REN 142x12 ISO ROCKER INSERTS FOR 140mm REAR ROTORS

A few facts about REN Cycles are no secret: an affinity for cyclocross and adventure bikes, a passion for single speed racing, and a love of belt drive gearing.

The REN IVAN, a convertible dropout update of the legendary Ti Cycles STEILACOOM race bike and the official bike of the infamous 2010 SSCXWCXPDX event, was designed specifically for PacNW SS icon Seth Patla to run a Gates Carbon Drive setup. (Seth has since used the bike to repeat win SS categories at Sea Otter Classic, Oregon CX Grand Prix Series, and the Oregon Best All-around Racer points tally).

Paragon Rocker Dropouts are the REN dropout of choice; by keeping the axle inside the frame's rear triangle rockers provide much more rear end stability than horizontal sliders, while at the same time remaining simple and elegant with a simple two-bolt attachment.

Once the PDXTI Rockerbone resolved the conundrum of tensioning a belt drive without an integral set screw the lightweight, simple, and elegant Rocker Drop was nearly perfect. The final detail that needed to be aced was the ability to run any rotor size or axle configuration available. Until now Paragon offered an ISO mount for 140mm rotors in Quick Release only, with the post- style caliper mount standard on 142x12 Thru Axle inserts limiting riders to a 160mm or larger rotor.

A few observant social media followers noticed that the 142x12 ISO Rocker Inserts for 140mm rear rotors have been available on REN IVAN frames for most of 2017. As of January 2018 this versatile part, which is interchangeable with other Paragon Rocker Dropout inserts, is also available for aftermarket purchase here.

RCB @ Cross Crusade Alpenrose 2017

Great video from our friends at River City Bicycles highlighting the absurdly fun Cyclocross Crusade opening weekend at Alpenrose Velodrome here in Portland. Includes some rare footage of REN Brand Ambassador Seth Patla catching air in a CX race! 

2017 Skull 120

For most, the colloquial impression of Oregon is exclusively one of deep green. Of lush temperate rain forests that tumble misty and cool from the ridge of the Cascades down to the Pacific Ocean. Of Portland, lumberjacks, beavers, and damp galleries of picturesque Douglas Firs bisected by surging rivers of ice cold snowmelt, a fertile empire suitable for an Ewok king.

What many don't realize is that Eastern Oregon, which comprises most of the state's land mass, is another world all together. There the deep greens of the coastal ranges dissolve into myriad shades of golds and browns, and both the vegetation and population become more sparse and of hardier varieties the further east one ventures. Eventually the high desert spills into Idaho and Nevada.

Harney County, larger than several New England states, comprises a huge swath of this beautiful and rugged landscape. Perpetually vast and remote, the area is, like most of the Western US, largely administered by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Over the years those agencies, along with local ranchers and sportsmen, have carved out millions of miles of roads and trails that traverse the rugged countryside. Most are very primitive but generally intact, and provide the perfect setting for one of the most grueling single day back country races in the United States, the newly minted Skull 120/60.

We were thrilled to learn about this new event, and eagerly signed on as a sponsor along with Chris King Precision Components, Hammer Nutrition, Wilderness Trail Bikes, Gravel Cyclist magazine. We recruited a couple of racers from PDXTI to register for the inaugural event and late last month headed out for Burns to take in the spectacle.

A true hard man's challenge, the Skull did not disappoint. An instant classic, no part of the route is impossible but it is challenging for hours on end. The course is rough and rugged enough to make traditional road bikes with rim brakes a non-starter but fast and varied enough to make squishy mountain bikes equally inappropriate.

Of course that sweet spot in the middle -- all-road capability with great handling, all day comfort, and capacity for high volume tires -- is where our bikes shine. Our two PDXTI Ambassadors, Seth Patla and Andrew Coe, rode a Waypoint and an Omen respectively. As you might expect the bikes rode flawlessly, capable of tackling terrain that varied from smooth and fast tarmac to harrowing rock strewn descents, endless cattle guards, and stream crossings. Both racers reported having a fantastic time on the course, taking the opportunity to pause for documenting and taking in the scenery, and ultimately crossing the finish line arm-in-arm for a shared podium spot.

Scroll through some photos from the event below, and check out Red Kite Prayer for a more extensive write up. Stay tuned to www.adventureharney.com for details on the 2018 event. We can't wait!