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On show: Sea Otter Classic, May 2, 2008
Sea Otter Classic wrap up
By James Huang
Another year, another flurry of new gear
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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!
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- Specialized suspension development guru Mike McAndrews was lurking about, leaving his shock dyno on display for all to see.
- 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.
- 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.
- The new Cobalt rear wheel rides on a large-diameter alloy axle and four cartridge bearings.
- 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.
- Mongoose debuted two new gravity models , the Boot'r and the Pinn'R.
- The Boot'R linkage is similar to other Freedrive models in its basic layout but the design has been optimized for longer travel applications.
- The Boot'R's new seat tube wears a bigger opening to make room for the RockShox Vivid coil rear shock.
- 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.
- The Mongoose Pinn'R is geared a bit more towards freeride as evidenced by its single-crown fork.
- The Pinn'R's Freedrive suspension system looks complicated but the wheel path is a straightforward high-single pivot.
- Manitou reintroduced its heralded Dorado nameplate for the 2009 model year. The updated structure is still inverted but now wears 36mm stanchions.
- 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.
- Naturally, Manitou incorporated its excellent Hex-Lock 20mm thru-axle system.
- 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.
- Plastic guards are a must on inverted-design forks.
- Post-mount brakes on the new Dorado MRD should make for easy brake adjustments.
- Tifosi showed off a couple of new models , including this stylish bit that doesn't even have a name yet. Got any ideas?
- The big lenses on Tifosi's as-yet-unnamed model scream 'Hollywood'.
- Even with its big style , this new Tifosi model still sports vented lenses to prevent fogging.
- The new Tifosi Torrent is essentially a downsized version of its Dolomite model.
- Vented lenses provide a bit of airflow.
- Whereas the Dolomites are big and bolt , the Torrent is a tad more subtle.
- 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.
- Who said gravity riders don't want things to be light? Lopes' XTR crankset is fitted with a carbon fiber outer guide ring.
- Lopes' bikes are typically easy to spot with their Marzocchi forks.
- 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.
- A mid-cage XTR rear derailleur and road-sized cassette keep things nice and tight.
- Naturally, Lopes needs a way to get his bikes around and what better to do that than with his signature edition Sportsmobile Lopes 55.
- Marzocchi showed up at Sea Otter with a number of new forks of its own.
- The new Marzocchi 44 ATA Micro includes the recently introduced 15mm thru-axle system. Claimed weight is 1778g (3.92lb).
- Syncros' line is mostly carryover for '09 but with new graphics for a fresh appearance.
- Bars and stems are similarly finished for a nice unified look.
- Syncros did, however, expand its rim and wheel line with new 29" versions.
- The Schwinn Coffee townie bike also has a women's-specific mate called the Cream.
- The Coffee blends style and function for errands and short trips.
- Even with its retro looks , the Schwinn Coffee sports modern details such as the SRAM i-Motion 3-speed internally geared rear hub.
- 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.
- The ubiquitous Salsa Lip Lock collar carries on pretty much unchanged but with new colors.
- Kenda had a prototype 'cross tire on hand at this year's Sea Otter Classic.
- The new Fox Transition helmet offers top-notch style and protection…
- …at a surprisingly reasonable price.
- 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.
- The new SixSixOne pads feature high-tech inserts from d3o.
- Surly's Big Dummy is ready to haul serious loads…
- …with its integrated Xtracycle rear end.
- SwissStop showed off its new Race Pro pad inserts which supposedly greatly improve wet and dry braking performance courtesy of new siping patterns.
- The resurrection of Swobo continues with its range of bikes and gear.
- The Swobo booth was consistently busy thoughout the show with spectators coming by to purchase various goods.
- VDO's Z-Series computers are feature-packed and look to be high quality.
- The VDO Z3 PC Link model can even download ride data for later evaluation and analysis.
- The new Thule Doubletrack hitch-mounted carrier promises much of the functionality of the upscale T2 but at a lower price.
- SRAM's Greg Herbold and Oakley's Steve Blick show off some retro purple goods… or is the bright hue making a comeback?
- The folks at Niner apparently think so as this purple-and-green 29er was making the rounds at Sea Otter.
- Among the custom purple bits on the Niner was a bright Thomson stem. Want one?
- Even Industry Nine got into the act with these purple hubs and spokes. Say it isn't so!
- Redline is already ready for 'cross season with its Conquest Pro.
- 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.
- A stealth Sycip was lurking in the Shimano booth as a backdrop for the Shimano's new 29" wheels.
- German accessory outfit SKS had its usual array of pumps on hand.
- An internal pump cleverly indicates inflation pressure without adding much weight or hardware.
- SKS did show off a set of limited edition Race Blade fenders in (what else?) gleaming white.
- Spot Brand is bursting at the seams after recently introducing the Carbon Drive Systems belt drive setup.
- New for '09 will be gold-anodized cogs and chainrings for your CDS belt-equipped ride.
- Sun-Ringle got into the gold game, too , with these gold-anodized Accelerator road wheels.
- 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.
- Where'd he dig these up from? Chris Moor of Thule was rolling on old-school Coda Magic cranks on his singlespeed.
- 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.
- Kinetic Koffee is still at it , this time with some one-off mugs courtesy of Cathy Crandell.
- 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.
- Cyclepaths-Wild Cherries rider Forrest Huisman shows off his roller riding skills (in high winds no less!).
- Clif Bar is still forging ahead on its sustainability path as demonstrated by this human-powered stereo.
- Jama is a new energy food company with a pleasingly tasty bar and juice mix.
