2008 Sea Otter Classic – Part 2

AVID ELIXIR R

Pictures can be found on MTBR.com’s coverage of the 2008 Sea Otter Classic.

From the official SRAM Press Release:

“Elixir R – The perfect mix of power and control”
AVID’s new Taperbore Technology provides supreme control combined with increased stopping power

Less initial power and deep stroke modulation allow the rider to better manage and use the increased overall power. The power gain comes from Elixir’s larger caliper pistons making the power sit halfway between Juicy and Code. Elixir benefits include reduced weight and clearance through reservoir design and optimized caliper.

Features:

  • Taperbore Lever with Integrated Reservoir
  • Tool-Free Reach Adjust
  • Two-Piece Caliper – Top Loading Pads
  • Improved Modulation
  • Increased Power
  • Reduced Weight
  • Drip-Free Bleeding
  • MatchMaker Compatible Technologies
  • Power Reserve Geometry
  • Caliper Positioning System
198’S THOUGHTS

I have always thought that the Avid brakes could use some work in the bleeding and modulation areas with their hydraulic brake line. If they want to be compared with companies like Hope and Formula, then this is the route they need to go in improving these areas. Good job.

TwentyNineInches.com Coverage of the Sea Otter Classic

ROCK SHOX REBA 29ER

Pictures provided by twentynineinches.com.

Reba 29er

With the overdue addition of a through axle fork to Rock Shox’s 29″er fork line, the Reba will be a much stiffer platform. Utilizing the new “Maxle Light”, a slightly less stiff but much lighter version of the original Maxle, this fork will stiffen the Reba chasis significantly. Also incorporating features seen in the recently redesigned SID, the Reba will have the hollow lowers and bulge on the lowers with a slight modification to the inner workings to allow for not only a stiffer chassis, but no weight penalty.
Reba 29er

The travel options will be 80mm, 100mm both with a quick release axle, and the 100mm version only in the Maxle Light through axle. The travel in any of the forks can be adjusted with spacers, but the location of those spacers has changed. Now instead of being on top of the damper, they are under it to help avoid changing the travel performance/feel when you change travel. It still is called “All Travel”, but it is a bit different.

198’S THOUGHTS

I would have really liked to see this fork come out in a 120mm travel adjust version. It would have really opened up some options for the 29er crowd without increasing too much weight. The “official” introduction of the Maxle Lite and the new lowers are great, but we all already knew about that technology.

650B.com Coverage of the Sea Otter Classic

TURNER SULTAN WITH 650B WHEELS

Pictures provided by 650B.com

65B Turner Sultan

From 650B.com
In the Turner booth there was two things of interest.

Full Suspension: The first was the Turner Sultan their 29er bike that is 4″ of travel BUT with 650b wheels on there. After speaking with Greg from Turner I learned that the bike was indeed a Sultan but with a 5 spot chain stay. The chain stay was 13-3/4″ which left the bottom bracket exactly in the same spot as the bike was with 29″ wheels. This change also shortened the travel to 3-3/4″. As most folks don’t set up their suspension correctly anyways, I’m pretty sure most won’t feel the 1/4″ difference.

Steel: The bike was out on a ride with David Turner so I wasn’t able to grab some shots but there indeed was a steel bike in the Turner tent with 650b wheels. The tubing was standard Columbus tubing with 71 degree head tube and 72 degree down tube. I’ll do my best to find the bike and take photos.

It seems that a couple guys at Turner have taken high interest of the 650b and are even building personal bikes to test out their theories.

198’S THOUGHTS

A steel Turner?! I can’t wait to find some pictures of this ride. It will be very interesting to get a look at the design. The 650B Sultan does not surprise me at all. I was halfway expecting one of the Frankenturner guys on MTBR to do this some time ago. I bet it is a blast to ride.

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