Hot bikes & gear highlights from Sea Otter Classic 2023

The four-day Sea Otter Classic bike festival near Monterey, California claims that more than 900 brands are represented in its massive expo. I spent a day wandering the booths big and small, and here are the highlights for all things drop-bar.
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The Ride is supported in 2023 by
Castelli clothing: castelli-cycling.com
Giro helmets: giro.com
Feedback Sports stands & tools: feedbacksports.com

[@blackheartbikeco]

Thanks for coming by and for the feature Ben. See you on the road 🖤

[@andy4g63]

@BlackHeart Bike company... That Road Ti is absolutely gorgeous 🦮😡🍻

[@wasez1550]

Absolutely out of my reach as a brazilian, but unbelievably gorgeous bicycle!

[@blazacrew]

BlackHeart is just beautiful

[@chrisdistefano198]

Fantastic walk through the expo, Ben. Thanks.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

My pleasure, CD.

[@ronetele13]

Appreciate your coverage, for the content and your chill style. About 5 years ago, I was with a fast paceline going up the shoulder towards Sea Otter. Right about where you were, right side car door is thrown open like 10’ in front of the first rider. Mass chaos & no one went down. Memorable moment.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cheers, Ron. I remember something similar from the Otter fondo a couple years back. The road could definitely benefit from a bike lane in the uphill direction. Granted, virtually every driver headed up there during Sea Otter is a cyclist so they're paying attention, but still, extra room helps.

[@TurnbuckleTrivia]

Thanks for stopping by the vielo stand! 🎉

[@billz410]

By far the most comprehensive SeaOtter video for 2023!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks. I still missed a bunch of stuff.

[@xaviermelendez2639]

Great coverage, Ben! That Bridge and No. 22 are HAWT!!!🔥

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks, X.

[@dcv9460]

Awesome! 😎💯💥

[@joolski]

no.22, wow they are sweet ! Are you going to test one Ben ?

[@ericpmoss]

Those welds are stunning.

[@cmtongier1]

Good one, Delaney!

[@ariffau]

I enjoyed this video. Thank you!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe so you see my new ones pop up.

[@ariffau]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney already subbed a long time ago, Ben! Just dropping a comment in hopes the algorithm gods help 🤣

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Hey, I appreciate that. 😁

[@fennec13]

ow, some of those prices. wow

[@marcowalther7867]

That walkthrough was fun! Did you ever swing a leg over the Vielo gravel bike?

[@StanEby1]

Did you cover Box Components?

[@MrBolonio]

hoping to meet and greet you in Unbound 🙌🙌

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Right on. I'll be out there for a few days.

[@Steinebewegenmitmusi]

12:26 Specialized Croatia-Edition

[@bobfoster687]

Great name for a bike company: N+1

[@gerryl8310]

Ben any chance you can get a Bridge to ride/test? On paper seems like a quiver killer to me. Already been on their website. Got my interest.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yes, already in the works. At a minimum, will get a test bike at home. Best case scenario is also get up to Toronto to check out their manufacturing, too.

[@gerryl8310]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Outstanding!

[@bitchoflivingblah]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Deffo this is technically the most interesting bike in the show - integrated carbon threaded BB WTF !!!!!!!!!!

[@lesleykenwood2715]

Did they have any companies representing bike touring. Or was it race, gravel and mtb only?

[@harrylook7810]

I want the Smith pop-up lenses.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Smith XC : alnk.to/6bSnjUJ

[@brucebilodeau1220]

Ben this was outstanding, thanks so much, tons of info on a lot of shizzle. If you do Crusher, let's chat!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

You’re welcome. As a VAM-challenged rider, I am philosophically opposed to hillclimbs like the Crusher. 🤪 Seriously though, I do need to get out there one of these years; heads nothing but good thing about what Burke and team have built.

[@steinfossgard5210]

What is that gripshift thing on the left side of Lachlans bike?

[@corinmcblide]

rockshox twistloc

[@2UpDuc]

Great coverage. Is it just me or has the amount of gravel bikes at Sea Otter exploded and pushed out MTB displays? I remember years ago that Sea Otter mainly focused on MTB and gear for MTB. Now it seams that hardly any MTBs are there compares to years before.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks. No, there was still a ton of mountain bikes, both on display and in events. That is the main thrust of the event these days. Since my channel focuses on dropbar bikes I just covered the road and gravel stuff.

[@trajtemberg]

4k usd for a frameset very competitive. Ok buddy.

[@jamessheard5498]

Great video * All carbon fibre is recyclable

[@Steinebewegenmitmusi]

True, but it's difficult and no one use recyceled carbon until now. According to estimates, 20 tons of CO2 are emitted in the production of one ton of carbon. Magnesium is the better material

[@jamessheard5498]

@@Steinebewegenmitmusi No it’s not if you’ve the right machinery. Car manufacturers have been using recycled carbon for years. It’s just another bullshit story in the bike industry that you can’t recycle carbon

[@jamessheard5498]

@@Steinebewegenmitmusi kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4u0q5mtma2ZZ6s Been able to do it for years and it’s supposed to be better that using virgin materials 5.22 you see a trek frame turned to fibre

[@Steinebewegenmitmusi]

@@jamessheard5498 The problem with disposal and recycling is primarily caused by the composite materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced concrete or sandwich panels made of two layers of metal with a layer of carbon in the middle

[@Steinebewegenmitmusi]

@@jamessheard5498 ...not the fiber itself, but that it is closely linked to other materials, which makes recycling, i.e. material utilization, more difficult

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

E bikes aren’t cycling

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Why not?

[@DickKnorr]

E-bikes rip, they’re the most fun I’ve had on a bike since high school. And I get to ride with my son before he’s able to shred on his own.

[@Steinebewegenmitmusi]

Of course ! cycling light 🤭

[@LVQ-so5th]

They are if you consider motorcycles to be cycling. Had a few pass me in a timed-event that I trained a year for. That's frustrating.

[@aztecrider]

In California (which is where this event takes place) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles are not considered motorcycles. So in short, you are wrong @@LVQ-so5th