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 have the Warakin Ti. It's primarily a commuter with some gravel adventures on the weekend. I love it and glad to see it getting some love here! I struggled to find comprehensive reviews at the time of my purchase.
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!
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'm getting on for 30,000 km on my Rove LTD and still loving it.
I have a steel gravel rig (State 4130; these fancy bikes are a bit outside my budget) and I swap between 700x45c and 650x2.3" wheelset/tire combos. As a dirt lover, you wont catch me going skinner than the 45s, but the cushy 2.3s (Teravail Ehlines) add a lot of comfort for big bikepacking days, not to mention making the riding a lot more fun.
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
Great review! I’ve been bikepacking, gravel and all road riding on a Ti Warakin for a couple of years now with 9k miles on it. It’s been a rock solid event, race, training, and packing bike.
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.
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.
@@Fatbutnotflat I have 650bx47 on my steamroller. I do love it, but oof. Plus I can't give up fenders that's what eats at me constantly. Considered cutting up the fenders to work around the frame but idk. It's my madness as we say in skateboarding
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.
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.
Washboard roads are such a big part of the gravel experience for me-in your opinion does the steel frame significantly dampen out the vibration and hits compared to an alloy or carbon frame using the same volume tires?
It seems much more similar to the Twin Six Standard Rando than I expected. Speaking of, when are y'all reviewing the Standard Rando for bikepacking potential??
Just bought a 2022 Otso waheela C, put 2.1s on it, went out and smashed a KOM on singletrack today. There's room for bigger than 2.1s without rubbing especially in the rear. I wouldn't buy another gravel bike without atleast 2.1" clearance.
Hi guys, not really the aim of the video, but i would be really interested to know which carrier is shown in the video... and is the tailfin top tube bag as a long version a prototype or when is it dropping out? would really appreciate your help. thanks :)
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?
Let's be honest. The luxury market isn't that expensive if you produce it at cost and take off the logo. The luxury logo is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact is that you're buying the image, showing off your taste, and making them think you have more money than you actually do, which is a very good thing. so kislux .
I echo this sentiment. There is very little difference between the 54 and 56 except a much lower stack. As a 54 Warakin owner, I really wish I went 56. I'd sell my Ti in a heartbeat now with hindsight. Pay attention to the geo if you're a tweener.
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.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom the seat stays design looked like the ones on salsa except for the tech
I have the Warakin Ti. It's primarily a commuter with some gravel adventures on the weekend. I love it and glad to see it getting some love here! I struggled to find comprehensive reviews at the time of my purchase.
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!
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'm getting on for 30,000 km on my Rove LTD and still loving it.
A Kona keeps me goin' too !
I have a steel gravel rig (State 4130; these fancy bikes are a bit outside my budget) and I swap between 700x45c and 650x2.3" wheelset/tire combos. As a dirt lover, you wont catch me going skinner than the 45s, but the cushy 2.3s (Teravail Ehlines) add a lot of comfort for big bikepacking days, not to mention making the riding a lot more fun.
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 all three are so good.
Such a good review for this bike, been wanting to pull the trigger on one and this one convinced me. Great stuff as always!
Great review! I’ve been bikepacking, gravel and all road riding on a Ti Warakin for a couple of years now with 9k miles on it. It’s been a rock solid event, race, training, and packing bike.
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.
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.
650b is worth it!
@@Fatbutnotflat I have 650bx47 on my steamroller. I do love it, but oof. Plus I can't give up fenders that's what eats at me constantly. Considered cutting up the fenders to work around the frame but idk. It's my madness as we say in skateboarding
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.
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/
Any idea when that Tailfin top tube bag is coming out??
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.
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.
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.
Sweet bike! All around!
Washboard roads are such a big part of the gravel experience for me-in your opinion does the steel frame significantly dampen out the vibration and hits compared to an alloy or carbon frame using the same volume tires?
frame is 4130 Chromoly tubing
It seems much more similar to the Twin Six Standard Rando than I expected. Speaking of, when are y'all reviewing the Standard Rando for bikepacking potential??
Just bought a 2022 Otso waheela C, put 2.1s on it, went out and smashed a KOM on singletrack today. There's room for bigger than 2.1s without rubbing especially in the rear.
I wouldn't buy another gravel bike without atleast 2.1" clearance.
What shirt you wearing there in garage? And which clip in shoes on the climb out of desert basin. Fashion questions 😂
Hi guys, not really the aim of the video, but i would be really interested to know which carrier is shown in the video... and is the tailfin top tube bag as a long version a prototype or when is it dropping out? would really appreciate your help. thanks :)
Nice bike. Anybody knows what brand/model the mounted rack is ?
Yep, here ya go: bikepacking.com/gear/mica-rack-review/
it is the sold out Mica rack.
@ Looks great!
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?
Let's be honest. The luxury market isn't that expensive if you produce it at cost and take off the logo. The luxury logo is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact is that you're buying the image, showing off your taste, and making them think you have more money than you actually do, which is a very good thing. so kislux .
Hello! Where can we find this model tailfin? Those of the website are too small!
🤫
Otso makes good shit.
I wish Otso offered this bike with a steel fork!
Nice
What's the name of the rare rack?
Mica...it is sold out :(
Typical Otso quality, but you best check the geometry. 56 cm frame has a 550 mm seat tube.
And a 565mm top tube.
I echo this sentiment. There is very little difference between the 54 and 56 except a much lower stack. As a 54 Warakin owner, I really wish I went 56. I'd sell my Ti in a heartbeat now with hindsight.
Pay attention to the geo if you're a tweener.
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?
A steel frame is probably gonna last forever. I wouldn't be so sure about that with aluminium or carbon though.
@@Hurricane2k8 steel last forever? it rusts.....
@@High_Octane Sure, but at least you can do something about that. What am I supposed to do about a fatigued alu frame though?