Now in its thirty fifth yr, the Sea Otter Traditional is North America’s largest biking competition, drawing over 74,000 attendees, greater than 1,000 exhibiting manufacturers and internet hosting 12 novice and elite races throughout highway and off-road disciplines. Held on and across the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, this yr’s protection continues with one other tech highlights, written by North American Editor Anne-Marije Rook. Learn Tyler Boucher’s Half 1 right here and do not miss the recap of the opening spherical of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix.
I’ve been coming to the Sea Otter Traditional on and off for the previous 12 years, but pedaling alongside 17 Mile Drive, the gorgeous stretch of highway that connects Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, by no means will get outdated. This winding, ocean-side highway appears like driving by means of a residing postcard. To the west, salty sea air rustles the cypress timber and sweeps throughout patches of purple wildflowers clinging to the rugged cliffs whereas waves crash violently under. To the east, meticulously stored golf programs give method to quiet forests and luxurious estates. Seagulls cry overhead, and as you roll by means of Pacific Grove, deer usually wander throughout the trail. Strava tells me I’ve ridden this route 17 instances already, and nonetheless, I look ahead to it each single yr.
This yr’s journey to North America’s largest bike expo was transient and a little bit of a whirlwind, however I nonetheless discovered a method to justify hauling my bike: an early morning journey alongside 17 Mile Drive and as much as the venue with the great people from CADEX, who had simply outfitted my bike with their newest saddle—extra on that under. My time on the present was filled with backroom conferences and sneak peeks at thrilling merchandise on the horizon (the primary large launch drops this Wednesday!), but it surely left me with little alternative to discover the sunny present flooring in depth. Nonetheless, I did handle to identify a couple of standout items of drugs that I can discuss now. Right here’s a fast roundup of a few of the neatest issues I got here throughout.
In a media-only sales space hosted by PR agency Echos Communications, we acquired an early have a look at Gary Fisher’s long-awaited e-bike model, Morelle.
The corporate goals to revolutionize city biking with a battery in contrast to something at present available on the market. Morelle bikes are constructed round Ionblox’s high-density, silicon-based batteries, that are lighter and cost quicker than conventional lithium-ion packs. The 350Wh batteries in Morelle’s first mannequin will carry you for as much as 30 miles and can reportedly cost from empty to full in simply quarter-hour utilizing a regular outlet.
The debut mannequin shall be a flat-bar aluminum commuter bike that includes SRAM digital shifting and a compact, high-torque mid-drive motor—rumored to be from Bafang. The complete construct is anticipated to weigh round 25 kilos, making it one of many lightest in its class. It would retail for close to $3,000.
The AMP was initially created to supply a flexible, short-nosed saddle for a broad person base versus its Increase saddle, which is made particularly to accommodate an aggressive driving place. After a yr and a half of utilizing the Amp, I’ve discovered that it delivers nice consolation throughout all kinds of terrain and journey lengths—all in a featherlight, performance-focused package deal.
Now, the newly launched Amp 3D retains the identical form and ultralight carbon base however replaces the high-elasticity “Particle Circulate” padding with a 3D-printed gyroid construction. This G3D padding is designed to adapt to a rider’s motion for focused help. The padding makes use of variable densities throughout key stress zones for optimum help and higher weight distribution. At 146g, it’s barely heavier than the unique Amp, however I’m keen to place it to the check and see the way it stacks up.
Mavic’s Hub Silencer
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Within the Mavic tent, I used to be proven the newest and best in its tubeless and tapeless know-how but it surely was outdated tech that actually impressed. I realized, maybe a tad late, that every one fashionable ratchet-style Mavic hubs have a detachable silencer. It’s a easy ring that sits behind the ratchets.
Personally, I like my hubs to have a tender and nice buzz or be as near silent as potential. However if you happen to like a loud and bell-negating hub, you may merely take away the silencer by taking off the freehub physique, adopted by the spring and the ratchet mechanism. The silencer sits contained in the final ratchet ring. Merely take away the ring and assemble the hub. The entire course of takes lower than 30 seconds.
Whereas some wheel manufacturers suggest dampening the hubs by packing the hubs with thick grease, the Mavic means is a really neat and clear answer.
Wahoo’s newest
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Throughout Sea Otter week, Wahoo launched the newest technology of its Bolt and Roam laptops in addition to a radar rear gentle.
The computer systems have undergone a redesign inside and outside, and luckily, in contrast to the brand new ACE, they continue to be compact. The brand new computer systems can be found beginning Could sixth. What’s new:
ELEMNT ROAM 3 is a feature-rich, mid-size laptop made for adventurers. New options embody glove-friendly multi-touch capabilities (pinch, zoom, swipe), a high-resolution and huge anti-glare display screen, and enhanced navigation and route administration. The latter contains detailed maps with factors of curiosity, elevation information and highway varieties, and voice turn-by-turn instructions. It additionally boasts a 25-hour battery life.
ELEMNT BOLT 3 is the smallest and lightest of Wahoo’s biking laptop line-up. It’s meant to supply aerodynamics and precision for performance-focused riders, paired with entry-level pricing and ease of use for these new to biking computer systems. The latest technology has a bigger, high-contrast 2.3” show for crisp readability at any velocity and in all circumstances. It has elevated its compatibility with extra third-party apps and companies, options Wahoo’s new Trip to Trip dashboard, and has a battery lifetime of as much as 20 hours.
TRACKR RADAR: Wahoo’s first entry into radar know-how. Just like the Garmin Varia or Trek Carback, this rear gentle supplies automobile detection and visibility, and even acts like a brake gentle. Options:
– Car warning: the radar system detects approaching automobiles behind, growing the flash sample
– Brake gentle: a built-in accelerometer permits the unit to operate as a brake gentle, getting brighter when slowing down
– Compatibility: the TRACKR will join and combine with most Bluetooth or ANT+ bike computer systems available on the market, not simply Wahoo’s ecosystem.
– Battery extender: When no automobiles are detected, the unit will cut back its luminosity to preserve battery energy and may present as much as 20 hours of use.
A motorcycle rack with an app?
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
As soon as recognized for its cheap and easy-to-use trunk racks, Allen Racks has been steadily increasing its lineup with extra premium hitch-mounted choices—and now, it is diving headfirst into each the suction-mount and “good” classes with its $700 Good Suction Bike Rack.
SeaSucker has lengthy used vacuum-based techniques for vehicle-mounted bike transport however what units the Allen Good Suction Bike Rack aside is a extra substantial construct and the combination of Bluetooth-enabled sensors.
Sure, you’re going to must obtain one more app however on this case, it’d truly be value it.
(Picture credit score: Allen Racks)
The app pairs with the rack’s built-in sensors to actively monitor suction stress at every mounting level, providing you with the convenience of thoughts of realizing the rack –and your bike hooked up to it– isn’t going anyplace.
The rack might be mounted to roof or rear of a variety of automobiles and RVs (although, sadly, not my pickup truck or Honda Ingredient) and can maintain bikes as much as 35lbs. There’s an adjustable tray for various wheelbase lengths, and it really works with each quick-release and thru-axle forks. A built-in locking cable provides a little bit of theft safety.
