“Radial tires” “The plies are placed at a 65 degree angle”
Both of those cannot be true.
And, is this 65 degrees from horizontal or vertical?
I think radials are defined as any tire with greater than 45* orientation. In other words, more fiber length is radial than lineal. Also some lineal orientation has benefits with torsional forces.
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead...
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?
Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead of the traditional combo of groomed, deep bowl corners and rhythm lanes mixed with some natural turns, this year is 100% natural, grass turns without a jump or berm in sight. The location, off the DH shuttle road, prohibited any digging due to utility and infrastructure elements underground apparently.
Does it feel like a "pro" race? Not really. Is the racing going to be good? Definitely. Today's pro qualifying was exciting and fast. It was very easy to see who had a good bike setup for the rough, loose course. Bike parkers and pumptrackers need not apply today. Saturday's race should be a hoot to watch.
Lil shout out to Blake Carney making it into pro finals after a decade away, moving from WA back to CA, having a kid, and taking over a PT clinic. GET SOME.
Hope HB.912Hope’s new HB.912 trail bike looks awfully sleek. 120mm rear wheel travel, 130mm fork, four-bar linkage, and in-house-made frame. Definitely one of those bikes that...
Hope HB.912
Hope’s new HB.912 trail bike looks awfully sleek. 120mm rear wheel travel, 130mm fork, four-bar linkage, and in-house-made frame. Definitely one of those bikes that can fly under the radar, but the longer you look at it, the more you appreciate it. The bike should be available closer to summer, with the frameset starting at ~$5,400 USD.
Damn. I don't know what it is about those Hope bikes but they always look so sick. Even the previous gen short travel bike (HB 130) with the swoopy top tube...I just think their stuff seems awesome.
Plus, I'm always down to support a brand that supports Joe Barnes!
Lil shout out to Blake Carney making it into pro finals after a decade away, moving from WA back to CA, having a kid, and taking...
Lil shout out to Blake Carney making it into pro finals after a decade away, moving from WA back to CA, having a kid, and taking over a PT clinic. GET SOME.
MRPMRP had some classy new products to share. The Otto is a coil-sprung 38mm fork that will be out soon. The Speed Spring kit that's a...
MRP
MRP had some classy new products to share. The Otto is a coil-sprung 38mm fork that will be out soon. The Speed Spring kit that's a nod to their naming conventions of yesteryear, can spice up your existing Zeb or 38 and Dime levers are stout and strong to help squeeze the power out of modern brakes.
Definitely bringing back memories of stuffing Speed Springs into Judys...
SR Suntour Raidon 32-inch ForkSR Suntour has a Raidon 32” fork coming that will retail for $350. The 120mm XC/light-trail fork will be available later this...
SR Suntour Raidon 32-inch Fork
SR Suntour has a Raidon 32” fork coming that will retail for $350. The 120mm XC/light-trail fork will be available later this year to consumers (currently only OEM) and should offer a cost-effective way to experiment with a bigger front wheel for those so inclined.
Whoa! The newest tech is fun to drool over and imagine the marginal gains it'll give us over our other under-trained Wednesday-night counter parts, but I think this makes me think more about the tsunami we're about the see. The Raidon is what we would typically see on someone's first "trail hardtail" in the $1000-$1500 range. Are 32'' entry level hardtails going to reach sales floors before the whole World Cup converts? Are we going to see 32/29 mix wheels on bikes that will never enter a UCI race? UCI changing their mix wheel ruling has already been discussed at length elsewhere, but it would make sense on a $1200 hardtail that most likely won't see any racing outside of a community focused local race or NICA.
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead...
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?
Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead of the traditional combo of groomed, deep bowl corners and rhythm lanes mixed with some natural turns, this year is 100% natural, grass turns without a jump or berm in sight. The location, off the DH shuttle road, prohibited any digging due to utility and infrastructure elements underground apparently.
Does it feel like a "pro" race? Not really. Is the racing going to be good? Definitely. Today's pro qualifying was exciting and fast. It was very easy to see who had a good bike setup for the rough, loose course. Bike parkers and pumptrackers need not apply today. Saturday's race should be a hoot to watch.
The Sea Otter Dual Slalom course was a sculpted classic. I think one of the last real DS courses in North America, and regular Joes could sign up and be a part of the course the pros are hitting. Huge Gs going through those deep burms. It was a great mountain bike community connection to gravity racing for both racing and spectating. This is a loss. Why does Lifetime always strip all the fun out of racing?
Niner RIP 9e RDONiner had their RIP 9e RDO on display. Deets include, 160mm / 170mm travel via their patented Level One 6-Bar suspension platform and...
Niner RIP 9e RDO
Niner had their RIP 9e RDO on display. Deets include, 160mm / 170mm travel via their patented Level One 6-Bar suspension platform and Bosch SX drive system.
When did Niner get the budget to develope something new?
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead...
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?
Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead of the traditional combo of groomed, deep bowl corners and rhythm lanes mixed with some natural turns, this year is 100% natural, grass turns without a jump or berm in sight. The location, off the DH shuttle road, prohibited any digging due to utility and infrastructure elements underground apparently.
Does it feel like a "pro" race? Not really. Is the racing going to be good? Definitely. Today's pro qualifying was exciting and fast. It was very easy to see who had a good bike setup for the rough, loose course. Bike parkers and pumptrackers need not apply today. Saturday's race should be a hoot to watch.
The Sea Otter Dual Slalom course was a sculpted classic. I think one of the last real DS courses in North America, and regular Joes could...
The Sea Otter Dual Slalom course was a sculpted classic. I think one of the last real DS courses in North America, and regular Joes could sign up and be a part of the course the pros are hitting. Huge Gs going through those deep burms. It was a great mountain bike community connection to gravity racing for both racing and spectating. This is a loss. Why does Lifetime always strip all the fun out of racing?
I prefer to see this years' oldschool DS to be honest.. Start with a grass track and let the tires cut in the lines. I'd rather see pros get loose and highlight cornering skills on some grass jank than deathgrip a groomed bike park berm for the hundredth time. More in the spirit of the discipline.
AmflowThe Amflow booth was buzzing and their demo bikes were always checked out. The see-through frame shows how the battery got longer but slimmer to create...
Amflow
The Amflow booth was buzzing and their demo bikes were always checked out. The see-through frame shows how the battery got longer but slimmer to create that sought-after downtube shape.
That battery is basically at the headtube. Interesting to see the 'lower weight placement = better handling' argument has lost to having an SL-slim downtube. It...
That battery is basically at the headtube. Interesting to see the 'lower weight placement = better handling' argument has lost to having an SL-slim downtube. It would be really interesting to ride a mondraker or commencal Bosch and DJI back-to-back to see if there's any merit whatsoever to the argument. Although you raise the bikes center of gravity the extra weight over the front.
Unrelated, the shiny black lower ohlins are way better, but please just go back to a vertical O or invent something that isn't this pathetic new shape.
It would be cool to proceed with the test and put a fox 36 on the bike with the light but long battery and a podium on the one with short battery to see if you feel any difference having extra weight on one and less on the other on the front end
Full disclosure, havnt been to or ever will go to sea otter, but the new grass track DS is sick. Having raced on a few of the all grass ones, they are a hoot. That said, if they do it again in the same spot, that would be lame. Again never planning on attending sea otter, but it would be cool if they shook up the event a bit.
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead...
New Dual Slalom Course - Yay or Nay?
Dual Slalom has been kind of controversial with its new location and minimal effort put into the course. Instead of the traditional combo of groomed, deep bowl corners and rhythm lanes mixed with some natural turns, this year is 100% natural, grass turns without a jump or berm in sight. The location, off the DH shuttle road, prohibited any digging due to utility and infrastructure elements underground apparently.
Does it feel like a "pro" race? Not really. Is the racing going to be good? Definitely. Today's pro qualifying was exciting and fast. It was very easy to see who had a good bike setup for the rough, loose course. Bike parkers and pumptrackers need not apply today. Saturday's race should be a hoot to watch.
The Sea Otter Dual Slalom course was a sculpted classic. I think one of the last real DS courses in North America, and regular Joes could...
The Sea Otter Dual Slalom course was a sculpted classic. I think one of the last real DS courses in North America, and regular Joes could sign up and be a part of the course the pros are hitting. Huge Gs going through those deep burms. It was a great mountain bike community connection to gravity racing for both racing and spectating. This is a loss. Why does Lifetime always strip all the fun out of racing?
It’s Sea Otter my dude. It is far less of a race than it is a place to check out new products. I loved the og slalom course, but the dh run has always been trailbike territory, the xc in Fort Ord is legit, but that’s about it.
The organizers most likely don’t care about the courses, they care about vendors renting footprints and consumers paying entrance fees.
Fairdale ElevatorTaj's Fairdale Elevator. A breath of fresh air among the never-ending display of electronic tech.
Fairdale Elevator
Taj's Fairdale Elevator. A breath of fresh air among the never-ending display of electronic tech.
I just bought one of these frames. It is hilariously fun. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It makes you a rider instead of a passenger. Less plowing, all playing.
Niner RIP 9e RDONiner had their RIP 9e RDO on display. Deets include, 160mm / 170mm travel via their patented Level One 6-Bar suspension platform and...
Niner RIP 9e RDO
Niner had their RIP 9e RDO on display. Deets include, 160mm / 170mm travel via their patented Level One 6-Bar suspension platform and Bosch SX drive system.
That sure looks a lot like the Yeti Sixfinity suspension.
Tucked away in a tiny little booth on a side row was Intradrive. Turns out they're a small Scottish company that's been developing an 8-speed gearbox-equipped motor for eMTB brands dubbed the GD8. Shifting is wireless electronic, there's a 480% range, and the motor can output up to 700w. The founder said that the motors are built and wound in Scotland and that vast majority of the parts and materials are sourced from Europe if not made in-house. There's an emphasis on serviceability, and the unit fits a Shimano EP8 mount pattern. The one on display used a singlespeed chain but belt options are available too.
We were able to pedal it around and the shifting was quick, and consistent. The gear jumps were a bit bigger than what we're used to with modern 12-speed drivetrains, but I think it's safe to say with the motor, do we really need 12 speeds? We'd have to think the limits of standard MTB drivetrains are being pushed with the current crop of motor options, so a gearbox application makes sense. Word is that there are a handful of frame manufacturers interested, and 2027 should be when we see them hit the primetime. https://www.intradrive.co.uk/gd8
Samox had new hollow forged cranks (HRO - hollow reinforced optimization) on display for trail and DH applications. The TM1 Gold crank lengths are 155, 160 and 165mm while DH Golds come in 155 and 160. The DUB interface cranks will only set you back $225. The 7075 CNC'd chain rings are available in a variety of sizes and will run about $60. At the front of the booth was Jason Richardson's XX steel belt drive prototype, too.
Maxxis had all their current 32" tires on display. With options for XC through aggressive trail, the trend sure seems to be a real thing that's here to stay despite most of the feelings around the show being mixed at this point. The real questions is, when will 30.5 creep in?
One of the coolest and funniest parts of Sea Otter. Overpriced, retro and even QR codes to sell your goods these days. That Blindside with that Totem for $500 is pretty freaking sick. Connor Fearon would go on that Kona, too.
Used Bikes for SaleOne of the coolest and funniest parts of Sea Otter. Overpriced, retro and even QR codes to sell your goods these days. That...
Used Bikes for Sale
One of the coolest and funniest parts of Sea Otter. Overpriced, retro and even QR codes to sell your goods these days. That Blindside with that Totem for $500 is pretty freaking sick. Connor Fearon would go on that Kona, too.
Intradrive Gearbox PowertrainTucked away in a tiny little booth on a side row was Intradrive. Turns out they're a small Scottish company that's been developing an...
Intradrive Gearbox Powertrain
Tucked away in a tiny little booth on a side row was Intradrive. Turns out they're a small Scottish company that's been developing an 8-speed gearbox-equipped motor for eMTB brands dubbed the GD8. Shifting is wireless electronic, there's a 480% range, and the motor can output up to 700w. The founder said that the motors are built and wound in Scotland and that vast majority of the parts and materials are sourced from Europe if not made in-house. There's an emphasis on serviceability, and the unit fits a Shimano EP8 mount pattern. The one on display used a singlespeed chain but belt options are available too.
We were able to pedal it around and the shifting was quick, and consistent. The gear jumps were a bit bigger than what we're used to with modern 12-speed drivetrains, but I think it's safe to say with the motor, do we really need 12 speeds? We'd have to think the limits of standard MTB drivetrains are being pushed with the current crop of motor options, so a gearbox application makes sense. Word is that there are a handful of frame manufacturers interested, and 2027 should be when we see them hit the primetime. https://www.intradrive.co.uk/gd8
I'm not their target customer, but I applaud using an existing mount standard. There are a lot of used eebs coming through, I'd like to see them repurposed rather than e-waste.
Marin and Misspent Summers teamed up for a custom Quake wrapped with images and art from their books. The Val di Sole video guy is a standout. Marin also unveiled the Tam lineup today. Starting at just $2,399 and topping out at $5,499, the alloy 120mm bikes look primed for stacking up some miles.
Giant had a patriotic Anthem Advanced SL in the booth along with their new, $2,300 alloy Stance trail bike. The Stance uses Giant's 140mm-travel STL 34 fork and gets 130mm of rear travel via their FlexPoint platform.
I think radials are defined as any tire with greater than 45* orientation. In other words, more fiber length is radial than lineal. Also some lineal orientation has benefits with torsional forces.
Lil shout out to Blake Carney making it into pro finals after a decade away, moving from WA back to CA, having a kid, and taking over a PT clinic. GET SOME.
Damn. I don't know what it is about those Hope bikes but they always look so sick. Even the previous gen short travel bike (HB 130) with the swoopy top tube...I just think their stuff seems awesome.
Plus, I'm always down to support a brand that supports Joe Barnes!
Blake is a bit of a bad ass...
Definitely bringing back memories of stuffing Speed Springs into Judys...
I agree @DontWorryImAPilot, paint looks sick on there too.
Whoa! The newest tech is fun to drool over and imagine the marginal gains it'll give us over our other under-trained Wednesday-night counter parts, but I think this makes me think more about the tsunami we're about the see. The Raidon is what we would typically see on someone's first "trail hardtail" in the $1000-$1500 range. Are 32'' entry level hardtails going to reach sales floors before the whole World Cup converts? Are we going to see 32/29 mix wheels on bikes that will never enter a UCI race? UCI changing their mix wheel ruling has already been discussed at length elsewhere, but it would make sense on a $1200 hardtail that most likely won't see any racing outside of a community focused local race or NICA.
The Sea Otter Dual Slalom course was a sculpted classic. I think one of the last real DS courses in North America, and regular Joes could sign up and be a part of the course the pros are hitting. Huge Gs going through those deep burms. It was a great mountain bike community connection to gravity racing for both racing and spectating. This is a loss. Why does Lifetime always strip all the fun out of racing?
anything about the kind shock ebike dropper?
When did Niner get the budget to develope something new?
I prefer to see this years' oldschool DS to be honest.. Start with a grass track and let the tires cut in the lines. I'd rather see pros get loose and highlight cornering skills on some grass jank than deathgrip a groomed bike park berm for the hundredth time. More in the spirit of the discipline.
Quick couch-scrolling observations:
It would be cool to proceed with the test and put a fox 36 on the bike with the light but long battery and a podium on the one with short battery to see if you feel any difference having extra weight on one and less on the other on the front end
Full disclosure, havnt been to or ever will go to sea otter, but the new grass track DS is sick. Having raced on a few of the all grass ones, they are a hoot. That said, if they do it again in the same spot, that would be lame. Again never planning on attending sea otter, but it would be cool if they shook up the event a bit.
It’s Sea Otter my dude. It is far less of a race than it is a place to check out new products. I loved the og slalom course, but the dh run has always been trailbike territory, the xc in Fort Ord is legit, but that’s about it.
The organizers most likely don’t care about the courses, they care about vendors renting footprints and consumers paying entrance fees.
I just bought one of these frames. It is hilariously fun. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It makes you a rider instead of a passenger. Less plowing, all playing.
That sure looks a lot like the Yeti Sixfinity suspension.
I had the same thought.
The link that connects the upper and lower links is positioned slightly differently
Actofive I-Train
Actofive I-Train 32" full squisher. 120mm rear, 130mm front travel. Claimed build under 30 pounds with all the Intend bits.
Intradrive Gearbox Powertrain
Tucked away in a tiny little booth on a side row was Intradrive. Turns out they're a small Scottish company that's been developing an 8-speed gearbox-equipped motor for eMTB brands dubbed the GD8. Shifting is wireless electronic, there's a 480% range, and the motor can output up to 700w. The founder said that the motors are built and wound in Scotland and that vast majority of the parts and materials are sourced from Europe if not made in-house. There's an emphasis on serviceability, and the unit fits a Shimano EP8 mount pattern. The one on display used a singlespeed chain but belt options are available too.
We were able to pedal it around and the shifting was quick, and consistent. The gear jumps were a bit bigger than what we're used to with modern 12-speed drivetrains, but I think it's safe to say with the motor, do we really need 12 speeds? We'd have to think the limits of standard MTB drivetrains are being pushed with the current crop of motor options, so a gearbox application makes sense. Word is that there are a handful of frame manufacturers interested, and 2027 should be when we see them hit the primetime. https://www.intradrive.co.uk/gd8
Samox
Samox had new hollow forged cranks (HRO - hollow reinforced optimization) on display for trail and DH applications. The TM1 Gold crank lengths are 155, 160 and 165mm while DH Golds come in 155 and 160. The DUB interface cranks will only set you back $225. The 7075 CNC'd chain rings are available in a variety of sizes and will run about $60. At the front of the booth was Jason Richardson's XX steel belt drive prototype, too.
Maxxis
Maxxis had all their current 32" tires on display. With options for XC through aggressive trail, the trend sure seems to be a real thing that's here to stay despite most of the feelings around the show being mixed at this point. The real questions is, when will 30.5 creep in?
Blindfold tire challenge at Polygon still going strong.
Also TM-B
(just hit their website if you want to know more. it's from Rivian or something, LOL. starts at $3,500 - https://ridealso.com/products/tm-b)
Used Bikes for Sale
One of the coolest and funniest parts of Sea Otter. Overpriced, retro and even QR codes to sell your goods these days. That Blindside with that Totem for $500 is pretty freaking sick. Connor Fearon would go on that Kona, too.
Loving the 1.5 steerer on the Totem.
I'm not their target customer, but I applaud using an existing mount standard. There are a lot of used eebs coming through, I'd like to see them repurposed rather than e-waste.
Marin
Marin and Misspent Summers teamed up for a custom Quake wrapped with images and art from their books. The Val di Sole video guy is a standout. Marin also unveiled the Tam lineup today. Starting at just $2,399 and topping out at $5,499, the alloy 120mm bikes look primed for stacking up some miles.
The humanoid AI Sea Otter booth assistant is almost here.
Giant
Giant had a patriotic Anthem Advanced SL in the booth along with their new, $2,300 alloy Stance trail bike. The Stance uses Giant's 140mm-travel STL 34 fork and gets 130mm of rear travel via their FlexPoint platform.
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