Otso Warakin Review - Steel Gravel Bike for the Win?

Is steel the perfect frame material for an efficient, dedicated gravel bike? Neil got ahold of the new Otso Warakin steel to find out. Find his full review after two months and 350 miles aboard this chromoly beauty, including an overnighter and several big adventure rides to test its mettle.

Outline:
Introduction: 0:00
Specs: 2:52
How Does It Ride: 7:13
Get Carried Away: 11:01
Component Thoughts: 12:51
Final Thoughts: 15:32

Related Links:

#bikepacking #pedalfurther #otso
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::About The Host::
Geometry: 150lbs, 5'9.5", 32" inseam, +2.5" Ape index

[TheSwauvy]

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. 😘

[Mike-vdqt]

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!

[Scalpcollector]

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

[graveltraveldirt]

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.

[stansbikeride]

I completed the GDMBR in 2023 on my Warakin Ti and loved it. I loved the bike so much that I used it for the ACA Atlantic Coast Route this past summer.

For the GDMBR, the 50mm tires performed just fine. I obviously took it easy on the downhills and was focused while picking my line as discussed in the video.

[claytonraithel]

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.

[larrywhite]

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.

[thecma]

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.

[tylermerkel]

Such a good review for this bike, been wanting to pull the trigger on one and this one convinced me. Great stuff as always!

[jamisonswift]

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.

[ZenEndurance]

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.

[bobbys]

Otso came up with an incredibly useful design. And, every time I see that British Racing Green I find myself wanting and second guessing my decision to go with ti. Steel is so buttery smooth! Though, after my short bout with BNSUS, I’ll probably never part with it in this lifetime. I believe it’s…Just.That.Good!!!

[Plast_and_Cars]

Nice bike! Old school with new technology.

[literallyanythingelseother]

I feel this video for real. I love my straggler but would 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.

[MementoMorIan]

My 2019 Trek Checkpoint has a sliding dropout. They don't even make them anymore because nobody used it. The flip chip system definitely has less mechanical complexity but the Trek system was built on a screw and you could microadjust it if you wanted to between the extremes.

[WesleyChe]

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.

[zimmejoc]

Maybe if enough of us ask about that rear rack, you'll tell us? I really liked the look of it.

[aubreyj]

What shirt you wearing there in garage? And which clip in shoes on the climb out of desert basin. Fashion questions 😂

[wqdejbi]

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??

[kevinbrewster]

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?