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2020 Predictions: What’s coming for mountain bikes?

best new mountain bikes and components coming in 2020
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Just like on the road, plenty of next generation prototypes are revealed at the pro mountain bike races. Pro’s testing new frames, new suspension, drivetrains & even clothing are a good indicator of what’s to come for MTB consumers next year. We’ve kept our eyes open & our ears to the trail to have a good sense of the future of mountain bike tech. Here’s what we think is coming in 2020…

More bikes with shorter travel & fun geometry

Many riders don’t need nearly as much travel as they’re lugging around, but the slack, fun, and stable geometry of longer travel bikes is certainly attractive. Which is why we’re seeing more shorter travel bikes with “progressive” geometry. By which we mean slacker head angles, longer reach, shorter stems, and lower standover height. Sometimes lower bottom brackets, too. Often, the fork will have 10-20mm more travel than the rear. We expect this trend to continue as companies build bikes that are extremely capable, light weight, efficient, and most importantly, more fun to ride.

The new Devinci Django trail bike just made the jump to Super Boost 157mm rear spacing.

Boost vs. Super Boost?

Where this one ends up is anyone’s guess. We saw a few new bikes (that weren’t Pivots) move to the wider 157x12mm rear axle spacing in 2019, but we also saw brands like Ibis figure out how to make Boost 148mm hubs work with 29 x 2.6″ tires and relatively short 17″ chainstays. Theoretically, Super Boost still should allow for stronger wheels and better tire clearance for true Plus-sized tires, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see more Super Boost bikes in the future.

Specialized Stumpjumpers now ship with 27.5 x 2.6″ tires or 29 x 2.6″ in the front and 29 x 2.3″ in the back.
Photo: Trek / D.Milner

Bigger tire clearance

Along that train of thought, we wouldn’t be surprised to see bigger tire clearance across the board. The “Plus” train seems to have slowed, but the ability to run 2.6″ tires or 2.5″ WT (WT = Wide Trail, meaning tires with profiles made specifically for wider rims) tires with plenty of mud clearance is welcomed by many. We see 2.6″ becoming the sweet spot for many frames, with a number of bikes already offering them. Those 2.8″ tires though? They’ve kinda committed dinosaur.*

*They’re going extinct.

trek fuel ex hidden storage compartment on downtube

More integrated storage options

Backpacks are out. Stashing tools and spares inside your bike is in. Specialized sort of set the ball rolling with their SWAT Box system, and Trek recently followed up with a very similar concept on the new Fuel EX. For those that don’t have it already integrated into their frame, Specialized, Granite Design, OneUp, Wolf Tooth Components, Topeak, All In, Industry Nine, Sahmurai, and more companies are creating ways to hide tools in your steerer tube, handlebars, crank spindles, axle, and elsewhere on your bike. As long as the storage options are quiet (no rattling), and easy to access, this is a trend we can get behind – it’s really nice being able to just grab your bike and know that your entire tool/spare kit is already inside and ready to go.

2019 Fox 34 SC 120mm lightweight trail mountain bike suspension fork first look details and weight

The Fox 34 Step Cast will finally get some competition

For more than a year now, the Fox 34 SC has been the premier lightweight 120mm fork in town. Yes, there was a 120mm SID for a minute, but it never gained OEM or aftermarket traction. And yes, Cane Creek has the Helm Works that can drop down to 120mm, but the Fox 34 SC is still 250g lighter.

The market for lightweight, 120mm XC bikes continues to grow, and we’re pretty sure Rockshox doesn’t like seeing Fox get all that spec. As in, ALL of that spec. Whether they come out with a more trail-worthy 120mm SID to take advantage of that model’s reputation for lightweight, or develop a “Pike SL” to convey trail-worthy confidence, remains to be seen. But we think Rockshox has to do something.

New XC race proven suspension from DT Swiss

2020 DT Swiss prototype XC 100mm cross-country mountain bike fork, Mathias Flueckiger XCO World Cup sneak peek

Last spring we spotted a DT-sponsored pro winning an XC World Cup and getting a bunch more elite podiums on an unmarked prototype suspension fork. DT Swiss hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but based on the Holistic Suspension overhaul they did with their new 535 One trail fork last year, we anticipate similar position-sensitive damping on what we expect to be what we’re calling the DT Swiss F 232 ONE cross-country race fork in 2020.

That F 535 One trail fork also got an accompanying new R535 One rear shock as well. So we expect XC race bikes to have a new F 232 One fork & new R 232 One shocks at their disposal next season.

Next gen Shimano S-Phyre XC9 mountain bike shoes

Prototype 2020 Shimano S-Phyre XC9 mountain bike shoes, Mathieu van der Poel cyclocross, MvdP cross, CX World Cup Tabor

Mathieu van der Poel raced cross & cross-country this year in prototype Shimano S-Phyre mountain bike shoes. Overall they look very similar to the current XC9s, that every other pro was still racing, but with a few key differences that suggest an incremental but important update to the benchmark XC & CX shoe. We expect a new generation of XC9 mountain bike shoes to debut in the spring with MvdP’s new protected BOA dials moved from the midfoot strap to the main body for a more comfortable & secure fit.

TRP DH7 rear derailleur and shifter offer unique features as an alternative drivetrains option to shimano and sram

More brands offering drivetrains

Rotor has their 1×13 group with hydraulic shifting. TRP has a DH rear derailleur and is working on a trail version. As best we can tell, they’re collaborating with e*Thirteen to get the cassette. And Box has been making their drivetrains for a couple years now, offering a few different cog counts for trail and DH.

Why? Because it’s about the only way they’re going to get OEM spec. Shimano and SRAM really, really like bike brands to spec complete drivetrains and systems. As in, reeeeallly, if you get where we’re going with this. Which means if TRP wants their brakes on a bike, or Rotor wants their cranks, they need to be able to provide a complete group. There are other factors, like having a global warranty support program that are important, too, but it starts with just having the option for components.

What this means for us is more options. And potentially higher performance at lower price points on new, complete bikes. Maybe.

sram eagle axs wireless shifting mountain bike group

SRAM Eagle AXS won’t trickle down

Speaking of drivetrains, we doubt you’ll see cheaper Eagle AXS options. While it makes sense to offer multiple price points on the road (Red, Force) for their wireless shifting groups (because their mechanical road groups haven’t jumped to 12-speed, though we think that might change, too), it’s a different story on the mountain. From a materials standpoint, there’s not a lot they can do to make the AXS rear derailleur or shifter more affordable. Which is why both the XX1 and X01 Eagle AXS rear derailleurs are $700 despite slight materials differences (carbon/ti versus alloy/stainless).

The whole point of AXS is to be a pinnacle product, and that’s where it’s likely to stay. Besides, you can already mix and match it with any level Eagle cassette and crankset, so there’s simply not much point in offering a lower priced Eagle AXS option. If you need to save money, their mechanical groups are still basically flawless, and they have price points that drop to just a few hundred bucks for a complete group.

what else can i use sram axs remote levers to control
There’s room for another switch here…

But we might see more AXS options elsewhere

There’s no doubt AXS is the future of SRAM’s top-level development. The Reverb AXS is just the beginning. If we were running the show, we’d be prepping a wireless lockout switch to fill in that other rocker position on the left side remote. As we learned at the launch, battery draw isn’t so much that they couldn’t run a smaller, integrated battery pack inside the fork crown or rear shock head and make it work. You may have to charge it more often, but we’d prefer that to a draggy cable-actuated remote lockout lever cluttering our cockpit.

We’d also love to see a minimalist Blip Box that could be hidden in the stem and allow for a shift setup like Kate Courtney runs. And, really, this is just the beginning. We’re sure SRAM’s Schweinfurt office is scheming up other uses for it (seriously…a remote garage door opener. Please!).

What do you think?

Where do you see mountain bikes, components and tech going in 2020? What would you do with that extra AXS button? Do you want to see our Road, Gravel & Cyclocross predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

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Tom
Tom
4 years ago

backpacks out? Not if you are doing hairy ass east coast trails with tons of sharp rocks around. Free spine protection if you beef it.

luggednut
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Also free cougar (cat) neck bite protection out here in the western mountains.

duder
duder
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Or you could just wear a back protector, many of which are lighter, less hot, more comfortable, and offer better protection than a backpack.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  duder

true, but not interested in going full teenage mutant ninja turtle. My hydration pack does everything I need it to do.

Greg
Greg
4 years ago

Beer doesn’t fit in a bike either.

Maciej Pike-Biegunski
Maciej Pike-Biegunski
4 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Bottle cage holds a can just fine.

Patrick Cavender
Patrick Cavender
4 years ago

Wow. This list is really good. Yes on the small travel and capable bikes – because they are more fun everywhere. I wish riders would figure out that 27.5 is also more playful, while 29 is more plow based (straight line oriented) so there would be more bike options. Don’t want to see 27.5 go dinosaur and get left with 29 as the only option. 2.6 on a 29 is a beast.

Tim
Tim
4 years ago

How about 12-speed XT or XTR Di2?

Walter Sparks
Walter Sparks
4 years ago

wow A lot for a newbe What is boost ,super boost

Zach Overholt
Admin
4 years ago
Reply to  Walter Sparks

Boost is 148 x 12mm rear axle spacing and Super Boost (also known as Super Boost +) is 157 x 12mm spacing. Super Boost was introduced by Pivot Cycles on their Switchblade to create a system with stronger 29″ wheels, more tire clearance and chainline clearance for those larger tires. You can read more about it here.

Slamman
4 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

Were headed closer and closer to 177mm fatbike spacing, we’ll get there in the end. Loads of wheel options and oodles of tyre clearance.

Michael A Schiller
Michael A Schiller
4 years ago
Reply to  Slamman

Surprised that wider bottom bracket s aren’t being used. I went with an 83mm Raceface on my custom to help with clearance

Pete
Pete
4 years ago
Reply to  Slamman

“ultra boost”, “extreme boost” and “outlandish boost” are still available names.
The industry ensures this madness will never stop.

Bike Nerd
Bike Nerd
4 years ago

I would amicably disagree about 2.8 tires. A 2.8 Trail tire on an i30-35mm rim is amazing. What’s holding 2.8 tires back is the too wide i40-45 rims on which they are usually mounted and that they only fit on dedicated Plusbikes. Instead, I would like to see all Trailbikes come with frame/fork clearance for 2.8 tires. Most Trailbikes already come with i30-35 rims. Every Trailbike should have the option of going Plus. After having tried both, I prefer 2.8 over 2.6 tires. Don’t knock it, if you haven’t tried it.

Maciej Pike-Biegunski
Maciej Pike-Biegunski
4 years ago
Reply to  Bike Nerd

Tried it…..hated it. 2.8 tires are as heavy with a single ply casing as a double casing 2.5 or 2.6, They’re more pressure sensitive as well.

For mellower riding, plus is great, but if you ride fast through chunder and jump off stuff they don’t hold up.

Dr Tooheys
Dr Tooheys
4 years ago

All these different boost sizes and wheels sizes is making it impossible to retro fit these parts to your ride. If you have a number of different styles of bikes and want to use your favorite wheelset it’s now becoming increasingly harder …. $700 derailleurs that’s just utterly ridiculous can’t we just simplify things by making things a standard size or building frames and forks (especially forks) that accept 2 wheel sizes its only a few mm after all. Bike companies just want to add things to their new model parts lists that’s what this is all about. Cya on the trails

Tim
Tim
4 years ago

There will be an AXS 7-spd DH derailleur for sure, mated to an oil-slick mini block cassette…

duder
duder
4 years ago

I’d like to see an easier way to replace the lube oil in my fork. Like a simple drain at the bottom and an injection port farther up so I can replace oil in 5 minutes without needing to remove the lowers. Some way to clean or replace the foam ring without removing the lowers would also be awesome, maybe a system where the foam ring stays in place but it can be flushed with cleaner followed by fresh lube, or maybe replace the foam ring with an oil barrier that can be flushed and replaced.

Maciej Pike-Biegunski
Maciej Pike-Biegunski
4 years ago
Reply to  duder

Wipers and oil is a one beer job (easy to do while drinking a beer and maybe watching a show on Netflix). No reason to add engineering cost just to swap oil. If you’re doing oil and foam rings, you ought to be pressing fresh wipers in as well.

duder
duder
4 years ago

It’s still a pain if you put a lot of hours on your bike and need to service every month or 2. It takes 30-60 minutes, is messy, you need crush washers, re-assemble and torque, and it is expensive if you replace wipers each time. If it was faster and easier you could do it more frequently and keep the fork running smoother.

N+1=1
N+1=1
4 years ago

Plus tires are great, if you ride a fully rigid mountain bike, ride to and from the trails, and put on over 5000 miles a year!
No suspension to mess with, fairly light, climbs great, and pretty comfortable too.
Horses for courses, I guess.
Just ride!

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