MOAB, Utah (BRAIN) — Outerbike, a consumer demo event held just outside this mountain bike destination, opened Friday with its traditional stampede as riders rushed in to grab their preferred demo bike as soon as possible (as show in the Vine video below, posted by the Bureau of Land Management office). This year's three-day event features about 55 exhibitors including, for the first time, an e-bike exhibitor, Haibike.
Haibike USA brought a demo fleet of Bosch-equipped XDURO3 bikes, as well as its Yamaha-powered SDURO models to Outerbike.
"ePerformance mountain bikes are fun to ride and Moab is a premier destination for mountain biking," said Ken Miner, Haibike USA's director of sales. "Outerbike gives us the opportunity to showcase our 2016 product with the greater mountain biking community. While there are discussions about trail access and e-mountain bikes, we encourage everyone to test an e-bike on the trails and experience the ride."
The Bureau of Land Management has clarified that e-bikes are allowed on trails and roads that are open to motorized vehicles in the Moab area. They are not allowed on trails that are designated for use only by bikes and hikers, which includes the Bar-M trail system, which is adjacent to the Outerbike expo area. However, Outerbike organizers have set up an e-bike demo trail complete with Moab's famous red sand, slick rock and climbing in an area adjacent to the Bar M trail system.
Other exhibitors at this fall's Outerbike include major bike brands like Specialized, Scott, Giant, Pivot, Santa Cruz. Rocky Mountain, Salsa and Niner, as well as accessory brands ranging from Thule to Pit Viper.
Retailer Jenson USA is exhibiting, offering free coffee as well as demo bikes, including Spot Bikes' new full suspension model, the Rollik. Jenson USA also planned to have six Yeti demo bikes set up with Shimano's Di2 XTR group.
Outerbike's attendance is limited to 1,000. Organizers said they expected to approach that limit this weekend. Outerbike also holds a spring event in Moab and a summer event in Whistler, British Columbia.
