In this week’s Reader’s Rig feature, we take a look at John McCaig’s highlighter green Crust Evasion, complete with not one, but two Fabio’s Chest saddlebags. Continue on for more photos and complete build details…

Welcome to the fourth installment of our new weekly Dispatch series, Reader’s Rig. Each week, we’ll select a bikepacking rig from our reader community to feature on the site. To learn how to submit yours for possible inclusion, check out the form at the bottom of the page.

You might know John McCaig from the internet. Offline, his passion for cycling kicked off when he was introduced to randonneuring back in 2010. Some years later, he took on his first bikepacking experience, the inaugural Oregon Outback, in 2014. John and his riding crew treated it as a 600km brevet and tried to finish in under 40 hours (they did not). After that, he started digging into off-road touring, but decided to focus on shorter rides on high-quality routes. These days, he’s happy when he can squeeze 30-40 miles into a day.

A couple years back, John and his wife Stephanie sold most of their earthly possessions (at least the ones that didn’t spark joy) and roamed the United States in their refurbished Airstream. After growing tired of living in a 29-foot trailer with three cats and a dog, they recently set up a homestead in the Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina.

Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest

This highlighter green Crust Evasion frame – lovingly nicknamed “Gravedigger” – came into John’s life a couple years ago when he was invited to Vermont to ride the XVT (Cross Vermont Bikepacking Route) with friends, including Matt from Crust Bikes. As John didn’t have a suitable rig at the time, Matt promised to bring him “a cool bike to try.” He’s been riding it ever since.

  • Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest
  • Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest
  • Frame/Fork Crust Evasion, XL
  • Front Wheel Asym i35 26+ rim / SON28 hub
  • Rear Wheel Asym i35 26+ rim / SRAM X9 hub
  • Tires WTB Ranger 26”x3”
  • Handlebar Crust Jungle Runners
  • Crankset White Industries MR30 – 36T Ring
  • Cassette SRAM 10-42
  • Derailleur(s) SRAM Force
  • Brakes TRP Spyre
  • Saddle Gilles Berthoud
  • Front Bag(s) Large Swift/Ultraromance Fabio’s Chest
  • Rear Bag(s) Large Swift/Ultraromance Fabio’s Chest
  • Frame Bag(s) Large Revelate Tangle
  • Bag Support(s) Carradice Bagman
  • Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest
  • Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest
  • Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest
Crust Evasion, Reader's Rig, Bikepacking, Fabio's Chest

You can follow John on Instagram @jdgesus. Outside of bikes, music has always been a driving force in John’s life, and the audiophiles among us might be interested in checking out his work as a mastering engineer at panicStudios.

On that note, in case you missed it, you can find details about the Crust Evasion in our Rigid/Steel/Plus Gear Index that was also published this week.

Send Us Your Bikepacking Rig

Use the form below to submit your bikepacking rig. We’ll choose one per week to feature in a Reader’s Rig Dispatch and on Instagram. To enter, email us your best photo of the bike (preferably at a 90° angle), your Instagram username (optional), and a short description of you and your rig. If your bike is selected, we’ll need a total of five photos and a little bit more info.

Readers Rig

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