Great Viddya. Very thorough testing it loaded, unloaded and swapping tires and playing with the flip chip dropouts. Road rides, Gravel rides, Single track, dry and sloppy conditions. You always test these bikes for intended purpose and also push them just over the edge. Orange Kitsbow is chef's kiss. 😘
I bought my steel warakin in August. Done about 600 miles on it with 3 good trips over 100+ miles. Such a dream. I can load it just right for a day trip or an overnight. Pavement, gravel, or dirt, my Otso has quickly become my favorite bike I own. Plus the tangerine color is phenomenal
A heavier frame helps mute and settle gravel chatter and will help it keep it's momentum. I noticed this in surfing choppy conditions - a heavier board smoothed out the chop and was actually was faster and more enjoyable. I don't like that steel rusts, but otherwise it's great for gravel.
Head tube angle on dowhnills is what brought me to the Otso Fenrir. I just need that stability to give me confidence as I get older. Overall though love just about everything Otso does.
This is definitely my kind of bike. And I would certainly call it all road too. This is basically the Kona Rove LTD - 71/74 moderate chainstays and decent reach.
I feel this video for real. I love my straggler but would loovveeeee to be able to put 50s or 55s on it. I can go from 42c to 47, but would have to change to 650b for that which is an insane amount of cost and work for 5mm. Same goes for actually getting a new frame and building that up. So I dream, i contemplate builds, and then i do nothing and push my straggler far beyond its limits. We'll see how far i can do that, with extra cash, before i break.
Great review with nuanced ride feelings, thanks. Your quick note on aging hands using GRX shifters was appreciated. I had a 2X GRX drivetrain and my left hand (broken wrist years ago) could not shift the front derailleur. Changed it to 1X within weeks. I've decided after a year of testing, that rigid steel and drop bars are better than flat bars with shocks (hardtail mtn bike). I would rather walk or slow down on the chunky stuff, and have more comfort on the open sections for long rides and bikepacking. It's a trade-off, overall comfort over elapsed time. Happy trails!
Say more about the standover. I'm an inch taller than you but my legs are two inches shorter. Am I out of luck with anything except a steeply sloping top tube?
I'd be curious to know how the steel version compares to the stainless steel version in terms of ride quality. I have the steel Waheela(oddly Reynolds 520) & wish more brands were able to use their flip chip system & it's the best of the adjustable CS method I have used.
this new "steel craze" is ridiculous. frame material matters so little in the grand scheme but people will get red in the face saying otherwise. all comes down to feeling good about your $$$$
I don’t think it’s a new craze, but I’ll say this-I don’t lean one way or another when it comes to bike materials. I own carbon, titanium, and steel bikes, and each has its pros and cons. What stood out to me about the Warakin is its unique construction, offering a great balance of compliance and responsiveness-something I’ve yet to experience with steel.
Great Viddya. Very thorough testing it loaded, unloaded and swapping tires and playing with the flip chip dropouts. Road rides, Gravel rides, Single track, dry and sloppy conditions. You always test these bikes for intended purpose and also push them just over the edge. Orange Kitsbow is chef's kiss. 😘
Thanks Swauvy!
Thee Swauvmeister taking the words right out of my mouth.
I bought my steel warakin in August. Done about 600 miles on it with 3 good trips over 100+ miles. Such a dream. I can load it just right for a day trip or an overnight. Pavement, gravel, or dirt, my Otso has quickly become my favorite bike I own. Plus the tangerine color is phenomenal
I didn't even mention the colorways, but a three are so good.
A heavier frame helps mute and settle gravel chatter and will help it keep it's momentum. I noticed this in surfing choppy conditions - a heavier board smoothed out the chop and was actually was faster and more enjoyable. I don't like that steel rusts, but otherwise it's great for gravel.
Head tube angle on dowhnills is what brought me to the Otso Fenrir. I just need that stability to give me confidence as I get older. Overall though love just about everything Otso does.
This is definitely my kind of bike. And I would certainly call it all road too. This is basically the Kona Rove LTD - 71/74 moderate chainstays and decent reach.
Nice bike! Old school with new technology.
I feel this video for real. I love my straggler but would loovveeeee to be able to put 50s or 55s on it. I can go from 42c to 47, but would have to change to 650b for that which is an insane amount of cost and work for 5mm. Same goes for actually getting a new frame and building that up. So I dream, i contemplate builds, and then i do nothing and push my straggler far beyond its limits. We'll see how far i can do that, with extra cash, before i break.
Great review with nuanced ride feelings, thanks. Your quick note on aging hands using GRX shifters was appreciated. I had a 2X GRX drivetrain and my left hand (broken wrist years ago) could not shift the front derailleur. Changed it to 1X within weeks. I've decided after a year of testing, that rigid steel and drop bars are better than flat bars with shocks (hardtail mtn bike). I would rather walk or slow down on the chunky stuff, and have more comfort on the open sections for long rides and bikepacking. It's a trade-off, overall comfort over elapsed time. Happy trails!
Otso makes good shit.
Can you please tell me what the rear rack was on the bike?
Yep, it's the MICA Rack: bikepacking.com/gear/mica-rack-review/
I'd like to know as well.
Say more about the standover. I'm an inch taller than you but my legs are two inches shorter. Am I out of luck with anything except a steeply sloping top tube?
Nice
Nice bike. Anybody knows what brand/model the mounted rack is ?
Yep, here ya go: bikepacking.com/gear/mica-rack-review/
frame is 4130 Chromoly tubing
The single speed able of this frame has me intrigued but wish it had more stack
I've come to really love the Tuning Chip design.
I'd be curious to know how the steel version compares to the stainless steel version in terms of ride quality. I have the steel Waheela(oddly Reynolds 520) & wish more brands were able to use their flip chip system & it's the best of the adjustable CS method I have used.
Good question, I was also wondering what the stainless version offers. I've never pedaled a stainless bike, so maybe someone else can chime in.
Maybe if enough of us ask about that rear rack, you'll tell us? I really liked the look of it.
you are the third person to ask today, :): check it out here: bikepacking.com/gear/mica-rack-review/
What's the name of the rare rack?
this new "steel craze" is ridiculous. frame material matters so little in the grand scheme but people will get red in the face saying otherwise. all comes down to feeling good about your $$$$
I don’t think it’s a new craze, but I’ll say this-I don’t lean one way or another when it comes to bike materials. I own carbon, titanium, and steel bikes, and each has its pros and cons. What stood out to me about the Warakin is its unique construction, offering a great balance of compliance and responsiveness-something I’ve yet to experience with steel.
Is it a ‘steel craze’ or is it just a better mix of steel options along with the aluminum and carbon ‘crazes’ that haven’t really gone away?