Mountain bike design is always shifting, changing and, in theory at least, advancing. In 2023 that appeared to mean more bigger, more complicated bikes, more electronics and, of course, the “end of the derailleur hangar.”
So, where is mountain bike design headed in 2024? What bike part will the endustry render redundant in 2024? Here are a few directions we see bike design moving.
2023 Hits and Misses
Before we launch into what comes next, lets take a look back at 2023 and what happened versus what we thought would happen, or wanted to happen. Turns out, we weren’t too far off. The drive to hide cables is still in full titlt. eMTBs are getting ligther and more specialized. Dropper posts are longer, though not as many brands are embracing the 34mm post diameter standard as we’d like. As for bike prices, we’ll, they’re all over the map. 2023 saw both the release of some stratospherically priced bikes and, in the latter half of the year, steep discounts on new bikes. Some of that is overstock, but some brands are also adjusting prices back down after the pandemic boom. Where prices will settle remains to be seen.
2024 trends to watch
High pivot trend peaks
It’s not over. Expect more new high pivot bikes this year. In more categories. But we’re also expecing riders to get tired of heavier bikes that require more maintenance and have more wear parts. Yes, the best versions ride absolutely amazing and will likely, and hopefully continue. But high pivot isn’t a design that has universal appeal. For many riders the benefits don’t outweight the cost, or don’t apply to where or how they are riding. After a years-long crescendo, we expect the high pivot hype to start fading.
Ever more electronics
Companies continue to find more creative ways to add electronics and batteries to bikes. We’re not saying these are all necessarily good ways, or that they’re driven by consumer demand or even need, but brands certainly are getting very creative. Some are great. Others are the antipothesis of good engineering: they just add unecessary complication without any improvement in function. But we don’t see this gadget trend dying down anytime soon.
New designs will shake up the industry
After decades of dominance…
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