Photos and Text by Pierre Bouchard
English version to come…
L’hiver, sommes-nous confinés à rouler en rond, pédaler après notre queue sur les sentiers entretenus de centres de fatbike, ski de fond et raquette pour s’éclater du haut de nos roues surdimensionnés? Heureusement que non! Pas dans Charlevoix, en tout cas! Même que l’aventure, lorsque l’indice de « portaison » le permet et que nos amis les motoneigistes nous tapent la voie—sur des sentiers non-fédérés, bien sûr—sait se pointer, toujours prête à nous transporter, élever…exalter!
Explorant un univers capitonné strié de pistes et chemins forestiers immaculés, on peut évoluer au sein de cette planète blanche sidérante, l’arrière-pays charlevoisien l’hiver, pendant des jours et relier ainsi auberges des bois, chalets de la Traversée de Charlevoix et refuges du Territoire Libre de Pied-des-Monts.
. Appelons ce type d’entreprise « bikepacking ou fatpacking hivernal haute route ». Voici quelques scènes et moments d’une escapade qui nous aura vus, mon partenaire Antoine Dufour-Simard et moi, piloter nos Chic-Chocs du plateau avoisinant le massif du lac Jacques-Cartier jusqu’au fond du cratère météoritique de Charlevoix…un circuit fat intergalactique!
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Boreal
All Terrain Touring***In stock, we ship daily! The Boreal is an all-terrain touring bike designed to carry its rider in a comfortable upright position on trips and expeditions. The frame and fork are sturdy, and the components are reliable and low-maintenance. Capable of taking loads, the Boreal is the perfect partner for your most ambitious projects. This bike share the same geometry and features as the Boreal-Pinion. Unlike the latter, which is equipped with an internal drivetrain, we build the Boreal with either a Shimano SLX 1x12 or a Shimano Cues 6000/8000 2x11 drivetrain. The 2x11 option offers a huge range of gear ratios, 669% versus 510% for the 1x12. Building the bike around the Rohloff Speedhub 14-speed hub is also available as an option. For half-road/half-off-road touring, 29×2.0 (700×50 equivalent) tires will provide an optimum ride. For off-road use, 27.5″ tires of equivalent diameter, i.e. 27.5×2.6, are the appropriate choice. The two 32-spoke wheel options (for greater durability) are offered with the purchase of the complete bike. In both options, no lack of mud clearance while the frame and fork can accommodate 29×2.8 tires. *** Refer to the specification list for component details. * Rohloff option comes with Speedhub 500/14 A12 DB PM black hub, 180mm rear disc, shifter. The chain option comes with a 34/16T chainring/sprocket and the belt option in 42/19.1,399$ – 2,899$ (CAD) -
Derailleur hanger
PartsAlways a good idea to have a spare derailleur hanger when venturing a little further than usual...25$ – 40$ (CAD) -
Taïga Fork
PartsTransform your hardtail mountain bike into a lightweight and versatile bikepacking bike with the Taïga carbon fork.565$ (CAD)- Axle to crown length of 500mm. Corresponds to a suspension fork for a 29in wheel with 120mm of travel, at 25% 'sag'.
- Boost 110x15mm spacing.
- Tapered 1-1/2 x 1-1/8 300mm long carbon steer tube
- Offset/rake: 51mm
- Triple cargo cage mounts
- Clearance for tire: 29x3.0 or 27.5x3.25
- Post mount 160mm brake standard.
- Wheel axle included
- Weight: 675g
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Taïga EXP 2
Gravel Bikes, Mountain Bikes***2024-03-25 Update. Delivery of first production batch scheduled for early April. This batch has sold out in presale. A second production batch is expected in late April/early May. All sizes will be available. Pre-order your Taïga EXP using the promo code taigaexp at the time of purchase to proceed to the 50% reservation deposit. Selected as one of the best off-road touring bikes by the renowned blog Cyling About, the Taïga EXP 2 is the dropbar version of the Taïga mountain bike. This makes it ideal for long-distance off-road tours and mixed terrain bikepacking expeditions. It was also the bike that led Cory Ostertag to first place at the 2022 BC Epic, and the same bike that helped Marie-Pierre Savard and Cory Ostertag set new record times (FKT) at the 2022 Log Driver’s Waltz for women and men respectively. The Reynolds 725 frame is packed with useful features: adjustable rear sliding dropouts, seat stay opening for use with belt, compatible with 100mm suspension fork, compatible with dropper seat post. The carbon fork has internal cable routing for dynamo hub usage, and all the necessary mounts for your equipment. In addition to slight geometric refinements, tire clearance has been increased to easily accommodate 29x2.6'' on this second-generation EXP. The Taïga EXP 2 is equipped with the excellent GRX 12-speed groupset, and the frame now features flat-mount brake mounts. We offer 2 wheel options as well as an adjustable seatpost option. The Ritchey Beacon 52cm wide handlebar gives enough space for a bulky handlebar bag, while providing excellent stability when the terrain is more demanding. *Frameset comes with wheel axles, headset installed, seatpost collar and frame protectors.1,649$ – 3,899$ (CAD) -
Katahdin
Gravel BikesThe first generation of the Katahdin has proven itself both in races, gravel events and in bikepacking trips. For its second iteration, the Katahdin gets a makeover with progressive gravel geometry and new features to make it even more versatile. A relaxed 70deg steering angle, longer reach, 75mm bb drop and 430mm chainstays increase the wheelbase of the bike and place the rider in a stable and comfortable position. The goal is less fatigue, and more speed for long outings and / or races. The internal cables for an adjustable seat post, the fork adapted to the use of a dynamo hub, a threaded bottom bracket shell and all the mounts necessary to install bags and accessories are among the features of the Katahdin. The frame is dressed with the Hunt wheels fitted with Maxxis Rambler tires, as well as the Shimano GRX 12 speed groupsets (offered in 1x or 2x), which make for a versatile and efficient bike.2,699$ – 4,099$ (CAD) -
Sold out
Traveler Hat
ClothingSlip this cap into your bike bags, and keep it stylish around the campfire!34.99$ (CAD)- 6-panel cap, without structure (ideal to pack into bags).
- Blue color: fabric made entirely from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Each cap uses about 3 bottles, which have been recovered from our environment.
- Olive color: 100% ripstop cotton
- Adjustable strap and plastic buckle (convenient to be attached to a bag)
- One size fits all
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Torngat Ti
Fat bikes, Mountain Bikes***In stock. We ship everyday! The only one of its kind, the Torngat Ti is the first titanium fat bike to offer two crankset spindle length setups (Q-factor), to suit all your type of riding. A versatile model, both lightweight and durable, that can be used for a wide range of adventures, making it the perfect bike for both trail riding and expeditions during summer and winter. The Torngat Ti is ready to tackle any terrain, without compromise. By using one of the two crankset axle provided with the bike, you can configure it to minimize the Q-factor depending on how you want to use it:3,599$ – 5,594$ (CAD)- 27.5'' x 4.5'' tires (the widest fat bike tires on the market) for soft surfaces: standard 205mm Q-factor.
- 27.5×4'' tires for hard-surface fat bike configuration: narrow 185mm Q-factor for more ergonomic positioning.
- 29×2.5''-3'' tires for mountain or all-terrain use: narrow 185mm Q-factor for a comfortable pedaling position.
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Sale
Chic-Chocs 2024 – Demo
Factory OutletSome demo units available. All in excellent 9-9.5/10 condition. The Chic-Chocs has proven its abilities over the past few years in endurance races and winter expeditions. Whether it's for the Raid du Fjord, the Wendigo Ultra, or riding with confidence on groomed trails, the Chic-Chocs delivers. A stable geometry with a long wheelbase increases traction and flotation on soft surfaces. In addition, the Chic-Chocs is designed with a 205mm q-factor, the narrowest available for use with tires up to 5" wide. Not to be overlooked for an ergonomic position. Two Shimano drivetrains available with RaceFace cranksets and cockpit. Quality SunRingle rims and hubs (ready for -30degC!), and studdable tires that can be easily converted tubeless complete the package. Throw on some 29x3" wheels when the snow melts, and you've got a 4-season bike ready for backcountry bikepacking trips!2,599$ (CAD)