{"id":62905,"date":"2024-04-26T21:12:09","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T19:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/acc8030b-3511-4b54-bbce-6db1583b603d"},"modified":"2024-04-26T21:59:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T19:59:41","slug":"sea-otter-classic-2024-the-best-weird-and-wonderful-tech-from-the-usas-biggest-cycling-trade-show","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/sea-otter-classic-2024-the-best-weird-and-wonderful-tech-from-the-usas-biggest-cycling-trade-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea Otter Classic 2024 | The best weird and wonderful tech from the USA’s biggest cycling trade show"},"content":{"rendered":"

A bikepacking BMX, plastic handlebars and more <\/p>

By Jack Luke\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 26 April 2024 at 19:12 PM<\/p>

\n\n

This year\u2019s edition of Sea Otter was awash with cool new road bikes<\/a>, mountain bikes<\/a> and gravel bike tech<\/a>, but ample nuggets of charming niche weirdness could still be found.\u00a0<\/p>

Sea Otter is not the wacky free-for-all that is Eurobike<\/a>, where thousands of brands vie for attention by hawking odd wares, but gems such as a bikepacking BMX and plastic handlebars were still found nestling between taco trucks and mainstream tech.<\/p>

Here are our five weirdest and wonderful-est cycling tech highlights from this year\u2019s edition of Sea Otter<\/a>.<\/p>

Paul Components x HotSalad x Sierra Nevada Sierra Roamer bike<\/h2>
Paul Components’ custom bike never disappoints. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Paul Components has now commissioned a one-off custom bike in conjunction with neighbours, Sierra Nevada Brewing, for seven editions of Sea Otter.<\/p>

This year\u2019s bike \u2013 a monster cross drop bar shred sled \u2013 from HotSalad Bikes is quite something.<\/p>

\"Paul
The silver White Industries cranks are a perfect match for the bike. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The bike is decked out with a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, White Industries M30 cranks, a handsome polished Manitou Mattoc fork, Sim Works To Smile bars and, of course, full Paul Components regalia.\u00a0<\/p>

Custom anodising perfectly matches the harlequin-wrapped bars.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Paul
That custom anodising is something to behold. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Igus injection-moulded plastic handlebars<\/h2>
\"Igus
Would you ride plastic handlebars? – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Igus, better known for its one-piece plastic frames<\/a>, is developing handlebars (and other components) made from recycled plastic.<\/p>

Igus uses a patented process, over-moulding an outer plastic layer over a lattice core to provide stiffness similar to an alloy bar.<\/p>

The bar is fully recyclable and weighs 380g in an unspecified width. Igus says this compares to an average of around 300g for an equivalent alloy bar.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Igus
Igus had grey and black bars on show. Other colours are also possible. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Different colours will be available by compounding pigments during the moulding process. Igus intends to offer colour-matched cranks and pedals.<\/p>

Igus expects to see the bars specced by OEMs on kid\u2019s bikes, bike share schemes and commuting bikes, with the potential for aftermarket availability.<\/p>

Igus says it is also about to begin manufacturing its one-piece plastic frames, which first appeared in 2022, having invested in a 20-ton mould \u201cthe size of our Sea Otter booth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

Kogel Kollosos oversized pulley wheel cage<\/h2>
\"Kogel
It’s now trite to describe something as ‘fast standing still’… but still. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Oversized pulley wheel systems are a popular marginal gain for drivetrain friction weenies.\u00a0<\/p>

Larger pulley wheels reduce drivetrain drag because the chain articulates less as each link moves through the derailleur.\u00a0<\/p>

Kogel has taken its oversized pulley wheel system a step further with the Kollosos \u2013 an oversized pulley system hidden beneath a striking aero fairing.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Kogel
Kogel also produces fun neon-coloured versions of its cages. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The cage debuted on a wild custom Scott Foil RC made by Dangerholm<\/a> \u2013 a large Swedish man with a penchant for short shorts and custom bikes.<\/p>

Kogel does not supply claimed aero savings for the cage, but heck at least you\u2019ll look fast with it fitted to your bike.\u00a0<\/p>

The cage is available for SRAM 12-speed or Shimano 11-speed road bike derailleurs in a black or silver finish.\u00a0<\/p>

Kyoot Itty Bitty minivelo\/bikepacking BMX<\/h2>
\"Kyoot
We so badly wanted to take this home. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Kyoot\u2019s \u2013 pronounced \u2018cute\u2019 \u2013 Itty Bitty minivelos were a highlight of the show.<\/p>

Developed by BMXer and industry veteran, Phil Bailey, Kyoot\u2019s bikes are designed to be ridden hard \u2013 jumps are strongly encouraged here.<\/p>

Pitched as a minivelo, the bikes are based on simple standards. Except a 20in disc wheelset, 100\/135mm spacing, 31.6mm seat posts and a standard ISO bottom bracket, your very own Itty Bitty can probably be built with spare parts.\u00a0<\/p>

The bikes are similar to the Velo Orange Neutrino<\/a>, though slightly simpler, foregoing sliding dropouts, featuring fewer accessory mounts and using less ornate tube shaping.\u00a0<\/p>

They\u2019re also slightly cheaper, at $699 for a frameset versus $825 for the Neutrino. A complete itty bitty can be yours for $1,599.\u00a0<\/p>

Kyoot\u2019s bikes are currently only available in the US but is seeking international distributors.\u00a0<\/p>