The Sea Otter Classic is all about bikes. Naturally, there is a wide selection to see. This year, though, it seemed like there were even more eye-catching bikes wandering around the show, and I’m kicking myself for not capturing more of them.

One bike I did catch was the handiwork of 16-year-old Dylan Banera. The massive 3D-printed lugs caught my attention first, and then I noticed they were bonded to carbon tubes, and I had to know more. Calling it a proof-of-concept, this V1 prototype is not rideable, but Dylan printed and built it in just 12 days. You read the part where he’s still 16, right?

Dylan has been 3D-printing since he was 10, making everything, including functional parts. He says he modeled everything in Fusion 360, and printed the lugs from Nylon 12. His eventual plan is to 3D-print and machine the lugs in metal, and build a rideable bike. For now, Dylan is calling his venture TBD Bikes, and you can follow along on Instagram.

Prevelo Dream Build Raffle to Help Trails

From an incredible bike built by a kid to an incredible bike build for kids, there were some cool things to see at the Prevelo booth, including this Cub House x Prevelo dream build.

Built by the team at The Cub House (the home of Team Dream Bicycling Team), this custom Prevelo Zulu 3 is up for grabs as part of a raffle to support Lowelifes RCC (Respectable Citizens’ Club). Lowelifes RCC is a trail-building organization that is based in the Angeles National Forest in southern California, and proceeds of the raffle will go to restoring trails destroyed by the wildfires in January, 2025. Scan the QR code in the photo above or check out the site here for more details and to enter.

Prevelo launched their BALANCE-TEC crank conversion models earlier this year, but it was interesting to see it in person. While not a new concept, the Prevelo balance bike-to-pedal bike conversion looks very well thought out, and includes a split seat stay so you can remove the chain in one piece without a chain tool. There are also foot rests that mount where the cranks would go.

Prevelo was also showing this new suspension fork that they developed with RST on this Zulu Two. It was amazing how supple it is, just compressing it with your hand, which means it will actually work for very light children. It’s got a reverse arch, a 140mm brake mount, and an adjustable air spring. Look for these in about two months.

There was some suspension news over at Prevelo’s sister company, Eagle Bear, as well. Adding to the build options, you can now add the KS GTC gravel fork instead of the stock rigid fork.

It’s kind of surprising we didn’t hear about this from Intense directly, but they have a new Spider with an all-new suspension layout. With the shock nestled lower in the frame, it still looks to have a dual-link design and is equipped with 130mm of travel front and rear and rolls on 29″ wheels.

Telepathy Bikes

Speaking of new suspension designs, check out the highest of pivots from Telepathy Bikes. We’re told that the reason for the high pivot isn’t necessarily the same as the usual spiel, but instead, the focus is on a consistent wheel base with the front and rear wheel moving in parallel axle paths. The result is supposedly the same handling with the bike anywhere in the travel, which is ample at 180mm front and rear.

It also features a proprietary lower idler system, which they say completely eliminates any chain growth and suspension interference as a result. All Telepathy bikes are built in Montana from steel, and Telepathy is aiming for a production bike release in 2026.

Sun Grown Ibis Carbon

Ibis has been building bikes in a state-of-the-art factory in Santa Cruz, California for years now, and they’re very proud of their carbon quality–as they should be. They’re also proud of the fact that their solar panel-equipped building still produces at least 40% more power than they use, hence the ‘sun grown’ marketing. Rumor has it that there will be another USA-made Ibis introduced soon, and we can’t wait to see what it is.

Vektron S10 Airstream by Tern

No, this isn’t for a camper. Instead, it’s a special edition Tern ebike marketed towards people who own campers. Apparently, one of the first things many new Airstream owners do is go out and buy ebikes so they can park the camper and still get around the campground.

So Airstream and Tern have partnered on a special edition of the Vektron S10 folding ebike for the best of both worlds. The Airstream-silver finished bike features a Bosch Performance motor and sells for $3,399. 

For those who just want to go fast, may we offer the Van Rysel RCR-F. Initially a World Tour-only option, this bike already has three wins this year under Sam Bennett and Dorian Godon.

The bike features a one-piece cockpit developed by Van Rysel, and made by Deda with a 12º flare, and it’s said to weigh in at 7.5kg in the Dura-Ace build. Thirteen watts faster than the Van Rysel RCR, and with a stiffer headtube and BB than the RCR Pro, Van Rysel has “left no stone unturned in the pursuit of speed.”