Throwback Thursday: 5 Weird & Wonderful Products from Sea Otters Past
There has already been plenty of new and exciting tech on display at Pond Beaver this year but we're definitely missing the eccentrics. The bevvy of small-scale manufacturers that patrol every trade show with a dream and a prayer looking to get their latest innovation in front of the cycling world. These unique passion projects can often be the stars of the show and, while they may never achieve the biggest success, anyone who is putting themselves out there to create something out of left-field is doing it right in our books. Here are five of our favourite Sea Otter mavericks:
RAM BIke's URT Chassis with a Linkage Fork
![RAM bike and fork]()
Richard Sheppard is 6'6" and tips the scales at nearly 290 lbs so it's no surprise he struggles to find a mainstream bike that suits his needs. To remedy that, he instead decided to build himself something totally unique and this 180mm travel, URT, singlespeed full suspension with a linkage fork is the result.
The focus for this bike was to make it as efficient as possible so he went with a URT design. URT stands for Unified Rear Triangle and it had a short and turbulent cameo in the mainstream thanks to bikes such as the Klein Mantra. If you're interested in the intricacies of the design, you can read RC's deep dive here but the main advantage is that there's no pedal bob when a rider is attacking out of the saddle. Not only does this make for a bike that's lightning-fast under power but it also means that it can be run singlespeed without a chain tensioner. Although we wouldn't be telling the whole story if we didn't mention the descending drawbacks too...
![RAM quadrilateral suspension fork]()
![RAM quadrilateral fork]()
The linkage fork is inspired by a moto design by Valentino Ribi and it uses a four-bar linkage to create a nearly straight axle path, similar to a telescoping design but with much less stiction. Down below the fork is a massively wide front hub that is actually two Azonic hubs cut down and joined at the center so Sheppard could use two disc brakes to help with temperature management. This thing is wild!
Although Richard considers frame building as a hobby, a steady stream of like-minded customers may eventually force him to take up the TIG torch full time. For more info on the bike, click here.
Speedfil's Bike-Mounted Hydration System
![Speedfil 2 hydration system 2015]()
Hydration backpacks have all but disappeared from riders' kit bags in recent years but are we missing a trick not transferring those dangling hoses to our frame-mounted bottles instead?
That's exactly what Speedfil thinks and it has designed its F2 bottle to make it a reality. Initially inspired by racers who would try to glug down as much liquid as possible at a feed station before tossing a bottle away, this system allows riders to fill up their bidon without stopping and drink it as and when they need.
![Speedfil 2 hydration system 2015]()
![Speedfil 2 hydration system 2015]()
![Speedfil 2 hydration system 2015]()
![Speedfil 2 hydration system 2015]()
The cap sits on top of any standard bottle to add 8oz of volume and a self-sealing port through which the bottle can be filled. The lid also features a hose that routes up to the handlebar and can be used to drink the water without sitting up. The nozzle is attached to the bars by a spool so it returns to its place out of the way after use.
Speedfil is apparently a well-known name in the triathlon world where bottles like this are common but they haven't yet taken off in mtb in the six years since we first saw them. More info, here.
A Regenerative Braking eMTB
![photo]()
Free agent @heimbilt had this regenerative braking mid-drive drivetrain at the show in 2019. He says it has a 30% charge recovery compared to the 2-6% usually seen on hub motors.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Ophidian Bicycles 2 Wheel Drive Bike
![photo]()
![photo]()
The best performing off-road cars are all AWD so why can't the same be true for bikes? Ophidian was founded in June 2009 with the aim of creating a 2x2 bike and we saw the result of their labors at the show in 2011. The main advantage touted by its designers is that it will boost your climbing performance as both wheels are capable of putting down power, however, we're not sure how much of that advantage would be counteracted by the extra weight.
Unfortunately, the company seems to have folded now but other brands have taken up the all-wheel drive mantle in recent years such as Double. Maybe one day the idea will stick...
Adaptrac's Traction Control for Mountain Bikes
![Adaptrac handlebar array of air lines and housings.]()
If you like a clean cockpit, look away now. Adaptrac's adjustable traction control for mountain bikes adds a whole rat king to your bars to operate its complex but intriguing system. The basic premise is that a cannister of gas in your bottle cage is used to raise and lower your tyre pressures using a handlebar mounted remote. Adaptrac says, "Need more traction on a downhill slope? Press a toggle and drop the pressure to 25 psi. Another quick press and you’re back up to 55 psi for the next climb! Handlebar-mounted gauges give visual status of tire pressure at all times."
![Adaptec multi]()
The system comprises of two patent pending hubs (or complete wheel sets), a CO2 tank, guages, handlebar controls and about 3 miles worth of cable. The complete kit costs $1,470 including a choice of 26" or 29" wheels. More info, here.
![Adaptrac tech]()
![Some things you just can t un-see.]()
![Pond Beaver 2021]()
RAM BIke's URT Chassis with a Linkage Fork
Richard Sheppard is 6'6" and tips the scales at nearly 290 lbs so it's no surprise he struggles to find a mainstream bike that suits his needs. To remedy that, he instead decided to build himself something totally unique and this 180mm travel, URT, singlespeed full suspension with a linkage fork is the result.
The focus for this bike was to make it as efficient as possible so he went with a URT design. URT stands for Unified Rear Triangle and it had a short and turbulent cameo in the mainstream thanks to bikes such as the Klein Mantra. If you're interested in the intricacies of the design, you can read RC's deep dive here but the main advantage is that there's no pedal bob when a rider is attacking out of the saddle. Not only does this make for a bike that's lightning-fast under power but it also means that it can be run singlespeed without a chain tensioner. Although we wouldn't be telling the whole story if we didn't mention the descending drawbacks too...
The linkage fork is inspired by a moto design by Valentino Ribi and it uses a four-bar linkage to create a nearly straight axle path, similar to a telescoping design but with much less stiction. Down below the fork is a massively wide front hub that is actually two Azonic hubs cut down and joined at the center so Sheppard could use two disc brakes to help with temperature management. This thing is wild!
Although Richard considers frame building as a hobby, a steady stream of like-minded customers may eventually force him to take up the TIG torch full time. For more info on the bike, click here.
Speedfil's Bike-Mounted Hydration System
Hydration backpacks have all but disappeared from riders' kit bags in recent years but are we missing a trick not transferring those dangling hoses to our frame-mounted bottles instead?
That's exactly what Speedfil thinks and it has designed its F2 bottle to make it a reality. Initially inspired by racers who would try to glug down as much liquid as possible at a feed station before tossing a bottle away, this system allows riders to fill up their bidon without stopping and drink it as and when they need.
(Clockwise) Speedfil's F2 bottle requires a sturdy cage. Use any water bottle to refill the F2 system through the self-sealing port. The F2 head screws onto most cycling bottles and an O-ring seal prevents leaking. Speedfil F2's bite-valve is attached to a recoil return-string to secure it to the bar
The cap sits on top of any standard bottle to add 8oz of volume and a self-sealing port through which the bottle can be filled. The lid also features a hose that routes up to the handlebar and can be used to drink the water without sitting up. The nozzle is attached to the bars by a spool so it returns to its place out of the way after use.
Speedfil is apparently a well-known name in the triathlon world where bottles like this are common but they haven't yet taken off in mtb in the six years since we first saw them. More info, here.
A Regenerative Braking eMTB
Free agent @heimbilt had this regenerative braking mid-drive drivetrain at the show in 2019. He says it has a 30% charge recovery compared to the 2-6% usually seen on hub motors.
The chain always has to move, so there are three freewheels and a heavily modified derailleur. It's basically a 9-speed fixed gear.
The throttle looks like a volume control. Spin indoors for 20 minutes, three times a week and the battery will be fully charged.
Ophidian Bicycles 2 Wheel Drive Bike
The best performing off-road cars are all AWD so why can't the same be true for bikes? Ophidian was founded in June 2009 with the aim of creating a 2x2 bike and we saw the result of their labors at the show in 2011. The main advantage touted by its designers is that it will boost your climbing performance as both wheels are capable of putting down power, however, we're not sure how much of that advantage would be counteracted by the extra weight.
Unfortunately, the company seems to have folded now but other brands have taken up the all-wheel drive mantle in recent years such as Double. Maybe one day the idea will stick...
Adaptrac's Traction Control for Mountain Bikes
If you like a clean cockpit, look away now. Adaptrac's adjustable traction control for mountain bikes adds a whole rat king to your bars to operate its complex but intriguing system. The basic premise is that a cannister of gas in your bottle cage is used to raise and lower your tyre pressures using a handlebar mounted remote. Adaptrac says, "Need more traction on a downhill slope? Press a toggle and drop the pressure to 25 psi. Another quick press and you’re back up to 55 psi for the next climb! Handlebar-mounted gauges give visual status of tire pressure at all times."
The system comprises of two patent pending hubs (or complete wheel sets), a CO2 tank, guages, handlebar controls and about 3 miles worth of cable. The complete kit costs $1,470 including a choice of 26" or 29" wheels. More info, here.
See you again soon Sea Otter...
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For this related article, I'm quite the fan of the box.
I just think that it's at the very least, it's entertaining to watch "free" thinkers try it.
Sometimes they are brilliant!
A) snarfed beer out of my nose from sudden laughter
B) tried to actually relax my balls.
Sorry im over tired....
All new, Wireless Water Bottle, complete with the All-new W.W system (wireless water)
No cables, No mess.
The fork also looks like it would give a good axle path and provide a lot of anti-dive, as well as having negligable stiction to worry about so very active on small hits what's not to like?
Sure the devil will be in the detail, all the pivots and links need to be nice and stiff and well made but no reason they couldn't be..
No. With a four bar chain design like this you can set it so that the distance from the seat and the bars to the BB doesn't change through most of the travel. It isn't going to ride anything like a single pivot URT.
that's some witchcraft
but wouldn't that negate the benefits of urt? if the bb is static through the stroke it behaves as a conventional design?
it seems that the bike is a bit more elegant version of gt's idrive.
The rider is only unsuspended mass if the BB-hight stays the same while the suspension is compressed.
Which is not the case here. the whole rear part pivots more or less arround the BB.
It is no magic, just physics applied in a facinating way.
I really would love to test one of his bikes, but please with the possibilty for a dropper-post.
Consider 2, almost identical frames, with the same front end (main frame), the same rear end (suspension arm) and one suspension pivot located at the BB tube. Here is the only difference:
A) The first one (let us call it the “A” frame) has the BB welded ON the rear arm. The BB is enclosed within a pair, of so beloved, bearings, which are attached on the main frame, via the old ring & bold apparatus.
Now,
This is CLEARLY a URT, isn’t it? The BB is part of the rear suspension arm….
B) The other one (we will call it the “B” frame) has the BB welded ON the main frame (that’s the front part of the frame!). The BB is enclosed within the same pair of bearings, which are attached on the rear suspension arm via the old ring & bold apparatus.
Now,
CLEARLY this is NOT a URT frame! The BB is part of the main frame and not the rear suspension arm.
The difference will be more evident if we took apart those 2 frames. The “A” frame will be a URT (the BB is part of the rear suspension arm & the “B” frame will not be, as the BB will “stay” on the main frame.
Here are the questions.
1) Given the fact that those 2 frames are equipped with the identical parts (suspension fork, parts, brakes…) will they ride differently?
2) If we cover the pivot, will anyone be able to recognize which witch is which, by just ridding the damn things?
3) So, given the fact that a URT may ride exactly the same as a non URT, just because both frames suspension arms are pivoting on the same axle, cannot we claim that if we are able to rotate an other URT design concentrically to the BB, it will ride as a non URT?
Or more correctly,
With this principle, won’t we be able to get rid of the stiffening of the rear suspension while descending, as soon as we stand on our pedals?
This is what the RAM bike does. The rear arm is suspended over a virtual point that is also the BB. So when the rider stands on the pedals the rear end does NOT stiffen!
This has nothing to do with the preferred suspension travel. In this apparatus, the wheelbase gets shorter as soon as the rear wheel axle crosses the BB height. At first and as long as the rear axle has not passed the BB, the wheelbase will increase. Then as the suspension arm travels through to the limits of it’s travel, the wheelbase will shorten.
For my (a personal preference) this is the only negative with Mr. Sheppard’s design. Everything else is brilliantly made! For once more congrats Richard!
The “low” pressure setting is higher than I run on any of my bikes...