Review Briefs

 As many of you know, I get in a fair amount of stuff to review and sometimes just to give feedback on/test for others. I figured I may as well shoot a few words this way on some things being currently tested and reviewed by giving a few, brief thoughts on those items. As always, The Standard Disclaimer applies.

Orange Seal Sub-Zero Sealant:

Tubeless tires are ubiquitous within many segments of cycling now. It's not just for mountain bikes anymore and with that, we have run into issues with colder weather use of tubeless sealant. Particularly with fat bikes, but not necessarily relegated to those bikes. 

My sealant that I learned to make from MG isn't cold-weather compliant, and neither is the sealant I have been predominantly using for the past several years. So, when Orange Seal reached out and asked me if I wanted to try out their Sub Zero formula, I agreed to give it a whirl. 

The Sub-Zero formula is rated for temperatures down to -20°F and it is rated as their longest lasting formula as well. Rated for 60 - 180 days. So, that's going to cover me for my Winter riding! 

I'm no stranger to Orange Seal either, by the way, having reviewed it before. (Their "Regular" formula), but they also have an "Endurance" formula which is rated down to 0°F, and it seals a bit bigger punctures and tears, so maybe if sub-zero riding isn't in your future, you might get on with that sealant.That said, their best sealing formula, the "Regular" version, is good to 11°F, so..... Yeah. Pick yer poison. 

I'm going to stick this Sub Zero stuff into the Ti Muk and see how it does.  Orange Seal actually sent me samples of the other two as well, so I'll be testing out those also. Stay tuned....

 

State Cargo Cage & Silicone Molded Straps:

Back in mid-August I received the State Bicycle Co. Cargo Cage and the Molded Straps that you can get with that cage. I immediately mounted that to my Singular Cycles Gryphon Mk3 and mounted a stuff sack filled with cargo as well. 

The cage held up well and never was an issue. I did like that there are several ways to mount things to it. All the odd shapes cut into the aluminum cage make for a lot of options to attach straps, bungees, or the Molded Straps, which were really pretty slick, by the way. 

I only received one of the Cargo cages so I matched it up with a Salsa HD Anything Cage. The Salsa cage can only be mounted in one way, while I was able to mount the State cage lower, which is an advantage to some degree if you can get away with a lower center of gravity and not get into trouble hitting things where you ride. I can do that, and I appreciated the option to mount the State cage lower. 

The cage functions well and has options. But its looks might be too kitschy for some. It's fine, but I could have done without the unnecessary "cuteness". Matched with the excellent Molded Cargo Straps this can be a great way to carry stuff on a bikepacking rig. So, in the end I can say it is good, as long as you get on with the design look.

The Old Man Mountain Juniper Trunk Bag

Old Man Mountain Juniper Trunk Bag:

The Juniper Trunk Bag was also originally on my Singular, but it really came into its own mounted to my Salsa rack on my Ti Muk 2. 

The thing about this bag is that it essentially is a roll-top grocery bag. It obviously has straps to mount it to a rack, and it is made from a durable, waterproof material, but I think of it in terms of practical uses since the design is that of a standard grocery bag. 

I've carried all manner of stuff in the Juniper Trunk Bag and as long as you roll the top tightly and cinch that down with the strap and buckle it, the cargo you carry will be pretty stable and almost "invisible" in terms of riding. 

Honestly, this trunk bag solves a problem on the Ti Muk because I generally would want a frame bag for storage of extra gloves, clothes, and repair gear, but that takes away from water capacity and it makes portaging a bit tougher. The Juniper Trunk Bag adds a copious amount of space that is just enough to do what I want, but is pretty much out of the way otherwise. 

The bag is simple, yet well designed and made from quality materials. I have found it to be immensely useful already, but I think this Winter that practicality will be amped up even further. Plus, a strap and roll top is something a gloved hand can handle, which is important to keep in mind. 

I'll have a Long Term update on this bag and the Ponderosa Panniers here at some point next year. So, look for that coming here at some point in 2024