Welcome to Velo’s Sea Otter Classic coverage, where we share our favorite things we’ve seen at the 2025 show. Bikes, components, everything racing, and more: if we think it’s cool, you’ll see it. See the rest of our coverage here.
It’s no secret that Sea Otter is an absolute haven for the dirt-inclined among us. That means gravel bikes and new tech galore. In particular, there was a slew of new tires and wheels on display from all over the world. That means we have an even better look at Vittoria’s new gravel tire lineup and new Terreno T50 tire, our first look at the new Enve Hex 48 mm tire, the new Kenda Crusher, and a look at the pair of unreleased IRC gravel tires that Pete Stetina rode to ninth in a stacked Life Time Grand Prix gravel field.
That’s not all, however. Duke Racing Wheels dropped a new gravel wheelset that offers a massive 43 mm external width, while Hunt teased its collaboration with Qvist hubs.
That’s not all! Stay tuned for more to come from the Sea Otter Classic.
Duke Racing Wheels releases one of the widest carbon gravel wheels we’ve seen yet
We’re not here to talk about the Tufo tire. Rather, this is all about the Duke Baccara WRX Aero rim, which has a massive 43 mm external width that only the Zipp 303 SW XPLR can match. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Baccara WRX Aero features a 42 mm depth, 43 mm external width, and a 28 mm internal width with its hooked bead rim. Claimed weights start at 1495 grams with DT Swiss 180 hubs, while prices start at €1545 with DT Swiss 350 hubs. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Duke claims a weight of 470 grams per rim. At what point do carbon rims become too heavy? No idea. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)A look at the rim profile of the Baccara WRX Aero with a 44 mm (stated) tire. Hardly any ballooning to be found here. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
The Continental RaceKing has been replaced by the Dubnital (and the Terra Adventure, to a lesser degree)
Still looking for a Continental RaceKing tire for your gravel bike? Too bad, as Continental has replaced it with the Dubnital. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Dimensions are largely similar, but the tread pattern has been revised ever so slightly. And for folks wondering, the new Dubnital shares its Trail casing with the new Continental Terra Adventure tire, and that tire is available in as small as a 45 mm width as we’ve tested. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
IRC Tire
We had to stop Pete Stetina after racing the Life Time Grand Prix race to ask him about the new tires on his Canyon Grizl. Stetina is sponsored by IRC Tires, and the new tires didn’t disappoint. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)There are two new tires, one here called the Boken Pro. This tire comes in a 43 mm or 47 mm width as a lightweight, fast-rolling gravel tire with a quick central tread. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Stetina also had a new front tire from IRC that he called the Boken G-Claw. That tire gets a more aggressive tread with the same casing. Expect to see both tires for sale later this year. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Vittoria’s revised Terreno gravel tire lineup
Vittoria has completely redone its Terreno gravel tire lineup. Gone are the names ‘Dry,’ ‘Zero, and ‘Mud.’ Replacing it is a lineup named going from T10 to T90: 10 being slick and 90 being completely knobby. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Terreno lineup is also split into two casings: Endurance shown here, and Pro, which should come out later this year. The tread shown here is the new T50 tire, an all-rounder. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The T50 is quite a bit knobbier than the T10 and T20 tires we’ve used previously. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
The Kenda Crusher promises to be its fastest-rolling gravel tire yet
Not to be outdone, Kenda brought its latest gravel tire called the Crusher. Like the Boken Pro, this is designed to be Kenda’s fastest gravel tire. It also features a dual-layer casing shared across the gravel tire lineup. Kenda hasn’t yet announce pricing, but based on the rest of the Kenda gravel tire lineup, I’d predict a price of $65. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Crusher has been a go-to rear tire for Alexey Vermeulen for most of last season, and going into this season too. He’s riding a 50 mm tire, but the Crusher is available in 40 and 45 mm widths as well. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
The Enve Hex gets a 48 mm option
Folks not riding Kenda tires could look at the Enve Hex, which recently added a new 48 mm width. Hex tires are available in a 40 and 44 mm width, and are available now for $75. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Enve says its hex tire pattern keeps the center of the tire fast while pushing out water and grime as the tread spreads apart further out. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Hunt collaborates with Qvist for its first non Hunt hubset
Hunt’s Limitless Gravel Aero wheelset is one of our favorite wheelsets in recent memory. The latest update to the Limitless Gravel? Limited edition Qvist hubs. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Qvist hub collaboration marks Hunt’s first time using a non-Hunt-branded wheelset. These wheels are planned as an extremely limited run to come later this year. A shame! (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Limitless 40 Gravel features a 26 or 27 mm internal rim width with a 36 mm external width. Nonetheless, an alloy spoke model weighs a respectable 1,430 grams. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Mavic introduces a new Allroad SL Carbon wheelset
Mavic brought a carbon version of its Allroad SL wheelset. It gets a 25 mm internal width, roughly 33 mm external width, and a claimed weight of 1,550 grams. $1,750 gets you into this Mavic wheelset. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Allroad SL Carbon wheels use Mavic’s ID 360 hub internals. The hub flanges are also pleasantly sheathed to ensure the spoke heads have extra security should there be a chain drop over the cassette or something else catastrophic. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The Allroad SL Carbon gets a hookless rim profile. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
