Packs, bikes, components...if we use it, we'll be reviewing it here.

Vassago Bandersnatch

Kris at Vassago really outdid himself.  As I researched all the bikes out there, Vassago kept popping up - a 29er, steel, durable, praised by endurance racers, and made by a passionate company with a focus on providing excellent products.  Generally, I test ride bikes before I build/buy them.  In this case I didn't.  I had extremely high expectations for this bike, and incredibly they were met!  This bike is everything I was looking for in adventure racing bike.  It was broken in on a 8 hour assualt on the mountains around Shenandoah, VA.  It was very fast on the road, climbed great, handled fast descents with aplomb, and remained comfortable even after 8 hours.  The frame just feels "right".  I put off writing the review until the "new" wore off.  Now, after a multitude of rides on a variety of terrain I believe my initial assessment was correct.  This is an incredible bike.  Coupled with the WB IMV fork, WTB Nanoraptor tires, and ProBuiltWheels.com custom wheels this was a complete package from the get go.  

ProBuiltWheels.com

I cannot overemphasize the importance of good wheels.  Not just light, not just strong, but both.  Light enough that you can feel the difference.  When you spin up a light set of wheels, you can feel the snappiness.  And strong enough that they don't taco when you get in over your head.  Luckily, Kris at Vassago turned my on to Rick at www.ProBuiltWheels.com.  Rick and his crew are turning out awesome custom wheels in CA.  Contact them, let them know what you want, and feel the difference.  The wheels he built for me are one of the reasons that although I am on a 29er, I am not overwhelmed by the inertial mass of wheels and tires.  In fact, the wheels he built spec'd out lighter than the 26" ones I was on!