PANDA PODIUM at SEA OTTER 2026

By James Knipe News 0 Comments

To say that the Life Time Sea Otter Classic is a vibe like no other is a total understatement. We’ve been to many shows over the years, but this one is somehow different. It’s a full-on festival of bike obsession. The racing, the personalities, the booths, the industry people, the gear and obviously… YOU, the bike lovers who come through and make it all possible.

A full video tour of the booth will be coming soon but for now here’s a look at our setup:

The Panda Podium Booth: The Best of China’s Innovation

This year marked our first official presence at Sea Otter, and we wanted to make sure the Panda Podium booth properly represented what we do. We showcased the best of the Chinese cycling brands, bringing top gear from both the road and gravel scenes. We had all of our usual top sellers that shoot the lights out in terms of performance per dollar value but the stars of the show were undoubtedly our 5.6kg weight-weenie build that had people doing double-takes, alongside a stunning new gravel bike from Tavelo and some extremely funky Panda Podium exclusive paintjobs. We didn’t stop at frames, though; we brought out the “big guns” with unreleased prototype wheels, popping retro paint jobs, and pure component eye candy – think carbon thru-axles, carbon-spindled cranks and Damascus titanium top cap bolts that redefine what “bling” looks like in the modern era.

Rubbing Shoulders with Cycling YouTube Legends

One of the most electric aspects of being at Sea Otter was the density of talent in one place. It provided the perfect backdrop to reconnect with the cycling YouTube mega-legends who have become the pulse of our industry. While we’ve enjoyed long-distance friendships with many of these creators for years, coming together in person to share that raw passion for bikes and new tech hits different. The in-person banter and the shared excitement over a mind bendingly optimised new frame or the next bike adventure is exactly what feeds our souls and keeps the community thriving.

{"AIGC":{"Label":"1","ContentProducer":"001191110108551385082Q00000","ProduceID":"63a4281cb0d3423faa3b9060cb828d5a","ReservedCode1":"","ContentPropagator":"001191110108551385082Q00000","PropagateID":"63a4281cb0d3423faa3b9060cb828d5a","ReservedCode2":""}}

Connecting with the Fans: The Heart of Panda Podium

Nothing beats meeting the people who make this all possible. We were blown away by the number of you who came by to say hello – fans who have been watching China Cycling since the early days and supporters who have joined the Panda Podium journey more recently. Hearing your stories and getting feedback that our gear has been rock-solid on your local climbs and trails is exactly why we do what we do. Meeting you legends in the flesh is a massive motivator; it confirms that the value we aim to provide is real, and it only makes us want to push harder. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to come and connect. We appreciate every one of you.

A Debut to Remember: The Path Forward

As our first year hosting a booth at Sea Otter, the reception was nothing short of overwhelming. To have both industry veterans and casual show visitors stop by to tell us that what we’re doing is “mega” was a surreal experience. It’s one thing to see the data online, but it’s another to feel that energy in person. This reception confirms that we are on the right path, bridging the gap between cutting-edge bike design and manufacturing and the global cycling community.