Sea Otter 2026: EMTB Specific Highlights

[slickrock]

I’m planning to make the pilgrimage to Sea Otter this year. Last year I beheld the first enduro Avinox bikes to hit the market (Forbidden and Unno). This year, things seem to be a little thinner on the EMTB front, compared to Eurobike, but there are some bright spots:

1. Amflow will be in attendance and almost certainly will be showing off the M2 motor and hopefully their new long-travel enduro bike. Since Amflow is effectively a proxy for DJI itself, I’m hoping they will be showcasing the motor by offering trail test rides, much the same way Bosch did at their booth last year, but at the moment this is just outside speculation. To this day many folks have yet to throw a leg over a bike with Avinox motor in the States, let alone an M2, so this would be a great opportunity. I intend to really drill them on the details of this new motor.
2. Forbidden: Most likely they will be showing off their anticipated E-Dreadnought and perhaps some new color ways on their E-Druid line.
3. Gates: I missed the Gates booth last year, but I heard that they showcased a lot of bikes with gearbox transmission bikes. Hopefully there’s an MGU to show off as well.
4. ALSO/Rivian: I get that this has no place here, but I’m really interested in seeing the TM-B. There is so much future tech (e.g. pedal-by-wire, fixed transmission with EV rev-out power, regen braking, ABS, centric wheel path, belt drive,etc.) in this bike that could at some point flourish in the EMTB space. It has a Class 1 bike mode that’s off-road capable, but with less than 26” wheels, it’s going to be stretch for EMTB, but then again it does have an inverted fork. I’m contact with them, pushing them to offer demo rides but this is TBD for the TM-B.
5. Ibis: While the Oso left a lot to be desired (still crazy they got that DW link working on that big swing-arm), we know that Ibis is working a revamped entry, and hopefully it will make its way to the event. Slim rumors are that it might have an M2, but I’ll be glad to see it either way.
6. Mahle: I’m glad that this smaller German player is coming across the ocean alongside Bosch, as very few EU players made it over (this year especially, for reasons obvious). It would be great if they offer demos of their motor, as Avinox is soaking up the remaining oxygen in this market.
7. Pivot: Like Ibis, rumors of M2 Pivot are floating around and hopefully they showcase their future offering.
8. Norco: Along with Forbidden, glad the Canadians haven’t yet given up on us. Would like to demo their VLTs with iTrack idlers.
9. Missing:
   • Big players: Trek, Santa Cruz, Yeti (this last one hurts), though some of these bikes may be on demo in the Bosch booth.
   • All the cool Euro bike Brands - too long to list
   • Crestline (come on man, what gives?)
   • MGU motor brands
   • Maxon

Do me know if there’s other interesting EMTB wares at the event that I’ve missed or if anyone else plans to go.

 

[sethimus]

It's "Forbidden"

 

[AlsbachRyder]

Orbea is going to go really „Wild“ this summer…

 

[Ou812]

The new Ibis is using Bosch, it basically looks like a Ripmo. The Pivot Amped has already done a “soft” release, it’s using the Aninox M2S.

 

[JStrube]

Report back. I'm surprised Santa Cruz doesn't have a big presence, Last time I went, they were missing as well.

 

[losgatosgtr]

Santa Cruz has not attended Sea Otter in quite while unfortunately. I will be attending the show also hoping to ride some bikes as well. I am hoping to find a Velduro Rogue to swing a leg over if I can’t ride one.

 

[chetly]

Commencal and Mondraker will both be there, I'm hoping to throw a leg over their Avinox bike's along with Amflow and Forbidden.

 

[slickrock]

Commencal and Mondrakerd will both be there, I'm hoping to throw a leg over their Avinox bike's along with Amflow and Forbidden.

Totally missed Mondraker. Definitely hope they have a demo.

 

[slickrock]

Confirming that the Rivian/ALSO will be offering demo rides for the TM-B ebike. Again, it's not an EMTB but it's also not not an EMTB. But it is easily the most concentrated chunk of ebike tech to hit the market by far.

 

[scooter_b3]

I will be making the trip as well really want to see the Forbidden booth as I already have one on order expected to deliver late April. That said Maxon looks like a really promising motor that I would love to see.

 

[DirkWisely]

I'll be there. Not looking for anything in particular this year. Last year I ended up buying a helmet, waist hydration pack and a new set of Openrun Pros. Never know what I'll find.

 

[BAh30]

Id love to demo a amflow PL...

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I’ll be there too say hi if anyone is around!

 

[slickrock]

I’ll be there too say hi if anyone is around!

Any intel if Amflow will be offering demo rides there?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Any intel if Amflow will be offering demo rides there?

I believe they will have bikes there.

 

[Fyiguy]

Pivot and Mondraker had demos last year and will probably will this year too. Kalen from Pivot and Doddy from Mondraker are usually there and will answer all questions. (I have some like- will either be compatible with the new 600 range extender?) Amflow may have other brands in their booth and like last year other brands may make appearances in partner booths. Atherton is usually at Continental and I am sure Gee and Rachel may be there as well like last year. Troyden from Crestline is always there they had a booth last year shared with Cascade(don’t remember seeing either of them on the vendor list this year) as well as the Frameworks folks and are usually hanging out together- Neko didn’t say anything about an ebike but said they were definitely exploring the possibility of one last year. Frameworks had Asa and Neko’s bikes at the TRP and Continental booths. Commencal has a booth and YT and Propain don’t but I am sure we will see their new Aluminum Avinox bikes as well.

DT Swiss didn’t have a booth last year but are back this year (cool new customizable hubs and wheels) and did a cool off site event instead, Scott is doing the same thing this year with Hannah Otto.

Hope to run into some of at some of the events going on @ Sea Otter may be do meetup at ine if the Happy Hours.

 

[slickrock]

Pivot and Mondraker had demos last year and will probably will this year too. Kalen from Pivot and Doddy from Mondraker are usually there and will answer all questions. (I have some like- will either be compatible with the new 600 range extender?) Amflow may have other brands in their booth and like last year other brands may make appearances in partner booths. Atherton is usually at Continental and I am sure Gee and Rachel may be there as well like last year. Troyden from Crestline is always there they had a booth last year shared with Cascade(don’t remember seeing either of them on the vendor list this year) as well as the Frameworks folks and are usually hanging out together- Neko didn’t say anything about an ebike but said they were definitely exploring the possibility of one last year. Frameworks had Asa and Neko’s bikes at the TRP and Continental booths. Commencal has a booth and YT and Propain don’t but I am sure we will see their new Aluminum Avinox bikes as well.

DT Swiss didn’t have a booth last year but are back this year (cool new customizable hubs and wheels) and did a cool off site event instead, Scott is doing the same thing this year with Hannah Otto.

Hope to run into some of at some of the events going on @ Sea Otter may be do meetup at ine if the Happy Hours.

A Frameworks EMTB would be insane. To see an the Atherton ebike in the flesh, not mention the latest Crestline would be a treat. Do share any additional intel related to demo opportunities, either at the booth or otherwise.

 

[sethimus]

can anyone stop at the sram booth and grill them on why there is a new avinox connector and they failed on making the axs power cable available at launch at their distributors!?

 

[jbrown15]

The new Ibis is using Bosch, it basically looks like a Ripmo. The Pivot Amped has already done a “soft” release, it’s using the Aninox M2S.

Don't be so avinoxous.......lol

 

[slickrock]

Confirmed Avinox bikes for demo rides update at Sea Otter:

• Commencal: No
• Pivot: Yes

Waiting on confirmation from others.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

can anyone stop at the sram booth and grill them on why there is a new avinox connector and they failed on making the axs power cable available at launch at their distributors!?

So no smoothshft for the M2 and M2S people? That sucks.

 

[sethimus]

So no smoothshft for the M2 and M2S people? That sucks.

for the foreseeable future, only if your bike came with one. or you make one yourself. i just ordered a magura light cable with the correct connector today

 

[Fyiguy]

So no smoothshft for the M2 and M2S people? That sucks.

Yes it is there, but only e-bikes that are equipped with an electronic SRAM Eagle Transmission connected to the Avinox drive unit with the AXS power cable (00.3018.418.001) can use the Smooth-Shift option. Its about $120 from Fanatik AXS Extension Cord - Eagle Transmission

 

[slickrock]

Mondraker demo update: No for the M2S Zendit; yes for the CX Scree at the Bosch booth.

 

[Fyiguy]

Confirmed Avinox bikes for demo rides update at Sea Otter:

• Commencal: No
• Pivot: Yes

Waiting on confirmation from others.

Yeah, Commencal didn’t have any demos last year either, neither did Propain, Forbidden, Salsa, and a few others I can’t think of. Amflow will hopefully have some and I am sure Mondraker will too - they had the Crafty last year, but no Dak Norton - he is now with Scott and will be at the Slacker booth. The other ebike competition generally has demos if you want to compare like at the Bosch- had Transition, Shimano had Yeti, Mahle, Aventon, and Giant/Liv for Yamaha. Specialized will also have demos last year they booked up quick. Trek had none.

Gee will be at the Continental / Mavic booth A19 on Saturday @12:30 doing a bike check.

Also if you have a Fox fork they have some great service $50 for fork or shock and upgrade specials on dampers for $200 and GlideCore airspring for $75 at the Fox factory booth.

And Galfer usually has buy 1 get 1 deals on pads, rotors, etc

Shimano will have 25% off new Saint Pedals PD-G8040 and a XTR / Live Valve ride out with Cam and Tyler McCaul on Friday 11-12 and Saturday 10-12. Booth R89.

Some other cool things custom laser etched topcap by Outside Brendon in Marin booth.

Tons of Tire giveaways from Maxis, Kenda, Michelin , Specialized etc.

 

[slickrock]

Yeah, Commencal didn’t have any demos last year either, neither did Propain, Forbidden, Salsa, and a few others I can’t think of. Amflow will hopefully have some and I am sure Mondraker will too - they had the Crafty last year, but no Dak Norton - he is now with Scott and will be at the Slacker booth. The other ebike competition generally has demos if you want to compare like at the Bosch- had Transition, Shimano had Yeti, Mahle, Aventon, and Giant/Liv for Yamaha. Specialized will also have demos last year they booked up quick. Trek had none.
...

If a demo Yeti was a Shimano last year, then there might be demo LTE bike at the Bosch both. Also to be clear, Zendit will not be offered as demo, per communication with Mondraker.

 

[DirkWisely]

Is there ever a prebooking for trying out bikes or do you just gotta show up on the day and hope?

 

[slickrock]

Demo Update: Teewing Flux demo opportunity at dripebikes - this one fell through the cracks. About the best opportunity to test something akin to a M2S equipped Velduro Rogue or E-Dreadnought.

Edit: Also Mahle will be demoing bikes according to the roster.

 

[Fyiguy]

If a demo Yeti was a Shimano last year, then there might be demo LTE bike at the Bosch both. Also to be clear, Zendit will not be offered as demo, per communication with Mondraker.

Thats too bad - no Zendit if I remember Pivot and Mondraker were close to each other last year, I‘ll be sure to ride by Doddy on the Amp’d.

Propain confirmed they will be at Sea Otter, but that is all I got out of them.

I am hoping Orbea would be in Bosch booth this year.

Ibis has a new bike they are announcing tomorrow. Last year the had no demos but did give away lots of cool stuff like carbon handlebars, wheel sets, chains, etc.

Is there ever a prebooking for trying out bikes or do you just gotta show up on the day and hope?

Dirk,

It depends, most of them are done on a 1st come, 1st served basis. Some you can book for the next day, if they are not available in the model and size you want to demo that day or time ask if you can be put in queue - some do have one, some don’t and demo a different bike in the meantime or ask questions on the same model different size and learn as much as you can about it. Some have time slots you can put your name in. There are no set times because it comes back when it comes back from the demo course or wherever it goes. The busiest day is Saturday, with Thursday and Friday being the least crowded if you can swing it. Bring a license and credit card for deposit. Helmet, protective gear, eyewear, shoes, gloves, pedals (most will switch out pedals, but generally have flat pedals to accommodate the majority of riders), etc. Hopefully, you have cell signal to sign your online liability waiver, if you don’t some have paper forms as well just in case.

Hope this helps!

 

[Astro66]

So no smoothshft for the M2 and M2S people? That sucks.

I'm buying the old M1 cable and an Avinox light cable which has the Z405 connector for the new M2 and M2S motor.

Just need to cut the connector off the old M1 cable, and splice the red and black wires together and that should be a working cable.

More details in the AXS cable thread.

The Old M1 cable turned up today. Just waiting for the light cable to turn up from Europe. Then of course need the bike and M2S motor to turn up in May.