What's the Least Useful MTB Innovation?

40 Comments

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jrmcc79 New Brunswick // 2016
Jan 16, 2023

How could anyone vote for dropper post? Probably one of the most valuable innovations.

9 reply

Bham MTB Alabama // 2019
Jan 19, 2023

Agreed, I have to hear from these people. I mean I get that you might not say its the most useful thing, although it could be argued it is, I don't understand saying its the least useful.

2 reply

Mick-e 2017
Jan 16, 2023

Headset routing.

8 reply

canineteeth Greece // 2021
Jan 19, 2023

This new K.I.S system from Syntace and Canyon, seems to be the least useful to me. Just a marketing gimmick.

4 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 19, 2023

Yess, that's a great one! I forgot about steering stabilizers and limiters. I want to change my vote now. :)

0 reply

enduroexpert78 Virginia // 2019
Jan 15, 2023

I voted for internal cable routing, however, particularly if it's unguided.

3 reply

Gregfixesbikes 2020
Jan 16, 2023

The best cable routing I've ever seen was on I think a Specialized Rockhopper or Crave or similar. It had clips for three runs of full length housing under the down tube. BUT, you would cover it all with a plastic bash guard. So, not only do you get the aesthetics of internal routing, you also get an air pocket between the bash guard and the frame, further protecting your frame.

2 reply

MikeyO Michigan // 2017
Jan 27, 2023

What about the Lefty?

2 reply

Kimmy Yimmel Texas // 2023
Jan 16, 2023

After voting and seeing that electronic shifting is considered the least useful I would like to provide some insight on why that is not the case at least for the sram option. since I have started riding with my xx1 eagle basically since it came out I have found it to be far more easily adjustable and durable than any past drivetrain I have run including cable based x01 eagle and xx1 eagle as well as Shimano XT. Whenever I hit a rock with my axs system it will be knocked out of place and then re-adjust itself to be good to go again and with the micro adjustment I do not have to get out a screw driver to reset a limit screw. I ride my bike really hard and have hit it on some serious obstacles because I race CAT 1 XC and anybody from Texas will tell you that our courses are all rock and no dirt.

1 reply

Dr Sweets Georgia // 2016
Jan 21, 2023

Electronic suspension control rightful overtook electronic shifting.

0 reply

SKullman 2014
Jan 16, 2023

Hip packs? Don't really see that as a MTB specific item.

I flip my "chip" on my Otso Voytek twice a year. I ride it all year, 29er in the summer, fat in the winter.

I love my electric shifting, it's like having perfectly setup cables and light consistent shift lever feel forever.

Now if I didn't need to keep replacing Cassettes and chains...

1 reply

Timkennedy Georgia // 2015
Feb 18, 2023

I have a feeling the people that don't like electronic shifting just can't afford it.

-1 reply

RichSPK Massachusetts // 2022
Jan 16, 2023

I don't even know what boost/super boost is!

Internal cable routing beats routing cables under the top tube when you have to carry your bike.

1 reply

Kimmy Yimmel Texas // 2023
Jan 16, 2023

Boost and super boost are the axle widths and I see the move to boost as important since it allows for 12s cassettes but super boost on the other hand is dumb

3 reply

Rhitter California // 2022
Jan 18, 2023

Superboost is cool. It let's the chainline to the 50t (or 51t or 52t) be much straighter. Which is nice when those are the gears you are in the most.

1 reply

Kimmy Yimmel Texas // 2023
Jan 18, 2023

oh thats neat

0 reply

Nick England Western Australia // 2022
Jan 18, 2023

I voted electronic suspension controls but electronic shifting and internal cable routing are close behind and it was a tough call. Internal cable routing is arguably worse as it has become more pervasive and harder to avoid adding cost for little value to most bikes, but electronic suspension is just entirely unnecessary altogether.

These three are all pretty much useless though. Bikes work fine without them. Any benefit is marginal at best and outweighed by negatives.

1 reply

jsrides Utah // 2018
Jan 16, 2023

Those of you who have a flip chip, how often do you use it? Just curious.

1 reply

Dr Sweets Georgia // 2016
Jan 21, 2023

Once, but that is enough to warrant it's existence. It allows riders to adjust their bikes to suit their preferences versus being stuck with designers' personal biases.

2 reply

Falllinemaniac Colorado // 2016
Jan 20, 2023

When I'm crushing the climbs and taking precise lines down versus when I want to be on a mattress, so desert rides get the plush and Colorado singletrack gets the crush.

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 16, 2023

This was a survey question a few weeks ago: https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-gear/how-often-do-you-flip-your-chip/

2 reply

Timkennedy Georgia // 2015
Feb 18, 2023

I agree with you 100 percent. I'm not the best at tight corners but with one flip I'm way better.

0 reply

jsrides Utah // 2018
Jan 17, 2023

Oh man. My bad. I remember seeing that survey too. Thank you!

0 reply

moctav Texas // 2014
Jan 19, 2023

Headset cable routing is the least useful innovation so far. It makes maintenance more difficult for aesthetic gain.

Internal cable routing was also not worth it due to the maintenance burden until the routing was internally guided, so it's no the longer the least useful.

I believe that the addition of electronics to the bike, when done well, are a net gain. I've ridden a DI2 road bike, an AXS mtb bike, and a Fox Live Valve bike. I was able to appreciate the improvements these technologies brought to the bikes.

I think in-frame storage is probably the most useful innovation in recent years. I want my next bike to have this feature. I'm sure I'll appreciate the in-frame storage over attaching a bag to the frame.

0 reply

Han-so-slo Pennsylvania // 2017
Jan 15, 2023

My Salsa Deadwood has full length external cable routing except where the dropper cable enters the seat tube. When I need to work on something I just clip a couple of zip ties and take them out of the way. All the others on the list I find useful.

0 reply

JethroMtbr British Columbia // 2022
Jan 21, 2023

OK, I have a bike w/ un guided internal routing, and one where the internal routing Is ONLY for the cable itself. I gotta admit I like the clean look, and it beats UNDER downtube routing. but well done external routing for the win. However, as it does solve some lousy cable routing issues not useless. For the most "useless" innovation it's a combo. 30mm alu BB Spindles / PF BBs / ceramic bearings. Since the advent of the 24mm hollow spindle and external bearings has anyone had a problem with their BB, strength or bearing longevity? Big internal cups I get, (even more room foe suspension, wheel fit, and reduced "flex" but really it was all done for (minute) wt reduction (wherebit don't matter to boot) and manufacturing ease.

0 reply

Diguinho Brazil // 2022
Jan 17, 2023

Sem dúvida os cabeamentos internos, não vejo mada de bom.
Pessoal do Singletracks, muito obrigado pelos adesivos.
Sucesso sempre pessoal
Thank's....

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 17, 2023

Internal routing seems to be a popular choice. :)

Glad you received the stickers in Portugal, cheers!

0 reply

Diguinho Brazil // 2022
Jan 17, 2023

É no Brazil Jeff.
Valeu brother....

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 18, 2023

My bad, cheers to you in Brazil!

0 reply

tincanhobo Brazil // 2023
Jan 16, 2023

Skid turns and anything Red Bull.... OK some things Red Bull....it's complicated.

0 reply

Mitch Angus Washington // 2023
Jan 16, 2023

Thinking that 20mm is necessary for front axles. It’s clamp strength that’s keeps your wheel on. 15mm is enough. Non-modular or different size bearings and bolt sizes for suspension pivots with different tool sizes. I want to buy a pack of bearings and they fit all my bikes. Don’t lie, when cable routing is done right, it’s like someone praising you for the meal you cooked them or getting BOTD on @vitalmtb. Thinking the Maxxis tires you buy are good. Titanium coil springs. Ceramic vs. sealed bearings. Frictional resistance is for athletes, not you, unless you like to burn cash. Change my mind.

0 reply

jimmilt 2015
Jan 17, 2023

Through headset cable routing, followed by electronic suspension controls. Hopefully, wheel sizing and spacing are stabilized for a while.

0 reply

CandidConflict Minnesota // 2022
Jan 20, 2023

Carbon fiber bikes and parts

-1 reply

CandidConflict Minnesota // 2022
Jan 20, 2023

Only real use for carbon is aero parts, but now we can 3D print titanium, so really there's no reason for it to be used in the bike industry at all. Alloy, steel, titanium, all have different advantages, but carbon doesn't have one.

Carbon does have a number of disadvantages: durability, environmental impact, service life, splintering, high cost relative to steel and alloy, and an ability to catastrophically fail with zero warning.

Some people will say vibration dampening, but they're wrong; vibration dampening has nothing to do with the material used.

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 20, 2023

Good points. Is carbon fiber construction cheaper than 3D printed titanium currently? Also, my understanding is that carbon has a higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to the other materials mentioned.

Carbon is used so widely it seems like there's got to be at least one pretty compelling reason that it's favored...

0 reply

CandidConflict Minnesota // 2022
Jan 20, 2023

I think its only so widely used because its a cheap way to make lightweight aero parts, and because most people think welding lines are ugly. 3D printing is still more expensive than carbon but is becoming cheaper very quickly.
Ultimately I'd like to see 3d printed titanium replace carbon entirely as the premium bike material. Maybe 10years from now that will be the case, hopefully.

0 reply

gardenborg Washington // 2023
Jan 20, 2023

I wish that companies didn't prioritize weight because if you had a carbon frame that weighed as much as a alloy frame an elephant could ride it downhill I guess I'm just kind of scared of the frame snapping

-1 reply

Entrenador California // 2015
Jan 16, 2023

I'm reading "least useful" and "Which MTB innovations can you do without?" on FB, which are perhaps different questions. At any rate, answering the latter:
Internal routing, electronic shifting, Strava, electric motors, rear suspension and all that goes with it...

-8 reply

What’s the Least Useful MTB Innovation?

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