Randoms Round 3 - Sea Otter 2023

Apr 23, 2023 at 0:25
by Mike Kazimer  
sea otter 2023
Kids get the coolest shoes, like these Lego-inspired Five Ten Freeriders.

sea otter 2023
For adults that don't want to blend in, the Freerider Pro now comes in this yellow / orange colorway.

sea otter 2023
Five Ten's recently launched Kestrel Boa XC / trail shoe.
sea otter 2023

sea otter 2023

sea otter 2023
The root beer colored paint on Scor's 4060 LT was worth stopping to check out.

sea otter 2023
This Vitus Rapide FS was custom painted by Curtis Bullock for Hap Seliga, the CEO of Vitus USA.

sea otter 2023
The pop art inspired paint job is one of a kind.
sea otter 2023

sea otter 2023
Chris King reintroduced violet to their color palette just in time for this build.

sea otter 2023
There's now a DH version of Contra Bikes' steel-framed creation with 200mm of travel.

sea otter 2023
The bike will be raced this season on the World Cup circuit by Anna Newkirk and Abby Hogie.

sea otter 2023
Feedback Sports' Reflex Fixed Torque Ratchet kit ($70) has a 5 Nm click-torque socket extension, a 25mm long socket, and comes with 10 bits.

sea otter 2023
e*thirteen's new Helix Race 30mm aluminum crankset.

sea otter 2023
e*thirteen's 13-52 tooth 12-speed cassette is designed to have a closer range between each cog, making it easier to find the perfect gear. That tactic does sacrifice some top-end speed, which is why it's aimed a e-bikers, where most riders aren't pedaling furiously once the motor stops providing assistance.

sea otter 2023
Schrader fans, this valve's for you. That's right, e*thirteen are making Schrader head valves that work on Presta-drilled rims.

sea otter 2023
The air-sprung SR Suntour Raidon 34 Jr will be available with 100 or 120mm of travel, with versions for 20" and 24" wheels.

sea otter 2023
A nicely integrated fender on the SR Suntour Auron, which now has 36mm stanchions and an updated damper cartridge.

sea otter 2023
The updated damper uses a spring-backed IFP, and has an oil purge port, a departure from the fully enclosed design used before.

sea otter 2023
Reform Saddles have been making a heat moldable road bike saddle for a few years now, and are now entering the MTB world with the Tantalus.

sea otter 2023
The Reform Tantalus ($250) was developed with input from reigning EWS champion Jesse Melamed.

sea otter 2023
A small plug is located underneath the nose of the saddle. Once it's plugged in, heating elements situated between the carbon base and the foam top heat up and soften the carbon. A rider then sits and pedals as the shell conforms to their shape, a process that takes less than 10 minutes.

sea otter 2023
After it's cooled the shell should be contoured perfectly to its rider.

sea otter 2023
It seems like every time a new crankset is announced there's someone in the comments clamoring for an even shorter option. Well, here you go - how does 120mm sound? Praxis' Zane cranks ($160) come in 120, 130, 140, and 150mm lengths. They're obviously designed for kids bikes, but they are rated for use by riders up to 250 pounds.

sea otter 2023
Praxis is now making a bottom bracket to work with SRAM's DUB cranks.

sea otter 2023
A lighter version of Kenda's Pinner tire has been added to the lineup for riders who want the traction from the tread pattern but don't necessarily need a heavier duty casing.

sea otter 2023
The Rush is Kenda's fastest rolling XC tire. There are two versions - one with an extra-light, Tubeless Race casing that weighs a claimed 609 grams for the 29 x 2.4" version, or the Sidewall Casing Technology (SCT) option that has a little more flat protection and weighs 696 grams.

sea otter 2023
Sinkhole update: the dimensions have grown slightly, and there has been some collapsing at the edges. A plastic bag from parts unknown has also made its way into the hole.

sea otter 2023
I also found this hole - maybe it's where the sea otter everyone keeps talking about lives.


Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

118 Comments
  • 96 0
 Dang! If only they made those cranks in 110mm.
  • 26 1
 5dev should probably go for 110mm, they may be strong enough not to snap clean off while crossing s road then….
  • 16 0
 If you put them on backwards they make them in -120mm, which is 230mm shorter than 110.
  • 3 0
 No way. 80mm cranks are the future
  • 2 0
 @bigtim: meths!
  • 1 0
 110? That's inZane!
  • 78 5
 Imagine Cam making a guest appearance at sea otter and whilst attempting to reclaim his backflip world record he falls in there. You’d have Zinc in a sink.
  • 5 14
flag Fat-Thor (Apr 23, 2023 at 6:47) (Below Threshold)
 Well good thing there is no Cam Zinc, but I bet Cam Zink is happy for him
  • 4 0
 Zink in a Sink! Now I’ve got Dr Suess in my head.
  • 24 0
 And if Vali Hol was there. . .
  • 11 0
 If it got bigger, Canyon would definitely turn up….
  • 7 0
 @itslightoutandawaywego: Zink in a sink with his bike so pink, sends a video link you could miss in a blink, but do watch carefully for his cheeky wink,for Zink's on the brink, we all do think.
  • 2 1
 Still trying to let this comment Zinc in...
  • 66 1
 Imagine being a product designer/engineer team, put two years into a product. To launch at Sea Otter and the most internet buzz is about a sinkhole. I come each day to review the growth.

Excellent stuff.

Almost as goofy is a schrader valve that fits in a pretexts hole. Schrader would be such a superior tubeless system, with a much larger ID, fair less clogging one would have to assume.
  • 5 4
 Doesn't this valve have the same ID as a presta valve? It's just the head that's Schrader, it still has to fit through the presta-drilled hole in the rim, so I would think the ID would be the same.
  • 11 0
 @inthenude: Precisely. Schrader would be sweet, this thing is goofy as can be.
  • 1 9
flag onawalk (Apr 23, 2023 at 7:23) (Below Threshold)
 @inthenude: OD, I think you mean OD.
  • 2 0
 I would like to see what the inside looks like. My presta valves always clog in the part where the little threaded rod (that the closing screw sits on) goes through the narrow top part. If the bottom narrow part is just a tube with nothing in it this might be an improvement.
  • 25 1
 I drilled my plus rims for Schrader. Better in every way. The valve doesn't get clogged with sealant, and I can pull the valve core and stick an air gun straight in, problems with seating tires went right away. Presta's a stupid holdover from when roadies were using 13mm wide rims and couldn't physically fit a Schrader valve in there. It needs to go.
  • 3 0
 @onawalk: I'm sure that there's a pretty similar wall thickness on the e13 valve portion going through the rim as one from some other brand. given that they have to be strong enough to get torqued down by someone tightening tf out of the lockring. So i think the dude is making the point that the air flow (dictated by ID) won't be any better with this setup than a regular presta valve. While you're not wrong about the OD being important for fitting into the rim, he's not wrong either
  • 6 3
 @mnorris122: You can also pull the core and stick an air gun in a presta just as you described for the schraeder. Did you not know that?
  • 1 0
 @mnorris122: Have you had trouble sealing the valve up? I've drilled all my rims, but have had some trouble sealing the valve, as the round profile of the rim doesn't suit the flat round of the valve. If e-13 sold just the little cam-shaped rubber bit, that would solve my problem!
  • 28 0
 That Reform saddle should be called the Taintalus. Opportunity missed!

Anybody have any experience with one? Seems like a great idea.
  • 1 2
 Pinkbikers: Marketing Managers are freekin’ stupid.
Pinkbikers: Watch me market XYZ widget.

I am just as guilty.
  • 10 1
 hmmmm... heating elements heat up and soften the carbon... never heard of heating up carbon to remold. how hot do you have to get it? Do I have to worry if I leave my carbon frame out in the sun on a hot day?
  • 14 0
 @trillot: Can't take it to Sedona, otherwise after two hours in the sun your seat will look like a folded umbrella.
  • 4 0
 @trillot: It must be the resin that softens, not the fibers. I would assume they select a resin specifically for this purpose. Curious how hot it gets before it softens.
  • 3 0
 @trillot: it's the epoxy that softens, not the carbon. I imagine the seat is made deliberately with an epoxy that softens at a much lower temp than a bike frame.
  • 10 0
 Heat molding is pretty ubiquitous in ski boots and I'm excited too see this technology make its way to mountain bikes! Have no experience with Reform saddles but if I hope this tech spreads.
  • 3 0
 Does it seem weird though that the heating elements are permanently embedded in the saddle? A heat gun or small oven, similar to ski boots, both seem like more reasonable, if less idiot proof, approaches.
  • 3 0
 @sspiff: would take too long to get the seat out of the oven, out to your bike, attached to your seat post, and angled right where you like it. Would have cooled down by that time.
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: Yeah, it does seem weird to be carrying that dead weight around with you long after it's done its job.
  • 4 0
 @barp: You use the heating element on a dedicated forming/heating saddle, then transfer the "seat pan" over to dedicated rails.
  • 3 0
 @schofell84: Oh good, that makes sense.
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: Cooler in Sedona than where I am, so I am SOL.
  • 22 0
 For how wide mtb rims have gotten I would think they could be drilled/molded for a proper Schrader, provide a delrin/rubber adapter for Presta (if running tubes), and provide a tubeless Schrader valve since most provide a Presta tubeless valve now. A rim ready for all applications then? Just a thought, as the larger ID for filling/cleaning, less bendy/breaky valve neck and remote chance of tire life at a gas station are bonuses as well.
  • 12 0
 Someone in the mountain bike industry will invent a new, wider, and more efficient clog-free tubeless valve that's optimized for wider rims but requires a larger diameter drill pattern, but only once they can come up with a way to convince us it's new and worth $50 and not just a schraeder valve
  • 2 0
 People can and do drill Presta rims to Schrader size. I have no qualms about if if it's a quality alloy rim (and not a narrow ass road bike rim). No-go on carbon, of course.

As for myself, I don't bother, because Presta tubeless works great for me.
  • 3 0
 @barp: I've also drilled rims previously with no issue. Carbon manufacturers could just mod the mold during the manufacturing process.

I don't have much of a dog in the fight as I'm an aging hold out and haven't gone tubeless on any of my bikes. Presta works fine for me also, I'm just thinking about a process that makes more stuff work together in a bike world where lots of stuff doesn't.
  • 3 0
 Aren’t the valve holes in carbon rims drilled (not molded), like the spoke holes? The ones in my WAO rims sure look drilled. Not suggesting people should start DIY drilling carbon rims, but seems like a super simple change for rim manufacturers if things would switch to Schrader.
  • 1 0
 @lj17: Back in the good old days, when stealth dropper posts started being introduced but not all frames had cable routing for stealth dropper posts, I remember lots of people drilling holes into their seat tubes to run a cable up there, on aluminum frames and on carbon frames. I never saw any of those holes cause a failure, but obviously a rim is a much much smaller structure experiencing much more extreme localized forces than a bicycle frame.
  • 1 0
 @TEAM-ROBOT: I don’t know if having a slightly larger hole in a carbon rim would really be a problem, if it was drilled properly, with a jig/fixture like the manufacturer would have. Some people might be able to do it at home with a cordless drill, but I could also see the drill bit grabbing weird and causing damage.
  • 2 0
 Carbon wheels are drilled, they just use a different bit.
  • 1 0
 @JSTootell: I coincidentally just read about a "structured tungsten bit" (or something like that). So yeah, I guess a good plan, a steady hand, and the right tools and Schrader's your uncle.
  • 1 0
 @lj17: I’d use a step drill (bit) if I had to…
  • 23 0
 Well that settles it. Sinkhole for photo of the year.
  • 1 0
 The sinkhole is back!
  • 1 0
 Sinkhole is probably gonna get robbed, but here's to the underdog.
  • 13 0
 You should bunny hop of the sinkhole and call it a "world's first".

In other news I need a root beer paint job and to cut my toes off so I can wear those Lego shoes.
  • 11 1
 Can someone explain why you would want a 13-52 cassette instead of an 11-42? It seems like it would have about the same range (1 tooth on the bottom is worth about 4 on the big rings), but you could run a medium cage derailleur and have less weight. Or put it on an XD or MS hub and have a 10-38 or 40. And if it is an E biker thing, why make it a 12 speed and who cares about closer range anyway?
  • 5 0
 I guess the goal is to run a bigger chainring, and have bigger cassette cogs. More chain wrap, and therefore less wear. But otherwise, could just be other e-13 nonsense
  • 3 2
 I think it's an awesome idea. Currently most suspension designs are built around 30 to 34 chainring. The placement of the pivot being on top of the chainring. So if we need that ring size, we need a 50ish cog for us mere mortals. The only time I have ever used my 11 cog is on the road and I can't even get the derailer down there anyway. The 13 is much more useful for most people. I love the idea.
  • 7 1
 @Andykmn - There are several reasons we went with the larger tooth count range including wear rate, inherently large gear in jumps in smaller tooth count cogs, and usability of the gears on the low end of the range vs high end. Many ebikes are programed to optimize power output in a specific cadence rate so having a close ratio allows to you to be more likely to find a gear that matches the optimized cadence for better power output.
  • 7 0
 @Sscottt: Indeed those are some of the exact reasons we went the direction we did. Glad to hear you like the idea!!
  • 1 0
 Exactly. Id like a smaller cassette and be able to run a shorter cage der. Always pedalling up thru chunky der grabbers on emtb's. I like the low range but i dont need 12 spd close gearing. I end up milking a gear for waay longer not having to shift. The tourque sensor will add more powah before i have to shift. I have a 9spd currently but i think 10 might be the happy medium
  • 4 0
 @ethirteen: I run a bigger chainring and work really hard to stay out of my 10, 11, and 12 tooth cogs on my current wide ratio cassettes for all the reasons you mentioned. When I used to ride in the small cogs a lot, I wore out chains like crazy. Chain wrap is important!
  • 2 0
 As in many other things, it depends on where you live and ride. I would totally give up tiny cogs and some range for a more closely spaced cogset, but where I ride, the emphasis is on relatively low speed, jank and more jank.
  • 8 0
 Clearly for the greater good of Pinkbike, the author needs to be filmed sticking his arm into that new hole, as far as it will go! Also those Zane cranks, OMG this is so overdue and needed around here! Go the Praxis!...... as long as you can use non praxis chainrings.
  • 38 0
 Having had to stick my arm into holes unknown before (mine were filled with water, where downspouts drop into the main drainage there's a trap to stop smells, they sometimes get blocked, a hand is the best thing to feel for where the pipe out is and scoop any crap out) and being very surprised when I felt something move in there to the point of nearly needing new pants, I wouldn't recommend it. Something that can dig through the dirt can probably give you a good savaging. Unless of course you don't value not having rabies, in which case, dive right in.


Mine was a frog BTW. We named him Gary.
  • 11 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: This is the content I'm here for.
  • 6 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: You found a frog that scares you and you didn't name it Yoann?
  • 3 0
 I thought bananas were the US standard for showing how big something is..?
  • 2 0
 @ad15: Not anymore. Now the former president's hands are what defines "Huge".
  • 12 2
 E13 made a new Cassette. Will this one suck less?
  • 8 0
 What kind of amuses me is that we all had to switch to new hub bodies, to accommodate those ten tooth sprockets, and now it‘s back up to twelve teeth, which would have fit on a good old Shimano HG body just fine… do they make this cassette for those?
  • 3 0
 @FuzzyL: it’s kinda funny riding a 10 year old bike. All the bullshit I missed out on.
  • 6 0
 @therealnobody - Sorry to hear you've had a negative experience with one of our cassettes. We'll send you a DM and help get you sorted.
  • 4 0
 I picked up a Helix cassette this season. It was a little different to install but once I figured it out it's fine (I need to really push the lower cogs to get them in place and you need to have the set screw out to lock it in place. Missed that step the first time). Only have like 10 rides on it so far but performance has been roughly the same as my other X01 cassette and was considerably cheaper. We'll see how long it lasts but so far so good.
  • 2 0
 @itslightoutandawaywego: I’m with you. Just waiting for the dust to settle.
  • 1 0
 Seems they are using the exact same locking mechanism. It will suck the same way I guess.
  • 11 2
 Root beer? In the UK that is known as poo brown
  • 27 0
 In Australia a root beer would be a celebratory drink after consummating a particularly close personal relationship
  • 6 0
 The second hole was clearly dug by a wombat To confirm look for cube shaped scats on rocks or treestumps nearby
  • 6 0
 Sink hole.. what about gelatinous water bed ruts!?!?
  • 6 1
 Presta - schrader valve is exactly what I've been looking for. Cheers e-thirteen.
  • 4 0
 www.ride-air.com/products/convertair

Can get them from Amazon in the UK too.
  • 1 0
 @DonDP: I was surprised that it didn't exist already. Turns out it does. I didn't find that one when searching, thanks.
  • 2 2
 Presta-schrader adapters have been around forever; and usually cost around $3-5 bucks. Problem solved decades ago.
  • 1 1
 Set of 10 for $5. I keep one on my bike with my spare tube as it sounds like something that may be useful, but admittedly I’ve never had to actually use it.

Amazon Presta to Schrader Adaptor: a.co/d/iG8LDtb
  • 3 0
 @boopiejones: I bought some of those thinking they would do it actually but they aren't valves, just adapters.
  • 3 0
 @trillot: Yes, but those cheap ones typically do not get rid of the valve part of the presta valve but only adapt the thread size. That solves the gas station problem but not the clogging problem.
  • 6 0
 For adults that don't want to blend in .. or live in Belgium or Germany
  • 3 0
 Was about to say this, I kind of like the colors. Not too surprising, coming from adidas, though.
  • 4 0
 Can we PLEASE stop using the term "color way" ...why do we need to add extra syllables when we can just say, "the frame also comes in root beer.."
  • 1 0
 How many interchangeable torque ratches are out there?

1) which one is best?

2) how are companies able to keep putting out new ones? Is it super cheap to design/manufacture them so there's no barrier to entry, are they a brand prestige element that serves as a kind of advertising, and/or do people really think their design is better (and on average, take a bath on failed products)?
  • 2 0
 So lately PB have promoted a lot of kids kit. The stuff seems legit but who knows? Time to recruit some jr Jackson Goldstones as product testers.
  • 1 0
 Simple, during covid everyone who was interested in a bike bought one, also everyone interested in having a kid had one. You bought 6 mtbs in 2 years, now its time to get your toddlers quiver started.
  • 1 0
 Gotta keep feeding the orphan crushing machine somehow.
  • 2 1
 What is the advantage of a Schrader valve over a Presta? I've drank the poison for 30 years and am fine with Presta. I understand the rim width hole size and now it's not an issue so why go to Schrader now?
  • 5 2
 The world is built around schrader. The second you leave your garage, your presta is a 3rd eye, six finger freak. Presta is for roadies and it should have ended there.
  • 3 0
 There's also this post-truth that Presta valves hold high pressures better than Schrader. Have the people that say that ever seen a rear shock air valve, or maybe a dropper post air valve?!

Schrader for life over here.
  • 1 0
 @freeriderayward: My Jeep is factory filled to 36 PSI. Big rigs run 100.
  • 2 2
 A properly fitting saddle reduces pressure on soft tissue by supporting the rider where their sit bones (ischial tuberosities) contact the saddle.

A heat moldable saddle that conforms to a rider will do the opposite-it will put MORE pressure on parts that shouldn't be squished. The only way a saddle that can be heat molded to work better would require a bike fitter to raise the shell where the sit bones contact the saddle after an initial mold. That could work, but doesn't sound like the MO for getting this thing to work.

A lot of dentists will have very sore taints if they use this as intended.
  • 4 1
 Next sinkhole: any given rut on the dual slalom track.
  • 3 0
 Not having the rootbeer 36 on that rootbeer Score is a big miss IMO
  • 1 0
 Also needed a Kashima dropper to match the fork and shock.
  • 2 0
 Hopefully the top brands will come out with an eSinkhole soon. Can't wait to get one of those prostate massage saddles too!
  • 2 0
 Sinkhole is clickbait. Stick to regular holes unless they are for headset cable routing.
  • 3 0
 Sinkhole was the most interesting story
  • 2 0
 Hey when you have a moment check out what’s inside the bag, is it dog poo?
  • 2 0
 Five Ten announce the new Repsol Honda Freerider
  • 1 0
 There are Schrader tubeless valves. You just have to drill your rim out for them. Orrrr, ya know, ghetto tubeless….
  • 2 0
 I need those Lego Five Ten's in adult sizes...
  • 2 0
 Finally. eThirteen gets it. Presta is stupid in every way.
  • 1 0
 Editors still awake/alive?
  • 2 2
 Be careful with this "sinkhole"... maybe it's a "Mongoose" nest... !? L☻L
  • 3 1
 Sinkhole 2024
  • 2 1
 I want some butt formed carbon
  • 1 0
 Those short cranks are inzane.
  • 1 0
 I was so jazzed that I got invited to Zane’s birthday in ‘91
  • 1 0
 Pinnerer. Also, weirdly, mostly excited about the Schrader valve.
  • 1 0
 More $250+ saddles please
  • 1 0
 Why is there no lego freerider for me?
  • 1 0
 In other news, someone finds gopher hole.
  • 1 0
 Mmmmmm root beer. Impossible to find in the UK nowerdaysFrown
  • 1 1
 Vitus color scheme is so '92. And NOT in a good way. Frown
  • 1 0
 Killer update







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