2025 Sea Otter Finds (Part 4): Weird Trends, New Gravel Tech, Comfy Grips, and More

Covering bike expos like Sea Otter is hard work, but it’s also pretty special. There’s a cocktail of emotions and endorphins happening while working these events—a general undercurrent of sleep deprivation and exhaustion offset by waves of obsession to create good work and happy spikes from laughing and chatting with beautiful people you haven’t seen since last year’s event. Somehow, it all adds up to a net positive experience and something I’m sad to see come to a close on Sunday afternoon, despite my brain and body hitting a rock-hard wall in those final hours. There are no actual cocktails for most of us media during the event, however. Once we finish interviewing and shooting, the work begins—editing, uploading, and writing—usually into the wee hours before grabbing a couple of hours of shut-eye and waking up to do it again. I was literally sleep-writing a couple of times this past weekend, working in a rental van until two in the morning. I would doze off as I was typing, only to wake and find a bizarre sentence fragment that trailed off into senselessness.

It’s more than documenting shiny new things that motivates me at events like Sea Otter. My joy comes from reconnecting with folks and chatting about the far ends of this oddball passion we all share. It’s the people more than the bikes. At the end of these things, I usually find that I talked too much and didn’t get as many shots as I’d have liked, despite being absolutely pinned the majority of the time. This year was a nice mix, though. And with Neil and I covering many of the same subjects, his interviews add another level of depth, an approach we’re happy with. With that post-modern lead-up out of the way, here’s my final 2025 Sea Otter roundup (kind of; there are a couple more things to come in the next couple of weeks, including more on that cover bike).

Miker’s 30th Anniversary

Rewinding to day one, our first stop for this year’s 2025 was at the Salsa Cycles booth for a little celebration early on Thursday morning. The plan was to surprise Mike “Miker” Reimer to commemorate his 30-year anniversary with Salsa. That’s a long time, and we’ve shared some great memories over the years. Congrats, Miker. You’re a legend!

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Madrone Jab Derailleur + New Tools

I was particularly excited to catch up with Madrone’s founder and engineer, Aaron Bland, after being a part of the installation and testing of their derailleur rebuild kits. We were quite impressed with this system, and I’ve been running a rebuilt Eagle AXS derailleur on a test bike recently. Since its launch, Aaron has been busy improving the kits, with revisions to tools, such as the new M4 tool that now has magnets, allowing you to place each side in a bench vice to press or remove the linkage pin. You can see that in operation here.

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Most importantly, it was also great to catch up with the entire Madrone extended family! See you next year or hopefully sooner.

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The Jab Derailleur has seen a host of refinements since we covered it in our Dispatch. The changes have largely been focused on improved reliability and performance, with updates to materials, coatings, tolerances, and subtle geometric tweaks. With the initial launch, Madrone Cycles has solidified its offerings: four color options, two cage types, three mounting styles, and eight distinct cams tailored to specific 1x MTB and gravel drivetrains. Each cam is designed to precisely match a given shifter and cassette combination—such as Cam 252 for 12-speed Shimano gravel or Cam 247 for 12-speed Shimano MTB setups. This modular system not only ensures optimal performance across a range of drivetrains but also lays the groundwork for more options in the future. A full list of cams and their compatibility can be found here.

We can’t wait to get our hands on one, as the versions on display looked sharp and shifted well. The “Dual-Mount” looks quite promising, offering the benefits of a direct mount derailleur for use with standard cassettes. Another thing on display, which is still being finalized, is a configurable cam system to change the pull ratio and make it work with a variety of shifters. That’s good news for folks who have perfectly good old Shimano XTR shifters baking around in the parts bin. We’re excited to see the final touches put on the Jab and get a sample in for testing.

Apogee The One

Sitting front and center in the Wolf Tooth/Otso tent, the Apogee One is undoubtedly one of the most impressive bikes we saw at the show this year. It features a linkage-driven single pivot suspension design, offering a balanced and versatile setup ideal for all-around trail riding. The rear end pivots around a central knuckle, a robust aluminum component that enables vertical movement. The shock is centrally located within the suspension module and is actuated from both ends, compressed by a front rocker link and the rear knuckle, allowing for a responsive and efficient suspension feel.

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Make sure to check out Neil’s video with an interview with the founder. And you can learn more about this interesting bike over at Apogee’s website.

Cotic Flaremax Rebrand

Cotic has been working on a comprehensive brand update for some time—not just a new logo or wordmark, but a full refresh of their website and the overall experience of buying a Cotic bike. Collaborating with designer Nick Larsen—founder of UK-based brands Fabric and Charge Bikes and the creative lead behind Cannondale’s recent rebrand—the goal was to rethink both the visual identity and paint finishes. The result is a look that’s instantly recognisable from a distance and still aligns with Cotic’s latest frame designs and philosophy.

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When I asked Cy about this change, he admits that as small team, Cotic tends to spend a lot of time focused on the physical design and engineering of their frames, and they really wanted to reflect that effort in the look and feel of the brand, the paint finishes, and all the other touch points of the company, including the website. Cy added, “Historically, our past big wordmarks have been the predominant graphic design of the frames, so now, with a smaller but far more legible wordmark, we have more space to explore new paint finishes and ideas while maintaining clear branding.” Rest assured, nothing is changing about Cotic’s frame designs.

Wahoo Bolt 3 and Roam 3

Wahoo quietly released the third iteration of its ELEMENT Roam and BOLT units this past weekend. The new Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 features upgraded navigation with more detailed maps, additional elevation data and road types, and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions. Its larger 2.8” high-contrast, glove-friendly touchscreen offers 22 percent more screen space than the BOLT, with pinch, zoom, and swipe functionality for easy interaction. Wahoo also integrated a “Ready to Ride” dashboard to help streamline setup, and you can load routes, sync workouts, and check sensor or battery status in seconds. With a modernized user interface and up to 25 hours of battery life, provided by a thicker battery and thicker form factor, it seems like a worthwhile set of upgrades.

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The new Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 got a few new updates, too. It’s also thicker with a bigger battery, which Wahoo says gives it a 20-hour battery life. It features a high-resolution 2.3” display designed for clarity in bright conditions, expanded third-party app connectivity, and Wahoo’s “Ready to Ride” dashboard for easy setup and the ability to quickly load routes, select workouts, and check sensors.

Find all the nitty-gritty specs and details over at Wahoo.

McNally Bike to Draw

One of my favorite people to see at the Sea Otter Classic every year is San Francisco local Chris McNally. I think the first time I met Chris, he handed me an illustrated poster he created specifically for Interbike 2015, which I still have on a bookshelf. He’s produced several books and other illustrated projects for shows since then, and of course, he’s illustrated a number of stories in The Bikepacking Journal, for our Gunnison Bikepacking Routes Network, and even our route creator headshots.

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For this year’s Sea Otter, Chris made this excellent little book. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t include a photo or two of the illustrated boxers he produced with OrNot, which I jokingly called his life’s work. They’re pretty killer, with a bunch of excellent easter eggs to be found among the folds.

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Knog Bell and Scout

I’ve liked the look and concept of the streamlined Knog Oi bell since its release 10 or so years ago. There’s nothing else quite like it, but it’s not loud enough for some applications. However, Knog teased their latest revamp of this bell, which promises a sound that will compete with others at 80 decibels; I read somewhere that a Large Crane Bell is just under 90, and the venerable Spurcycle bell is over 110, for example. From what I saw, it looks sharp and sounds great. Stay tuned for more details.

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Knog was also showing their Scout, a lightweight, discreet bike security device designed exclusively for iOS users. Weighing just 25 grams, it combines an 85 dB motion-sensitive alarm with Apple’s “Find My” integration, allowing you to quickly locate your bike if it’s moved or stolen. Operated via the Knog iOS app, the Scout mounts easily to standard water bottle cage braze-ons and can even be hidden under the cage for added stealth. It includes anti-tamper screws for secure installation and a neon silicone cover to make its presence known, if you choose to advertise it. The alarm can be armed or disarmed within 1.5 meters using Bluetooth, and the built-in LEDs display alarm status and battery life. It has an IP66 water-resistant rating and a USB-C rechargeable battery that lasts two to six months depending on usage.

Inverted Forks

Inverted fork designs—flipping the stanchions to the bottom of the fork—seemed to be the talk of the town (or one of them) at Sea Otter this year. Cane Creek teased a new prototype, as did Fox, and then there was the Intend on the Apogee we photographed just above. All three were built with bigger bikes in mind, but it brought up a larger conversation on why these forks are having a moment.

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Sure, inverted forks offer a distinct and visually striking look that works for show bikes, but there are also several benefits. By flipping the fork, lubricating oil naturally sits against the wiper seals thanks to gravity, resulting in smoother operation and improved sensitivity compared to conventional designs where seals can dry out. The inverted layout also reduces unsprung weight by minimizing lower leg mass, which makes the fork more responsive and easier to move over bumps. Additionally, it’s easier to service; the seal heads can be removed using a simple bottom bracket tool for quick oil changes, which are recommended every 100 hours or once a year. Find Neil’s interview with Will from Cane Creek in this video for more thoughts on this tech.

Curious Creatures

Launched a year and a half ago, Curious Creatures is in its second spring of sales. After speaking to owner and founder Natasha Woodsworth, we were excited to learn that the idea for this company sprang from a bikepacking trip on one of our routes in Oaxaca. She wanted to create a pair of shorts that could be worn on the bike for multiple days and still be comfortable and stylish for kicking it around town.

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Located in Bozeman, Montana, Curious Creatures is redefining technical apparel by creating pieces that feel and look like everyday clothing, not costumes. Their growing lineup now includes fresh styles, playful colors, and inclusive sizing for both men and women. Just in time for spring, their latest release features two new short styles along with new colorways for existing favorites. Neil even bought a pair to take home!

Topeak Mini Panniers and Valve

In addition to the Nano Shock we covered yesterday, Topeak had a few other interesting things on display, including their new Turbo Flow Valves, which consist of a thread-on adapter that replaces the Presta valve and the pump head adapter. Together, the system boasts a claimed 300-percent improvement in inflation efficiency compared to traditional Presta valve setups, making tire inflation significantly easier. It seemed to work very well on the demo.

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Adding to the options for fork bags, the Topeak QR Fork Bag is a newly launched, waterproof dry bag designed for 5.8 liters of compact storage of essentials like clothing and camping gear. It features a sealed air-release valve that allows users to compress contents for a more streamlined fit. The bag attaches swiftly and easily using Topeak’s new quick-release system made from a polymer. It’s compatible with forks that have water bottle cage mounts, and for bikes without them (e.g. some carbon forks), Topeak offers adapters to create the necessary mounting points.

Wolf Tooth Swag

Wolf Tooth had some relatively new bottles, shirts, hats, and other swag on sale with some fresh illustrations. It’s always nice to see the bike industry embrace graphic designers to come up with compelling designs.

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Gravel Tire Tech

At some point during the show, I heard the phrase, “Gravel pretty much saved the bike industry.” That’s one to ponder, as it did breathe new life into a cusp form of road cycling, which has been on a steady death march since the mid-2000s or thereabouts. It’s only fitting that brands are leveraging that success by finding ways to innovate and market. It seems like most of that energy was carried by tires this year, with all the major brands refreshing their gravel tire lineup in some way, shape, or form. Or, creating products that improve tire performance on some level.

Vittoria had a few new widths of gravel tires, as well as the new “gravel score,” essentially a numerical way of conveying tire details that enables customers to make decisions based on the surfaces they’ll be riding. You can learn more about that in Neil’s latest video here. They also announced a new gravel-specific Air Liner Light tire insert, which you can learn about here.

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Maxxis unveiled their new HYPR-X compound, which is a low-rolling-resistance, gravel-focused version of their race-oriented MaxxSpeed for mountain bikes. Maxxis claims the HYPR-X upgraded versions of the Receptor, Reaver, Rambler, and Ravager offer a 19-percent boost in cornering traction and a 25-percent reduction in rolling resistance. Additional enhancements include a newly developed, stronger nylon material used in the 120 TPI casing to significantly improve tread durability.

Teravail had their new Updraft on display, which was nice to see in person. The brand claims it’s their fastest gravel tire yet, built for quick acceleration and confident handling. It features a unique center file tread for speed and shoulder lugs for cornering grip, along with a tubeless-ready 120 TPI casing that enhances comfort, traction, and flat protection at lower pressures. Available in 700 x 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm sizes, the Updraft comes in black and tan-wall versions with your choice of “Light & Supple” ($75) or “Durable” ($80) compounds/casings. Weights range from 395 to 635 grams. Learn more at Teravail.com.

There was a lot more in the way of gravel tires at Sea Otter, but that’s not exactly my area of interest or expertise. A few I saw stood out and seemed genuinely interesting. If anyone heard of any other noteworthy products in that realm, please leave a note in the Conversation below.

Sage Droptimator

Sage Cycles already has a few drop-bar models under their belt, including the popular Storm King. However, founder and designer Dave Rosen wanted to try something extra burly. The Sage Droptimator was conceived to meet the evolving demands of adventure riding and racing. As race courses become rougher—incorporating chunkier gravel, singletrack, and even elements of mountain biking—Dave saw the need for a bike that could handle these conditions without compromising on speed or control. Instead of simply adding drop bars to a mountain bike frame, he started with Sage’s cross-country Optimator platform and thoughtfully reengineered it for drop-bar use, resulting in a purpose-built bike that pushes the limits of what gravel bikes can do.

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The Sage Droptimator has a 73mm bottom bracket shell, clears 2.4” tires, and is made in Oregon by Sage. Learn more about their bikes and ordering process at SageTitanium.com.

Worthy Mentions

We covered a lot of stuff at this show, but it barely scratches the surface. There were a couple more things that caught my lens that I thought were worth highlighting here. That includes Silca’s Ultimate Sealant, which I’ve heard rave reviews about from a couple people. The torque driver from Wera Tools also looked mighty nice, with an easy thumb lever to adjust the torque spec.

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We also spotted several new grips that look promising, each offering designs to dampen vibration and alleviate hand fatigue. Rev Grips have been around for some time, of course, but they have plenty of new colors and models to choose from. Another interesting grip is the SQ Labs DX gips, which led me to grab a pair to take a look at. Also, ODI’s new Vanquish grips felt comfy in hand and use a compound called D30 that is designed to reduce impact vibrations.

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I’ve been running the Project 321 G3 hubs for a while with a long-term review on the way. They’re so impressive that I was happy to see them release a gravel version for lighter use. The RG3 uses four pawls instead of eight, but has the same general layout otherwise. Learn more about it at Project 321.

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Many Thanks

Last but not least, I want to take a moment to thank all the readers, industry friends, and other friendly media I ran into at the show who expressed their appreciation for our work and the platform we’ve built these past dozen-plus years. It’s those small things that keep our wheels turning, and I sincerely appreciate it. In addition, an extra bit of gratitude goes out to the wonderful team at Redshift, who helped support our extended coverage of this event. Beyond the four roundups I put together, be sure to head to our #seaotterclassic tag to find all of Neil’s excellent videos with some in-depth conversations on many of the subjects I touched on.

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Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...