WEIRD and Interesting Bikes at Sea Otter 2023

A look at some interesting bikes that caught our eye at Sea Otter Classic 2023.
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[@billd6565]

I love Surly bikes. I have three. A late 90’s 1x1, a 2007 Steamroller, and a 2020 Krampus. I cracked the Steamroller’s down tube at the at the bottom bracket a couple years ago. Welded it up with my MIG welder and went right back to riding it. Couple thousand miles later and it’s still going strong. Steel is real

[@johngorentz6409]

Perhaps the best trade show video I've ever seen. The topic is interesting and the editing really moves it along. I imagine there was some good interviewing behind it all that we didn't get to see, too.

[@coreyreeder3549]

Flat bar gravel bikes. Do we say “that’s just a hybrid bike!”? I’m a fan of all bikes and of this channel in particular. And I think an old hybrid might do the trick for many people

[@jamble7k]

it is but slap a hipster brand on it and double the price and wowie a flat bar gravel bike

[@TheUser37]

@7:19 Having also been on a tour in the mountains of Laos and had my companion's vintage Cross Check CS break, only so see a dude in flip-flops with a cig dangling out of his mouth weld her right back to riding shape was a testament to steel. It's way real.

[@gamby16a]

That Brompton is bonkers. The paint on the Diamondback panders to Gen X nostalgia and I'm 100% here for it. It looks fantastic. My recently resurrected/restomodded 1993 Supergo MTB that I rode in college is now 1x10 with V Brakes. It is essentially an ATB that will be the tool for a brutal 52 mile gravel/trail ride in RI this Saturday.

[@JustClaude13]

I think "weird" is a little extreme term for the bikes. They all look pretty conventional to me. There was some interesting technology, like the 3-D printed frame, but nothing too out of the ordinary. It's interesting to see that Diamondback is still using that odd color of green. My brother has a road bike that color. It's probably 30 or 40 years old, with a chro-moly frame and down tube shifters. He's converting it into a town bike with a more upright posture.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

I REALLLY like the look of that blue Ritchey with the cool bar end ratcheting shifter. The shifter looks a bit bigger too which I like.

[@stevenr5149]

The more I see Russell's shifter I feel like he has actually made a product that is flipping the bird at wireless shifting every time he shifts. Nice. Make sure you let us know when they become available.

[@dougmoore-w9f]

Thanks Russ, for including the Baja Divide bike. Nice to see what they look like after some real-world use. And . . how you don't need a shiny bike to have big time adventures!

[@jimryan6168]

Love my Gen 1 Diamondback EXP, but that throwback paint is bonkers! 😍

[@anthonykoleszar1779]

Spokesman for Hudski looks like he could be Russ's brother, ha.

[@Jaq365]

Russ, I gotta say that rep from Hudski is your doppelganger, if you haven't already noticed.

[@ritcheydesign]

Great to see you! Glad you all came by.

[@JohnTigueDotCom]

@7:50 Steel is real (world)!

[@FrankLadd]

That Brompton looks great! I got a Lectric Lite folding bike to get my knee back in shape and once I get 2000 miles on it I think I will reward myself with a really nice folder.

[@rustictureen3283]

full steam ahead bring iit ON

[@markday1714]

some of the best sea otter content! thanks

[@mattdrange4219]

Such a killer colorway on that saucy Ritchey!

[@KING_B00]

Great video! Did they have the Surly Preamble out there by chance? Considering it as my first surly and maybe entry level gravel bike

[@jameselston2135]

I got in on the first gen doggler, love that thing! Its perfect for mtbers that occssionally want to do more miles. Also makes easy trails super fun.

[@sandrochiavaro7831]

When is Sea Otter becoming a Patreon supporter ? 😊well done Russ!

[@antoniocruz8083]

I sure would like to hear stories of aluminum Mtb frames cracking because I sure have heard enough of steel ones breaking. If steel is so much better then why does it break more often. I would chance guessing it is because to save weight on a heavier material smaller diameter tubing is used than in aluminium.

[@mikeflanigan4896]

That Brompton is fantastic...must cost a lot.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

Flat bar gravel bikes = my 1986 Rockhopper (which is still going strong)

[@simonwatkins9431]

Great to see a flat bar gravel bike. Seems like the drop bar hijacked this scene. The flatbar gravel bike is great when your ride consists of really varied terrain and you're not in a hurry but want to be comfortable.

[@larrym2434]

Flat bar gravel bikes are more of a thing in Europe. I'll be glad when we start seeing more flat bar gravel bikes in the US.

[@James-gx7sk]

Russ, I’m so ready for that shifter to drop…any idea when it might be available? I guess it’s more of a question of the pod since the shifter already exists.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

They’re suppose to go into production this month hopefully.

[@bkefrmr]

Flat bar gravel is just a hybrid. Conversely, gravel is just a drop bar hybrid. However, mid 90’s 26” MTB’s have always made excellent ATB’s with comfy saddles, upright bars (with a bit of sweep), ergo grips and semi-slick tires. All of these make sensible, practical, multi-use bicycles for just about anyone.

[@myfreakyvalentine]

I agree. I've just built up a '95 4130 cromo Avanti Ridge Rider set up like you describe, with full Shimano STX RC which works absolutely flawlessly. It's amazing how wider bars and higher stack can transform those old bikes.

[@VeloObscura]

That Ritchey is a thing of beauty!

[@derekhobbs1102]

Unfortunately, the Diamondback brand has been ruined in Australia by a department store selling BSOs with the name on it.

[@TheVintagesteal]

Excellent coverage. Could watch hours of this. Nice thing about the flat gravel thing is maybe folks can slow down a bit,wear shorts an old t-shirt and just coast down the roads more.

[@marcusathome]

Flatbar gravel bike ... Hmmm .... I remember there was something back in the early '90s ... It just proves that the concept was good and valid. Love to see them in their updated form with new materials and components, though!

[@033biketrips]

Great! Could you please Show more of those plus/fat offroad bikes? surly, bombtrack, whatever more is there 🥹

[@artiebucco9660]

I love Surly

[@logansmith8157]

Fun interviews! Thanks for taking us along with you and Laura on your tour of the show! :)

[@ivanaraque]

That's not a flat bar gravel bike, indeed, that is a riser bar. I love riser bars. I loved them more when they had a little additional cross bar like the Bontrager 9 degrees. They are still awesome, so go Hudski!

[@greggr1591]

The Bike Sauce's Ritchey for the win!

[@ChrisLoew]

Surley cutting their chainstays (or breaking) like they cut their prebuilt bikes from now on, smh. ill ride something else. cool show thanks for vid

[@jirdesteva]

The Ritchey is outstanding. What channel is that from?

[@duoxm6713]

The Bike Sauce

[@chrispressdee5747]

that diamond back is so nostalgic for me. I had a pink and grey mtb in 1990. love it!

[@BlazingShackles]

Gravel bikes. I thought this was gonna be another MASSIVE British video with all the hyperbole we've come to expect from over-educated under-employed Brits.

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Nice job curating some really interesting bikes Russ! Thanks for the content!

[@BradWadeNL]

Seeing that Surly Wednesday chsinstay cracked and repaired is why I ride steel. Seeing the hypothetical become a reality is a proof of concept.

[@Timo-qb1gf]

Not sure that's good advertising for surly though...

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

Steel is real. . . . . . . . . Real weldable.

[@Brother_Brian]

the one guy says "sleek as hell" how sleek is hell

[@x3i4n]

That Ritchey outback is beautfifull....

[@mircozelle]

give me the SAD bikes at sea otter. cant just look at the good things

[@byronspencer8101]

That diamondback gravel bike is hella dope

[@Heiserton]

Man Diamondback is killing it. That Gravel bike is rad, and the Yowie looks pretty killer too.

[@Korina42]

Yeah, but you know the bikes they actually sell are all black and grey. I *love* color on my bikes.

[@Heiserton]

@@Korina42 my first DB was yellow, my second (commuter Union 2) is Navy and yellow. But ye, I wish most companies would offer a wider color range.

[@Korina42]

@@Heiserton I will forever kick myself for passing up an early DB Ascent with a blue smoke fade *in my size*. Dumb dumb dumb.

[@Heiserton]

@@Korina42 that’s a super slick looking bike. The paint looks awesome on it

[@Korina42]

@@Heiserton I know. Evidently they used actual smoke; they waved a lit match or something around it.

[@joeconnell1396]

Love that Surly story - please do a deeper dive on the bike, the ride and the rider.

[@michealhalpin659]

Is the guy with the ritchey also on youtube?

[@Korina42]

Thanks for all the coverage, Russ, it's been great. But so. much. *plastic*. I'm with the others here; steel is real (weldable).

[@trishaleaver3581]

Ummmmm a flat bar gravel bike is just an old MTB🙃 which is really cool. Hard tail hard front.

[@jeffandersen6233]

I did really enjoy this video. I've watched it twice and probably a few more times. Thanks for showing something besides the very pricey bikes, though they are great to see Of all the Sea Otter videos I've watched that Ritchie Outback was probably the most filmed. Great job showing the diversity of products.

[@goodhamburgers]

What's that bar-end shifter on the Ritchey?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It’s our prototype shifter.

[@zu_1455]

Back to the Future

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

More like Future Proof :)

[@klarkolofsson]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Already behind, cannot do 13 speed right? Doesn’t matter but nothing is future proof.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@klarkolofsson it can. Hub spacing is still the same they just divided it into smaller pieces. It’s not limited by the number of “speeds”. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@halfpolecat278]

Sub $2000 is not great today

[@hawk2million]

Some sweeeeeet bikes. I definitely couldn't hold my brompton like that with one hand so effortlessly.

[@chris1275cc]

This is what I love about "true" gravel. When it comes to road bikes I don't like them to stray too far from the traditional look, but gravel its like "whatever" i'll ride it.

[@desk-kun]

so it doesn’t matter chain, belt or shaft?

[@chris1275cc]

@@desk-kun Doesn't matter at all, Gravel is a playground not just for riding but innovation and experiment. Got Veer Split Belt turning a 8 speed Alfine on one of my gravel bikes nothing works better in the sticky late winter mud. Never ridden a shaft drive though but i'd be exited to try. AS LONG AS IT STAYS FAR AWAY FROM MY BEAUTIFUL ROAD BIKES !!!! 🤣

[@daniellarson3068]

Again and again, I see the practical value of Surly bikes. I wish i could afford one.

[@madisondeans5566]

Yeah!! Good one Russ,love seeing the bikes!!🤗🥳

[@jeffdible8171]

Thanks Russ! I'm going to have to get out there for that event! Thanks for featuring the Benno!

[@StanEby1]

Very, very, very interesting. Please give Box Components Prime 9 a look. Thanks.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Have already reviewed Box 9.

[@esidarapmot]

You see any tracklocross bikes?

[@andrewkaucher9376]

Any chance there’s a Path Less Pedaled Hudski Doggler Review coming soon??

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yes

[@andrewkaucher9376]

Excellent! Excited to see it! I’m currently stuck in a daydream of what the Dogger would be like with the Bearclaw Thunderhawk Ti fork. 🧐

[@zu_1455]

Does titanium flex more than steal? I was always under the impression it was stiff and chattery…

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yes.

2000 usd is entry level? Am I too poor?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It’s a lot. But not in comparison to $12000 road bikes.

[@desk-kun]

A bit out of topic, but can anyone suggest to me any suitable 26 inch tyres for gravel riding? (Converting an older mtb frame) not enough clearance for anything bigger than 26 inches

[@cjones7854]

Panaracer Gravel King! I have the SK, they roll pretty fast, tubeless if you want that, not too pricey. Make sure you get some Kool stop salmon pads for those brakes! If the pads are really old, they can damage your rim!

[@petesjk]

Rene Herse tires are nice and ride well. Panaracer has good tires, there are many good tires out there.

[@DS1150]

Schwalbe Big Bens.

[@tinatpasselepoivre]

The vittoria Mezcal ?

[@marcusnewey8287]

Schwalbe Billy Bonkers, very happy with them on my old Kona, light, fast, quiet but still grippy and pretty cheap too

[@pex3]

Doggler sounds like the name of Hitler's dog!

[@davidmurphy9151]

Das Fhuryer

[@loamrider3086]

Blitzkrieg Woof!

[@Barry101er]

I am sorry-but if it does not have drops, it is not a gravel bike.