Sea Otter has come and gone once again, but before my 18th trip to The Sea Weasel Classic vanishes completely from my rear view mirror, I thought I'd lay out these lovely parting gifts--the things that struck me most while I was shuffling about Monterey, drinking beer too early in the morning and getting poison oak in places that are tricky to scratch in public.
This one had me thinking--Who in their right mind would actually apply a sticker to the pisser portion of the porta-potty? An irrationally-dedicated marketing hack? A competitor who wants to see the other guy's company get pissed on? Someone who's both terribly bored and cavalier about their personal hygiene? Either way, this moment in the outhouse has me seriously re-evaluating my decision to shake hands with so many people.
Maxxis (and other tire brands) showed up to Sea Otter with a growing number of plus-size tires, as well as 2.35 to 2.5-inch tires designed to work well with the current crop of ever-widening rims. Glad to see the options opening up on that front.
There are so many sexy carbon fiber wheel sets out there, which is all well and good...except for the fact that most of them are priced at a level that makes my eyes bleed. It's kind of a relief to run across aluminum models that most of us can afford. The $550 Sun-Ringle Charger Expert AL weighs in at a reasonable 1,775 grams (in 27.5 trim) and comes with rim strips, valves, sealant and both a Shimano and SRAM XD driver bodies. That's a lot of bang for the buck.
A skinny hammer, some nails, a giant chunk of wood, lots of beer and much heckling. Good times at the Freehub booth.
The Bro factor was noticeably high at Sea Otter. I've never quite understood why Cross-Fit has taken off so well until this past weekend. That's when I realized that, apparently, half of the motivation for getting "yoked" is that it enables you to walk around shirtless at cycling events whilst flexing, gang-signing and wearing your baseball hat backwards. Sadly, I somehow neglected to snap a shot of that constantly-recurring moment, but I did appreciate the Bro-targeted messaging here.
I just got paid a fat sum of Canadian pesos, by Sierra Club and I'm going to dress up as Lawrence of Arabia, take that electric fatbike and ride it on sundays through national parks shouting "Allah snackbar! I am a mountain biker! Chris Kyle was a fg and was killed by his disappointed lover." - bullet proof vest from Leatt will be nice too.
Sorrry, it doesn't have ultra-triple-boost and 36inch wheels. Also, the stem isn't mounted to steering tube by carbon belt, so it looks bit old-fashioned a bit for me.And man, not even 14x1 transmission?!
Goes together like kids and Kam. One of these things would be perfect for my winter commute to the Grouse Mountain Ski School Hut! Motor up, carve all day, hit the trails for a night ride down Fromme!
Seriously... Please share where that shirt came from and where we can get more. I'll pony up for 100 of them and sell for pennies each if it helps to head off the forthcoming trail closure apocalypse in the US due to e-bikes.
@vernonfelton - the same people that were selling the electric bikes suck shirt were selling a "black bikes matter" shirt. That level of ignorance blew me away considering the seemingly inspirational message they were sending with the rest of the stuff they were selling. Maybe it is time to do a piece on the minorities in cycling? Seems like something that does not get discussed much...
Please don't bring racial mess into cycling. Anyone is free to ride any bike they want. No one in the cycling industry is discriminating to my knowledge. Most Pinkbikers, and any cyclist I know, feel that cycling is a universal language. Let's keep our little niche' part of the world free from divisive politics. Keep the debate on trivial things like standards and who makes a better shock. Things that really matter! RIP McGazza!
@vernonfelter - It is a pleasure to welcome you to our Pinkbike. I don't know how you made it here, but your presence is valued along with your opinions. You Sir, are a breath of fresh air! I hope the politics of our great nation, USA, does not jade you in our quest to get more trails built here. Keep it going man, keep it going.
@vernonfelton -- came to post the same sentiment. This is the best piece out of Sea Otter I've read. It's like you summed up my thoughts, except better than I would have written them myself! Thanks!
I'm still waiting for a 26er DH fat ebike with Bluetooth speakers built in. FS of course. Come on spesh and sram, I have faith you guys can do it! Just think of the new and highly innovative standards you can implement with it!
I'll buy one and have a custom sticker... #Do you even fat ebike BRO?
Exactly! E-bikes are motorcycles, shaped like bicycles. Most places we ride do not allow motor driven cycles. I don't understand the marketing strategy that took these past the "hey, I got an idea!" phase. I must be too thick to get it.
Remember, you need to also take selfies of oneself while shirtless, while flexing, whilst gang-signing. The bro-recipe is fairly complex. Bro on. Bro on.
I was a strong believer that white American Jesus punched a kitten everytime a fat bike was rode. Myth goes on that Jesus will now kill the poor kittens when e-fat bikes hit the trails. For the love of teh kittehs stop. Just stop.
I'm happy the 26" version has been released! Roughly 750g is not bad at all for the Exo version. Will be my next rear tyre as soon as my current one wears out.
I've got the Aggressor Double Down up front and the SS Silkworm on the rear, and that combo kicks much ass. It would just be nice to get a beefier casing for enduro season.
www.petal-power.com
m.facebook.com/page/shop.php?id=1100605646640873&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&_rdr
Maybe it is time to do a piece on the minorities in cycling? Seems like something that does not get discussed much...
I think it's Vernon FELCHER
www.dyedbro.bigcartel.com
I'll buy one and have a custom sticker... #Do you even fat ebike BRO?
No shirt off though
Whoop! One going on the rear for the summer for sure.