Sea Otter Classic - 2026

Stoked for the Spesh gravity team winning world cups on those Brembos, but I don't dig any of those colors. The dipped in colored wax look, isn't for me. 

Ari 32-Inch Prototype

Prototype Ari 32" wheel behemoth. I got minimal details on this thing. It looks similar to Ari's Signal Peak, which is a 110/120mm bike. I was allowed to pedal the bike but was told not to jump around too much as it's very much a prototype. No insight was gathered from my 30 seconds of tarmac testing other than disbelief that bigger wheels are here, and they will be most of what we talk about for the next few years. 

Race Face prototype drop stem that's very early on in its development. Sorting out handlebar height and position is one of the most interesting aspects of these 32" bikes, especially if you're trying to preserve an XC fit. 

The fork looked like a 34 SL, obviously with longer lowers to fit the wheel. Still using a 15mm/boost spacing axle. I'd expect to see the 32" RAD fork on a lot of XC bikes at the first World Cup this year. 

All they had to do was this ... 

Talk about energy. I'll tell you, if you ever have used bikes parts to deal with, or want to scare yourself on an XC bike, Sanjay is your guy. 

Sanjay is definitely a legend..

Brembo are cowards.  You can’t launch a brake and then have no fucking oil in the lines. What are they scared of?  

That's mind boggling.  I was excited to read about it this morning and when I arrived at Sea Otter today I was genuinely confused when I tried the brake and it went all the way to the grip.  I then tried every bike they had on display sharing booth with Ohlins, and every bike had the same issue.

I mean, what?!

Shimano Saint and XT Flat Pedals

Shimano’s Saint and XT flat pedals are the newest new new under the blue tent this year. I know these pedals came out a few years ago and then disappeared for whatever reason, but this go-around, they are here to stay. They look promising. Maybe not the most aggressive or biggest platform, but I've got a set I'm curious to test.

Key features of Saint include plastic skid plates sandwiched around an alloy body, designed to withstand multiple impacts and eventually be replaced. Similar but different from the Crankbrothers Stamp EVO pedals I just reviewed.

The XT pedals have a similar footprint and silhouette, but do without the replaceable plastic pieces. They also tack on a few extra grams, but cost $50 less. 

Both pedals come with 10 pins per side, and 4 that can be installed in the middle of the body, near the spindle. Internals roll on two bushings and a bearing. 

MSRP: Saint - $225 // XT - $175

Also FWIW - Shimano didn't have much to say about the rest of the Saint groupset getting its long awaited update. We all know it's coming, we've seen the prototype brakes and drivetrain circulating at World Cups. It'll be real curious to see what gets raced at the first race in two weeks as that could provide insight into how ready (or not ready) everything is. 

e*thirteen Radial Tires

e*thirteen has new radial casing tires in their Grappler (29”, 27.5”) and Grappler RS (27.5”) models. The tires will be available within the next month and will retail for $79.95 USD. 

The casing has 6 layers under the tread, 4 under the sidewall, a woven protection layer in the sidewall, and an apex at the bead. Their goal was to give the tire more support with the thicker apex and more layers, while still angling the plies so you get the supple, damp feel of a radial. The layers are placed at a 65° angle, which they found provides a balance of support, response, and damping. 

They said you should expect to run a couple PSI higher than normal, but really wanted to rely on the tire's sidewall for lateral support rather than more air to avoid any weird tire flex or squirming. 

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. 

Galfer Shark EVO

Galfer’s Shark EVO 2-piece rotors feature a unique look and are available in black or Kashima. Galfer actually sends the aluminum core of the rotors to Japan to have them finished, and then they’re sent back to have the braking track attached. The rotors are said to make your suspension perform smoother. 

Bell Full-Air Mips and 3QTR Air Mips

Bell has soft-launched two new helmets—Full-Air Mips and 3QTR Air Mips. Both helmets are available now online, and target enduro, bike park, and e-bike riders.

The Full-Air replaces Bell's longstanding and popular Super Air convertible helmet. The new model does not have a removable chin bar, a decision made due to the increased safety provided by the fixed chin bar and updates that have made the new helmet more breathable than the Super Air.

The 3QTR Full Air has all the same features, but comes without a chin bar. It offers more coverage and protection compared to a typical trail helmet, but with more breathability than a full face. It does carry the ASTMF1952-15 DH and ASTMF2032-15 BMX certifications like the Full-Air.

Both shells are based on Bell's Moto helmets and Full 10 DH model, with many of the same details and elements carrying over. 

MSRP: Full Air - $330 // 3QTR Air Mips - $280

Abbey Bike Tools Travel Case and Tool Kits

Abbey Bike Tools has a new travel tool case with removable and configurable zippered bags. They are selling the case by itself for $225, or for $675 with all the tools shown. It's pricey, but the tools are best-in-class.

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. 

Öhlins Upgrades

Öhlins had some cool upgrades on display, available aftermarket through their service centers. 

The hydraulic top-out for the TTX22 shock slows down rebound for the last bit of return stroke. The idea is you can run faster rebound and not risk getting kicked or experiencing an aggressive top out. 

The crowns and stanchion coating that was developed with Specialized Gravity can be purchased for the DH38. The team has tested a bunch of coatings over the years, and Öhlins wouldn’t disclose what exactly makes this coating extra special. We also can’t confirm this is what the team is still riding. But it does produce less friction than the stock stanchions. The crowns are also stiffer than stock. 

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.

“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?

That logo is bad, and Öhlins should feel bad for using it. 

Yeah Id be removing those stickers before even mounting that on my frame. Looks like actual shit