Even More Sea Otter New Things

Phew, by the power of airport internet, jet lag, and many battery pack charges, here’s the second and final instalment of new things spotted at Sea Otter. Look out for more interviews and bike checks to come!

Maxxis

The Aspen ST for short track racing, and the Aspen, are now available in a 170TPI team edition, instead of the usual 120TPI.

PNW

PNW were teasing a potential limited edition purple dropper, showing their new CNC’d stem (available as 32 or 40mm), and their new 31.8mm handlebar (with the grey grips). The bar is designed to have the same feel as the 35mm bar. Also on display but not widely advertised was their new Range dropper, due out in June. This is a little cheaper than their existing travel adjustable option, and will be available in 30.9 and 31.6 in 125mm to 200mm non-adjustable drop.

Ohlins Coil Kit

This coil kit fits a RXF 38 or DH38 and allows you to change an air fork to a coil, and then back again if you want. They say it won’t damage the internals or seals at all, so you can suck it and see, or swap according to conditions and preferences. Neat! It’ll retrofit most models, but check the Ohlins site for the full list – some of the oldest models have different threaded fittings so aren’t compatible.

CST Tyres

A new budget oriented BFT II, with dual compound and folding bead, at 55USD.

Haro

On their stand, Haro was showing two prototypes that it’s planning to release this summer. The Greer is a longer travelled 160/170 bike that comes with a mullet in all sizes, while the Daily is a 140/150 29er (apart from size small, that will be 27.5). There’s also the Buzzard gravel bike. There will be carbon and alloy models, with top specs having Shimano XT level components. They’re hoping to catch some of the BMX/MTB crossover riders, and should be available in the UK via shops.

Stan’s

You’re going to want one of these: a tubeless fluid 150ml injector with a few tricks up its sleeve. A red plug for the end to stop the drips, a rubber 1-way no-drop valve valve that just pushes on to your tubeless valve, and a cunning notch in the top of the syringe so you can get the plunger on without squirting stuff everywhere.

Exo Core Valve

A nice looking new take on valves from Stan’s. It has multiple threads on it, so you can screw off the bit you want to without inadvertently undoing everything else. The valve core/needle is designed to let in as much air as a standard valve does with the core removed, but if you do need to get a big blast of air in, you just unscrew the top section. If things get clogged, it’s a simple pin/rod to pull out and wipe off. The base will fit a variety of narrow and wide rim shapes, and the valve is compatible with tyre inserts. Plus, a selection of pretty coloured bits is available to keep things decorative. Looks like a winner.

KS

KS has a new GTC gravel fork, plus was showing their gravel stem, bar and suspension dropper post. A pretty neat little actuator is tucked away in the left bar, separate to the shifters and brakes.

They were also showing their wireless dropper post. This has a battery designed to be short enough to leave room under your saddle, leaving space for a pack perhaps. The battery is specifically designed to be removed horizontally, with a reasonable amount of the battery inside the body of the post – this means that even if the catch comes undone, you should have the battery sliding out and dropping straight to the floor. They include a red ‘blank’ so if you’re charging your battery, the clip isn’t flapping at risk of damage, and the internals can be kept clean and covered. Neat thinking.

Lezyne

Lezyne had some neat mounts for lights. The stem face plate Flexi Mount looks interesting – nice to have your light fitted centrally, and the ‘ears’ on the mount adjust to fit any stem face plate. You can also mount it top or bottom. There was also a quick release Go Pro mount, and mounts to combine your GoPro and Garmin/Wahoo.

A new Presta Pro Head is coming to their pumps, which releases the air from the tyre rather than the hose, so you can get your pressures just as you want them before taking it off the tyre valve.

And two sizes of power packs are now available, which combine with the built in batteries on Lezyne lights. Handy for 24 hour races and suchlike.

Abbey

Abbey has bought the rights to designs by Noble, who was selling up/retiring. So expect to see more Abbey versions of Noble designs in the future. This wheel building jig just needs a coffee table topper as an optional extra, so you can store it in the living room when not in use.

Evoc

These are still at the prototyping stage and won’t be released for a while yet, but knee and elbow pads are coming from Evoc. Using the same TPU material used in their chest/torso protector, they’re planning two different kneepads, plus an elbow pad. The burlier kneepad includes the amusingly named ‘Power Flaps’, which are ears of TPU built into the protector, through which straps are threaded so you can tighten them to just the fit needed. Meanwhile, the multicoloured bags are made from scraps of material left over from the rest of their manufacturing processes.

Jelenew

When I saw Jelenew was going to be exhibiting I was looking forward to finding out WTF they were about. Instagram had put this sort of jersey equivalent of crotchless pants in front of me on a few occasions, and their early Instagram images were all a bit ‘women draped on bikes’. Set against marketing words that proclaimed to be making clothes to empower women, and to be a company owned by women, I couldn’t help wonder if it was all some sort of lost in AI hoax. But nope. With its roots in haute couture of Paris and LA, this particular outfit is apparently popular with spin class types in those locations. I guess there’s less risk of a bee/boob interface indoors.

Their actual riding gear seemed pretty nice, with this floaty light barely-there jersey being just the sort of thing I’d want for a big summer holiday gravel ride. The ambassadors said that the company was receptive to feedback, that they’ve dropped the draped women in favour of people actually riding in photoshoots, and that details like this updated hem on the jersey were as a result of their real world feedback. The hem makes it easier to locate the pocket when riding – the green one is hard to feel when your hand has located the pouch.

Perhaps most impressive of all on the gear that’s really for women front is this maternity range. Bib shorts and a jersey designed for a bump. I might just be prepared to ignore the spin class outfit thing – though their size inclusivity claims ring a little hollow. That’s an XL skort and jersey I’m in. The jersey isn’t skin tight, but the skort could do to be bigger.

Wera

This was the first booth I stopped at, right by the entrance, and I could have stood here fondling tools all day. Just look at them!

There’s a new Chain Link Set, with all you should need for chain fettling. Also, new hex key stands, which adjust so you can mount them to a wall or workbench surface. A new smaller ratcheting screwdriver is handy for screwing things in small spaces, while the Safe Torque Speed allows you to adjust the torque setting. It’s torque limiting in forward and reverse, and can also act as a regular screwdriver.

ODI D30 Vanquish Grips

These are a specific formulation of D30 designed to minimise vibration – or maximise vibration damping. They’re sized between an ODI Elite Pro and Rogue grip, so should suit most hands apparently. At 45USD a pair, they look like a potentially much cheaper option than RevGrips, which are designed with the same goal in mind.

Ritchey

This P-29 is a 100mm travel hardtail – or a drop bar bike if you choose – designed for casual XC riding. Like, normal stuff that lots of normal people do. The 27.2 seat tube may raise an eyebrow, but it’s there for compliance, 27.2 droppers are becoming more common, and the word is there are more to come. It’s the same basic geometry as their previous P-29, but given an update for Boost spacing. Stock will be available from mid-June.

Already released, but so wildly popular you might want to see them again, the Buzzard Bar joins the array of handlebars on offer.

And I singularly failed to write down any notes about this touring bike, but I do recall that if you’ve been asking for a Ritchey that take mudguards, your prayers have now been answered.

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

More posts from Hannah