Highlights: Sea Otter Classic 2022

The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.

Jessica Strange

Apr 10 2022

We crossed the pond to the sunny state of California to attend this year's Sea Otter Classic. Not only is this the biggest bike show and trade festival in North America, but it's the largest in the world, spanning over 4-days at the infamous Laguna Seca Raceway. To put that into numbers, over 900 brands attended, professional and amateur racing in all cycling disciplines, and there were more American flags than you could shake a stick at. Thanks to my Apple watch, I clocked up an eye-watering 48,890 steps at the event, so what did I find? Plenty. Here's a gallery of the new, retro, weird and wonderful offerings from Sea Otter Classic 2022.

And if you don't fancy the written version, there's a highlights video on our YouTube channel. now. Check it out below.

Otherwise, let's get stuck in...

FSA's new Gradient OS35 45mm stem oozes sleek sophistication, don't you think? Find out more on the FS website.

One of the few, but rising, trail bikes adopting a Pinion Gearbox. Zerode Bikes hail from the luscious landscapes of New Zealand, offering a mix of trail and enduro-focussed bikes with mullet options, gearboxes and traditional drivetrain builds. Check out Zerode Bikes for more info.

The latest offerings from Troy Lee Designs see a lot of animal print for women and acid patterns for men. Bold new colourways and fit options, we're loving the bright and fresh revamp. Troy Lee Designs.

Can you really judge a book by its cover? Structure Cycles has taken the front end of mountain bikes and done away with traditional fork set-ups. Arguing that manufacturers focus too much on the back end and not enough on the front, the Structure team has adopted the use of two DVO shocks for a plush suspension feel. And if you're wondering about all those bearings, Loni Hull, the CEO, claims that no one has had any issues in over 3 years of operation. Check out the tech and specs on the Structure Cycleworks site.

Well, if smokey says so...

For 2022, Smith Optics hasn't really made waves in the helmet market. Sticking with its tried and trusted models for head protection, the brand has instead, launched a few new MTB and active-lifestyle glasses. We have some winging their way to HQ so keep your eyes peeled for those reviews coming soon. See the full eyewear range on Smith's site.

Travel is certainly coming to the gravel scene with the launch of a few new gravel-specific forks this year, including Rockshox's Rudy Ultimate XPLR. Offering 30mm and 40mm travel options, the Rudy allows up to 700x50 tire clearance in a lightweight and striking chassis.

Launched at Sea Otter Classic was POC's new endura full-face, the Otocon. There are two models in the range, both packed with heaps of cool tech and safety features in a super lightweight construction. One of our favourite features is the removable mouth grill which allows seamless integration with a GoPro action cam. It's not yet listed on the POC website but watch that space.

If you don't know who Pit Viper are, then you will very soon. Rocking bleached mullets and a website built on Windows 95, this garish retro party brand is all about sh*t shirts, rad shades and good times. They're in the process of securing a UK distributor so you can be sure to see their sunnies and riding kit on the trails near you soon. Head over to Pit Viper to find out more.

A brand that is often overshadowed by others, is Osprey and yet, they have a huge range of performance and comfort-focussed hydration packs, hip packs and accessories. You can see their full 2022 range on their website now.

A fully gold Norco Range with a high virtual pivot, anyone? This enduro weapon boasts a huge 170mm travel and high-speed stability. There's nothing super new about the Range this year, but we couldn't just pass by this golden egg.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary, GT Bicycles had heaps of retro bling at their stand, including this Series G1 beauty.

We covered the launch of Fox's new gravel-specific fork, the 32 Taper Cast, and now, we've finally seen it in the flesh. Exuding the same high-end quality we've come to expect from the suspension wizards, we're pretty excited to see this in action over the coming months.

Hanging in the Fasthouse booth was none other than Ryan "R-Dog" Howard's iconic Trek Ticket from 2018. What a frame. What a rider.

It's hard not to mention the new MTB range from Continental tyres which was officially launched at Sea Otter. There's a handful of new models with variations for each, resulting in a whopping 30-something options.

Now here's something we're very excited for. X-Fusion has developed a wireless dropper post, and it's considerably less than the £700 offering from Rockshox. This dropper will be available in 100 - 170mm travel options, 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters (34.9mm will come later), cartridge damper system, and will be fully charged after just 60-mins with a type C charger. Keep an eye on the X-Fusion website for updates.

We'll be dropping a highlights video with even more cool tech, interviews and updates from Sea Otter Classic soon. So, don't forget to head over to the off.road.cc YouTube channel to subscribe so you don't miss out. And if that's not enough, you can head over to the off.road.cc Instagram page where we have even more from the show.

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Jessica Strange

Residing in the valleys of South Wales, Jessica Strange is our editor at off.road.cc. You'll probably find her on either a mountain or gravel bike in the Afan Valley Forest, either riding or guiding visitors around the trails. As a qualified bike mechanic, if Jessica isn't riding her bike, you can bet she's tinkering with one! When not fettling with bikes or blowing her legs out on the trails, self-proclaimed tea-addict Jessica is a colossal sci-fi fanatic.

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Highlights: Sea Otter Classic 2022

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Jessica Strange