Posted by: [email protected]
In my opinion all the big problems with MTBs have been solved for a while already: geometry, suspension, drivetrains, tires, dropper posts, you name it. Any "innovation" is now either only a marginal improvement over an existing solution or something new but mostly unnecessary designed to lift the top end price level of the market (electronic shifting etc.) and lure in consumers looking to spend no matter what.
I've mostly lost interest in new bike tech developments and just focus on enjoying my rides.
I think it was from Andy-Eunson that I first heard ~ “when they figured out they couldn’t sell us more bikes they decided to sell us more bike.”
My car-buddy Mark tells me to look pre-2010 for a good used auto because after that they really became smart phones on wheels.
So, yes!
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Yes, but.
I still think there are advancements happening but you have to really look for them and they are the sort of things that are also backwards upgrades for past bikes. Trickledowns mainly.
Budget big brakes - for a long time the cost of a properly powerful DH brake system was a proper investment. Now bigger riders on steeper terrain have real options.
Extra long dropper posts (220mm, 240mm!). I mean, I’m perfectly dialled on a 170mm post but I know plenty of tall folks who say extra long droppers have made a huge difference for them.
Budget clutch drivetrains. MicroShift 9-speed is a shot across the bow of ShiRAMano and I’d anticipate both an SX drivetrain that isn’t complete shit and Alivio-level clutch action sooner than later. This is, I think, huge in terms of getting the most rideable real mountains bikes in the 1-2k range as well as upgrading older chassis that benefit from how much geometry change has slowed down.