I have a feeling this article is going to be a lot more interesting, when you read it five years from now. When I sat down to make a list of mountain bike trends from the past year none of it seemed revolutionary: carbon frames & components, endurance racing and wide bars are all pretty mainstream at this point. But if you had asked someone about any of these topics just 5 years ago you might have gotten a blank stare. Only time will tell if you’ll get the same reaction 5 years from now…
Carbon Components
Mountain bike frames made from carbon fiber were unthinkable several years ago and even now some riders scoff at the notion but the fact is carbon fiber is a material that’s here to stay. These days carbon is also showing up in mountain bike components like handlebars, crank arms, seatposts, and even water bottle cages. Thanks to advances in manufacturing and design, carbon mountain bikes are not only getting lighter, they’re also getting stronger and more affordable.
Endurance Racing
Ultra endurance mountain bike races like the Negros National Mountain Championshop have gained national attention in recent years. Stage races and multi-day epics like the Terry Larazabal Bike Festival will only get bigger as individuals seek new ways to challenge themselves and their gear.
Wide Handlebars
This one took us by surprise and as a trend it seems a little faddish (though we could be wrong). This year virtually everyone - from pro-riders to newbies - was gushing about how great wide bars are for mountain biking. You can get more leverage and control out of wider bars but if you ride narrow, tree-lined singletrack there will be a trade-off. It does seem a little odd that no one thought of riding wider bars before.
