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Last year, Cinelli used the Sea Otter Classic to let everyone know that they’re back in the US with new ownership, a fresh vision, and big plans. This year, they showed off a new version of the Nemo TIG Gravel II frame that includes a 20mm-travel Hi-Ride Sterra fork. But that’s not the only update to the bike, and not the only new model in their booth… The 2024 Nemo is much more than the same frame with a Hi-Ride suspension fork stuck in it. The frame is made in Milan from triple-butted Columbus steel. The seatstays are reshaped and flattened to improve comfort, with a new bridge that makes ..read more

There was a lot of buzz around the HighBar helmet strap and fit systems this past week at Sea Otter Classic. Yes, it looks slightly odd, but everything on the bicycle helmet has evolved over the years except for the strap, HighBar thinks its time… The HighBar system before install on the helmet system. The “pins” slot into the helmet (designed specifically the system) and is retained by two small screws hidden under padding and the locking pieces at the top.(Photo/ Jordan Villella) What is HighBar, and what is this creation?  HighBar Helmet Strap Image HighBar The HighBar helmet retentio ..read more

This might have been the biggest Sea Otter yet, so of course there was plenty to see. Judging by the onslaught of product release emails leading up to the show, the bike industry is fully ready to get all of their newest products out there and Sea Otter 2024 did not disappoint. Of all the new we saw at Laguna Seca, the following were some of our favorites. Madrone Cycles Madrone Cycles is a brand-new company that has a lot going for it. Not only are they offering replaceable parts for certain SRAM MTB derailleurs, but they’re also including or selling the tools needed to perform the swap. If ..read more

Having just rebooted the brand with new mountain bike hubs, Project321 was showing off a slightly quieter version for gravel bikes at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. As Lightning McQueen learned, sometimes you need to go slow to go fast, and that’s the thinking behind the gravel hubs. Project321 has trimmed back the number of pawls inside the hub, which slows down the engagement slightly but makes it quieter and infinitesimally reduces drag. The big difference between the mountain bike hubs, which have eight pawls working in pairs of two, is the halving of of the pawls to four. This increases th ..read more

As recent product intros have shown, the biggest hurdle for most people to wax their bike chains is the prep. Second biggest? Cleaning up from the prep. But there’s no denying the performance benefits, and Cyclowax’s Starter Kit looks to make it as easy as possible by putting everything you need (including the chain) in the box. The Starter Kit gets you get cleaning supplies with degreaser (for cleaning your cassette and chainrings prior to installation) and alcohol cleaner (for wiping down the waxed chain after a ride), and a brush and cleaning cloth to help remove any surface dirt and stuf ..read more

Outbound Lighting makes incredible lights for road, gravel, and mountain biking after dark, but there are a few holes in their lineup they’d like to fill. From eMTB headlights to safer commuter taillights to a more powerful helmet lamp, they had a lot to show at Sea Otter Classic. Above is a concept they’re working on for e-bikes, with mountain bikes in particular focus. Many e-bikes now come with headlights built in and powered by the battery, but most of them are just bolted on to the fork crown or hanging under the handlebar. And most of those are designed for commuting, with a narrow beam ..read more

For years, body armor brands have incorporated D3O’s impact absorbing gel into their elbow, knee, and back protectors. Turns out, it’s also really good at absorbing vibrations, too. So, ODI is using it in their new Vanquish mountain bike grips. It uses a new D3O Grip Compound that, they claim, absorbs 2x the vibrations of standard grip compounds. It’s the same tech used in F1 cars and NASA’s Valkyrie robot, and now it’s for riders, too. ODI then gives the grips a specific pattern and geometry to further reduce vibrations, helping your hands, arms, and brain stay fresher for longer. Available ..read more

Gulo Composites upcoming XC mountain bikes may be the lightest on the market when they hit with a complete 29er wheelset weight around 1,140g. And for gravel, they have a big new idea around matching rim and tire width for optimized aerodynamics. Quick refresher: Gulo makes braided carbon spokes in the US, and designs their rims and hubs around these proprietary spokes. They’re lighter, very strong, and add a bit of damping and radial compliance while keeping the wheel laterally stiff. Check our initial coverage of the brand for a deeper dive. A few years ago, they updated the wheels with l ..read more

You’ve probably seen floating rotors with small, round rivet-like “buttons” connecting the braking surface to the center carrier. But the new Zeno ReactionEX true floating rotors opt for a small clip that acts like a leaf spring to create a “true floating rotor”. The issue with the button is that they are a semi-floating design, where the outer braking surface is pinned to the carrier, which limits how much and how freely the braking surface can slide from side to side. And that lateral movement is one of the big benefits of a floating rotor because it keeps the braking surface perfectly para ..read more