How soon until you buy your next mountain bike?

2026 could be a great year for mountain bike sales... or not. We want to know if you plan to buy a new bike this year.

By Jeff Barber
January 11, 2026

6 comments

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A warehouse setting with multiple stacked cardboard boxes on metal shelves, labeled with various green and yellow stickers. The lower section features additional boxes stacked on the ground, all with labels indicating their contents. The boxes appear to be organized for inventory or shipping purposes, with handwriting visible on some boxes. — File photo.

About a year ago, we asked if readers were planning to buy a new bike in the next 12 months, and a healthy 30% said yes. Given the current economy and with bike prices and supplies approaching new normal levels, we’re curious to see how things have changed.

Tell us why you’re buying / not buying a new mountain bike this year in the comments below. 👇

A pie chart depicting survey responses regarding the anticipated timeline for purchasing a new mountain bike (MTB). The segments are color-coded to represent various timeframes: "within the next month or less," "in one to six months," "within the next 12 months," "1-2 years from now," "2-3 years from now," "3-5 years from now," and "it'll probably be more than 5 years until I buy a new MTB." The background is a light orange color. — Late 2024 purchase survey results.

A mountain biker jumps over a small section of a dirt path in a lush green forest. The cyclist, wearing a helmet and a red t-shirt, shows an expression of excitement as he rides an orange mountain bike. Surrounding trees and foliage create a vibrant and natural backdrop.

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A group of four mountain bikers sitting on a rocky surface among lush greenery. They are taking a break, chatting, and adjusting their gear. Two bikes are visible in the background. The scene captures a sunny day with colorful foliage around them.

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A close-up of a brown and teal sneaker resting on the pedal of a mountain bike, with a blurred background of autumn foliage. The shoe features a textured design and laces, highlighting an active outdoor setting.

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6 Comments

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landrew04 Utah // 2018
6 hours ago

I am putting off buying and waiting for a number of reasons. Tariffs on everything! There is a lot of uncertainty in the US in the economy and foreign policy actions. I may just transition to buying used. New bike inventory, choice and cost for bike sizes best for me is in a much different place than a few years ago. I want to stay with mechanical drive trains, who knows what is going to happen there. I and my sons are all really small people. We have 29 and 27.5. I like 27.5 a little better. Every year support and choice dwindles for 27.5. So I might as well wait and see. I don't want perfectly good equipment going to the landfill. I don't want to buy the latest fad and get "27.6'ed" I want to be able to find parts and maintain a bike. I have a 25 year old mtn bike with full xtr that works flawlessly that is now my gravel and commuter. I want to be able to service my other six bikes for a long time so I want to wait and watch to try to avoid the next planned obsolescence thing. Where is mixed wheel headed? Where is 32" headed (freaking circus size wheels for me)? I am getting older and I want to drop weight on my mountain bike because it don't want the ride area restrictions that come with an e-bike, but the eBike might be better. eBikes are turning into pseudo motorcycles with these big motors. Where is regulation going to go on eBikes and access? I could buy a college kid a basic used car for the prices it will take to get a light, quality, mtb rig. Kitting 4 people with a good bike costs a mint. Just give me interoperable long term standards and support for parts. I would probably buy more bikes and then hand them down to my kids, maybe grand kids, or others keeping more people in this sport for the long haul. People are getting priced out of all kinds of things.

5 reply

Dave H 2026
6 hours ago

I just can't justify buying a new bike when my current bike has so few hours/miles on it. And I don't trust the global economy right now.

3 reply

Bontrager fan 1972 New South Wales // 2023
10 hours ago

Things are not too good in my region . Four friends have had their bicycle stores file for administration in the past year . Another is liquidating everything on ebay . They sent me seventy six private offers to me in the past two days . A Giant dealer is closing not far from me also . Avanti isn't doing too well . The ebike market is over - saturated too . Many slow to sell on Gumtree classifieds .

xcountry_rider 2010
7 hours ago

I tend to keep my bikes for a long time 7 to 8 years. Compared to my friends who get new bikes every year to two years and have multiple bikes. I keep my bike very well maintained and upgrade if needed. My bike is 4 years old. Still rides great and doesn't feel outdated. I will probably get a new bike in a year or two. A little sooner than normal. The main thing I don't like about my current bike is the cleaning and maintaining of the switch infinity linkage. It is a Yeti. It rides great though.

2 reply

Hoef89 Pennsylvania // 2024
1 hour ago

I put 2-3 years because that'll put my current (main) bike at ~5 years old, but with so much new old stock hitting the clearance racks I might be tempted to buy something that fills a niche neither of my current bikes hit. In reality though I rarely buy complete new bikes, I assess what I've got and buy pieces to Frankenstein what I want together, my next step is probably a Honzo ESD frame for my hardtail (which currently sits as a big honzo mullet conversion that would fit the ESD frame better).

1 reply

BetterRide Team Utah // 2019
3 hours ago

I used get a new bike every year or two but they are so good now it's no longer an upgrade. Bikes really haven't gotten better since 2021.
It's interesting reading all the comments, not a good time for bike manufacturers.

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