WTB has a new 650×47 tire called the Byway. This new tread has an intermediate diamond tread with low-profile side knobs to make it better suited to gravel than the smoother Horizon modelJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The new Fox AX Adventure Cross fork was mounted to a number of gravel bikes at the showJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Fox employees have also been hacking Transfer dropper seatposts for use on dropbar bikesJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
No longer a shifter, with a little bit of modification, this Shimano lever now operates the Fox Transfer seatpostJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Grinduro is back for 2017, with a new version in Scotland. This all-terrain stage race may be the perfect proving ground for new gravel techJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Funn has a new extra wide and extra flared drop bar G’Wide handlebarJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The G’Wide measures 480mm at tops and 500mm in the dropsJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Niner is testing the merits of a full suspension gravel bike by repurposing a full suspension mountain bikeJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Since the bike has a 1x drivetrain, the front shift lever was repurposed to lockout the shockJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Reach on mountain bikes is much longer than road bikes, so a stubby stem keeps the numbers in checkJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Upfront this test mule sports a standard 100mm Fox SC 32. The 40mm travel AX fork would lower the axle to crown numbers too muchJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The RKT 9 RDO is Niner’s 90mm travel cross-country race bikeJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Vittoria has a full line of gravel treads for all conditions Shown here is the Terreno DryJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The VIttoria Terreno Dry has a honeycomb pattern with subtle knob ramping to decrease rolling resistance and increase braking tractionJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Terreno Mix is VIttoria’s all-condition optionJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Terreno Mix looks like an oversized cyclocross tread patternJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Terreno Wet has plenty of small, well-spaced knobsJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
The knobs of the Terreno Wet are angled to help them shed mudJosh Patterson / Immediate Media
Each year there seems to be one trend that stands out at Sea Otter — fat bikes, plus bikes, enduro. Every new niche has had its day in the sun. This year, the gravel bike took centre stage.
This expanding genre is full of interesting innovations, some that may stick around and others that might not stand the test of time. Here’s a look at some of the gravel highlights from this year’s show.
