Technologic.
Blackburn is back for 2016 with an updated series of Outpost bike luggage, some improved mini pumps, and an interesting take on the mini tool.
First off, the new Outpost frame pack. As a company Blackburn’s size really isn’t going to get into the made-to-measure bag market, they needed to find a way to make their frame pack fit as many frames as possible. Their solution -an accordion-style expanding wedge- is clever and lets the company fit most diamond frames with only two pack sizes. UK pricing has yet to be set, but the US prices of $60 (medium) and $65 (large) are promising for tourers on a budget.
Last year’s Outpost saddle bag has been upgraded with a welded-seam waterproof stuff sack- probably a good idea for something directly in the line of wheel spray.
The same is true up front, where the Outpost handlebar bag gets improved waterproofing and a Velcro strip to make strapping the stuff sack into its bar sleeve less of a frantic faff.
Over in pumpdom, the Mammoth Flow pump gets a valve-friendly flex head, in-line pressure gage, and high volume shaft. The head lever has a very nice action and altogether it felt like a solidly-built pump for $40.
Above that, the Mammoth CO2fer uses a similar head with the option of either manual or cartridge-assisted inflation. The compact size and CO2 storage look like they’d be ideal given the current bumbag resurgence.
A less frustration-prone take on the current bunch-o’-bits tool trend, the Blackburn Wayside tool has the same sort of ball-end Allen keys often found at the workbench, joined by a chain tool, saw, and hollow 8mm hex/breaker bar. The chain tool not only includes a disc pad spreader and spoke key, but a valve core tool- ideal for inserting sealant or (ahem) tightening cores loosened by other companies’ pumps.
