Mountain bikes and their components are now more technically advanced than ever. But are they also designed to be more durable than they were ten years ago - and what influences the durability of frames and add-on parts? We asked the industry and were surprised to find that even experts cannot always predict the durability of a bike when looking at it.
Voices from the industry
What racers, the BIKE test boss and designers from Raaw, Specialized and Ghost say
Tim Lenz, Lead Product Manager at Ghost
This is difficult for the customer to recognise and generally really difficult to make a general statement about. What is clear is that specific bearing forces act on each pivot point - depending on the kinematics. We don't rely on a gut feeling here, but on the calculations to ensure that the bearings are dimensioned and protected accordingly. One thing is clear: extra sealed bearings help to keep out dirt and moisture - but even renowned premium manufacturers sometimes do without them. This can be particularly critical for bikes with 160 mm travel or more and small bearings. Damage and annoying noises are then not uncommon. In addition to the frame, add-on parts also play a role - or how cables are routed.
Ruben Torenbeek, CEO of Raaw Bikes
Yes and no. However, a lot can be done in the design to ensure durability. For example, we use around 700 grams of bearings, seals and hardware on our Enduro - this could easily be halved, which would make the frame much more attractive for many - also in terms of price. The fact is that a larger ball bearing has a higher load capacity and therefore a longer service life. Another point is the fit between the axle, bearing and frame. The more precisely they are manufactured according to our specifications, the longer the frame will prove its worth without creaking or play. We attach great importance to this - but so do other competitors. The same applies to the
Frame material: Aluminium is generally more resistant to falls and stone chips. For me, durability also means offering spare parts so that defects and wearing parts can be repaired quickly, easily and cost-effectively. From my point of view, many manufacturers focus primarily on the design of new bikes - it should look good. I see the bike more as a tool that has to function well first and foremost. Of course, the look is also important and a practical and stylish design is not a contradiction in terms.
Christian Textor, EDR World Cup racer (YT MOB)
No, not every biker can recognise it. Probably only very few. I would say that I have developed a good eye for it over time. I take a critical view of weight tuning, particularly in the enduro segment - especially with add-on parts such as cranks, handlebars, wheels, etc.
What is underestimated: In winter, you should wash your bike well after every ride. This helps enormously in terms of wear. This is because the dirt works its way into the bearings, gaps, moving parts, etc. and acts like sandpaper - especially on the drivetrain.
Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager
Rather no, but large bearings and wall thicknesses on the frame are a certain indicator of durability. It is impossible to say for sure whether there is a weak point somewhere that will cause problems under extreme or continuous stress. There are also lightweight parts that, with the right manufacturing expertise and high quality, can last a long time and even outlast heavy parts.
Peter Denk, kinematics expert and design engineer
Phew, it's difficult to make a general judgement here. "Heavy equals durable" is not always true. Rather, the quality of the construction determines the durability.
However, when it comes to extreme lightweight construction, it may well be that the design is at the expense of durability - keyword: lightweight bearings. So if you want to ride an ultra-light bike, you have to bite the bullet and expect to have to replace the bearings after a year. That's just the way it is. To clarify: I am specifically talking about ultra-lightweight construction here.
But even large bearings are no guarantee of longevity. I know people who ride bikes with XXL bearings, double-sealed - and yet after a certain period of use there are problems, such as creaking noises. My suspicion is that the bearings break down due to corrosion. Whether it's a small or large bearing - if it rusts, it's a goner.
As far as cable routing through the headset is concerned, I'm clearly against it on a mountain bike. This only has disadvantages in terms of maintenance. When shifting with cables, this usually works less crisply due to the tighter bends and then requires more maintenance.
I also take a critical view of hidden dampers. In my opinion, this is purely a design decision. What many people overlook: Kinetic energy is converted into heat - in other words, the damper gets warm but no longer has a cooling airstream. The result: wear, loss of performance. I consider the often cited argument that the shock is better protected in the frame to be negligible - suspension elements are inherently quite insensitive to dirt and grime.
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Laurin Lehner
Editor
