by This previous week, some 1,100 biking manufacturers and practically 80,000 attendees converged in Monterey, California, for the thirty fourth version of North America’s greatest biking gathering: the Sea Otter Traditional.
Held since 1991, the Sea Otter Traditional is a component business present, half racing competition, together with the primary spherical of the Life Time Grand Prix off-road sequence.
Amid a sea of fluttering flags, the Laguna Seca raceway reworked right into a bustling hub of tons of of manufacturers vying for the eye of racers, shoppers, and journalists alike. We had been granted unique sneak peeks at some thrilling forthcoming tech that we can not but share, however for now, let’s dive into the highlights of the on-the-record information and enjoyable discoveries of the 2024 Sea Otter Traditional.
Kona’s on the market
Simply probably the most talked-about subject within the business this previous week was Kona Bikes and its mysterious abandoning of the present.
The Bellingham, Washington-based firm abruptly halted its sales space setup on Wednesday after its dad or mum firm, Kent Outdoor, knowledgeable them to grab operations, break down the show, and return to headquarters for a company-wide assembly. By the present’s opening on Thursday, no hint of Kona Bikes’ presence was left standing.
Whereas staff had been initially tight-lipped about what was occurring, the rumor mill was buzzing.
Kent Outdoor, a Canadian sporting items firm, purchased Kona from its founders in 2022 and appointed a brand new CFO simply this week. On Friday, particulars emerged that after a strategic overview of the enterprise, the 36-year-old model can be put up on the market.
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“This transfer permits the corporate to direct its assets towards funding in its key water sports activities companies. The bike business has confronted very important challenges within the post-Covid world and Kona has not been immune to those headwinds,” a Kent Outdoor press launch reads.
As Kent Outdoor hoists the “on the market” signal, the extent of worker layoffs stays unsure, although phrase of mouth suggests a grim outlook.
Triban’s now not
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The French one-stop sports activities superstore Decathlon returned to Sea Otter this 12 months, having fun with a lift in recognition of its Van Rysel model due to the sponsorship of the AG2R WorldTour staff.
The staff is using aboard Van Rysel RCR PRO, which was designed in partnership with the French aerospace analysis laboratory, wheel producer Swiss Facet, and Deda Elementi. The highest-of-the-line bike can be mentioned to be the most cost effective bike within the peloton at round €8,500 / £ 7,400/$9,300.
For these conversant in the extra finances Triban model, Decathlon shared with Biking Weekly that the model might be discontinued – in identify, anyway. Henceforward, all bikes might be branded Van Rysel, together with final 12 months’s standout: the $3999 titanium Riverside Triban GRVL 900 Gravel Bike.
Parlee is again
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Parlee Cycles is again from the brink of chapter with new administration and a brand-new bike mannequin.
The COVID years had been rocky for the 23-year-old and celebrated American model. After submitting for chapter, Parlee Cycles continued below a bootstrapped operation earlier than being acquired by an impartial investor to safe its future.
Working below a newly fashioned entity named Parlee Composites, Inc, led by investor and CEO John Harrison, Parlee confirmed its perception in an optimistic future by unveiling a brand new bike mannequin on the Sea Otter Traditional.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Introducing: the Parlee Ouray.
Handmade in a yet-to-be-revealed jap European nation moderately than its Beverly, Massachusetts manufacturing facility, the Ouray is a high-performing all-road bicycle that goals to ‘mix Bob Parlee’s 25 years of masterful customized carbon fiber experience and the model’s legendary experience high quality with a contemporary new design and all-new building.’
The unidirectional carbon fiber ply is meticulously positioned to create a body that requires no beauty layers, filler, bonding brokers, or paint. As such, the body sports activities a shocking uncooked carbon frameset with a transparent wax end and a easy emblem.
‘This degree of end high quality is extraordinarily laborious to do -it’s why nearly nobody else does it- so we’re proud to point out our work,’ says Parlee.
In line with the model, the Ouray is its most snug bike but whereas being ‘extremely light-weight, but sturdy sufficient for real-world adventures’.
According to right now’s market, the all-road bike has clearance for wider 700×38 tires, an up to date geometry, and fashionable touches like full inside routing with built-in cockpits, electronic-only shifting, and a T47 threaded backside bracket and UDH derailleur hanger.
Mavic can be again
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Additionally again from chapter is the heritage model Mavic. After submitting for chapter in 2020, Mavic was acquired by new traders and continued some very small scale operations. However on the finish of 2023, Mavic introduced a return with the opening of a facility in Waterbury, Vermont, and the promise of recent product.
At Sea Otter, the 135-year-old firm has an opportunity to showcase this new product, which options some gravel wheelsets, new footwear and a continued dedication to street biking –together with rim-brake wheelsets.
On the gravel entrance, Mavic has designed two gravel-specific wheelsets: the Allroad SL and the Allroad S, which Biking Weekly has in to check so search for a overview quickly.
However what stood out to us most, was its tubeless, tapeless expertise. Named “Fore Carbon tapeless tubeless expertise,” this design replaces the apply of drilling the rim to connect the spokes and nipples with a threaded metallic insert wrapped contained in the carbon layups of the decrease rim bridge to allow the spoke nipples to be straight screwed in it. This attachment saves a median of 40g and eliminates rim tape (one other 30g saved per wheel).
And for these loyal to the heritage model and/or rim brakes, Mavic continues to not solely service its rim-brake wheelsets however but in addition retains its rim brake wheelers up-to-date with fashionable must-haves like tubeless expertise and hub compatibility.
Garmin Varia now has competitors
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Trek used Sea Otter to launch numerous new merchandise, together with –excitingly– a competitor to Garmin’s widespread Varia radar units.
For these unfamiliar, the Garmin Varia is a rear-facing radar gadget that alerts cyclists to automobiles approaching from behind. It detects automobiles approaching from as much as 140 meters away and offers visible and audible alerts to the rider, serving to them keep conscious of site visitors circumstances with out consistently trying over their shoulder.
Likewise, the all-new Trek Carback radar and rear mild alerts riders to rear-approaching automobiles whereas additionally together with a daytime-visible mild that’s seen as much as 2 kilometers away so the rider can stand out to approaching automobiles. What’s extra, Trek says it’s received Garmin beat with a spread of 240 meters, detecting rear-approaching automobiles even sooner.
“It’s a win-win for riders and drivers alike, permitting for safer passing and sharing of roadways, says Trek.
The radar and rear mild pair with most main GPS biking computer systems, GPS sport watches, and smartphones utilizing the Trek Accent app to offer seen and audible cues.
The gadget contains a comparatively compact profile that’s hooked up to saddlebags with a clip or seat posts of assorted shapes with a versatile strap. It’s additionally received a built-in mild with 4 modes, an LED battery life indicator (as much as 7 hours) and a weatherproof USB-C charging port.
The Trek CarBack is now accessible from the Trek web site and by way of Trek retailers for $199.
The brand new Castelli Gabba is right here
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Seen in some spring races already this season, Casetlli’s newest iteration of the final word foul climate garment, the Gabba, has arrived (–the very first real-life unit on U.S. soil actually arrived as I visited the sales space!).
Not solely is the Gabba R mentioned to be the model’s most protecting race jacket, it’s additionally mentioned to be Castelli’s most aerodynamic jacket but and PFAS-free.
‘It offers aerodynamics akin to a pace swimsuit, in addition to water safety like a rain cape,” says Castelli.
“With cutting-edge cloth expertise and meticulous design, the Gabba R units a brand new customary for aerodynamics, waterproofing, and breathability, revolutionizing the biking expertise for professionals and lovers alike.”
The Gabba R seems not like any earlier merchandise within the Gabba assortment. It’s search, stretchy, ultra-thin but weatherproof…but in addition a tad fragile and due to this fact made only for street using.
The Gabba R is made from a brand-new cloth expertise, unique to Castelli, and is made by Italian efficiency cloth innovator ITTTAI®. The microporous electro-spun hydrophobic polyurethane membrane and cloth are mentioned to mix ‘stretch-fit performance with unparalleled water resistance and breathability.’
The material has a claimed weight of simply 125gr /m2 and stretches to a minimum of double the unique dimension in every route.
Made with the calls for of professional racers in thoughts, aerodynamics had been paramount in creating the Gabba “Race”. By way of two separate wind tunnel checks, augmented with checks on the street, Castelli says the Gabba R is quicker even than the model’s Sanremo BTW.
The jacket is out there in a half-sleeve and full-sleeve model and contains a YKK® Vislon® waterproof zipper, 3 rear mesh pockets and a drop tail with a reflective stripe for visibility.
Full-sleeve jackets are $349.99 / €299,95.
A brand new technology of Giro’s beloved Empire shoe is coming
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The beloved Giro Empire shoe is getting an replace in 2024. First launched for street biking in 2012, the Giro Empire rapidly gained recognition resulting from its modern but retro, laced design and efficiency options. Later, Giro expanded its Empire line to incorporate off-road and ultra-lightweight SLX fashions as nicely.
New off-road laced and SLX variations are slated for the tip of summer time with updates together with a thinner, extra pliable cloth, metallic BOA reels for the SLX model and a re-envisioned sole.
Among the many neat options of the brand new sole is that the toe spikes will not be solely replaceable with metallic ones, the bolts that maintain the plastic spikes in place are precise cleat bolts to function spares do you have to want a brand new cleat bolt while out on an journey.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The SLX off-road model will function the same ultralight monofilament “Synchwire” mesh higher as seen within the street model, with an added membrane for sturdiness and climate safety. It should additionally change to metallic BOA closures as a substitute of laces.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Talking of Giro:. Visma-Lease a motorbike’s much-talked-about time trial helmets will go on sale for the patron market later this season, and Giro says it expects the helmet might be widespread amongst triathletes. Worth is TBD. Sporting the helmet on show was a 3D-printed copy of Jonas Vingegaard himself, who seems as tiny IRL as he does on TV. Thankfully, the TT helmet really doesn’t look fairly so outrageous in particular person.
Together with this helmet, Giro’s staff version helmets of the Visma – Lease a motorbike and Canyon-SRAM groups can even be accessible commercially quickly.
Bontrager releases new Gravel Tires
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Bontrager launched two new gravel tire fashions on the Sea Otter Traditional present, every with all-new compounds, building and contemporary tread patterns.
The tire line hadn’t seen a refresh in a while, the model acknowledged and was desirous to unveil its newest tire households: the Girona and Betasso.
With it, Bontrager additionally introduced a brand new hierarchy of tire building and degree.. Constructions are indicated by initials GR and GX. GR is the faster-rolling building with woven nylon bead-to-bead puncture safety. GX was made for the extra demanding terrain and sports activities a further sub-tread puncture safety layer.
There are 4 ranges accessible for every tire mannequin as nicely, with ranges being assigned based mostly on building, TPI degree, compound selection and supposed use. COMP is the entry-level, RSL is the top-of-the-line and ELITE and PRO sit someplace within the center. All tires are tubeless-ready.
Named after the Spanish biking conclave, the Girona is a speedy, all-round gravel tire with a fast-rolling heart and medium facet knobs, designed for hardpacked gravel and mixed-surface outings. It comes with both 60TPI (PRO) or 220TPI (RSL) casings, and in 35, 38, and 42mm widths. The Girona PRO retails for $49.99 and the RSL is available in at $69.99 USD.
The Betasso, named after the Boulder, Colorado based mostly trails, is a extra aggressive gravel designed for looser, rockier circumstances. At present accessible in only one building and degree, the Betasso contains a 60TPI (RSL) casing, bead-to-bead sub-tread puncture safety and is available in 42, 45, and 50mm widths. The Betasso tire retails for $69.99 USD.
D30 unveils vibration dampening insoles
(Picture credit score: D3O)
D30, the maker of my trusted mountain bike pads and telephone case is diversifying its product choices with a brand new product class merely known as Efficiency. Right here, D3O is leveraging insights gained from its technical partnerships with Formulation 1, NASCAR and NASA, and bringing its anti-vibration and shock absorption expertise to quite a lot of sports activities merchandise with the intention of enhancing efficiency while decreasing.
The primary merchandise to be launched within the new Efficiency class are handlebar grips, in partnership with ODI, and shoe insoles.
Made with D3O Grip™ compound, the grips are mentioned to supply two occasions extra vibration-dampening than every other grip materials available on the market, resulting in a smoother experience, much less hand fatigue and ulnar neuropathy.
This similar anti-vibration expertise can now be present in a spread of insoles, that are mentioned to offer shock absorption and luxury throughout bumpy terrain. The brand new insoles incorporate strategically positioned, extremely damping inserts to scale back numbness, aching, and fatigue within the balls of the toes and legs attributable to vibration and shock.
For now, these insoles can be found on their very own as an adjunct, however D3O did share that, within the coming summer time, ‘premium biking footwear manufacturers’ will begin equipping their footwear with D3O insoles.
