Gallery: gravel bikes and gear from Sea Otter 2017
Gallery: gravel bikes and gear from Sea Otter 2017
Suspension, dropper seatposts and new tires for roads less traveled
WTB has a new 650x47 tire called the Byway. This new tread has an intermediate diamond tread with low-profile side knobs to make it better suited to gravel than the smoother Horizon model
WTB has a new 650x47 tire called the Byway. This new tread has an intermediate diamond tread with low-profile side knobs to make it better suited to gravel than the smoother Horizon model - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The new Fox AX Adventure Cross fork was mounted to a number of gravel bikes at the show - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Fox employees have also been hacking Transfer dropper seatposts for use on dropbar bikes - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
No longer a shifter, with a little bit of modification, this Shimano lever now operates the Fox Transfer seatpost - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Grinduro is back for 2017, with a new version in Scotland. This all-terrain stage race may be the perfect proving ground for new gravel tech - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Funn has a new extra wide and extra flared drop bar G'Wide handlebar - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The G'Wide measures 480mm at tops and 500mm in the drops - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Niner is testing the merits of a full suspension gravel bike by repurposing a full suspension mountain bike - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Since the bike has a 1x drivetrain, the front shift lever was repurposed to lockout the shock - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Reach on mountain bikes is much longer than road bikes, so a stubby stem keeps the numbers in check - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Upfront this test mule sports a standard 100mm Fox SC 32. The 40mm travel AX fork would lower the axle to crown numbers too much - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The RKT 9 RDO is Niner's 90mm travel cross-country race bike - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Vittoria has a full line of gravel treads for all conditions Shown here is the Terreno Dry - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The VIttoria Terreno Dry has a honeycomb pattern with subtle knob ramping to decrease rolling resistance and increase braking traction - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Terreno Mix is VIttoria's all-condition option - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Terreno Mix looks like an oversized cyclocross tread pattern - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Terreno Wet has plenty of small, well-spaced knobs - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The knobs of the Terreno Wet are angled to help them shed mud - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Each year there seems to be one trend that stands out at Sea Otter — fat bikes, plus bikes, enduro. Every new niche has had its day in the sun. This year, the gravel bike took centre stage.
This expanding genre is full of interesting innovations, some that may stick around and others that might not stand the test of time. Here’s a look at some of the gravel highlights from this year’s show.
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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