Another year, another flurry of new gear The 2008 Sea Otter Classic once again brought with it a...
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New for '09 will be gold-anodized cogs and chainrings(Image credit: James Huang)
Trek product development honch Travis Brown was pedaling around the Sea Otter Classic venue on this prototype 69er which shed the production model's sliding dropouts for lighter one-piece units.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Brown's one-off polished 69er also sported a Shimano 90mm press-fit bottom bracket. Is this a sign of what's to come from Trek?(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Specialized appeared to be concentrating mostly on getting people on demo bikes at Sea Otter although we expect the usual deluge of new products come June.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Specialized suspension development guru Mike McAndrews was lurking about, leaving his shock dyno on display for all to see.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Crankbrothers showed off its new Cobalt mountain bike wheels. Production hasn't ramped up yet, but the company is currently taking reservations for those that want to be first in line.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The unique 'Y'-shaped rim uses a unique method to attach the paired spokes, leaving the outer wall solid and airtight for easier tubeless tire compatibility.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new Cobalt rear wheel rides on a large-diameter alloy axle and four cartridge bearings.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Crankbrothers also recently took over production of Maverick's Speedball telescoping seatpost design. The rebadged Joplin post is supposedly more reliable and Crankbrothers had plenty on hand to demo at Sea Otter.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Mongoose debuted two new gravity models, the Boot'r and the Pinn'R.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Boot'R linkage is similar to other Freedrive models in its basic layout but the design has been optimized for longer travel applications.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Boot'R's new seat tube wears a bigger opening to make room for the RockShox Vivid coil rear shock.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Need some street cred? The new Mongoose Boot'R was put through its paces at Sea Otter by team rider Andrew Neethling who proudly wore the number one plate.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Mongoose Pinn'R is geared a bit more towards freeride as evidenced by its single-crown fork.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Pinn'R's Freedrive suspension system looks complicated but the wheel path is a straightforward high-single pivot.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Manitou reintroduced its heralded Dorado nameplate for the 2009 model year. The updated structure is still inverted but now wears 36mm stanchions.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new Dorado MRD weighs a claimed 2902g (6.4lb) complete with air sprung internals and Manitou's proven TPC+ damping system with independently adjustable low-speed and high-speed compression damping.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Naturally, Manitou incorporated its excellent Hex-Lock 20mm thru-axle system.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The fork on display was still just a prototype but the upper legs were clearly be reinforced with aluminum as we've seen before and the upper crown is compatible with integrated stems.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Plastic guards are a must on inverted-design forks.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Post-mount brakes on the new Dorado MRD should make for easy brake adjustments.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Tifosi showed off a couple of new models, including this stylish bit that doesn't even have a name yet. Got any ideas?(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The big lenses on Tifosi's as-yet-unnamed model scream 'Hollywood'.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Even with its big style, this new Tifosi model still sports vented lenses to prevent fogging.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new Tifosi Torrent is essentially a downsized version of its Dolomite model.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Vented lenses provide a bit of airflow.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Whereas the Dolomites are big and bolt, the Torrent is a tad more subtle.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Brian Lopes recently switched from GT to Ibis for bike sponsorship and his carbon Mojo was on hand at Sea Otter for all to see.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Who said gravity riders don't want things to be light? Lopes' XTR crankset is fitted with a carbon fiber outer guide ring.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Lopes' bikes are typically easy to spot with their Marzocchi forks.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Air pressures are written in permanent marker directly on the fork leg. It's a trick borrowed from the motocross guys and one that we've also used for years.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
A mid-cage XTR rear derailleur and road-sized cassette keep things nice and tight.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Naturally, Lopes needs a way to get his bikes around and what better to do that than with his signature edition Sportsmobile Lopes 55.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Marzocchi showed up at Sea Otter with a number of new forks of its own.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new Marzocchi 44 ATA Micro includes the recently introduced 15mm thru-axle system. Claimed weight is 1778g (3.92lb).(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Syncros' line is mostly carryover for '09 but with new graphics for a fresh appearance.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Bars and stems are similarly finished for a nice unified look.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Syncros did, however, expand its rim and wheel line with new 29" versions.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Schwinn Coffee townie bike also has a women's-specific mate called the Cream.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Coffee blends style and function for errands and short trips.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Even with its retro looks, the Schwinn Coffee sports modern details such as the SRAM i-Motion 3-speed internally geared rear hub.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Salsa showed off a new set of top-mount brake levers called the Halter Tops. They're a bit heavier than others but also look to be far more solidly built.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The ubiquitous Salsa Lip Lock collar carries on pretty much unchanged but with new colors.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Kenda had a prototype 'cross tire on hand at this year's Sea Otter Classic.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new Fox Transition helmet offers top-notch style and protection…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…at a surprisingly reasonable price.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Cane Creek's venerable Double Barrel rear shock is functionally unchanged from last year (no need to update something that seems nearly perfect already) but adds a few sizes for '09.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new SixSixOne pads feature high-tech inserts from d3o.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Surly's Big Dummy is ready to haul serious loads…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…with its integrated Xtracycle rear end.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
SwissStop showed off its new Race Pro pad inserts which supposedly greatly improve wet and dry braking performance courtesy of new siping patterns.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The resurrection of Swobo continues with its range of bikes and gear.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Swobo booth was consistently busy thoughout the show with spectators coming by to purchase various goods.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
VDO's Z-Series computers are feature-packed and look to be high quality.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The VDO Z3 PC Link model can even download ride data for later evaluation and analysis.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The new Thule Doubletrack hitch-mounted carrier promises much of the functionality of the upscale T2 but at a lower price.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
SRAM's Greg Herbold and Oakley's Steve Blick show off some retro purple goods… or is the bright hue making a comeback?(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The folks at Niner apparently think so as this purple-and-green 29er was making the rounds at Sea Otter.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Among the custom purple bits on the Niner was a bright Thomson stem. Want one?(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Even Industry Nine got into the act with these purple hubs and spokes. Say it isn't so!(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Redline is already ready for 'cross season with its Conquest Pro.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Rock Racing booth wasn't quite as busy at Sea Otter as it was earlier in the year at various road events. The buzz doesn't seem to be fading, though; this just might have been the wrong crowd.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
A stealth Sycip was lurking in the Shimano booth as a backdrop for the Shimano's new 29" wheels.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
German accessory outfit SKS had its usual array of pumps on hand.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
An internal pump cleverly indicates inflation pressure without adding much weight or hardware.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
SKS did show off a set of limited edition Race Blade fenders in (what else?) gleaming white.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Spot Brand is bursting at the seams after recently introducing the Carbon Drive Systems belt drive setup.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
New for '09 will be gold-anodized cogs and chainrings for your CDS belt-equipped ride.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Sun-Ringle got into the gold game, too, with these gold-anodized Accelerator road wheels.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Need to wash your bike but aren't near a hose? This Nomad portable pressure washer might be the answer with its 3.5g capacity and battery-powered operation.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Where'd he dig these up from? Chris Moor of Thule was rolling on old-school Coda Magic cranks on his singlespeed.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The unique Gel-Bot bottle holds both fluids and energy gel, supposedly offering easier access to the latter without having to reach into your jersey pocket or hydration pack.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Kinetic Koffee is still at it, this time with some one-off mugs courtesy of Cathy Crandell.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Kinetic Koffee also showed off this Aerobie coffee press (yes, made by the same guy as the 'other' Aerobie). Campers and frequent travelers might want to look hard at this one.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Cyclepaths-Wild Cherries rider Forrest Huisman shows off his roller riding skills (in high winds no less!).(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Clif Bar is still forging ahead on its sustainability path as demonstrated by this human-powered stereo.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Jama is a new energy food company with a pleasingly tasty bar and juice mix.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
On show: Sea Otter Classic, May 2, 2008
Another year, another flurry of new gear
The 2008 Sea Otter Classic once again brought with it a broad range of new gear for the coming season in addition to its diverse collection of both professional and amateur mountain and road events. It’d be virtually impossible for us to go into detail on everything we saw there (though we try) so we’ll wrap up this year’s edition with a hearty collection of images to satisfy your appetites for a bit.
Included in this collection is Travis Brown’s special one-off Trek 69er, Crankbrothers’ intriguing new Cobalt mountain bike wheels, the rebirth of Manitou’s World Cup-worthy Dorado MRD downhill fork, Mongoose’s new gravity rigs, a look at Brian Lopes’ new Ibis Mojo and a heap of accessories and components that might just suit your needs in the coming weeks and months ahead. And heaven help us, there were even some indications that purple anodizing just might be making a comeback (say it isn’t so!).
So sit back, relax, and click away. Product launch season is just around the corner, too, meaning the torrent of new gear is only just beginning. Better start saving that hard-earned money now as something is bound to catch your eye!
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