Atherton Bikes, Onyx Hubs, Kogel Bearings, & More - Sea Otter 2022

Apr 8, 2022
by Matt Beer  
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Atherton Bikes made the trek over and had Jim Monro's AM.200 DH race bike on display. The non-production link skipped the anodizing step to change up the suspension kinematics.

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Jim was using an O-chain pedal kickback damper and the titanium lugs were reconfigured to work with a 27.5" rear wheel.

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There was also the AM.150 enduro bike hanging out at yet another Continental tent.

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Pinkbike Racing Team manager and race line decipherer, Ben Cathro, was also about with his very yellow Santa Cruz V10.

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Ben also managed to get his hands on the same chainstay extenders we've seen Greg Minnaar use.

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HT has been working on shaving grams off of their pedals and extending the bearing life. The T2 on the left weighs in a 373 g while the beefier X3 now comes with the cleat slider plate and revised internals.

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Factor had hubs in all of your favorite anodized colors.

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The silent, zero drag Onyx hubs come in any color option you can dream up. The Helix front hub has cut out to save even more grams.

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More colors and all of the driver options.

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'Liquid camo' is now a color option for DMR's Vault pedals and Wingman handlebar.

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Hayes snuck in their Dominion T4 brake which save 50-grams per brake by removing more material from the caliper and adding a carbon lever.

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The gold Pro Taper alloy bar is a throwback to their early 2000s look.

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Ok it's not aluminum or machined, but this throwback paint job on the Intense M29 gathered attention.
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When stanchions used to be less than 30mm.

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Kogel's ceramic bearings are found in their premium 12-speed SRAM or Shimano derailleur cages.

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The jockey wheels are said to reduce drag thanks to the ceramic bearings and larger tooth count of 14 and 18-teeth.

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Mix and match the jockey wheels, bolts, and cage colors for $489.

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5DEV is all about testing the limits of machining. Their Trail/Enduro Pedals are less than 12mm thick.

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The Spacey sprocket is proof of that and was made in a flash to test the narrow wide tooth retention profile until someone asked for one of their own.

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This top loading prototype stem isn't ready for production, but it's always cool to see what 5DEV is cooking up.

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Will from 5DEV had his personal bike tricked out with a mix of raw and black anodized components, topped off with some Versus tires to match the turquoise paint.


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118 Comments
  • 90 0
 As soon as I've dug enough of the sand, mud, bits of trail crap and oil covered plant-life out of my rear mech to allow me to get the rear cage bolts I'm swapping over to those ceramic bearings and saving me some watts.
  • 12 1
 You mean 3 watts, for 3 months (if you’re lucky).
  • 53 2
 The Intense throwback paint job is so much better than their current throwup paint jobs.
  • 3 6
 @scary1: Hmm - I was just thinking that it looked even worse haha
  • 2 4
 How does a higher tooth count = less drag? That’s more points of contact, which to me all but guarantees more friction, even with ceramic bearings.
  • 9 0
 @sngltrkmnd: it's kinda counter intuitive, but it has to do with how sharp a bend the chain has to make. A wider arc allows the rollers to perform better.
  • 12 0
 @woody25 Will you have time to swap them out after you clean out all the mud from your open front hub?
  • 4 0
 @sngltrkmnd: The points of contact only really move while the chain is entering or exiting the jockey wheel, so the number of points shouldnt have too large an effect on the friction. As Iamthenightrider said, the larger the jockey wheel, the less the chain links have to rotate as they enter/exit. Also the larger the jockey wheel, the slower it spins for a given chain speed. Both of those should reduce the watts lost. Saying that, I doubt any of it is really worth worrying about when the whole things covered in mud, haha.
  • 3 0
 Saucer sized jockey wheels to match dinner plate cassettes?
  • 42 2
 i am way into what 5dev is doing right now.
  • 13 5
 Those cranks are perfection. f*ck a $1000 cane creek titanium cylinder, purple ano hollow cranks are the coolest I've ever seen.
  • 5 2
 @ihertzler: Yeah and they would fit sooo muchhh with my purple i9 hubs, hope E4, and everything else I have on my raw Banshee Titan!!! Big Grin But f*ck, that's expensive for a f*cking crank.. Frown
  • 4 14
flag wyorider (Apr 8, 2022 at 11:11) (Below Threshold)
 Like dumb designs in pretty colors?!
  • 9 0
 @wyorider: here you are, angry on another comment thread
  • 10 8
 So I guess I am the only one who thinks those cranks are ugly as fuck.
  • 2 3
 @93EXCivic: not only are they ugly but there’s a real danger that the rider’s dick could get caught in them.
  • 1 0
 @93EXCivic: Which crank do you find really nice looking?
  • 1 0
 @Timo82: Eewings, Profile, Ingrid, White Industries are the ones I can think of off hand.
  • 1 0
 @93EXCivic: eewings, with all the luster and aesthetics of a singular tube
  • 1 0
 @93EXCivic: Okay well I prefer the look of a simple Shimano SLX than those.... except the oil slick eewings but more for the color than anything so.... to each their own like they say! Wink
  • 1 0
 @Timo82: I mean I would prefer SLX over the 5dev.
  • 25 0
 Goddamn that M29 is so cool!
  • 24 0
 'Liquid camo'. Previously known as just dirty.
  • 22 0
 Imagine trying to clean that new Onyx hubs with the cut-outs...
  • 8 0
 We shaved 10 grams of weight to allow 1 pound of dirt in.
  • 1 0
 Not new, the cut outs have been available for years, they were recommended more for bmx race wheels for that very reason I'd say.
  • 14 0
 some Versus tires to match the turquoise paint - tire leaking sealant look is the new black!
  • 11 0
 Here's a fun game to play. Talk to anyone that has had Kogel Bearings (specifically bottom bracket) and place a bet for a 6pack with your buddy that the BB did not last longer than 3mo. They are absolute trash. People get so frustrated when they come into the shop and we have to swap them out. "but they are less than 2mo old".. If we install them for people we make it very very clear, that they will not last more than a few months, and by few months we typically mean less than 3.
  • 4 0
 Awww yeah I have one… turned to shit in about 5 months… but they warrantied it and sent me a brand new one for free…

So if you don’t mind replacing it every so often then you do get a new BB every 6 months and don’t even have to worry about servicing it.
  • 5 1
 Appears to be a snakeoil company like Absolute black or Ceramicspeed. Nobody will feel the benefit of ceramic (actually hybrid) bearings and the same goes for 18T cogs running idle while transferring power over your 10T or even 9T cassette cog.
  • 2 2
 Funny…. Both my mountain and road bike are Kogel equipped, most of my coworkers are on Kogel, and a ton of our customers are on them. I’ve had to submit 2 warranties in 4 years. Guess we’re just lucky? Also… talk about a company that stands behind their product. Both times they didn’t even bat an eye, they asked what happened and then followed that with sorry for the inconvenience here’s the replacement on the way.
  • 5 2
 @DhGabe: MOST of your coworkers are using obscure $$$ boutique bearings?

Doubt.
  • 2 4
 @office: it’s called EP… working at a shop gives me/us the ability to buy stuff at a reasonable price…. Nice try though.
  • 4 0
 @DhGabe: yeah I was so stoked with the customer service I’m always going back. Plus had their BB on my mtb and it was solid.

Running pulley wheels from there now and love them.
  • 1 0
 @Shredocalypse69: right! If a company/product is trash I will 100% be the first to point it out. I think Kogel does a damn good job of providing a ceramic option for more people to try than other companies that are double the price. I’ve got bb’s on both my bikes from them, jockey wheels on the road bike and for fun I tried out the kolossos cage on my Evil with Shimano 12spd. What I love about them the most is you can actually service their bearings! It doesn’t all brake or give you a hard time to put back together. Also just a tip… if you can get your hands on ceramic speed grease repack your Kogel bearings with that. Makes it soooo much smoother.
  • 14 2
 "The non-production link skipped the anodizing step to change up the suspension kinematics."

This wording is so weird. Skipping the anodizing changes the kinematics? Missing some commas or out of order there?
  • 8 1
 He means that because the link was made for trying/changing kinematics, it skipped the anodizing. Just to have it as soon and as low cost as possible
  • 5 0
 @downhiller900sl: I know what it meant, doesn't change that the sentence doesn't actually say that as is.
  • 12 0
 Did I miss the PB team Öhlins suspension sponsor reveal?
  • 3 0
 No, don't think it's been announced yet
  • 6 0
 Cats out of the bag now.
  • 1 4
 I would say beware of biased reviews incoming, but the review of RXF34 was pretty unbiased. Which is refreshing.
  • 1 1
 They didn't officially announce it yet, but I "predicted" it. Or rather: I know a guy who works for Öhlins and he told me. I then comment it under the last Pinkbike Racing Update article, where they revealed the kit and the bikes.
  • 12 2
 There is so much in this industry that is not worth the extra cost. Onyx hubs is absolutely is the exception. They are truly amazing hubs and worth every penny.
  • 5 0
 I second that
  • 12 1
 $250 for pedals? Yeah, no. I don't invest in things that bounce off rocks.
  • 5 0
 Deftraps all day!!!
  • 5 0
 If you look at the prices for high end flat pedals, there isn't a big leap from Made-in-Taiwan generic pedals with fancy branding and Made in USA pedals with good support.

For example, HT's Supreme pedal is $120, and it's HT ME03T is $280. They are produced in Taiwan.

But yea, I run cheap plastic pedals and replace them once a year.
  • 2 2
 Cool, more for me
  • 7 0
 Onyx - silent rear hubs, but noisy front ones (once all the crap inside starts rattlling around). HAHAHA!
  • 6 0
 that Cero m29 was such a sick bike. The history of Gwin and proto bikes is sure strange.
  • 7 0
 I would absolutely buy that sticker kit for that Dorado!
  • 4 0
 Wait, is there a liquid camo pedal in that picture? Must be the one with the spatter design I guess? Because I’m legit not seeing anything camo in that picture. Seriously, this isn’t a camo joke. Help.
  • 4 0
 It's just really, really well camo'ed
  • 1 0
 Its camo you can't see it duh
  • 7 1
 Who tf is paying that much for upgraded derailleur cages?
  • 5 1
 Gapers. Or as the Brits would say, wankers/tossers.
  • 4 1
 I don't really know anyone who buys any of this ultra high end boutique stuff. It's cool that small companies can exist though and make neat stuff. It makes more sense on road bikes where stuff lasts forever. All these mega expensive pedals and derailleurs are just going to get mangled up on a mountain bike though.
  • 5 1
 @office: I’d you ride/race road putting out a lot of watts and putting in a lot of hours stuff wears out fast too.

Ceramic bearing derailleur pulleys are just the-dumbest-“upgrade” you can light your money on fire bolting onto a bike.
  • 2 1
 Roadies
  • 1 0
 ...A Absolute bargain @ only $500.00... why wouldn't you?
  • 2 1
 @wyorider: Road pedals and derailleurs last forever. You might need to spend $15 on a set of bearings or jockey wheels every 20,000 miles but compared to mtb it might as well be forever.
  • 2 0
 Still don't understand why Sea Otter doesn't have full scale demos like the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival with demo passes. They only let you ride in tiny circles at Sea Otter. Lol. They could have the companies set up their demos across the road at Toro Park. Some ok trails to ride there.
  • 7 1
 One is race with a Vendor area , the other is a festival designed for people to come ride their bikes.
  • 2 0
 Pipeline would be an excellent test loop, if a bit of a slog to get there in the heat.
  • 2 1
 @mfoga: Both are industry events where people come to ride bikes which is why they are so popular. Personally, that would make me want to go to Sea Otter if they had full scale demos.
  • 5 0
 “ When stanchions used to be less than 30mm” except they look like 1998 manitou x vert carbons which were 30mm
  • 2 0
 28.99
  • 2 1
 It sure would be nice if you could actually buy HT pedals. I have seen a single one in stock ANYWHERE to include their website. I'd really like to get a pair of the X3's or even a replacement set of my T1's. I assume their stuck out in the Pacific somewhere.
  • 3 0
 When are we going to see new Saint Brakes???
  • 1 1
 When the current model ceases to be perfect?
  • 2 1
 5DEV products look cool. Only thing I'd change on the wavy chainring is to cut out some holes to help with bolting on chainguides & bash guards, e.g. OneUp
  • 2 2
 Look cool, dumb design. Back to the 1990’s. Hope the trend doesn’t continue.
  • 1 0
 does anyone know what the saddle is on the 5 dev yeti ? Looks slim and shorter than the one mine came with
  • 1 0
 Those Kogel pulleys and jockey wheels look amazing but the same price as a complete well spec'd HT Wink
  • 2 1
 And they aren’t durable.
  • 1 0
 The Versus color matched tires are cool look, but as soon as you go ride, it is over.
  • 1 0
 Does that V10 have a little tape on the inside of the non drive stays to protect the frame from rotor rub?
  • 1 0
 Yes, the V10 can have rotor rub right there unfortunately. I got it on my frame
  • 1 0
 @stormracing: Seems like a pretty big design oversight.
  • 1 0
 @schu2470: I’ve also only had that issue with a 220 rotor. I went back to a 2.3mm thick 200 and it’s been doing solid so far and not rubbing
  • 4 5
 "... Skipped the anodizing step to change up the suspension kinematics..." sorry pinkbike, I know raw is rad but the finish on the link has nothing to do with how the suspension acts
  • 4 0
 It does have a lot to do with quick turn around times though. They would have skipped sending it off to an anodising shop, taking 1-2 weeks at best, so they could have the updated kinematics available in time for the event.
  • 4 0
 I read it as "we were trying different links and didn't have time to paint them as we were on a rush to get this out for Sea Otter"
  • 2 0
 I suspect that they caption may mean that a tweaked link (to change kinematics) was produced recently and they didn't have time to anodize it.
  • 3 0
 Raw prototype parts are 15% faster. Only way to get even more speed (3-5%) is a custom anodized custom made prototype part.
  • 2 4
 Sarcasm: missed
  • 1 0
 @wyorider: Aerodynamics is inversely proportional to rawness!
  • 2 0
 Ohlins suspension for the PB racing team?
  • 1 0
 I still just wish SRAM, or anyone really, would make a replacement outer cage for OE pulleys at a reasonable price.
  • 2 0
 Gold Pro Tapers were late 90s - no?
  • 2 0
 Put that Intense in mass production!!
  • 1 0
 HT "T2" pedals with 4 pins and better internals.....SOLD!!
  • 1 0
 I've owned a couple pairs of T1 pedals. They have the worst bearing/bushing life ever but the retention system is really good. The other down side is that shoes (Shimano AM9's) don't even rest on the pedal platform, so additional pins are totally obsolete; If you attach your shoe to the pedal by itself you can see this. The redesign bearings are a positive step frwd tho,but i'm considering ditching them and trying Hope or Time pedals maybe HT- X3.
  • 1 1
 So we are back in the all colors of the rainbow phase of mountain bike parts? How glamourous
  • 1 0
 The Atherton Am 150 looks real nice!
  • 1 0
 It would be nice to find a Atherton DH bike review
  • 1 4
 the intense with dorados is a total beast,i dont like to pick on a bike but but the atherton bike is just a 2010 specialized pitch pro made of carbon scafold bars...ands probly 5 grand..
  • 2 0
 Spesh made a DW Link bike?
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