Brendan Heinig's 2018 Flat Bar Salsa Cutthroat

We wouldn't be doing ourselves, or the World for that matter, any justice if we didn't highlight this magnificent beast. If ever there is an adventure bike screaming at you to hop on and never stop riding, this is it. Let's dive in...

First and foremost, bikes are about fun and adventure and all we see when looking at Brendan's bike is just that. Brendan decided he wanted to build a bike he could rip around on (if you've ever ridden with him, you know he rips!) and also take on big adventures. More on those big adventures shortly. Let's get into the specs...

Outfitted with (almost) full Shimano drivetrain parts, Brendan runs an XT rear derailleur, XTR shifter and crank, an 11/46 XT cassette and XTR crank arms. The crank is complimented with a 32t Wolftooth chainring. Keeping Brendan comfy on those long bike packing trips is a Charge Spoon saddle and a flat bar from the parts bin at Community Cycles...brand unknown. We're not gonna lie, that's kind of badass.

Nextie Carbon wheels built with DT spokes, a rear DT 240 hub and a SON Dynamo front hub. When you know what works, you build the bike YOU want and Brendan did just that. We should also mention the Lauf Trail Racer Boost fork. Yea, it looks crazy weird. But, according to Brendan, it's a pleasure to ride. 

Frame bags for all the riding goodies include a Salsa full frame bag, an Oveja Negra Snack Pack top tube bag, and Revelate feed and seat bags. When you adventure like this dude, you need all the room. Just to cement his place in being a true adventure rider, he always carries his Bikepacking Roots trucker hat. Because, you know, looking fly during pit stops is a must.

We ride with Brendan often and can't say enough good things about him. If you get the chance (locally) to ride with him, do it! We think that's all we can include about him and his bike...oh wait, check this out...

2020 Adventure Ride - Brendan decided to ride from Colorado to New York to visit friends and family:
- 1,830 miles
- 11 days, 8.5 hours
- 160 miles/day average
- 14.8 mph average
- 60lb bike/gear weight
- Full 8 hours of sleep each night
- Not enough elevation gain to mention (haha!)

*He won the 2020 Rollins Ramble and the 2020 Pinyons and Pines 303 mile self supported bike race and has now added a second place finish at the 2021 Tour Divide.

Keep rollin' hard because we salute you, good sir!

Want to have your bike
featured? Think it has what it takes? Submit a request to us and you
might just see it on our site!