I have a feeling this article is going to be a lot more interesting (or perhaps comical) 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, 29ers, wide bars, and purpose-built trails 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 Leadville 100 have gained national attention in recent years while older endurance racing formats like the 24-hour race are starting to fade. Stage races and multi-day epics like the Arizona Trail 300/750 and Trans North Georgia will only get bigger as individuals seek new ways to challenge themselves and their gear.

29ers

To say 2010 is the year of the 29er isn’t really fair but big-wheel bikes have never been more popular. We predict the platform will only grow in popularity over the next 2-3 years and over the long term 29er bikes should definitely stick around.

Wide Handlebars

This one sorta 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 schmo-riders – was gushing about how great wide bars are for mountain biking. Yes, 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…

Purpose-Built Mountain Bike Trails

In the early days of mountain biking, riders only had access to trails that were built for hiking. Today, groups like IMBA have established best practices for trailbuilding which results in more sustainable trails but also trails that are even more fun to ride. The private sector is also stepping up its game with new sculpted summer DH runs opening at most major ski-resorts and indoor ramps designed for MTB. In some ways mountain bike technology is adding to the push for more progressive trail features and today’s trailbuilders are happy to oblige.

We’re stoked to see how these trends play out in 2011 and to see what new mountain bike trends pop up in the coming year!

It’s been a while since we filled you in on the guys who are “riding the spine” on their mountain bikes – from Fairbanks, AK to Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America. Actually it’s been a year and a half since our last check-in but it appears the guys are still on course and in northern Peru. If you’re a geography buff like me you know Peru is located in the northern part of South America which means the riders still have to make it across the bulk of the continent.

Even if the guys had to stop now what they’ve accomplished thus far is truly amazing. Just making it from Alaska to the continental US is a loooong and wild trek. Mexico and central America is no joke and at one point the team had to kayak from Panama to Columbia with bikes in tow. One rider, JJ, got Dengue fever Columbia – read their blog for the whole story and to catch up on their journey thus far.

The Riding the Spine adventure has been ongoing since July, 2006 so this summer will mark the 3-year anniversary of the beginning. I don’t know if any of the guys have taken off during that time but from what I’ve read it’s been a non-stop push. Definitely gives me inspiration for my own (tiny) MTB endurance challenges this year…