Sea Otter Classic - 2026

Dunlop

Dunlop has soft-launched into MTB with four new models. Expected availability is set for early summer in the U.S. only, with MSRP still to be determined but anticipated to be in the $95-110 range. 

There are DH and enduro casings. The DH casing uses 2x60 TPI layers with an apex layer at the bead, while the enduro casing uses one 60 TPI layer with a smaller apex layer. The downhill casing also uses a softer rubber than the enduro casing.

The tread designs are front/rear specific and share similarities with other popular designs. The rear tires are the most intriguing, offering a lot of braking edge. They also mentioned putting equal focus into feel/grip as they did with durability, so it'll be interesting to see how the tires hold up. The hope is to have some test tires in the short-ish term, so stay tuned to see if the Dunlops hook up.  

*also apologies for the subpar photos, not my best work haha

Freedom Coast Lever for TRP EVO Pro

Freedom Coast had a new lever to upgrade for TRP’s latest EVO Pro model. Key changes vs. stock include - different lever hook and profile, easier to grip reach adjust knob, and textured braking surface. MSRP is $119 USD, and there are 5 color options.

New DEITY Slip-on grip, DJ Saddles, & 50mm Alloy Bars

DEITY is launching its first slip-on grip, the Nightcrawler, coming very, very soon. Grip details include: 

• 32mm outer diameter
• 147mm length (Grip Only) / 154mm length (Including End Plug)
• Tighter inner diameter to prevent water and dust intrusion
• Perpendicular ribbing to dampen vibrations
• Chevron V-channel ribbing to provide an ergonomic feel and support the swell of the palm
• Wider and shorter ribbing to prevent collapsing of the ribs and side to side play
• Comes with nylon DEITY Plunger End Plugs that are color matched to the grip for a seamless look
• End Plugs outer diameter matches the diameter of the grips 
• Available in Black, Gum, and Grey with color matched End Plugs
• 138 grams (Pair with End Plugs)
• $12.99 USD

They’ve also got two new Frisco DJ railed saddles (before they only had pivotal or I-beam), the O.W.T.H. (Off With Their Heads) and Hypergrip models. The new saddles have a thinner shape than the previous Frisco, use Hollow CrMo rails, and retail for $54.99 USD. 

DEITY is adding 50mm rise options to its alloy bars - the Blacklabel 31.8mm and Racepoint 35mm. Both will be available in 8 colors and retail for $89.99 USD. 

I really like that new Marin - the peoples' XC bike!

Love those new Deity grips. Push-ons are king for comfort.

Hey Five Ten- those kids freeriders with the 3 Velcro straps are great. My son loves them.  I bet adults would like em too. Do a survey I’m sure I’m not the only one who would by them. 

The tire choice tho...Makes sense and also hurts my brain.

This is not radial. "Low Bias" maybe, radial tires have ply oriented perpendicular to the rolling direction, and thats it.

No one in this modern "radial" tire fad has made a radial tire yet. All just low bias.

From the press release on the new Vee tyres they seem to be the only real radial tyres

Mug’s and replacement units for older e-bikes is actually fucking dope to combine. Kinda figured someone would jump to offer a upgraded motor for old e-bikes, like a smaller TQ unit could be made to fit backward compatible, but going all in on a gearbox and making the whole system serviceable is actually making your clanky-clackattity old Shimano bike relevant again! 

Crankbrothers was doing some wheel-related math, and had rumors that Bruni is racing flats at select World Cups this year. 

Zoceli Naosm steel enduro bike

Beautiful hand-made bike sitting out front of HUNT that I’ve never seen in person. You can get all the details on the Naosm here

Intense prototype gear box DH bike

On display at HUNT with some one-off custom wheels.

Specialized Production Demo

Hiding in plain sight was presumably the production version of the new Demo. It was placed directly next to a prototype frame, and while no specific details were provided, it can be assumed that the bike will be going to market very soon.

Some things that stood out from staring at the bike for 5 minutes:

• Head tube fits different cups, likely to change head angle and/or reach 
• There is a flip chip in the lower shock mount, and the forward-most pivot
• The bottom of the bike is going to be left completely open like the bike that was on display. I thought maybe it was a cutaway to show the linkage, but I confirmed that was not the case.
• MRP bash guard integration is nice and tidy
• Chain stay and rocker link both have a bridge, which was something we saw the team test with/without over the years
• 75mm stroke shock
• Mixed wheels, and no sign of a flip chip in the Horst link to accommodate dual 29”
• The bike looks 1000% intended for racing, and is an absolute beaut

Be More Bikes prototype

Bronson was showing off the fifth iteration of his prototype bike. It’s a wild bike designed to test the limits of geometry and amplify the benefits of their RR stem (made famous by Reece Wilson). You can find plenty of details about the goals behind the stem and bike on Instagram, but here are some details of the bike:

• Steel frame
• 500mm chain stay
• 445mm frame reach
• Reach to bar is ~350mm 
• 100mm stem rise / -15mm stem reach
• Stem + bar back sweep puts handlebars ~40-50mm behind steering axis
• Custom drop crowns to accommodate the 180mm head tube 
• ~1360mm wheel base
• 380-390mm bb height. Benefit: bike tips and leans more turning and holds a line better. 
• bb drop is positive at static, but does drop under sag 
• Stack is around 800mm
• Head angle is 63°
• Seat angle is 75° 
• Suspension: single pivot, semi high pivot, rearward for 80% of travel, 6% progression, 206mm of travel. 
• 200mm fork 
• Rear end grows to 520mm
• Welded by Marino in Peru. $900 for the whole frame 

TBD Bikes 3D Printer DJ

Pretty epic dirt jumper from TBD Bikes, created by 17-year-old Dylan Banera. Currently going to school to become a machinist with the plan to get an engineering degree afterward, Dylan has been 3D printing since he was 10. This is the second generation of his prototype dirt jumper, appropriately called the ‘Neck Twister.’ 

Highlights 

• 3D printed aluminum frame with generatively designed lugs, internally latticed tubes, bonded with aero-grade epoxy
• Can run a chain or Gates carbon belt drive. Belt tension is still under refinement.
• Frame weight ~12 lb

Kit Works Gear Storage

Kitworks makes a bunch of storage solutions to help organize gear for basically any activity. Everything is super modular and durable, and I’ve been using one of their gear boxes in my van for the past year to keep bleed kits and spare parts neatly packed away but readily available. Way better than my old method of using a cardboard box ha! Some of the bags fold down pretty small too which is also nice. 

Oak Components Cranks, Bashguard, Brake Adapters, Compression Dials

Oak components had a mix of anodized parts in every color of the rainbow. The simplicity of the bashguard was the most intriguing. 

UNCOOL #flatbed

Mud spikes and bike packing, what a combo

Something for all you heel draggin', seat dropped climbing, e-bike rippers. 

Bro had to raid the spare parts bin from three different shops to find all those stem spacers.

God damn that 3d printed dj is cool as fuck.  All of the steel enduro frames are also gorgeous.  

Wonder if spech will cover up the bottom in the end.  Just seems like a great way to end a run with 5lbs of glop stuck to the bottom of your rig.  I know strapping shit to your bb is really hot right now but I doubt most people are looking to do it ad hoc mid  run.

man, as a 3D printing nerd. That DJ bike is so sick. 

May I request a rundown on the Trinity / WRP bike