Zach’s Sea Otter Randoms: A ‘Pregnant’ Rim, BLUE Ponds, Performance Enhancing Sunscreen & More

I can’t remember when my first Sea Otter Classic experience was, but it was at least 12 years ago. That’s a long time, but it pales in comparison to many that have called the show their own bike industry family reunion for 30+ years. That’s part of what makes the “tradeshow” so special. It’s not really a show so much as a gathering of like-minded people who want to ride bikes, race bikes, talk about bikes, and look at bikes. I’ve already emptied out a bunch of photos of 32″ gravel bikes, bicycle electronics, composite spokes, full suspension kid’s bikes, sneaky new hubs, and more, but of course, there’s still plenty to see…

Why Was the Pond So Blue?

As mentioned, I’ve visited Laguna Seca many times for Sea Otter, and the water in the pond has never been a hot topic. For some reason, this year, the water was very blue. Like opaque chemical toilet water blue. Come to think of it, there are a lot of porta potties at Sea Otter…

Light Bicycle’s “Pregnant” Rim

Light Bicycle had a number of interesting things on display (including 32″ MTB wheels), but this AG48 Aero Gravel rim certainly caught my attention. Jokingly referred to as the ‘pregnant’ rim, the bulbous profile features a 35mm internal width which flares out to a massive 48mm wide at the widest point. Built with a “hybrid hook”, the rims are optimized for 55mm or 2.1″ tires, and have a claimed weight of 460g.

For something a bit more normal, the WG44 Wide Aero Gravel Wheel is still wide, but not that wide. With an internal width of 30mm and again with a hybrid hook, the rims are 44mm deep, 38mm wide externally at the rim, and 40mm at the widest point. Claimed to be 450g per rim, you can actually buy these ones now starting at $289 per rim.

LIght Bicycle also had some very light one-piece cockpits on display that claim to start at just 250g. Available in road or gravel configurations, there’s even an upgraded 3D printed titanium computer mount option. These start at $410, check out the Light Bicycle site for details.

Bushnell’s BiNOCulars

I feel like I’ve seen these before… Clearly taking some inspiration from NOCS, Bushnell is joining the brightly-colored-rubber-coated binocular game. The Bushnell A series includes the A1 binoculars, A3 monocular and binocluar, and the top of the range A5 binocular. Prices start at $129, and seem to be about $20+ more per model than a comparable NOCS – though the 42mm A5 is substantially more than the new NOCS Field Issue 42 at $329 vs. $199. The Bushnell models do include color-matched cases and some premium touches though.

Performance Enhancing Sunscreen

It’s easy to get burned at Laguna Seca, so I’m always on the hunt for sunscreen. I actually smelled the sunscreen from Pelotan before I saw it – summery with pop of coconut, it’s fantastic. Better still, this isn’t your typical sunscreen, it’s specially formulated for cyclists. What does that mean? It means it’s designed to not clog your pores for better temperature regulation. Unfortunately for us in the U.S., we don’t get the version offered in Europe that provides 8 hour protection at SPF 30. Instead, the U.S. version (with different ingredients) has the highest FDA water and sweat resistance rating of 80 minutes.

It was also interesting to hear about the company’s take on sunscreen as a performance enhancer. Because of the effects of the sun on your skin during long days in the saddle, they are apparently working on an app that will put that in terms of watts lost or gained based on your sunscreen use. A fascinating take on something we all probably take for granted.

Backpacks for Balance Bikes

If you’re a parent with a kid on a balance bike, you’ve probably done the ride-with-one-hand-while-carrying-a-balance-bike-in-the-other routine. Kids get tired. Or maybe you want to ride to a safer spot with kiddo on your Shotgun Seat. Whatever the reason, Kids Ride Shotgun has a new method for carrying that balance bike so you can ride with both hands.

The new $129 Uplift Balance Bike Backpack allows you to carry a bike comfortably with it sitting off your back, and includes an actual backpack portion for storing gear, a helmet, etc.

FIDLOCK + Twiceme

Twiceme is a way for first responders to scan your helmet and get your important medical details. Now, FIDLOCK has partnered with Twiceme Technology to integrate those digital safety features directly into their magnetic helmet buckles. This should allow helmet companies to add the tech without having to redesign their helmets, and the user gets a better buckle as well.

Fidlock is known for their cage-less bottles that snap on with magnets and easily twist to unlock. Now they’re bringing that same style to insulated bottles. Obviously, more of a stop-on the-side-of-the-road-to-take-a-drink situation, the bottles should provide another option for those who would prefer not to drink out of plastic.

Boyd’s Beer Inspired Hubs

What’s better than a Tripel hub? A Sixtus, of course. Continuing on the Belgian beer-themed hub names, Boyd Cycling was showing their newest MTB hub line called the Sixtus – named for the St. Sixtus brewery. The new hubs will offer either 3º or a minuscule 0.5º freehub rotation, depending on the freehub internals. More on these soon.

Abbey Bike Tools Goes Soft (Sided Tool Bag)

Abbey Bike Tools offers one of the best curated cycling toolboxes money can buy. But because it includes a number of tools that Abbey doesn’t control the prices on, the price has crept up to $1,850. Wanting to offer something more accessible to more people, Abbey has just introduced their Soft Sided Toolbox.

Using bags made in Bend, Oregon by Cloud Chaser Bags, the Soft Sided Tool bag will be offered as a standalone bag for $225 or as a complete tool kit for $675. The bag itself is made from 500d and 1000d Cordura with YKK zippers and light foam for structure. Inside, you’ll find four removable bags that velcro to the inside.

Tools included:

On the bikepacking front, EVOC has some new additions to their on-bike bag line including BOA and non-BOA options. There are also new Panniers with smaller options that are perfect for fork mounts, or the full-size rear with Quick Fix attachment.

Eagle Bear Goes Mountain Biking

The Foxtrot full suspension kid’s bike wasn’t the only MTB news at the Prevelo booth this year, as their sister brand Eaglebear was showing the new ZULU Twenty Nine. As a refresher, Eaglebear is the adult version of Prevelo – affordable bikes with excellent spec.

To be priced at $2,399 when launched later this fall, the triple butted aluminum frame includes adjustable UDH dropouts to allow for single-speed use, along with internal cable routing, a forged chainstay yoke, and a CNC engraved headtube logo. The build kit will include a Mazocchi Bomber Z2 with 140mm of travel, SRAM Eagle 70 mechanical drivetrain, TRP Slate Evo Comp 4 piston brakes, and a KS Vantage adjustable length dropper plus Maxxis 29 x 2.5/2.4″ WT trires.

Jordan Raced a Brompton

Jordan is the member of our crew who just can’t help himself when it comes to riding at Sea Otter. He rides into the show. He races the gravel race (and takes 2nd in the Men’s open 30-mile race). He also took part in the California Brompton World Championships and took 5th. He probably would have been on the podium if he knew how to unfold a Brompton, and had both shifters working…