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While recording the last Episode of the Riding Gravel Radio Ranch, I was told about a new bicycle company called Otso Cycles which was going to be doing a couple of new models of bikes that promised to have some innovative features. The really interesting part to my mind was that this new company was an outgrowth of Wolf Tooth Components which has a reputation for solid drive train components. They are also a Mid Western based concern, so I will disclose to you all that I have a bit of a reason to cheer for them, since they are near to where Riding Gravel is based. That said, this announcement should appeal to back road and gravel riders everywhere.
Warakin: Otso Cycles will also have a carbon fiber fat/Plus bike dubbed the Voytek, and is arguably the most innovative bike of the two, but the Warakin is a pretty different rig in its own right. Having a stainless steel frame, this bike should have the quality of a decent, light weight frame, but the durability to withstand mud and grit grinding in between its chain stays. This is an important feature for a gravel road or cyclo cross bike, which the Warakin is meant to be.
Other key features include the following:
Patent pending Tuning Chip™ system developed by Wolf Tooth Components provides 20 mm of chainstay length adjustment and subtle changes to the bottom bracket drop and head tube angle. Choose a shorter-higher- steeper 420mm position for a fun and nimble cyclocross feel or a longer-lower- slacker 440mm position for fast and stable touring or gravel grinding handling. A middle position chip is also available. Swapping between the two positions is very simple and can be done in about 2 minutes.
- TIG welded custom butted austenitic stainless steel tubing provides the supple yet lively ride quality of a chrome-moly frame with the beauty and corrosion resistance of titanium. This beautiful frame will last a lifetime, even in harsh environments.
- Frame and fork accommodate up to 700×42 tires.
- Through-axle 15×100 fork and 12×142 rear.
- Brushed finish with bead-blasted logos create a classic look that will keep this frame looking great after a lifetime of miles..
- Carbon fiber fork with tapered steerer (1 ⅛” – 1 ½” ) for great ride quality and low weight.
- Numerous braze-ons to accommodate 3 water bottles, fenders, racks, frame bags, etc.
- Six sizes available to provide the right fit for any rider (49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60).
- Full length cable housing for flawless shifting in even the worst conditions.
- Disc brakes with 160 mm rotors front and rear. All stock builds use post post mount brakes but fork and frame are flat mount capable.
- ● BSA threaded bottom bracket, compatible with 1X and 2X cranksets.
- Single speed capable with optional dropouts.
- Available for pre-sale now at otsocycles.com. Bikes and framesets shipping in late December or January.
● Build options:
- Frameset – $1799 – includes carbon fork, headset, and seatpost collar.
- Complete 105 build bike – $3199 – with Shimano mechanical disc brakes, Lithic hubs, and FSA cockpit.
- Complete Ultegra build bike – $4399 – with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, DT Swiss hubs and Thomson cockpit.
- All bikes can be customized with upgrades and add-ons from companies including Industry Nine, Wolf Tooth, Enve, and Schwalbe.
Details on the new bikes can be seen at www.otsocycles.com where you can learn more about the company, find information on the Voytek, and see some images of both the new bikes. Of course, any complete build can also be customized with any of the appropriate Wolf Tooth drive train parts.
We will keep our eyes peeled on these guys. It seems that they have some cool ideas.
Note: Information and images used in this post were provided by Otso Cycles.