Top Gravel Bike Tech from Sea Otter Classic 2025

Words Chris Mehlman

Credit: Dan Hughes

Sea Otter Classic claims to be the “world’s premier cycling festival,” and after day one of the four-day event, it’s easy to see why it has become so popular with brands and athletes alike. The event delivered excitement on the racetrack with the first stop of the Life Time Grand Prix—a 90-mile gravel race—along with a wide variety of other amateur and professional races, and a massive, festival-style expo. This part of the event also revealed some new and exciting tech that’s sure to play a key role in gravel’s continued evolution.

The Trends, Gossip, and Takeaways (Large and Small)

Sea Otter is a family reunion of sorts. Trends emerge in what’s discussed and what’s seen over the course of a few days—on both the tech side and the business side. It is a festival of top gravel bike tech!

Lower Consumer Turnout

Sea Otter is unique in that it’s more than a trade show; many of the participants and visitors are racers, local riders, and even entire families. At least three brands I spoke to commented that the festival, outside of Thursday, felt quieter than usual, with noticeably fewer consumers compared to previous years. While official data is not yet available, we have reached out to Life Time for confirmation.

Uncertainty

Tariffs have been top of mind recently in the U.S. and around the globe, and Sea Otter was no different. With bicycles featuring so many components from various regions, frame manufacturers and component brands alike are anxiously waiting to see how the imposition of tariffs will take shape. Brands like Mavic, for example, feel relatively safe since they manufacture most of their wheels in the EU. Easton manufactures in Taiwan and expressed similar sentiments. Chinese brand L-Twoo declined to comment.

Despite the current confidence of some, the rapidly changing nature of the situation has left most in a “wait-and-see” mindset. Wary of mistakes made by acting too quickly during the COVID spike in bike sales, brands are playing it safe this time.

Bikes > Cars

On top of being a bike festival, Sea Otter is also a car festival—and not just because it’s at a racetrack. I’ve been to a lot of cycling events in my life, but I have never seen traffic this bad at any of them. It was gridlock in the morning, gridlock in the evening, and in between, a sea of cars more typical of an airport parking lot.

I love biking events, but this part was sad to see. I’m absolutely guilty of driving my car to events. I rarely do it for training, but I drive hundreds of miles to races and flew to this event. Commuting between my motel and the venue—while 40 minutes uphill each morning—was well worth the time saved by not sitting in traffic in the afternoon, and it was also a nice break from standing in the sun.

Portapotties Are Important

I have to give Life Time credit. This event must have been a logistical nightmare to put on, and it was generally very smooth and professionally run. However, they need to do a better job cleaning out the portapotties mid-festival next time. I need not say more.

Brands You Haven’t Heard Of

L-Twoo, Ananda, Chengdu Chendian Intelligent Technology Co., LTD, Guangzhou Tewsn Sports Co., LTD, Osmar Buckle, Pro-Wheel Manufacturing, and Red Star Locks. These are just a few of the brands at Sea Otter that you’ve probably never heard of—but who manufacture parts for companies you have heard of.

One trend that seems to be changing is that more and more of these brands are releasing their own branded products instead of white-labeling them. (There’s a bit about L-Twoo’s drivetrain below, for example.)

Bling Bikes, Giveaways, and Sponsored Athlete Meetups

From hand-made titanium frames to paint jobs that require sunglasses to look at, to more free swag than you can fit in your bag, and athlete meetups with your heroes, some things never change about trade shows and brand strategies for drawing a crowd.

I will be back

Honestly, I was nervous before Sea Otter. This is my first time going to an event like this. Usually, going to races is my main priority. It’s my debut as a “tech” writer as well. The level of stimulation and chaos at events like this drains me. After four days of it, while I am exhausted, I also feel very fulfilled. The event brings every aspect of the cycling industry and places it in one gorgeous venue. There are very few times when downhill racers mix with local XC riders and e-bike brands. The week is a great time to meet new people, challenge yourself in races across various disciplines, and spend time with old friends. For those interested in bike tech, it’s a no-brainer. Friends as an appetiser, racing as an entrée, and wandering the expo as a dessert. It does not get much better than this. 

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Tech Highlights

Here’s a rundown of some of the new offerings from brands including POC, Fizik, Topeak, L-Twoo, Xpedo, Vittoria, Mavic, and… UC Berkeley?

POC Cytal Helmet

On the heels of releasing the Cytal Carbon last year, POC has now introduced the Cytal helmet. It carries over the design of the Cytal Carbon but lowers the price point to $330 by replacing the carbon wing with EPS foam, while still maintaining large airflow channels. Built around this foam and the MIPS Air Node system, the helmet has received Virginia Tech’s top safety rating for road helmets.

POC Novus Chamois

The new POC Novus chamois was designed based on rider pressure-mapping analysis. The men's and women’s versions feature unique shapes and padding areas for comfort. The women’s pad is wider and shorter than the men’s. Both use a mix of gel and foam to improve durability and breathability.

POC Cadence Collection

With a race fit, the new Novus chamois, and optional cargo pockets, the new Cadence bibs and jerseys from POC appear aimed squarely at gravel racers and are well-suited for long days in the saddle.

Topeak Rapidhead High Flow Valves

Topeak has joined the high-flow valve space with a unique system that adapts a standard valve to its high-flow configuration. It will initially be available as a valve and stem combo (later in the summer), followed by an adaptor-only version. Available in 45mm, 60mm, and 80mm options, it claims to increase flow by 300%.

Topeak Fastfuel Drybag II and Toploader Drybag

Topeak's new top tube bags are ideal for gravel racing and adventure riding. They feature a “ZipLoc-style” zipper that’s more water-resistant and easier to open one-handed. Both bolt-on and strap options are available.

Topeak Essential ToolShop and Torq Stick

Traveling with a torque wrench is a must, especially with carbon parts. Topeak’s Torq Stick range goes up to 12 Nm, and the Essential ToolShop kit includes the digital Torq Stick and various ratchet bits. Lightweight and compact, it’s ideal for the traveling mechanic. The digital version alerts users as they approach the set torque value to avoid over-tightening.

Topeak E-Booster Electronic Mini-Pump

If you’re looking for the best gravel tech of 2025, this Topeak E-Booster pump fits the bill. The E-Booster isn’t the smallest pump out there, but it packs power. It can inflate a 50c gravel tire to 30 PSI in 50 seconds and handle up to six inflations on a full charge. It includes a carry bag and a hose compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves.

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3 and Roam 3

Following the polarizing Elemnt Ace, Wahoo updated its more popular Roam and Bolt devices. The Roam features a slightly larger touchscreen (2.8”) and a bike bell, with eight more hours of battery life. The Bolt retains its non-touch screen design, bumps up the screen size slightly, and now offers 20 hours of battery life. These seem aimed squarely at gravel racers and long-distance riders.

Vittoria Terreno T50

Vittoria has revamped its tire lineup and naming system. The Terreno T50 is now available in 50c in the U.S. (previously only 40c). Their new naming convention ranges from T10 to T90, with lower numbers indicating lower tread profiles.

Fizik Kudo, Kudo Aero, and Kunee TT Helmets

Fizik has entered the helmet market with three offerings: the Kudo, the aero Kudo (featuring a non-removable shell), and the Kunee TT. The TT helmet is a bold move for gravel, but perhaps it’s a sign of things to come from WorldTour influence.

L-Twoo eRX Drivetrain

The eRX gravel drivetrain from Chinese brand L-Twoo looks familiar—almost Shimano-like. Without U.S. distribution, it lacks OE presence for now, but its pricing will likely undercut the big names. Tariffs could influence how quickly this changes.

BMC Kaius 01

While not a new model, BMC debuted a flashy new colorway. The BMC-sponsored Tudor Pro Cycling Team is also launching a gravel program featuring Simon Pellaud and Jan Stöckli. Pellaud, 33, sits sixth overall in the Life Time Grand Prix after round one.

Prestacycle Prestaflator Go and TorqRatchet Elite Lite

Prestacycle’s mini electric pump, the Prestaflator Go, offers set-and-forget pressure inflating and up to seven uses per charge. Their upcoming TorqRatchet Elite Lite is a travel-sized torque wrench covering 2–12 Nm—perfect for weight-conscious riders.

Duke Wheels WRC Aero

Duke’s WRX Aero wheelset is built for aero-focused gravel racers. With a 28mm internal and 43mm external width, the 44mm tires fit flush. Pro Dylan Johnson raced these at Sea Otter, though his 2.1” tires clearly didn’t match up. With competitors like Zipp offering even wider internals, this is a category to watch.

Julbo Intensity

Julbo’s new Intensity sunglasses offer larger lenses and a snug fit compared to their Frequency model, while keeping the weight and half-frame design. Their range is expanding to meet a broader set of preferences.

Tailfin AeroPack Cargo + Frame Bags

Tailfin’s AeroPack Cargo adds mesh side pouches and a new roll-top design to their original pack. With a carbon rack it costs $425, or $360 for alloy. Their frame, top tube, and bar bags now cover nearly all bike geometries—except full-suspension mountain bikes, which they say are in development.

TRP Vistar + Classified Powershift Drivetrain

TRP has launched a drivetrain designed specifically for the Classified Powershift hub. Offering 15 gear combinations via a 12-speed cassette and 2-speed hub, the system features QuantumShift, which adjusts cassette and hub gears automatically. Ergonomics are a blend of older Red eTap and newer Shimano. The brakes feel excellent, and a machined cassette improves shifting performance. Aero and standard chainrings are available in 46t and 48t, with pro riders even using a 50t road option in gravel races.

Xpedo OMNI Power Pedals

Xpedo’s OMNI pedals share a power pod between road and MTB versions. The system claims 1% accuracy, provides left/right metrics and pedal dynamics, and increases spindle length by about 1 cm rather than stack height.

UC Berkeley Custom Bike

Not gravel—yet. But this UC Berkeley project showcases 3D-printed titanium lugs bonded to carbon tubes. It’s a student-built, custom-made bike, and not your average engineering project.