Sea Otter 2024
Our Favourite Leftovers
Here is a compendium of things we saw that either didn't fit into a tidy category or were pushed aside for space concerns.
Bronson Moore and the ReverseRise Stem.
Bronson told us he's almost sold out of his second production run of his original stem with 150mm of rise. He's even had repeat customers who, after trying the RR stem on one bike, want it on every bike they own. This year he was showing his new version. It's 'only' 90mm tall for a more moderate introduction into high handed mountain biking.
If riders try the 90mm version and want to see what it feels like with even more rise, they can just use a bar with more rise, fine tuning the experience. He's also found that some riders reverse their RR stems so they no longer have negative reach.
"The 90 has similar cornering dynamics to the original RR stem but a little less leverage and wheel flop."
Bronson told us riders often feel like they aren't going as fast the first time they ride one of his stems, only to discover they've set a personal best.
The new stem is designed both for riders who aren't as tall and those who are looking for a more engaged riding style. The new version is more playful and dyanamic* and it feels faster. The previous version, according to Bronson, "allows you to go fast without feeling fast."
*Bronson's words, not mine
Wolf Tooth was showing their new convex pedal - the Ripsaw. It has 12 rearloaded 3mm pins per side and there are 6 extra pins in the box (hurray!).
The platform is said to be 7mm thick at the leading and ends and 12.5mm in the middle. I've heard it said that the thickness of your pedal has no influence on pedal strikes but the physical world cares not about such theories; thinner is better if you want to prevent that sickening scrape of pedal on granite.
Inside you'll find three cartridge bearings and an Igus bushing. These are beautifully machined pedals (37 minutes per pedal in the CNC machine) and the platform is what I would call mid-sized at 118mm long x 102mm wide. Like other WT products, these are user-serviceable, made in the U.S., and have a 5-year warranty. Wolf Tooth also stocks every part you may have to replace at some point. These aren't cheap (320 CAD/200 USD) but they are beautifully made and should last a long time.
Wolf Tooth had the best pedal display I have seen. You can actually stand on the pedals and see how they feel on your shoes.
At the Ibis booth I was reminded how clever their handlebars are. Each set comes with threaded aluminum end caps. If you want the bars full-length, you simply leave the caps in place.
If you'd like them shorter you can either remove them completely (taking off 25mm and 10g per side) or you can cut the end caps with a hacksaw or pipe cutter, meaning you never have to cut into carbon unless you prefer very short bars. Even better, Ibis Handlebars (with a 31.8mm clamp diameter) are currently on sale for 100 USD, down from 169.
Küat was showing their Ibex truck bed rack and associated accessories, like this slick side-mounted Piston SR rack. The rack itself retails for between 1489 and 1589 USD depending on your truck.
Saris has a new tailgate pad with two sizes (five or six bikes depending on the width of your gate), two 11 x 6" storage pockets, and quick release "G Hooks" that hold your bike in place. Both sizes cost 230 USD / 330 CAD.
You may only know IGUS because of their high quality bushings, commonly found in bike pedals and other parts. Like the rest of us, IGUS noticed the way publicly shared bikes often end up trashed so they designed an alternative. 92% of the IGUS bike is made of recycled plastic. The bike has a belt drive and the only metal parts are the brake cables and discs so there is very little that can rust. The entire bike can also be recycled when it is no longer usable. Obviously the biggest market for this bike would be bike share programs but if you'd like one for yourself you can preorder for 1200 EU. More on the IGUS bike here.
I have always liked many elements of Tannus Tubeless inserts: they are very light, easy to install and effective at both preventing flats and supporting the sidewalls for cornering support at lower temperatures. The one missing link for me has been their ride flat capability. Once the air pressure is gone, much of their support is also lost. The new Tannus Fusion system, which is comprised of an outer insert similar to the original Tannus Tubeless, and an inner piece which nests in the middle. The inner and outer mate with the help of matching teeth to keep prevent them from moving independently. At 200g it's not as light as it was, but still lighter than several ride flat capable systems. We brought some back from Laguna Seca and will be installing them soon to begin testing.
That's all I've got from Sea Otter 2024. I'll turn the mic over to Deniz for his final entries. - Cam McRae
This Mondraker Foxy is the first and only official Gulf Racing + cycling collaboration in existence. Only 150 of these bikes exist and the attention to detail is second to none.
Based on the original Porsche 917 Gulf Racing car, there were close to 40 revisions to the paint job on this bike to get it just perfect. It is a thing of beauty. Mondraker
My favourite display at Sea Otter. It was also super nice to chat with Tim Watson, the founder of Kool Stop for a hot minute.
The new short-er travel Digit Ring 128mm travel bike with a colour-matched Cerakote Manitou Mattoc Pro 140mm fork. Digit Ring
There are new bars en route from We Are One Composites and they are even more compliant. They can be used with any stem with a maximum clamp width of 40mm. We Are One
The new stem is also usable with any 34.9 diameter bar you desire.
There are several new levels of bars en route for anything from Trail to DH bikes.
Who doesn't love an exploded view of parts?
Then you notice the details and love this exploded view even more.
Our friends at Outbound Lighting are working on a whole bunch of new stuff and I am excited about this new rear light in the works.
It is still in prototype stages but I can't wait to see the final product as the urban commutes around town are often death-defying acts around distracted drivers.
A new 2.5" Maxxis DHR II will be here any day now. We've seen it on pro racers' bikes for years and hopefully coming soon to your LBS' peg boards.
Also no longer just for Nino, you can get these team spec XC Aspens from Maxxis.
Additive manufacturing of titanium parts is the new thing and a Taiwanese Vendor was generating quite the buzz at the expo.
Raise your hand if you like White Litespeed bikes.
The Scarab Cycles Paramo Gravel bike is just drop-bar gorgeous
You can always count on Production Privee to have a race car livery bike on display.
R-Dog's Trek Rail with the lava paint job was super cool up close.
No words are necessary, The Ritchey Montebello Randonneur was perfection.
Spotted this Foes Mixer from a far... mullet wheels and absolutely gorgeous! Can we get one for testing?
Specialized Epic in mesmerizing colours.
Scor always comes up with a one-off paint job bike and this one too was a stunner.
Wheels Mfg. Had this sweet fat bike with custom colours and some prototype parts.
New pedals and cranks from Wheels Mfg.
The all new 90-tooth DT Swiss hub looks like the right step forward for the company. It has massive ratchet rings that sit far from the hub shell bearings so that you can service the hub without taking the drive ring off.
This is one of the sleekest solutions to bike transportation problems for van and truck users. This wheel holder from Freedom Coast is called the HOVR and it mounts on the L tracks found in many vehicles. It then uses a special binding lever to hold the wheel in place. There is no annoying ratcheting sound and it holds the wheel securely.
This clamp is the magic. If you have used 1Up-style racks, you would know what I am talking about. The Hovr is not cheap at 650 USD but made entirely in the USA from domestically-sourced parts.
They also make brake levers for TRP and SRAM brakes.
I like their pivoting fork mounts that allow for super tight bike stacking. Again, using the L tracks. Van lifers, rejoice.
This was an interesting take on the fork mount for truck users. It is a pivoting mount that moves with the tailgate and I thought was pretty slick. Unfortunately, I blanked and did not get the company info.
Saris with their new integrated light system MHS rack that is super solid.
Kei Trucks are dope and this one at Yakima was no exception.
1Up Racks had to one up everyone with a safari VW. :)
10 out of 10 I would rip this Honda around town.
Ok..this 1959 Ford Sled was 100% electric... He also bounced the wheels for us. So cool.
I don't know what these guys were selling but I really want a shirt with their logo on it!
California is bursting with rust-free Toyotas. I got to ride shotgun in this one that belongs to Saris from Ibis Cycles.
We think the small front flags really put this otherwise subtle vehicle over the top.
Kuat's Tacoma had a sweet Baja paintjob that I really dig.
Thanks to Velocio for caffeinating us in the mornings.
So long California... until next time. - Deniz Merdano
Comments
AverageAdventurer
11 months, 2 weeks ago
That company you blanked on was super interesting and had some cool stuff to say.
https://scdesignco.com/work-railias
Slick install/removal
Reply
Deniz Merdano
11 months, 2 weeks ago
I knew someone would rescue me in the comments! It is rather interesting that they are NOT a bike product company! I still like the premise behind the product. It is smart!
Edit.. never mind found the company that makes them https://www.railias.com/
Reply
Zero-cool
11 months, 2 weeks ago
Didn’t ODI do bars with threaded extenders years ago?
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