Bikepacking Slovenia – What Worked. And What Didn’t + Final Yoeleo Altera G21 Review

Why It Matters

The review reveals real‑world weaknesses in emerging gravel components, guiding both consumers and manufacturers toward more reliable, weight‑optimized bikepacking setups.

Key Takeaways

• Frame proved ultra‑durable, but M5 rivet nuts need reinforcement
• TRP Vista shifters failed early, rendering classified hub dead weight
• Rear wheel spokes repeatedly loosened under heavy climbing torque
• Tail‑fin rear rack stayed rock‑steady despite heavy load
• Tire swap to 2.25″ solved clearance issues, improved performance

Summary

The video documents a four‑day bikepacking expedition across Slovenia’s rugged West Loop, using a heavily loaded gravel bike equipped with a TRP VISTA drivetrain, Yoeleo Altera G21 components, and custom‑printed accessories. The creator evaluates each piece of kit after 530 km, 28 hours of riding and over 10 000 m of climbing.

The Merit frame held up flawlessly, described as an “AK‑47 of gravel bikes,” while the classified hub added 400‑500 g of dead weight after the right‑hand TRP shifter failed on day one. Re‑wiring the left shifter restored rear shifting but eliminated hub control. Repeated loosening of non‑drive‑side spokes indicated inadequate pre‑tension, especially under the 120 kg rider weight and steep climbs. The tail‑fin rear rack and Merit frame bag performed without issue, and a switch to a 2.25″ tire resolved clearance constraints.

“The frame is an absolute tank,” the rider notes, contrasting it with “threads made of cheese” on the M5 rivet nuts. He recounts, “the classified hub was a complete dead weight,” and describes the frustration of tightening spokes “about the fifth time” each morning. The broken lightweight front rack from Bricklane Bikes also highlighted the need for sturdier load‑bearing solutions.

These findings underscore that durability and proper wheel building are critical for long‑distance gravel adventures, especially when carrying 120 kg of gear. Manufacturers may need to address shifter reliability, hub weight, and spoke pre‑stress, while riders should prioritize robust racks and consider weight distribution to prevent front‑wheel lift on steep off‑road climbs.

Original Description

West loop available here, highly recommend it: https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-slovenia/

We followed the loop plus a few days of road riding on the way round (de-tour into Italy and also the famous Mangart climb on day2: https://mystreet.website/2021/08/03/road-cycling-slovenia-climbing-vrsic-pass-and-mangart-saddle-from-kranjska-gora/

Fore more in depth videos follow at patreon.com/peaktorque

Frame and groupset were sent for free, no agreement, and I am free to say whatever I like. All other components purchased by PT.

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Discount code: PT10

I earn a small commission if you use the links above. I only offer product links if they have been fully and thoroughly long term tested. No glorified unboxing videos here.