We kept saying to ourselves, “why haven’t we done this before?” as we skinned up the mountain for our third lap skiing down. We’ve lived here in Central Oregon for 28 years but we’ve never put together the classic bike to ski combo. A couple weekends ago we made our first and very successful strike mission to ride up Highway 242, known as the McKenzie Pass highway, and find some [...]
In preparation for your first bikepacking trip you might have a few delicate questions to ask; How do you maintain personal hygiene on a bike trip? How do you go to the bathroom in the woods? If you travel to campgrounds you have the convenience of an outhouse and possibly even running water, but bikepacking often takes you out into the backcountry away from all of that. There are a few essential techniques [...]
How Bag Placement and Weight Distribution Can Make or Break Your Bikepacking Trip. Managing the Weight Bike touring has been around since the conception of the bicycle, and what naturally follows is an evolution of the sport. Touring, bikepacking, and shredpacking ultimately share a common trait, and that's getting people in touch with nature, pushing their limits, and unlocks the world to explore in a totally unique way. Now doing so [...]
A good set of bike lights is essential. Not only do they help you see the path ahead, but they also make you visible to motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists. Proper lighting on the bike is as much about being able to see as being seen. In low-light conditions or bad weather, like night riding, but also during foggy or rainy days when visibility is reduced, they’re particularly vital. We’d like to illuminate [...]
We are rolling out three brand-new products designed to enhance your bikepacking adventures. Whether you're gearing up for rugged trails or endurance adventures, these innovative additions bring versatility, reliability, and silence to your ride. FLiP Cages: A Game-Changer for Cargo Carrying Today we are launching first-ever cargo cages with a twist. The FLiP Cages are not just cargo cages; they are also quick-detach bag mounts, thanks to the Fast Lock in Place [...]
As dawn broke, so began the exhilarating journey of my first bikepacking trip. Nerves had danced in my stomach leading up to the trip, , but I woke up with a refreshed mindset, ready to embrace what came my way. I met up with my enthusiastic coworker, Zach, at the office to triple check our gear and ensure we were fully equipped for the adventure. Spoiler alert: we soon discovered we’d overlooked a [...]
We recently teamed up with Chris McKleroy of Nocs Provisions, a rad and rugged binocular company based out of the Lake Tahoe area, to help document his and his partners' trip to Oaxaca. He lets us in on the ups and downs, the strict local rules, and much more in his story below. So grab your beverage of choice and dive right in because this is a good one! Oaxaca Sierra Norte [...]
We really like working with each other at Old Man Mountain and even though we take lots of after work rides and grab drinks pretty often, closing the doors to the shop for a few days to spend some time in the woods together just hits different. We’re super fortunate to live in Central Oregon with limitless options around us for spending time outdoors. For this trip we went the luxury route and [...]
"Check out that 90s MTB with drop bars…” Get real! Bike geometry and ride characteristics are the sum of so many small choices. BB Drop, top tube length, chainstay length, headtube height, headtube angle, fork axle to crown to name just some of them. Each one changes and plays off the next. Building a bike to take on less than ideal gravel and singletrack leads to larger tires and a suspension fork. A [...]
What is an eyelet? Does my bike have eyelets? Can I put a rack on my bike's eyelets? Are they only for fenders? Do I need eyelets to put a rack on my bike? In this post we'll define what bike eyelets are, what types there are, and some general guides to identify what the eyelets on your bike are made for. We'll also tell you how to mount a rack if your [...]
