If you’ve ever dreamed of a bike that feels like an extension of your body—equally at home on dusty gravel roads, winding singletrack, or loaded down with gear for a weekend bikepacking trip—then you need to meet the Reeb Sam’s Pants.
More than just a quirky name (yes, it’s named after a local shop kid named Sam who rocked skinny jeans and drop bars), the Sam’s Pants is Reeb Cycles’ longest-running model and a true testament to thoughtful, rider-first design. After logging over 300 miles across everything from short commutes to multi-day adventures in Colorado’s rugged terrain, I can confidently say this isn’t just another gravel bike—it’s a do-it-all steel steed built for real-world riding.
Let’s dive deep into what makes the 2025 Sam’s Pants so special, from its progressive geometry and Columbus steel tubing to its adventure-ready features and surprising versatility.
A Brief History: From Brewery Commuter to Bikepacking Legend
First introduced in 2012, the Sam’s Pants was originally conceived as a “do-everything” bike for employees at Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont, Colorado. Reeb wanted a single bike that could handle commuting, gravel grinding, light touring, and even trail riding—and the Sam’s Pants was born.
The name? A playful nod to Sam, a local bike shop employee known for his signature look: drop bars + skinny jeans. The cheeky moniker stuck, and over the years, the bike earned serious credibility.
In 2015, it gained legendary status when endurance rider Joe Grant completed the grueling Colorado Trail Race—a 500-mile, high-altitude sufferfest—on a Sam’s Pants drop-bar bike in just 5 days, 7 hours, and 31 minutes, one of the fastest times ever on a non-mountain bike.
Reeb updated the model in 2019 for the 2020 season, and after a brief hiatus, they’ve brought it back in 2025 with modern touches that make it more capable than ever.
Frame & Materials: Handbuilt Steel Soul from Lyons, Colorado
Every Sam’s Pants is handbuilt in Reeb’s workshop in Lyons, Colorado—a small mountain town known for its cycling culture and rugged terrain. This isn’t mass-produced; it’s crafted.
The frame uses Columbus Zona tubing—a double- and triple-butted seamless steel known for its ideal balance of strength, light weight, and ride compliance. Unlike carbon, steel absorbs road buzz naturally, and the Zona tubeset delivers a smooth, damped ride that’s both lively and forgiving.
During testing, I rode the same route on both the Sam’s Pants and a carbon gravel bike (Santa Cruz Stigmata). Surprisingly, the steel Sam’s Pants felt more comfortable over washboard gravel and rocky descents—proof that modern steel still has magic.
Geometry: Progressive, Confident, and Adventure-Ready
Reeb didn’t just tweak the old design—they modernized it with gravel riders’ real needs in mind.
Key Geometry Highlights (Medium Size):
- Reach: 400 mm
- Stack: 576 mm
- Head Tube Angle: 70°
- Seat Tube Angle: 73.5° (steeper than previous gen)
- Chainstays: 435 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,061 mm
- BB Drop: 75 mm
- Standover: 787 mm (~31 inches)
This geometry strikes a perfect balance: not too upright like a touring bike, not too aggressive like a race gravel bike. It puts you “in” the bike, offering control on technical descents while remaining comfortable on all-day rides.
The longer front center (637 mm) and slightly steeper seat tube help center your weight—critical when climbing steep fire roads or navigating loose corners with a full load.
Yes, there’s minor toe overlap on the medium (due to my large feet and cleat position), but it’s negligible in real-world use and far less intrusive than on bikes like the Surly Straggler.
Tire Clearance & Versatility: 2.2” Tires = Real-World Capability
One of the biggest upgrades? Massive tire clearance.
The Sam’s Pants fits up to 2.2-inch tires (tested with 2.1” Vittoria Mezcal G2.0s), which is a game-changer. While many “gravel” bikes max out at 45–50mm (1.9”), the extra volume here means:
- Better traction on loose dirt and mud
- Lower tire pressures for comfort
- True singletrack capability
- Confidence on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route or Tour Divide
During wet Colorado rides, the peanut butter mud that clogs narrow frames wasn’t an issue. The Sam’s Pants stayed clean and rolled freely.
That said, the clearance is tight near the drive-side chainstay—a 2.4” tire might not fit. But for 99% of riders, 2.2” is the sweet spot between speed, grip, and practicality.
Adventure-Ready Mounts: Built for the Long Haul
This isn’t just a fast gravel bike—it’s a bikepacking platform.
You get:
- 3 bottle mounts (2 in main triangle, 1 under downtube)
- Rear rack & fender mounts (positioned low near dropouts—huge win)
- Frame bag compatibility (I used a medium frame bag with zero issues)
- Carbon fork with triple cargo mounts (perfect for extra water or dry bags)
The low-mounted rack bosses are a subtle but critical detail. High mounts raise your center of gravity and look clunky. Reeb got this right.
I loaded the bike with water, food, layers, and tools for an overnight trip into the golden aspen groves—and the bike felt more stable, not sluggish. The steel frame handled the weight with composure, never feeling “noodly.”
Also Read: Lupine SL Grano Bike Light Review: Is This the Last Headlight You’ll Ever Need?
Build Kits: Three Options, One Philosophy
Reeb offers three complete builds (all electronic—no mechanical options, which is a slight miss):
- Apex XPLR Gravel Build – $4,599
- Apex GX Adventure Build (tested) – $4,799
- Red XPLR 13-Speed Gravel Build – $8,499
Tested Build Highlights:
- SRAM Apex XPLR shifters & brakes – excellent ergonomics, powerful modulation
- SRAM GX derailleur + 10-52T cassette – huge gear range for climbs
- 40T chainring – ideal for loaded touring
- Hunt 4Season Gravel Wheels – durable, but… loud freehub (more below)
- Zipp Service Course 70 XPLR 42cm bars – narrower than expected, but grew on me
- 27.2mm seatpost – compatible with droppers (I swapped in a RockShox Reverb—highly recommended)
What I’d Change:
- Freehub noise: The Hunt hub’s 36-tooth ratchet is surprisingly loud—embarrassingly so on quiet trails. A bit of freehub grease would help.
- Dropper post: Not included, but adding one transforms the bike on descents. Reeb includes internal routing—use it!
- Top tube mounts: Missing direct-mount bosses for a top tube bag. Easy fix for future versions.
- Steel fork option: Carbon is light, but a matching steel fork would enhance ride quality and aesthetics.
On the Road (and Trail): Ride Impressions
Climbing
The Sam’s Pants climbs with urgency. The stiff BB area and responsive steel frame translate every watt into forward motion. On steep, loose grades, the 73.5° seat angle kept my weight centered—no wheelies or sketchy moments.
Descending
Here’s where it shines. The long wheelbase, 75mm BB drop, and 2.1” tires create a planted, confidence-inspiring feel. Even on rocky, off-camber singletrack, the bike stayed composed. Add a dropper, and it’s borderline mountain-bike capable.
Comfort
Over 6+ hour rides, fatigue was minimal. The Zona steel soaked up chatter better than expected. Paired with supple tires at 28–32 PSI, it’s a smooth operator—even compared to carbon.
Bikepacking Load Test
Fully loaded, the bike felt more stable, not sluggish. The geometry and frame stiffness handled weight distribution beautifully. Cornering with 10+ lbs of gear? No problem.
Who Is This Bike For?
The Sam’s Pants is not for:
- Pure road racers
- Riders who want ultra-lightweight (<20 lbs)
- Those who prefer mechanical shifting
It is perfect for:
- Gravel adventurers who ride mixed terrain
- Bikepackers tackling routes like the GDMBR
- All-road riders who want one bike for everything
- Steel lovers who value durability and ride quality
- Drop-bar mountain bikers tired of limited tire clearance
Price & Value: Handbuilt Quality at a Fair Price
- Complete Adventure Build: $4,799 (22 lbs 14 oz)
- Frameset (with carbon fork): $2,149
- Frameset (with Cane Creek Invert fork): $2,399
For a handbuilt U.S. steel frame with modern geometry, massive tire clearance, and adventure-ready mounts, this is excellent value. Compare it to custom steel builders charging $3,000+ for frames alone.
Final Verdict: The Gravel Bike That Does It All
The Reeb Sam’s Pants isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it refines a proven formula with modern updates that matter: better geometry, more tire clearance, smarter mounts, and dropper compatibility.
It’s efficient enough for fast gravel rides, tough enough for bikepacking, and fun enough for singletrack. In a market flooded with “gravel” bikes that are really just road bikes with wider tires, the Sam’s Pants stands out as a true adventure machine.
After 300+ miles, I didn’t want to send it back. And that’s the highest praise I can give.
Where to Buy & Custom Options
Reeb offers custom geometry, paint, and builds. Want a steel fork? Mechanical drivetrain? Sliding dropouts? Reach out—they’re a small shop that listens.
Visit: www.reebcycles.com
The Bottom Line
The Reeb Sam’s Pants is the rare gravel bike that truly does it all—without compromise. Built from soulful steel, designed for real adventure, and ready for whatever the road (or trail) throws at you.
If you’re looking for one bike to rule them all in 2025, this might just be it.
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