After a two-year hiatus for everyone to cool off their keyboards, your favorite list of insightful mountain bike trends has returned. Let’s see what’s in and out of mountain biking in 2024.
What is inside?
- Headset routed cables. We don’t make the rules; we simply exist in them. But bike brands will continue to force cables through our headsets despite majority dislike.
- Trail pants. Every brand makes stretchy pedal-ready pants (which are usually too tight), and while they may be too hot for some, they are the epitome of fashion and function.
- Electronic switch. The electric takeover has gone up a notch following the introduction of SRAM gearbox last year, and the hype is real. Everyone else has some catching up to do.
- Frame without routing options for mechanical shift routing options.
- Other tires than Maxxis. We love our proven combination of Assegai and DHR II, but Everyone makes good rubber nowadays.
- Shorter cranks. There are some solid arguments around the topic, especially for smaller riders and e-bikers. gordo has been riding 150mm Canfield cranks for about six months and is thrilled with his stubby legs. Report coming soon…
- Modular e-bikes. Removable batteries, manageable weights, smaller motors and the ability to adapt your bike to your ride. Continue to play.
- Also e-bikes in general. They’ve caused a lot of excitement in recent years, and we don’t think that’s going to change any time soon.
- Women’s categories at freeride events. It’s about damn time!
- Frame storage. You can’t bring a new bike to market without the possibility of stuffing crap into the frame. Hopefully this also means fanny pack sales are declining.
- Discounts galore. Dark times for bike companies mean tough offers for riders. Now there is no excuse not to have a fleet of bikes for every occasion.
- Pump tracks. The Velosolution trend is real and public routes are sprouting up like weeds these days. Start pumping.
- Jackson Goldstone
- Amaury Pierron. He has proven before that he can return to greatness; We are sure he can do it again.
- Junior downhill racers from New Zealand.
- Asa Vermette
- Gatekeeping. Relax, we don’t like entitled, selfish jerks either. But our MTB community has grown significantly in recent years, and without guidance, how are people supposed to learn proper trail etiquette, know what gear to carry, or how to prepare for a jump? Anyone is allowed through the gates, but someone has to set the rules upon entry. Step up when you can and help those who don’t know, and we all benefit.
- Bike geometry that works. After years of going to extremes, we can finally agree on consistent numbers.
- Monster Energy Pro Downhill US Series
- Important MTB fantasy for the DH World Cup. But don’t tell anyone yet. It’s not supposed to be official. If you are a moto fan, Vital MX fantasy is now live as A1 approaches.
- It’s not possible to watch the World Cup Downhill in the US without a SWAT box full of subscriptions and add-ons.
- 27.5 inch wheels for those who like to play
- Short-travel high-pivot bicycles with idler wheels designed for pedaling
- Elite racers who don’t have a ride and deserve one. #hard times
- Full-length cycling videos that cost money to watch. They are time capsules that capture our sport in a specific time, highlighting the bikes, riders and creativity of those involved. The energy invested in their creation is worth a few dollars.
What’s out
- Headset routed cables. We can be optimistic.
- Short pants. Unless we bring it back #VitalMTBShortsBounty
- Watch World Cup downhill races for free. We didn’t know how good we had it with Red Bull…
- Adjustable visors. We’re not sure who asked, but it’s difficult to find newly released helmets with movable peaks.
- Resale value of your stylish used mountain bike. Head to your local Craigslist for a few laughs at the 2018 bikes listed for $4,000.
- Posting mediocre GoPro clips. Save your POV bangers for your friends and family and leave the breathtaking clips behind Man, Atherton.
- Driving with uncut bars. Cut your damn beams unless you’re 7 feet tall.
- Low stack heights with larger frame sizes.
- Bluetooth speakers on the go. Invest in BT headphones forever.
- Great riding glasses. Our helmets should not rest on windshield-sized windows.
- Freeride edits/social posts filmed on the same five jumps in Utah. It’s time to get off the orange and red cliffs, folks. (But that doesn’t mean just going to Bellingham or that one place in Oregon.)
- Trail helmets without goggle holders when climbing.
- Semifinals. Here too we can be optimistic.
- Riding with a frame size that is too large. Don’t fall into the “longer-slacker-longer” trap.
- Sunglasses with full face helmets. There are safety glasses for that.
- Enduro racing. If the rumors are true, this will be the last year that elite level enduro racing will take place under the current policy that we have known for a decade.
- Vital’s bike of the year. You can join this healthy conversation HERE.
- Pretend you can notice different spoke tensions. You are not Loic Bruni.
- 180mm rear rotors on bikes with a 65 degree or slacker head tube angle or 130mm or more travel.
- Creation of a new equipment or trademark. Both product categories are more crowded than a Beijing train during rush hourSo if you’re thinking about it, just don’t do it. The same applies to wheels and bicycle frames.
- Cuffed breeches. They’re long for a reason. So if you don’t have a high-paying sock sponsor, you should put an end to it!
- Propaganda with mixed wheels. There is a time and a place for everything, but just because it exists doesn’t mean you need it. If you have a short stride or love a punchy bike, throw a small bike backwards. However, in our experience the difference is marginal and your current bike will still be fine with any size dual wheels.
- Cheesy marketing videos surrounding product launches.
- E-bike hate: Both on the internet and on the trail. If you’re still annoyed at this point about bikes with motors and batteries, then you just don’t understand. The good news is that you can still ride your sweet mountain bike and your life won’t be any different than it was 15 years ago. Keep your hatred; ride your bike.
That’s it. Let us know what we forgot (we really want to know), and we hope everyone has an epic year on two wheels.
