For more on this year's coverage, find our previous article here.
Dylan Johnson's Felt Breed Gravel Bike
It's not easy tracking down pros and their bikes at an event like Sea Otter, but I was able to pull Dylan Johnson aside for a close look at his Felt Breed UN1TD LE. Johnson is one of the most outspoken athletes when it comes to tire and gearing choices for races throughout the season, so it's always interesting to see what he's running. The 90 mile Sea Otter gravel race was a mix of dry and fast dirt conditions with about 30% paved sections so he stuck with a more conservative (at least, for him) 29 x 2.1" tire.
He doesn't have a tire sponsor and so is free to experiment with different brands and models. His current favorites are the Continental Race King 2.2 and Schwalbe Thunder Burt, the latter of which he used this weekend due to its reduced rolling resistance. With the 2.1" width, Johnson said rim width is important for achieving an optimal profile and, for this race, was using a set of Duke Aero Gravel wheels with 42 mm external width. Gearing wise, a 48T Wolf Tooth chainring (and chain guide) was matched with with 10-52 casette. Other details include Silca's new Ultimate Sealant and chain wax, Ergon All-road seatpost, and Ascent Aero handlebar. The custom Apidura aero framebag is a prototype Dylan and the brand are currently collaborating on.
Salsa Spearfish XC Full Suspension
Salsa recently launched a few new mountain bikes and the one to catch my attention the most is the completely revamped Spearfish. Built around a common linkage-driven split-pivot suspension design, the Spearfish looks like a straight-forward option for anything from XC racing to loaded singletrack touring. Salsa now offers two carbon layup options – deluxe or standard – which are different price points, in addition to multiple build kits that range in price from US$4,000 - $11,000.
Each of the Spearfish's five frame sizes can fit two water bottles within the main triangle. On top of the bottle bosses, there are additional bosses. Geometry numbers look progressive for XC, while offering what seems to be a versitile platform for a variety of riding types. We're working on bringing in one for review, so if there's anything you're curious about, drop your questions in the comments.
1UP USA Recon 5 Bike Rack
The Recon series of upright racks has been in Wisconsin-based 1UP's lineup for a while now. The design was primarily a holdover from the previous manufacturer following 1UP's acquisition of the rack platform in 2022. When I reviewed the Recon back in 2023 I pointed out a variety of aspects I would have changed, should I have the opportunity to do so. With the completely redesigned Recon, which will be available in about a month, 1UP have addressed my concerns plus a lot more.
The Recon's complete redesign entails far too much to write about here. I'll save that for a future report. However, there are a few major improvements I noticed today while playing around with the rack. First, there has been a weight reduction of about 20% by making most elements from aluminum rather than the former version's steel construction. Additionally, all of the rack parts are modular, so they can be replaced if broken or removed when not in use. Lastly, the receiver end now features an expanding wedge, similar to 1UP's tray racks, which theoretically offers a tighter fitment over the old threaded hitch pin. Stay tuned, as I'll be sharing more about the new Recon around the time it launches in May.
Ritchey Septimer Breakaway All-road Prototype
Named after Septimer Pass in the Swiss Alps, Ritchey's next bike will be a "breakaway" all-road model with clearance for up to 700 x 48 tires and have travel in mind. Fergus from Ritchey was rolling his prototype around and didn't divulge much information but said the new frame would be available later this summer.
Built around the existing Ritchey Breakaway system, the frame comes apart via lugs at the upper seat tube and just above the bottom bracket with the seat post a supportive element. Fergus stated that both of these locations offer the most connective rigidity, so that not much is lost when actually riding the bike. All routing is external for ease of packing and Fergus was running fully mechanical brakes and drivetrain, which makes a lot of sense on a bike like this.
Josh Ogle and his Titanium Full Suspension
Josh Ogle is something of a legend in the bike industry. Along with working on his own projects, he's a designer and machinist for some of the biggest boutique names in the business, including titanium masters Firefly. He was showing his stunning titanium full suspension that uses the Ministry Bikes 3VO rear linkage.
The frame was fully designed by Josh, in addition to machining all of the frame components, and was welded by Tyler Evans of Firefly just in time for the show. It's a little on the bigger side for many of us that read the pages of Escape, at 160 mm travel, but it's nice to ogle nonetheless. Josh also had a pack full of small parts he's manufactured in his Durango, CO workshop including titanium stems, lockrings, and T-type bash guards.
Lachlan Morton's Cannondale Scalpel and new Tailfin Packs
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