is.

• Model Tested: Landyachtz AB1
• Actual Weight: 23.25lb (10.5kg)
• Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
• Price: $2,749 CAD (~$2,100 USD)
• Manufacturer’s Details: LandyachtzBikes.com
• Good selection of mounting options
• Single, well-rounded build
• Thru-axles and threaded bottom bracket are great to see
• Powerful, responsive geometry
• Low stack and long reach / stem won’t be for everyone
• Price seems a little high relative to competitors
• Standard tire clearance

Although I’d describe the Landyachtz AB1 as a versatile, all-purpose road bike and not a do-everything gravel rig, it is a very well-rounded option. The single build that Landyachtz offers is well specced and thoughtful, and surprisingly lightweight. In my mind, the AB1 is a fantastic road-to-gravel transition bike for those who prefer the riding position of an endurance road bike but want some added versatility in the form of slightly larger tires, additional mounting options, and a clean 1×11 drivetrain.

Unfortunately for me, there aren’t many flat or rolling roads in Powell River, BC, so I only ventured out along the logging roads north of town on a few occasions. It would have been a fun bike to ride around the Fraser Valley, where I have spent two of the last three winters, as there is a maze of gravel paths, bike lanes, and side roads that link together some pretty epic rides. I see the AB1 excelling on lightweight, endurance style mixed-surface rides where a 47mm tire hits the sweet spot and running a half frame bag with room for bottles (or full with bottles on the fork legs) could get you through the day. The AB1 has some nice features and provides a great overall package, so I’ll be interested to see if Landyachtz maintains its road-like geometry or updates it in a future iteration.

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LANDYACHTZ AB1 GRAVEL BIKE REVIEW

Landyachtz tries their hand with a dirt bike.

From skateboards to bicycles, Vancouver, Canada-based Landyachtz has a wealth of experience designing various modes of two- and four-wheeled transportation. We last tested their Columbus steel-framed ‘1146’ road bike ( RBA , January 2019), which left us waiting on the next release from the Canadian crew. Landyachtz filled the one remaining hole in their drop-bar catalog with the AB1 gravel bike. AB stands for “adventure bike,” and Landyachtz hit nearly all the marks to achieve the optimal modern gravel machine. Best of all, it’s in stock and doesn’t break the bank.

The AB1 is an entry-level build that starts with a 6061 aluminum frame that is assembled in Canada with symmetric, dropped chainstays to help provide room to use up to 700x42mm or 650x47mm tires. Landyachtz offers a single build of the AB1 that rolls on the 650b hoops.  

Landyachtz designed their own carbon fork, which is drilled with triple mounts, making it ideal for handling gear for long rides. Two positions for bottle mounts are drilled on each side of the downtube with a single position available on the seat tube. Fenders can be mounted, and a rack can be supported by the two rivets on the seat stays, in addition to the two on either dropout.  

In order to ensure favorable handling rolling over rocks and roots or with a full load of bike-packing gear, the AB1 has a long 104.4cm wheelbase. The slack 72-degree head tube angle helps maintain the relaxed geometry, especially with a loaded front end. At 59.2cm, the stack is relatively low for the size-large frame, and the reach is long at 39.9cm, which encourages a rather aggressive position in the saddle.  

SRAM’s entry-level Apex drivetrain is an ideal pairing for the alloy rig. A SRAM X-Sync 44t chainring is matched to an 11-speed 10-42t XX1 cassette. At 1.05 gear inches, this pairing is just above our preferred 1:1 gear ratio and a smaller chainring would be the easiest fix. The 160mm Avid G2 rotors are modulated by SRAM’s Apex hydraulic calipers. The lines are routed in a hybrid style with the downtube hiding the rear hydraulic line, as well as the shift cable until they’re exposed below the bottom bracket, while the fork partially conceals the front brake line.

Ritchey is responsible for the remainder of small parts. The front end is made up of an alloy Ritchey Ergomax handlebar and an alloy Comp stem. The bars feature a raised design to lift the front end. An oversized 30.9mm Ritchey Comp seatpost is paired with a Ritchey Trail Comp saddle. The AB1 rolls on a pair of WTB KOM Light rims.  

In an effort to test how adventure-ready the AB1 is, we scouted a few unmaintained gravel roads in addition to our typical routes. We were able to find the limits of our handling skills far before the full capability of the AB1 was met.  

The AB1 handles speed well. Graded gravel descents ridden at speeds over 20 mph are supported well by the tall gearing and aggressive WTB tires. Leaning into corners is predictable and confidence-inspiring, thanks to the 47mm treads amplified by the 35-psi tire pressure.    

We loaded various bags on the Landyachtz for some of our longer rides. The 650b setup handled well in precarious situations, even with extra weight on the front end.  

Nearly every gravel road we tested the AB1 on required some climbing, which brought to focus the tall gearing spec’d on the bike. Given the reasonable price tag, a chainring upgrade to either a 42t or even a 40t SRAM X-Sync chainring will run somewhere around $80.    

THE VERDICT

Landyachtz delivered a solid gravel bike with a full plate of gravel-focused goods. Not meant to be a race bike (especially at just over 23 pounds), it is intended for outback cycling. We’ve found that 650b builds are hard to come by at the $2000 price point, especially given the pandemic-related bike shortages. SRAM’s Apex mechanical drivetrain got the job done without shifters and derailleurs that can run out of battery.  

In the dirt, the AB1 was reminiscent of the Ritchey Trail Comp mountain bike from the ’80s handling-wise, but it’s better overall thanks to the modern, quick braking power offered by the disc brakes. Once again, we were pleased with the latest design from the crew up in the Great White North.

PUNCH LINES

Adventure-ready

Slack, relaxed handling

Good cost/benefit ratio

Price: $2128

Weight: 23.12 pounds, sizes: s, m, l (tested), xl, www.landyachtzbikes.com.

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Panorama Katahdin v2 Review

barry lachapelle / Sep 1, 2022

I don't keep my crush for Panorama Cycles a secret. For the past 6 years, Simon Bergeron and the team have been building something special in Granby, Quebec that is not only good for Canadian cycling but also good for the world . Their carbon-neutral bikes have changed how I look at bike manufacturers and set a precedent for the rest of the industry. I am also a huge fan of the team of Canadian riders they have been supporting, including Cory Ostertag and Marie-Pierre Savard —who recently came in first and third respectively (both setting FKTs) at the Log Driver's Waltz race in Eastern Canada.

Earlier this year, Panorama released the second generation of its Katahdin gravel bike. The bike is named after Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine, not far from Panorama headquarters. The name Katahdin comes from Abenaki, the language of the local Penobscot people, and translates to “great mountain”. The mountain is in a remote area of northern Maine which happens to be a mecca of gravel riding and marks the end point of the Appalachian Trail .

The first version of the Katahdin bike was originally inspired by cyclocross geometry. This second version was completely redesigned from the ground up to be a more versatile gravel and bikepacking rig. The updates completely reimagine how the bike feels, and introduce a slacker head tube angle and a longer wheelbase. It's been a long time since I rode a composite bike that I can lift with one hand, and I was excited to try the Katahdin.

Let's take a look...

The Katahdin ships with two build options or as a frameset for anyone that is looking to build their own. The two build kit options effectively let customers choose between setting up the bike for ‘mountain gravel'—with SRAM Rival 1 and 650b wheels, or for 'groad touring'—with Shimano GRX 2x and 700c wheels. However, you can also get in touch with the team and have them build you anything your heart desires, assuming the components are available.

The first thing that hits your eyeballs looking at the Katahdin is its color. There simply aren't many burgundy bikes out there. Initially, I couldn't tell if I liked the color or not, but it has grown on me over the past months. I can safely say that it stands out from the crowd, which is always a good thing. The Katahdin got a lot of looks on one ferry crossing from a team of black-on-black gravel hipsters from Vancouver—which I found amusing. Bucking even more minimalist trends, the beefy downtube is accented by a fantastic illustration of a howling wolf by Canadian illustrators Pellvetica .

Overall, the bike looks clean, made in part by its internal cabling. The Katahdin comes equipped with frame holes for an internally routed dropper post, as well as ports for a dynamo hub in the fork. Having these ports is a fantastic option for any gravel machine that's planning on getting into some mischief.

The Katahdin v2 boasts mounts on mounts on mounts. It feels like there are mounts everywhere which will make any bikepacker happy. The Katahdin is the first bike I have ever ridden that has 3 bottle mounts on the inside triangle, but it's worth noting that you would probably need shorter bidons. Still, pretty awesome. The seat stays have upper mounts and lower ones near the dropouts to fit a rack or Tailfin , and the fork has a triple mount for any fork bag system. The mount threads are stainless steel and cleanly recessed into the carbon.

Build, Build, Build

Commenting on build kits always feels tough considering the delays and substitutions that brands need to make in order to ship bikes these days. However, it's even tougher to separate a bike from its build decisions. As I mentioned above, the Katahdin has two build options that would fundamentally change the feel and maybe even the use(s) of the bike.

The bike that Panorama sent me was actually a hybrid of the two options they offer—a decision I assume was made due to wheelset availability. The bike I tested was a Rival 1 groupset, but with the 700c wheels that normally ship with the GRX 2x option. I'll admit this was my first time riding a 1x drive with a set of 700c wheels, which took a bit of getting used to. More on that in a bit.

The build is solid. Over the past few months I've been learning to love the SRAM Rival 1, a shift from riding the Landyachtz AB-ST . The Yokozuna brakes are a nice touch with their compressionless housing, as is the carbon seat post. But for me, the star of the build is the Ritchey Comp Beacon drop bars. There's something about these bars that I just can't get enough of. I initially thought they would be too shallow of a drop but they somehow seem to fit me (and the Katahdin) perfectly. They are flared, wide (46cm), and ready for anything.

Enough Talk

I took the Katahdin out on my favorite local century ride here in Victoria. A perfect test track that goes through some steep, punchy hills that eventually flatten out into some fast gravel bliss.

Once we really got into the ride, it took me a bit to get accustomed to the Katahdin. In the more technical hills, I had to check myself while descending on gravel, reducing speed and even stopping one or two times completely. To me, it felt like the whole bike was crying for some beefier tires. With a long reach, wheelbase, and 70 degree headtube angle, 40mm doesn't seem like enough tire to me. If you are looking at getting the Katahdin with 700c, and have any chonky roads in your future, I would suggest going with a larger tire width; 45mm would probably do the trick, but why not go all the way and max it out at 50mm?

Once we got through the hills, the Katahdin and I found our flow together. And when the route hit some flatter, flowy gravel track the bike was in its element. I was able to not worry about the tire size and really open the Katahdin up. It was whippy, snappy, responsive and most importantly, it was fun as hell . The frame stiffness and power transfer of the bike seems to be off the charts. Whether that's while climbing, or up out of the saddle in a sprint— the Katahdin wants to move . Almost like an electric car, from a standstill the bike's pickup is insane and seems to get up to speed faster than most bikes I have ever ridden. Climbing in lighter gravel was also a dream. The combination of the frame stiffness and wide Ritchey bars helped get me up rolly hills quickly and efficiently. And then ripping on the way down led to some serious smiles in the saddle.

One interesting thing to note about the Katahdin was how quiet it is. This may be due to the huge, threaded bottom bracket, or composite everything… unsure. But there was a point where I was in the trees and felt like I was on a cloud hovering above the ground. It took me some time to realize that the feeling came from the Katahdin being virtually silent. I was alone, flying noiselessly through the trees and having one of those moments that only off-road cycling provides. Love.

In today's world, even with the endless library of marketing vernacular, it's almost impossible to classify bikes effectively, especially when you take what is essentially a race bike and redesign it to be a versatile-gravel-bikepacking bike. I'll admit I have struggled a bit to understand exactly what the Katahdin is for; but this thinking might be me trying to fit the bike into a clean category, which simply does not exist. Yet. The easiest way to think about the Katahdin might be in a series of questions:

Can I bikepack with the Katahdin? Definitely—the mounting options and slack geometry make it ideal. However, you may want to stick to dirt roads and flowy gravel tracks versus technical backcountry roads. Also, I would make sure to get some ride wrap on that carbon before strapping bags to it.

Can I gravel race the Katahdin? Absolutely—the Katahdin wants to fly. And my guess? This is where the bike would really shine—on single or multi day gravel events where speed, stiffness and power matter.

Can I set up the Katahdin for the mountains? Again, it seems so. The max tire clearance (700x50 or 650x2.1) allows you to run the thing like a rigid mountain bike as well. I may try the Katahdin with 650b wheels and report back on it. Stay tuned.

Is the Katahdin happy on the road? Actually yes—it's super stiff, fun and fast on the road. Maybe the best road/off-road/multi-surface bike I have ever had the privilege of riding. You would easily be able to swap out larger tires for something more streamlined and keep up to your roadie pals.

I hope these questions above illustrate what I mean—the Katahdin might be impossible to categorize. However, that is because it seemingly is able to do a bit of everything and quite well. If I were forced to give the Katahdin a classification, it would be something like Ultralight Groad Packer . Haha, oh man. Let's keep that name between us.

The Katahdin comes with a 5 year warranty. The Rival 1 option comes in at $3799 CAD and $4,249 for the GRX 2x version. Get it here .

Update: The Katahdin on 650b

After publishing this review, Simon from Panorama asked if I was interested in trying out the Katahdin with 650b wheels. Yes, I was. And, I'll admit, taking the Katahdin into the chonk on a set of 700c wheels may have been a bit unfair of me. As I was swapping out rotors and freewheel bodies I was a bit dubious on how much of a difference the wheels would actually make. I totally ate those words . The Katahdin seemed to transform into a whole new machine .

The 650b Katahdin is what the machine is meant to be. It was confident, nimble and whip fast in the gravel. I took the bike for a 100km rip and I have to say, it was one of the best days I have had on a gravel bike to date. Eveything seemed to come together with the wider wheels. What was before fragmented and awkward for me, was cohseive and whole. The bike flew and I was grinning ear to ear the whole way!

Don't get me wrong, the Katahdin is still great on 700c and I'd even like to try it at the max 700c clearance of 50mm. My money is on that being rad as well. But like so many things in the cycling world, it all comes down to the type of biking you want to do. Get the 650b Katahdin. ✊

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Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Chelyabinsk oblast: Chelyabinsk .

Chelyabinsk Oblast - Overview

Chelyabinsk Oblast is a federal subject of Russia located in the Southern Urals, part of the Urals Federal District. Chelyabinsk is the capital city of the region. It is the place where Europe borders with Asia.

The population of Chelyabinsk Oblast is about 3,419,000 (2022), the area - 88,529 sq. km.

Chelyabinsk oblast flag

Chelyabinsk oblast coat of arms.

Chelyabinsk oblast map, Russia

Chelyabinsk oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

26 July, 2024 / Magnificent Landscapes of Ayskiye Pritosy .

18 July, 2018 / Bolshiye Pritesy Cliff in the Chelyabinsk Region .

12 June, 2018 / Frosty Dawn in Taganay National Park .

8 June, 2018 / Colors of the Dead World of Karabash .

6 January, 2018 / Chelyabinsk - the view from above .

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History of Chelyabinsk Oblast

People began to settle in the Southern Urals in the Paleolithic era. Bogdanovka site on the Ural River (Kizilsky district) is the most ancient archaeological site found on the territory of the region (about 70 thousand years). The age of Paleolithic layers in Ignatievka cave (Katav-Ivanovsky district), famous for its wall paintings, is about 15 thousand years. There are numerous archaeological sites of the Stone Age, settlements of the Bronze and Iron Ages.

In the 13th century, the territory of the Southern Urals was part of the Mongol Empire. Kesene mausoleum, preserved to our days near Varna village, is an outstanding monument of the late Horde time. The first Russian settlements in what is now the Chelyabinsk region appeared in the late 17th century.

Administratively the formation of the region began in the 18th century. It was the result of Peter’s I policy aimed at developing producing forces of the country and the expansion of its borders. This was reflected in the activities of the Orenburg expedition. For military and commercial purposes the expedition founded a number of fortresses, one of them was the fortress of Chelyabinsk (1736).

More Historical Facts…

In 1737, Isetskaya province was founded that included the northern part of the present Chelyabinsk region and the Kurgan region. In 1743, Chelyabinsk became the center of the province. In 1744, Orenburg gubernia was formed, it included Isetskaya and Ufimskaya provinces.

In the second half of the 18th century, mining and metallurgical areas of the Southern Urals began to grow rapidly. Several large mining plants were built, which became the basis for future towns. The first towns were Chelyabinsk, Verhneuralsk (1781) and Troitsk (1784).

In the early 19th century, most of the territory of the region was part of the Orenburg gubernia. Since the mid-19th century, Orenburg Cossacks started the rapid development of the steppe areas. New settlements were named in honor of the battles and victories of the Russian army: Varna, Fershampenuaz, Borodino, Paris and others.

After the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway (1891-1916), the province became the largest transportation hub connecting central Russia, the Urals and Siberia.

In 1919, Chelyabinsk gubernia was formed. November, 3, 1923, Ural Oblast with the capital in Yekaterinburg was formed. January 17, 1934, Ural Oblast was enlarged and was named Chelyabinsk Oblast. Later on, the territory of the region was diminished not once. In 1943, 32 districts were transferred to the newly formed Kurgan Oblast. After that, the borders of Chelyabinsk Oblast remained almost unchanged.

During the Second World War, this region played an important role producing metals, ammunition and military equipment. After the war, Chelyabinsk became the supplier of equipment and human resources for the restoration of Stalingrad, Donbass and other areas of the USSR.

In the 1950s, part of the territory of the region was subjected to radioactive contamination as a result of the accident at the plant for processing waste “Mayak”.

The collapse of the USSR had a negative impact on the economic situation in the region. From 1990 to 2000, rail transportation halved. In 1995, the decline in production in all sectors was 52%, in agriculture - 44%.

February 15, 2013 a relatively large meteorite flew over the territory of the oblast. It became known as the Chelyabinsk meteorite (diameter - about 17 meters, weight - about 10 thousand tons). The meteorite exploded in the vicinity of Chelyabinsk, at an altitude of 15-25 km. Several fragments of it fell in the area of Lake Chebarkul.

Nature of Chelyabinsk Oblast

Summer in the Chelyabinsk region

Author: Olga Yartseva

Chelyabinsk oblast - the land of lakes

Author: Rauer Yury

Wheat field in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Alexander Pridvizhkin

Chelyabinsk Oblast - Features

Chelyabinsk Oblast is located about 1,800 km east of Moscow. The main cities are Chelyabinsk (1,179,000), Magnitogorsk (412,000), Zlatoust (159,700), Miass (150,300) and Kopeysk (145,000). Chelyabinsk and Miass are the stations on the Trans-Siberian railway.

The southeastern part of Chelyabinsk Oblast has the state border - the border with Kazakhstan. The length of the region from north to south - 490 km, from west to east - 400 km. It is comparable to the size of Hungary, Portugal, Austria, more than 2 times larger than Denmark and Switzerland, 3 times larger than Belgium and the Netherlands.

Not far from the station of Urzhumka (8 km from Zlatoust), on Uraltau Pass, there is a stone pillar. On one side it says “Europe”, on the other - “Asia”. The cities of Zlatoust, Katav-Ivanovsk, Satka are located in Europe, Chelyabinsk, Troitsk, Miass - in Asia, Magnitogorsk - in both parts of the world.

Chelyabinsk Oblast has a highly developed industry. Metallurgical, machine-building, fuel and energy, construction, agri-industrial complexes determine the industrial development of the region. Iron and steel industry stands out in the structure of the local industry (about half of the total output).

The city of Magnitogorsk is situated in the middle of one of the largest and richest iron ore deposits in the world. Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) is one of the largest steel mills in the world. Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau in Miass is a major supplier of strategic ballistic missiles for the Russian submarine fleet.

Tourism in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Chelyabinsk Oblast has unique natural and climatic conditions: picturesque landscapes, lakes, forests, caves and natural healing springs. It is the main basis for the development of tourism and recreation. Winters are cold and long, summers are relatively hot.

The northwestern part of the region is covered by forests and mountains, the rest - steppes and forest steppes. Forests cover about 24% of the territory. The highest point is Mount Bolshoy (Big) Nurgush (1406.6 meters).

Chelyabinsk Oblast is called “the land of lakes”. There are 3,170 lakes on its territory, 98 of them have areas of more than 5 sq. km., the largest lake - Uvildy - occupies 68 sq. km. The most picturesque lakes are Turgoyak and Uvildy. Many lakes have unique mineral waters and therapeutic muds. There are a lot of health resorts on the territory of the region.

There are more than 200 specially protected natural areas, including Ilmen State Nature Reserve, the historical and archaeological museum “Arkaim”, “Tanagai” and “Zyuratgul” national parks.

Skiing is actively developing. Altogether there are about 20 ski resorts, including “Abzakovo”, “Adzhigardak”, “Zavyalikha”, “Metallurg-Magnitogorsk”, “Solnechnaya Dolina”, which meet the highest European standards and are very popular.

Chelyabinsk oblast of Russia photos

Chelyabinsk Oblast scenery

Horses in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Pavel Kabanov

Author: Kiyanovsky Dmitry

Snowy winter in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Lezin V.V.

Churches in the Chelyabinsk region

Orthodox church in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Alexander Maksimenko

Author: Marina Klein

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