We caught up the folks of Surly and saw the 1×1…mmm singlespeed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2423121405_4569a60196.jpg?v=0

Popularity: 4% [?]

Popularity: 6% [?]

Yup its true! The world famous Nokon Cables/Housing came up with a prototype and we got a sneak peak of it. Steve Richey of Promologic USA showed it of while we were visiting with him earlier today.

mmm…Carbon…..

Nice huh?

Popularity: 8% [?]

Kaiser caught up with Bryan Thombs of Evomo. He had a clever booth where he has his own “hospitality tent” by picking up FREE furniture from ads he saw on Craigslist. Pretty smart eh? Anyhow, enjoy the video!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Last year the Otter and I met for the first time…is it possible that my experience last year was luv at first sight? Who knows, but when the Otter and I saw each other again today, it was like as if we had just seen each other yesterday…

Some how the Otter got shorter?

Then we were back to our old selves…baaad Otter! Or was it Baad RL?

Popularity: 3% [?]

If you’re here at Sea Otter with your 29er you gotta stop by Mavic’s booth and have them swap out your wheelset with a set of Mavic Crossmax 29er UST rims. You borrow them and ride around to test them. One of the first booths we stopped by this morning was Mavic’s and I got my Laserdisc rims traded out for the Crossmax for a few hours.

Bling Mavic Crossmax 29er wheels

I’ve barely had any time on them so I don’t have much to say other then that they’re light and engage quickly. Shortly we’ll have a video of Sean from Mavic telling us about all the goodies regarding this rim. Stay tuned.

Frog hubs

Installing the Mavic wheels w/Hutchinson Python tires on the Redline

Chattin’ w/Sean of Mavic

Ready to go!

Popularity: 10% [?]

Hutchinson 29er 2.25″, Tubeless Ready, claimed under 700 grams, All Mountain

Toro

Tubeless Ready

Tread

More Tread

Next to the Kenda Nevegal

Popularity: 10% [?]

Long time reader and founder of Mtb-News.de, Thomas Paatz walked into the Media Center at Sea Otter and quickly said hi to us. Just think of Thomas as the German equivalent of Francis Cebedo, founder of MTBR.com.

We chit chatted a bit and took some photos on the patio to document this momentous day.

Here’s our view of the event from the media center.

This is our “gangsta” pic. Yes, I’m rockin’ the Aviators. I think I’m going to change my name to a German name in honor of my new friend Thomas, my new name will be…… “Kaiser” According to Thomas, that means “emperor” and its actually higher ranking than a king…

Popularity: 4% [?]

Hey biking people!

Moe, Jeremy and I made it to the Laguna Seca Raceway for the Sea Otter Classic. We hit the road around 11:10pm last night and arrived at the gate this morning at 4:57am.

While we waited for the Poh-liz man to open up the gates, I decided to take some pics. Moe was kinda grumpy because he helped Jeremy out by taking a turn at the wheel. Jeremy, well he’s just tired. Since I’m a morning person, I was pretty chipper! More like annoying than anything.

Here’s us by the gate. Moe was showing his displeasure at the early morning photo, Jeremy was just glad we got there safe. I on the other hand was goofing off.

Make sure you check back throughout the weekend for our awesome coverage!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Laundry is being done, batteries are being charged, bikes are getting dialed in…for what you ask? For Sea Otter Classic in Monterey Ca.! Tomorrow night while all you folks are sleeping nice and cozy in your warm bed, the MtnBikeRiders crew will be making a 6 hour drive from Orange County to Monterey.

I’m really excited about this trip because of how much fun we had last year. But for some weired reason Cowboy gave me a funny look when I told him that I’ll be gone for a few days. Kinda like that…“whatchu talking’ bout’ Willis?” Maybe he doesn’t like the idea that I’ll be test riding some new bikes, checking out the new 08/09 goods or getting free beer.

Or maybe he’s jealous because he’s seen photos of me and another brown furry critter from last year’s Otter…

But I kept telling him that the Sea Otter meant nothing to me…ok well I lied, the Otter was loads of fun, we did things that I’ve never experience before….what? I was talking about the event, not the animal…but he was cute!

Anyhow as I leave my lovely wife and kids behind who are already planning a busy party weekend, don’t come by the house asking if Priscilla can come out and play or asking if you could take Cowboy out for a walk. Cuz if i find out, its going to be a swift punch to the throat for you!

Now that I’ve made that clear, check back throughout the weekend as we’ll be providing some great coverage that includes pictures of us saying neener neener neener as we ride by on a new bike as well as enjoying a Sierra Nevada brew provided to the Media Darlings that are going and all I can drink Redbulls! Oh yeah! I’ll be amped and ready to report!

Popularity: 4% [?]