An inside look at Box Components, and Visiting Sea Otter

Last week I got to visit Box Components, a sponsor of this channel since last summer. I thought it would be a good opportunity to put a face to Box, and give you a look behind the scenes. Although you see their logo all the time, chances are you have't seen a lot of this stuff on the trails yet.
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Sea Otter was also a big part of this trip, so the second half of the video is full of fun highlights from that event.
Disclosure: I'm a Brand Ambassador for Box Components, Diamondback Bicycles, and Slime Sealant. I wasn't commissioned to make this video or show any of this stuff, but I do have a professional relationship with all three companies.
Check out my last video at Sea Otter with Ali Clarkson! • MTB Trials with Ali Cl...
I also mentioned that the stem clamp wasn’t an original idea (we realized afterwards). If you want one, buy it from these guys www.pnwcomponents.com/product...
Bontrager and a few other companies make similar ones which may not be ideal for mountain biking.

[@neilbritton6262]

A company admitting that some of their products were sub-par and then showing what they've done to improve. I love it. Box leading by example. Spot on.

[@samforbes5270]

More like Spot you're on!

[@neilbritton6262]

Sam Forbes i was trying to be subtle.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

This is what happens when you're talking with the engineers instead of the PR and Sales people.

[@szarazfolditengerimalac]

The best is when you order them they come in a box

[@mikelgm00]

Varga Márk they come in a box box

[@georgeslegoux6558]

Mikel Gorosabel Box one come in a box box

[@Lysergic_]

box one items come in one box one box

[@weevil_man]

Hehe

[@nomadben]

Thanks for the good laugh haha

[@petehorn6705]

DUDE! That handlebar footage was frickin SICK!

[@blakes6417]

Pete Horn too bad he was using a bad camera

[@The_Sampler]

These Box dudes seem like so much fun! Also, love the pragmatic approach of the engineer guys - "So this hasn't failed yet with your riders?.... No, but it will fail eventually"

[@TrailFeatures]

The Singletrack Sampler as my buddy Paul says: bikes are tools, not jewels. They are meant to be used and abused. The fact they are thinking five years ahead for serviceability is really cool.

[@Defyreactz99]

Hey Alex, Sorry about the Spot controversy that was spun up recently. Love your videos though.

[@The_Sampler]

Thanks Gabriel!

[@escxrt7442]

The Singletrack Sampler hey Alex just saying that I love your content and keep up the good work

[@The_Sampler]

YOOO Thanks SG, I appreciate that dude!

[@liquidSpin]

To everyone watching this. To see a company like box be humble, open and honest is super impressive. They admitted their design was flawed so they corrected it and didn't make any excuses or hide from it. They also now have a better warranty. Sounds like they are on the right track to becoming a true competitor against the 2 giant drivetrain companies we all are familiar with. Kudos to Box!

[@tyroniusg1601]

liquidSpin I l9ve when a company is transparent like this.

[@tyroniusg1601]

>> o

[@tyroniusg1601]

>> o

[@tyroniusg1601]

>> o

[@tyroniusg1601]

>> o

[@emehtonich]

A while back in a video you mentioned how hard it can be to "suddenly have to be Seth's Bike Hacks" on command. Very understandable that you had to dip for a bit at Sea Otter. Been following you for a while now and you're one of the biggest reasons I bought my first non-Walmart MTB and take it out on the trails. Thanks for everything you do, Seth.

[@kevinleven7482]

emehtonich I also got my first non-Walmart bike thanks to him! Love you so much Seth!

[@greengohm]

Same here!

[@jackbrittton]

9:11 "I'm a 5'4" New York Jew and I'm going against you" i love that

[@KptnHaddock_]

Gotta love Seth

[@eddiea7673]

Thanks for snapping a few pics with me and giving my kids a few stickers of drama and you they proudly put them on their bikes, box components will definitely go on my next build.

[@HandcuffCharlie]

It was great getting to meet you at Sea Otter. Thanks for taking the time to talk.

[@Chedda_chz]

Toby fuggin Henderson is legendary. Im a big believer in Box Components and really enjoyed their candidness. Box stem and dh bar and having already gone through their cassette id keep buying.

[@AtobaLongkumer]

Never heard Of Box before until I started watching your videos :)

[@ohyeahyeah1955]

Atoba Longkumer *your

[@placesaroundus]

choco bananas *ur

[@AtobaLongkumer]

Haha.. useless

[@gav225]

Box is primarily a BMX racing brand I think their venture into mountain biking is fairly recent

[@lillee4207]

I did from danscomp LMAO

[@goneforwater7547]

That stem cap camera footage looked awesome dude!!

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Box crew presened themselves well in my eyes too. I liked the non wastefull approach with the clutch. There are still people that buy stuff to use it, untill they really feel the need to upgrade as opposed to buying stuff, to replace perfectly working components or a whole bike next year. I've yet to rip off a rear mech, so I'm all for replacement parts for the clutch.

[@richwilliams7080]

It’s cool to see the people behind a product. It gives you faith that there’s real passion out there.

[@pineapplej7310]

Im a road/track rider, but youre definitely my favorite bike related youtuber, great production quality, great opinions and video style. Love it!

[@sydandmacky]

Watching you fall on that box thingy made my back hurt by proxy 😳

[@SethsBikeHacks]

haha actually wasn’t so bad

[@florihupf]

Lol. :)

[@prodrivebrasil]

I always get amazed by how good are the conditions for you guys in US. You are so far ahead!

[@marcuse-h3165]

I like it how they admitted that they had a flaw in their product and they made an effort to redesign it to make it better for the customer

[@ferggg9514]

Those drama autographs are very very collectible now

[@nathalienunez2604]

Great storytelling there Seth! Great pacing, presentation, recaps! Awesome work you and your team do to make such great content for the MTB community. Also, really appreciated the honesty of Box Components and their backstory.

[@dmtb1857]

Cant wait for more van build videos

[@SethsBikeHacks]

me neither!

[@Hunter_Bidens_Crackpipe_]

Why not just build your own?

[@dmtb1857]

TomaCukor Heh’ great question... 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@yoavcooperberg4271]

Me too

[@joannamcfarland9149]

Yes

[@Elisworkshop]

Your videos are so refined and amazing Seth! Great job.

[@themarccox]

Good refreshing take from the Box guys on their efforts. Cheers.

[@scottgerstenberg9551]

I agree! Thanks for taking us along.

[@WelcomeToJ]

Was looking forward to this video! Great stuff :) Also, this may seem very inconsequential to almost everyone on this channel, but today I "maintenanced" my mountain bike MYSELF for the first time. I'm a female rider who was fortunate enough to buy a decent mountain bike a few years ago without knowing half of what I know now about what I should have been looking for. I have a great bike and I've always loved riding the trails but I didn't have a sweet clue about any of my bike's parts or components let alone how to trouble-shoot and customize stuff. It was honestly slightly intimidating so I would always get my dad or a shop to work on it instead of doing things myself. I just started today doing some really basic stuff and Seth, dude, I got you and your channel to thank for starting me down on this path! Thanks man! P.S. you should plan a riding meet-up here in southern Ontario. We got some nice trails up here and I'm sure you have a few Canadian fans :)

[@mr.potatohead6138]

The first company that invents a practical drive train with no derailleur is gonna score big time. Nice video btw👍

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Mr. Potato head effigear

[@baron8107]

Mr. Potato head Damn straight. Less parts, more fun.

[@Dartht33bagger]

I'm not really sure what such a design would look like. Derailleurs are already pretty simple devices. Creating something that changes gears is always going to be at least as complex as a Derailleur.

[@JamieBeardslee]

What about Pinion?

[@Torchedini]

The only thing simpler then a derailleur is a singlespeed bike. internal gear hubs(pinion also) have more parts, more drag (so wasted energy) and weigh more. But if you don't mind you can switch to a shimano 8 spd alfine hub and get a good feel. If your lbs is decent with the set up it can totally work.

[@nickzarnetske9994]

Great video. Glad to see your healing up nicely from the injury. Long time watcher, new subscriber and poster.

[@jacobguenther5134]

I've seen this video a few times but i always love coming back to it cause it's honestly a great video, seeing an up and coming company innovating their products in real time is great. When i get my full squish trail bike i think i will try a box one.

[@keeganwalchak1405]

What a cool company, love their products almost as much as I love your channel. Keep the great content coming, Seth!

[@haydendec6991]

Yo big companies out there, if you want seth to be a brand ambassador. all i can say is. PROVIDE.FREE.TACOS. Thats it, you'll have him in one

[@garymoser7584]

Another great video! Thanks for showing the behind the scenes of the mountain bike industry!

[@onlythingicouldthink]

Mad respect for keeping it real, Seth! Honestly, watching your videos makes me wish i was good at mountain biking lol

[@mixflip]

I really want to go to Sea Otter!!! I've never heard of this event until last month. I've been to interbike but it's all indoors in Vegas. Or was years ago anyway.

[@alexevans1655]

sea otter looked so sick, hope you come to the UK one day and make some vids with GMBN or even come up to Scotland and do some stuff with Ali and Duncan, if you do please do a meetup, would love to meet you!

[@Jarrd260]

I love the authenticity of this. I'm for sure keeping box in mind when I build another bike here soon.

[@Bush01]

Super cool. Love little glimpses into the manufacturing process

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

love those small companies videos, fun fun fun!!!

[@kenshien544]

That dollar shave club ad part turned me into tears hahahaha!

[@kinumike]

Seth I have to thank you so much for all the tech tip and how to ride. I brought the old bike back out. Went out riding with the daughter. Found the chain made a lot of noise. Made some adjustments and tweaks and got it quite again. Thank you keep up the great work.

[@Spongeblunt]

I love the fact that you're supporting (and being supported by) companies who are seeking to expand the limited range of choices we mountain bikers have when it comes to component selection; keep it up dude!

[@escxrt7442]

Love your content dood keep up the good work

[@NoBrakes23]

Holy crap! You rode the Floop. My home trail. The mother trail of Orange County, the Fullerton Loop dates all the way back to '81 or '82.

[@santiagohills3321]

NoBrakes23 Holy crap! You flew all the way to OC, and they had you ride the Fullerton Loop? Watch Brian’s Laguna post again, and feel the FOMO. The Loop is important for historical reasons, and for folks trying to set strava on fire, but it’s hardly the most relevant place to ride in OC...

[@NoBrakes23]

EVERYONE from outside OC gets shown Aliso/Laguna and/or The Luge, (And with good reason,) but the Floop is closer to Box, (Toby sightings are not uncommon,) and it is a good place to go if you don't have a ton of time. For a side trip to a side trip to Sea Otter, the Floop is just about right. It's also nice to show people that OC trails aren't all blown out, pock-marked, cactus-dodging descents with zero shade.

[@tomatostakefabrik9429]

Sweet! Thanks for posting this video. I enjoyed it. Just an old crusty X-COUNTRY geezer, but I love seeing the all the new stuff coming to market. I wish Box good luck

[@stgeorge6947]

Glad you and box keep it real with us thanks Seth

[@vic_the_roman]

Hell yeah I am ripping out all my derailers and replacing with BOX. Been meaning to do so for a while now.

[@TrailFeatures]

Very interesting look inside the industry! Well done! I use a stem that comes with a similar GoPro mount. It has been really great for alternative shots and I've been wanting to get a 360 camera on it for a while but Rylo has been reluctant to work with smaller channels. 😕

[@camtwan1]

Cause 1k views isn’t worth a free camera.

[@ferocious5975]

Was expecting the video to end after you left box but then happily remembered the tile said sea otter aswell. Awesome

[@Savitar-me9vh]

I love to see a company with riders behind it and are willing to experiment with different creations

[@ChristopherTrimble]

Harry Leary who races BMX is sponsored by Box. He's an old school BMX racer. 🏁

[@turbined]

Christopher Trimble his look back on the cover of ride BMX in the early 90s was nothing shy of amazing. One of the most stylish cover shots ever!

[@warthogphil]

Phoenix320 That trick is actually called a Leary, named after Harry when he invented it in the late 70s. Lookback is the name for the vert ramp version of it. Google "BMX Action July 1979"....the cover shot is the first ever photo of Leary doing his signature jump.

[@turbined]

You are correct, and I agree with you completely. Nobody calls them Leary's these days which is a shame. Leary, Perry Kramer, Todd Lyons, all them dudes were heroes to me when I was growing up

[@reidr7288]

Already thinking about the box 2

[@nilleftw]

The Box 3 Signature Edition

[@davec200i]

What a great angle on a sponsorship deal. Well done Seth!

[@FBI-yd6co]

I love the way you just put stuff out here with out getting To complex’s. As always another great video.

[@askbeforeplaying2983]

4:31 It looks dangerous... *_CHALLENGE ACCEPTED._*

[@zwergstein2152]

I really want to see a sbh dollar shave club advert

[@SethsBikeHacks]

Shave? Never!

[@TheSjoyner]

ZwergStein i

[@anthonycortez740]

Dollar Bear Club Then? 😄

[@BeetleBuns]

SBH using various dollar shave club products in mtb related ways would be an interesting video to watch!

[@bus79]

Got to love a company that admits they were wrong then not only sets out to fix it and make parts serviceable, but helps out the first customers also. Don't see many company's like that anymore!

[@YuhboyJacob]

Recognizing the Fullerton Loop in this video made me so happy. That’s the only trail I can access frequently and I love it.

[@thechaosengine3020]

Thanks for this Seth. I teach Design and Manufacture in a high school and will be using this video to introduce CAD/CAM and Rapid Prototyping from now on. Given that a significant proportion of the kids that take my classes are from the mountain bike club I'm sure they will enjoy the topic more.

[@robertatwood2503]

When I started watching Seth he had less than a hundred subscribers BXxc was that just a little over a thousand he was preparing to try and make a living on KZbin Seth was like damn I want to do that and now look at him a freaking superstars way to go Seth way to go bro

[@Mike_Jones68]

Seth was much more established than BKXC at BKs entrance.. but its nice to see all of them explode like they did tho

[@evancalitz4304]

Now we have to wait another week for the next video 😂😂 can’t wait!!! Love the channel Seth.

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

Seeing those old bikes was awesome 🤙

[@Scott-mu4xw]

Sorry Seth, I had a full Box drivetrain and just did not like it and to boot my cassette bent after 3 rides.

[@SethsBikeHacks]

I believe you-mountain biking is rough! It’s riders like you that push the sport forward by risking your dollars on new technology. That warranty that Ken mentioned applies to you too, so hold them to it and try the new version!

[@Scott-mu4xw]

Thank you, that shifter looks drastically different than the one I own, I took the whole thing off after the cassette failure and put on my old system and everything back in its original boxes. On a side note they did send me another cassette.

[@FlipChipSerg]

I already ripped off my derailleur from my trek.(I literally had to. The jockey wheels both snapped.)

[@anselmoferreiradasilva340]

I really love you're vids and I'm happy to see how cool are you're sponsors

[@grantguild389]

that was awesome. Sea otter sounded sick. Kudos to box for being humble about their products and changing them so they could be better and not make excuses about having design flaws.

[@Nono-hk3is]

As an engineer in an unrelated industry, I love seeing the behind-the-scenes at Box.

[@justushamalainen4673]

Do you have video How to attach gopro to the helmet (ps sorry for my English language. I’m from Finland and I’m huge fan!)

[@93vze_Cory]

I absolutely love the box one i have. It shifts so smooth when adjusted properly.

[@YamiKisara]

I was expecting poor handlebar footage but dude, that mount works wonders, can't wait to see more of it!

[@BikingWIthPanda]

holy shit, outputting 1kW on the bike! JESUS! that's near Olympian levels! too bad they can't sustain it! that'd be EPIC!

[@princek5270]

Great video seth! Could you please review the 2018 giant talon 3?

[@choicenett3474]

Shagun Prince Kumar yessss got one recently and love it sooooo much

[@jadenharrison9420]

I'm glad to see you posting more videos, nice vid

[@TrentCain]

Yes, I do agree. Thanks for the always great content Seth!

[@benklyap8808]

Hi seth

[@evan1423]

Dollar shave club + mountain bikers, that doesn't add up!

[@LifebyBertie]

That’s a good take on that mount for a GoPro, I love that idea and pretty awesome that the guys at Box made you one!

[@joegolan2597]

I love that you chose to partner with a product you use and believe in rather than just “making dollar shave club” adds. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just cool to see that kind of honesty from a youtuber

[@peterness280]

2nd

[@isaacgaming3631]

you should go to the UK like if your agree

[@markpocock62]

Isaac Gaming 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿I agree

[@ToyotaNutjob]

I think seth likes having rights

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Thanks for the tour Seth.

[@ianlacour3947]

That stem cap camera mount was dope! Great footage Seth!

[@habegunt4802]

"I'm a 5'4" New York Jew and I'm about to go against you"

[@williamthebutcherssonprodu227]

1st

[@sawyerflynn4759]

William the butchers son productions yes u first

[@Twinfire]

Best of luck to the Box Team, gotta give em credit, giving the established brands something to think about, an organisation that actually gives a shot about it's consumers.

[@joedpettit1691]

Studying mechanical engineering at university and also having a love for bikes. Working at somewhere like box just does seem like the dream!

[@seanbickford2842]

I'm a Box convert. I installed a Box groupset on my mtb a few months back and love it. Just recently installed a set of Box one odi grips and love them too.

[@christopherpeterman377]

Seth, As always, another great video. You’ve come a long way from wrenching on bikes on patio furniture on the back porch. I admire how you represent yourself as a brand ambassador, and was almost to tears watching the bike give away series. I wasn’t a diamondback guy before, but they will be the next bike I own. With all that said, I would love to see a video from you talking smart on tires and different products MTB-ers put in them. I have had a 15 year hiatus from biking, and man has the world changed. Phil did a great video on Cushcore, but I would just like to know more. For example, benefits of going tubeless and just a crash course introduction to products put inside the tires and what the value added is.

[@th_js]

So great, enjoyed

[@maxphillips5925]

@Seth’s Bike Hacks. Thanks so much for the inspiration to start riding. I took out my new bike on the Tweetsie Trail in East Tennessee. I’m looking forward to going on different trails this summer.

[@SethsBikeHacks]

that’s what I love hearing!

[@ogroosterfish5319]

That was awesome. Looked like a great time.

[@Bearleaux]

I'm a big boy, 330 (from 464) and I bought in to the Box Components hype through this channel. I've ridden Shimano and SRAM for years and always would replace them probably at least one a year, sometimes once every 2 years depending on the race season and how bad I mashed (I like to mash). I bought a Specialized Fuse as my trail bike and when riding with my wife (slower and less technical trails so I leave the SC Tallboy at home) and the first thing I did was put on a Box 2 drivetrain. I'm happy to report I have mashed, smashed, shifted at all the wrong times and tried killing it in just about every way possible and it's holding up super nicely. Sure it's not as light or fancy but if you want something that will last...give it a shot.

[@michaelfabian2401]

Honestly I've been looking at Box for a a long time now... I've just not pulled the trigger yet. I'm a diehard Shimano fan, I"ve ran everything SLX for years and never had any problems and love the performance and ability to integrate. But I've got my eye on a new project bike/build and do believe it's finally time to order a Box drivetrain and see what its all about. Seth, as ALWAYS you ROCK and the content is KILLER buddy. Stay safe and keep it coming dude!

[@danielpalma3804]

It was nice to meet you in person at SeaOtter! Come to Cali more often to ride!

[@captain.planits]

Great video. Recommend more like this!

[@nova-jo1649]

Handlebar footage is beautiful!!!

[@mikedicke5505]

That’s so dope dude, to have box make you a custom stem cap! Love these videos!

[@scott907]

Seeing their shop definitely made me more interested in trying their products

[@cd155mx]

Great vid as always Seth. Your coverage of Box has me convinced to take a serious look at BOX next time I'm buying a drivetrain.

[@gonzz01973]

I'll now be switching to Box... And I can't wait to see footage from the POV stem....I think there's a lot of potential there...Awesome edit Seth.!

[@EckmanJones]

I loved the dig the end, that was awesome lol

[@juslesnik7075]

Love your videos Seth!!! Keep up the good work!!! 👌🏻👍🏻🤙🏻😄💯🔥And thanks for inspiring me to mountain bike more.