Gravel Grinder News: EVOC Hydro Pro, Trek Bags, Challenge Tires & More – by Guitar Ted
The most recent news for the gravel and back road rider is here. Sea Otter has come and gone, the first to be held since the pandemic struck in 2020, and a few things came out of that show/festival. We also have a couple of news items from recent press releases. Let’s check it out!
EVOC HYDRO PRO Hydration Vest/Pack: First up is a hydration system and pack solution for your longer distance ventures. EVOC’s new HYDRO PRO “Race-Ready” adventure vest comes in 1.5L or 3L capacity models and has various zippered compartments depending upon the size.
The packs utilize EVOC’s Airoflex side straps and the new 3D Air Mesh back which allows for better air flow across the back of the wearer. We have a demonstration video link from Hot Route Media’s Logan Vanbokel HERE which shows you all the features and details of the new HYDRO PRO Vest.
Availability of the HYDRO PRO Vest is said to be “very, very soon“. The 1.5L and 3L models will retail for $115 / €100 and $125 / €110, respectfully.
Trek/Bontrager Adventure Bag Line; Trek recently unveiled its Bontrager branded line of bikepacking/adventure bags for gravel and bikepacking bikes. The range includes the Adventure Boss Frame bag, the Adventure Handlebar Bag, and the Adventure Saddle Bag.
Features include durable materials with water resistance, straps for mounting, and various sizes in the frame bag to fit different bike frame sizes. The handle bar bag has a 1.5L hydration bladder included with a port for the hose integrated into the bag design along with a magnetic mount for the hose. The handlebar bag has a 9L capacity and features a roll top closure. The saddle bag also has a 9L capacity and a roll top type closure. The saddle bag features a poly-frame internal structure which can be removed. Side zippers offer easy access to stowed items. The frame bag comes in six sizes and offers a High-Viz liner for ease of finding stowed items. Frame bags feature two compartments for organizing cargo.
Prices for these bags are as follows: Adventure Boss Frame Bag: $99.99, Adventure Handlebar Bag: $119.99, and the Adventure Saddle Bag: $119.99. All prices are USD. Contact your local Trek dealer for availability.
Challenge Tire Offers Wider Range Of Sizes & Tech: Challenge Tires recently announced news about a few new things regarding their Getaway and Strada Bianca tires in their range. The Getaway now comes in 36mm and 40mm sizes along with offerings with three different feature sets. First is what Challenge calls their “Tubeless Tubular” type which – as it sounds – is a tubular which is sealant compatible and can be repaired by means of sealant or with a tire plug. These “H-TLTU” tires are constructed with a 260TPI casing. Next up is Challenge’s H-TLR tire type which is a clincher, tubeless ready, and has the feature set which we tested in our review of the Getaway last year. (Seen here) Finally, a non-tubeless type tire is available in the “H-CL” variant which has similar features to the tubeless ready variant, but requires a tube.
The Strada Bianca shares the three variants in construction and types with the Getaway but comes in a wider range of sizes from a narrow 30mm and 33mm to 36mm and 40mm on the wider end.
See Riding Gravel’s Getaway review here.
Challenge claims all sizes and variants will be available for purchase “very soon“.
New Gravel Bikes From Trek, Alchemy: Trek recently updated its Checkpoint model for gravel riding and racing with an all new frame and fork. (See the image above with the bags mounted) Trek claims a ‘progressive geometry’ with a deep bottom bracket drop, 435mm chain stays, and a changing head angle depending upon the size which ranges from a little over 71 degrees to nearly 73 degrees on the largest frame/fork offering. This with the standard for the range fork offset of 45mm results in changing trail figures across the range. Interesting…..
The Checkpoint comes in two carbon fiber offerings and the ALR aluminum entry level.
Alchemy Bikes based in Colorado have news with a different take on ‘progressive geometry’. Their newest gravel bike, the Rogue, features Alchemy’s take on geometry, which is similar to the Checkpoint until you get to the head tube angle. Here Alchemy is decidedly slacker across the range of sizes.
The Rogue has up to 700 X 50 mm tire clearance, features the SRAM Universal Derailleur Hangar, and it will be available in a range of stock colors and custom colors at an up charge. The Rogue’s frame is made in the US and features numerous bag and bottle mounting points. Alchemy is accepting reservations for Rogue bikes with an expected delivery date of November.
Note: Images and information used in this post was sent out by the various marketing and brands which reached out to Riding Gravel.
