Mountain bike innovations 2024: The most exciting MTB news in a review of the year

The manufacturers also had a lot up their sleeves in 2024 beyond e-bikes. We show a selection of bikes and products in this article.

MTB innovations: 7 new mountain bikes 2024

Canyon Spectral CF

True to the motto "less is more", Canyon completely redesigned its All Mountain Spectral at the start of 2024. Even if only a subtle change can be recognised visually, the new all-rounder has been renovated from the ground up. One of the biggest changes is the reduction in suspension travel by ten millimetres at the front and rear. With 150 millimetres of travel on the fork and 140 millimetres on the rear triangle, the new Spectral has thus moved away from the previous model. a little further from the Enduro Strive and is positioned in the centre of the All Mountain category, where the focus is more on propulsion. The Spectral is intended to be a fun bike that cuts an excellent figure everywhere from the low mountain range to the trails in Finale Ligure.

HERE is the detailed test of the Canyon Spectral CF7

The new Spectral has two flip chips on board. The one on the rear shock mount adjusts the geometry and can change the steering angle by 0.5 degrees and the bottom bracket height by eight millimetres. The second in the Horst link of the rear triangle equalises the wheel size and chainstay length. With an optional 27.5 inch rear wheel, the chainstay measures a short 429 millimetres; with a 29er rear wheel, the length increases to 437 millimetres.

Another rather exclusive feature is hidden in the top tube and can only be recognised by the slider. The bike comes as standard with the K.I.S. (Keep it Stable) steering assistant developed by Syntacewhich has a greater or lesser influence on the steering behaviour depending on the spring preload setting. In order to allow K.I.S. newcomers a smooth start, Canyon has reduced the preload slightly compared to the limited first model. In the soft setting, the supportive straightening of the handlebars is only minimally noticeable. At maximum preload, however, the system stabilises the bike noticeably, especially in loose gravel and fast sections.

The facts about the Canyon Spectral

• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch, optional 29/27.5 inch
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Four models between 3399 and 6999 euros
• Weight: 14.8 kg (CF9 in size M)
• Special features: Storage compartment in the down tube, K.I.S. steering stabilisation

We pitted the new Spectral against the YT Jeffsy. You can read the test HERE!

Scott Ransom

Scott is one of the strongest drivers of innovation in the bike industry. The Swiss company set its last major milestone 2021 with the new Spark race bike. At that time, the Swiss not only presented the most powerful race bike to date, but also benefited for the first time from their brand shares in the Sister company Bold. Following their takeover, Scott was also able to utilise the patent for shock integration. This spring, the Enduro Ransom was the last fully in the Scott range to adopt the new design language with its full focus on integration.

In order to integrate the Scott Ransom enduro bike perfectly into the model hierarchy, the focus has also shifted significantly further towards downhill - just like its smaller siblings, the Spark and Genius. The engineers laid the foundation for the increased downhill performance with a completely new frame platform with 170 millimetres of travel and a six-bar rear triangle. However, the shock is no longer positioned in the seat tube, as we know it from the Spark and Genius models, but is instead positioned almost horizontally above the bottom bracket.

The bottom bracket area is so generously designed that the Ransom is compatible with other common steel and air spring shocks in addition to the Float-X-Nude. The integrated shock offers more than just visual advantages. It also creates space in the main frame for a large water bottle. The integration also contributes to durability. Protected from water, mud and dust, the frame-integrated shock requires significantly less maintenance than conventional frame designs. The less positive aspect is that the shock is much more difficult to reach for setup. However, if the bike is upside down, you can easily reach the service hatch under the bottom bracket.

The facts about the new Scott Ransom

• The damper is invisibly integrated into the bottom bracket area.
• Suspension travel: 170 millimetres at the rear and fork.
• Wheel size: 29-inch or optionally with a small 27.5-inch rear wheel
• Geometry update: The bike is longer and slacker for more safety downhill. The very steep seat angle improves climbing ability.
• The Tracloc lever for chassis control ensures maximum efficiency.
• Frame material: Full carbon on the top model, carbon main frame paired with aluminium rear triangle on the other models.
• Five model variants between 5999 and 9999 euros (including a Contessa bike especially for women).
• Weights from 15.2 to 16.7 kilograms according to the manufacturer

Rocky Mountain Instinct

The Canadians from Rocky Mountain came up with three completely redesigned mountain bikes in 2024. The first in the line-up was the Allrounder. From everyday life on the home trails to multi-day adventures on alpine trails - this is how Rocky Mountain defined the new Instincts' range of use. And that's exactly how it should be for an all-mountain bike. In order to perfect the bike for this purpose in model year 24, the Instinct no longer shares the frame platform with the Enduro Altitude, as was previously the case.

But don't worry. The Instinct remains a quick-change artist in the new model year and even has a few more tricks up its sleeve. In addition to the "Ride4" adjustment option, which can be used to adjust the kinematics and geometry, there is now the option of extending or shortening the reach by five millimetres using the offset headset. In addition, the chainstay length on the new All Mountain can still be changed by 10 millimetres using a flip chip.

In addition to the technical features, the Instinct 2024 also adopts a new, more angular and straightforward design language. The seat tube now runs straight between the top tube and bottom bracket. This improves the seatpost insertion, allowing even small frame sizes to enjoy long telescopic seatposts. The voluminous down tube runs straight into the head tube. However, the thicker tube cross-sections are the most striking feature. The solid look is not only pleasing to the eye, but also creates space for a storage compartment in the down tube. Penalty Box 2.0 - that's what Rocky Mountain calls the "boot" of the Instincts. The newcomer comes with a waterproof bag that fits perfectly into the down tube so that nothing gets lost in the generous storage space and the load does not start to rattle while riding.

Rocky Mountain Instinct MY24 - Fact check

• Field of application: All Mountain
• Frame material: one aluminium model, three models with full carbon frames
• Spring travel: 140 mm hi. / 150 mm vo.
• Available frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Wheel size: XS: 27.5", S: either 27.5" or 29", M-XL: 29"
• Weight: 13.97 kg without pedals in size L (BIKE measured value, Instinct Carbon 70 for 7900 euros)
• Pricefour models between 4600 euros and 12000 euros
• Special features: Variable offset headset (+/- 5 millimetres), variable chainstay length via flipchip, Ride-4-Flip-Chip on the shock mount for fine-tuning geometry and suspension, size-specific shock tuning

After the Instinct, the Canadians also launched the 2024 The Enduro Altitude in a completely new look and the trail bike element on the market. A lot of wood!

Lapierre Spicy

More than 18 Enduro World Series victories, three world championship titles and four French championship titles speak for themselves. Since the first Spicy saw the light of day in 2007, the Enduro has been at the forefront of the best all-rounders. To keep it that way, Lapierre gave the Spicy an extensive makeover in the summer and made it fit for today's demands of enduro trails and bike park use. It goes without saying that, like so many other manufacturers, the French have opted for a high-pivot concept for the new edition of their classic. But the Spicy wouldn't be a Lapierre if the developers hadn't come up with something very special. But read for yourself.

With the Spicy CF, Lapierre wanted to create something truly innovative in terms of kinematics. The idea of allowing two swingarm positions (high or low pivot point) by swapping the rocker link is unique on the market. To achieve this, the position of the shock absorber and the pivot point of the swingarm have been completely redesigned with the aim of maintaining the same progressive curve regardless of the HP or LP configuration. It should also be suitable for any type of air or steel spring damper! The new curve should be much more progressive in the mid-travel range and more responsive overall compared to the old Spicy thanks to a completely revised gear ratio.

Details of the new Lapierre Spicy CF 2025

• Area of application: Enduro
• Wheel size: 29" / Mullet
• Front / rear suspension travel: 180 / 170 (29") or 174 (Mullet) mm
• Frame material: Carbon
• Prices: 5499 - 10,000 euros
• Frame weight: 3.2 kg (manufacturer's specification)
• Special features: new kinematics with high-pivot/low-pivot concept, new geometry, more flip-chip options, toolbox, additional size XS

HERE you can find all the information about the innovative concept behind the Lapierre Spicy!

Radon Jab MX

The new Radon Jab MX has been completely revised and is designed as an enduro MTB in a mullet set-up. This means that Radon is now also putting its enduro bike on a large 29-inch front wheel with a smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel. Sounds like it wants to be chased over the world's toughest enduro trails at all costs, doesn't it?

The brand new Radon Jab MX entered the BIKE Enduro test with a declaration of war. Just in time for the editorial deadline, the 9.0 model was reduced by a whole 800 euros to 3599 euros. Given the current discount battles, this might not sound surprising at first, if it weren't for the fact that it is a completely newly developed full carbon fibre framewhich had only just been launched on the market. In order to build on the old virtues of its 27.5-inch predecessor, the new Jab MX was also designed to be attractively lightweight. At just 14.5 kilos without pedals, the mission has been accomplished. This means that the new Jab, even with the 29-inch front wheel, keeps the competition at a distance of between one and three kilos.

The Radon Jab achieves this distance not only with the carbon frame and the lightweight wheels, but also thanks to the slimmer Rockshox Lyrik with 160 millimetres of travel. Although the Lyrik suspension fork seems somewhat undersized compared to the Rockshox Zeb or Fox 38, the fork, which already comes with the new Charger 3.1 damping cartridge, showed itself from its best side and shone with absorption capacity and sensitivity.

Click HERE for the full review of the Radon Jab MX 9.0!

Specialised Epic

Specialized kicked off the 2024 model year with a bang and presented two new superlative fullys under the Epic name. The Specialized Epic S-Works 8 is not only currently the most expensive production bike in the XC world, but was also the first with the new electronic Flight Attendant suspension from Rockshox. It has increased suspension travel and reduced weight - an explosive mix for the race course.

The facts about the Specialized Epic 8 2024

• Price5200 to 14.500 Euro
• Weight complete bike10.4 kg (BIKE measurement, S-Works Epic, size L, without pedals)
• Frame weight1682 g (BIKE measurement, S-Works Epic, size L, without shock)
• Spring travel : 120/120 mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Field of applicationh: Cross Country / Marathon
• Frame materialCarbon
• ModelsS-Works / Pro / Expert / Comp
• Available sizes: S / M / L / XL

HERE is the detailed presentation of the new Specialized Epic bikes

But that's not all. Specialized has pulled a second exciting bike out of the hat: the downcountry brother Epic Evo is now poaching in the trail bike segment. Here, too, there is now more travel and an optimised carbon frame.

The facts about the Specialised Epic Evo 8

• Price5200 to 9000 Euro
• Weight complete bike12.36 g (BIKE measurement, S-Works Epic, size L, without pedals)
• Frame weight1872 g (BIKE measurement, S-Works Epic, size L, without shock)
• Front suspension travel: 130/120 mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Field of applicationTrail : Trail
• Frame materialCarbon
• ModelsPro / Comp
• Available sizes: S / M / L / XL

HERE is the complete test of the Specialized Epic Evo 8

Cannondale Scalpel

Few bikes can boast as many race victories as the Cannondale Scalpel. Since the early 2000s, the fast race fully has been shaking up the World Cups of this world. Greats such as Manuel Fumic, Henrique Avancini and most recently junior world champion Charlie Aldridge have steered the cross-country bike to the top of the podium. After the last update four years ago Cannondale rolled out a completely newly developed bike in spring 2024. With 120 millimetres of suspension travel for all models and full trail expertise.

All models and details of the Cannondale Scalpel can be found HERE!

The facts about the Cannondale Scalpel 2024

• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 120 / 120 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Six models between 4299 and 12,999 euros
• Weight: from 10.5 kg (manufacturer's specification top model, size M) / 11.5 kg (BIKE measurement Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 1, size L)
• Special features: Lefty, Flexpivot rear triangle, two bottle cages, Cannondale wheel sensor

HERE is the detailed BIKE test of the Cannondale Scalpel 1 - in the lab and in practice!

Mountain bike components 2024 - what's new!

eThirteen Sidekick

Aaron Gwin's legendary Downhill World Cup victory without a chain will certainly be fresh in most people's minds and has inspired the optimisation of the rear suspension function of a full-suspension bike ever since. Gwin was victorious in Leogang in 2015 even with an early chain break. Some even claim that the chain that broke at the start was the guarantee for optimum rear triangle function without disruptive drive influences and therefore ultimately the key to victory. There are now various solutions to circumvent the more or less strong pedal kickback, depending on the rear suspension system, and thus make the suspension completely open and free from drivetrain influences. The brand new Sidekick hub from E-Thirteen is yet another.

The best-known and most common solution for reducing pedal kickback in the DH and Enduro World Cup is certainly the Ochain spider, which we have already tested extensively in BIKE. The new Sidekick hub shifts the technology from the crank to the freewheel on the rear wheel.

In the first test, the hub was able to reveal its advantages "The rear triangle does indeed feel smoother and a little more forgiving. The very quiet background noise is also impressive. The chain slap seems to be audibly reduced. We also noticed an improvement in rear suspension traction when braking." But Sidekick does not come without disadvantages.

HERE you can find the complete article about the new hub!

Fox Live Valve Neo

With Fox Live Valve Neo, the pioneers of widely available electronic mountain bike suspension are taking their system to a whole new level. The forks and shocks with Live Valve technology presented in series production in 2018 still relied on data transmission via cable. In order for all components of the setup to communicate with each other at a sufficient speed, this hardware was required at the time and the bike was given quite a tangle of cables. The existing wireless protocols were simply not fast enough.

In the summer of 2024, Fox was ready: six years after its debut, the electronically controlled MTB suspension had completely different possibilities at its disposal. Fox developed its own transmission protocol called Neo, which is said to be up to 200 times faster than Bluetooth. Cables and additional holes in the frame are no longer necessary with the Fox Live Valve Neo. This puts Fox on a par with the "Flight Attendant" suspension from Rockshox, which also communicates wirelessly.

Unlike the original, wired Fox Live Valve System, Fox is initially only bringing the new technology to the shock. According to Fox, there are currently no advantages to an electronically controlled suspension fork for the intended application range from trail to enduro.

Facts Fox Live Valve Neo

• Range of use: Trail / All Mountain / Enduro
• Shock models: Fox Float X / Fox DHX
• Only the damper is controlled, the fork always remains open
• Weight: from 669 grams
• Price shock absorber: from 1249 euros
• Price Live-Valve-Neo-Kit (sensors, battery, charger): 499 euros
• Radio protocol: Fox Neo
• Data transfers per second: 1000
• Sensor measurements per second: 400
• Damper adjustments per second: 200

All the details about the new Fox Live Valve Neo suspension can be found in this article!

Fox Transfer Neo

For a long time, Rockshox was almost alone on the wireless seatpost market with the Reverb AXS. In addition to the clean look without tangled cables, the service advantage in particular speaks in favour of this technology. No cables need to be fiddled with through the frame and the post can be installed and removed without any problems. In 2024, Fox joined the ranks of comfort seatposts. And with a real bang. Because the Transfer Neo comes with a price tag of over 1300 euros. In return, it is said to offer some features that the competition does not have.

To eliminate problems with tyre contact during compression, Fox has mounted the battery and controller of the Transfer Neo at the lower end of the seatpost dip tube - directly above the seat clamp instead of under the saddle. like Rockshox does with the Reverb. This should make it possible to utilise the full lowering range and thus also install longer adjustment travel.

According to Fox, the Transfer Neo lever was developed to provide a familiar feeling when mountain biking. A rubber-coated thumb pad mimics the texture of a regular Transfer lever, but with a shorter operating travel.

The facts about the Fox Transfer Neo

• Wireless function via radio
• Strategic positioning of battery and motor for increased tyre clearance
• Ergonomic lever design for a natural feel
• Low latency for precise saddle height adjustments
• Internal seal for greater durability
• Schrader valve at the top of the support enables simple pressure adjustments
• New head design offers low overall height and two-bolt locking
• Waterproof according to IPX7
• Lowering options: 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 175 mm and 200 mm for the 30.9 mm and 31.6 mm versions // 125 mm, 150 mm, 175 mm and 200 mm for the 34.9 mm version
• CR2032 battery in the controller: Easily accessible, tool-free replacement, expected battery life of 1 year
• Seatpost battery life: 30-40 hours
• Weight: from 528 grams
• Price: 1319 euros (seat post, lever, battery, charger, cable and clamp options); replacement battery 99 euros, replacement charging cable and charger 79 euros

HERE is the detailed presentation of the Fox Transfer Neo!

Schwalbe Albert with radial carcass

One tyre is grippier, the other rolls a little better. But if you stay in the same weight class, the tyres on the market are not worlds apart. However, the new tyre that Schwalbe has launched this year is a real eye-opener. This is because the tyre giant claims to have significantly increased the contact area through a new type of carcass construction, the keyword being "radial", thus providing much more traction. The tyres actually ride very differently to the classics on the market.

Schwalbe is therefore introducing tyres with a radial carcass in order to optimise the tyre contact area without accepting disadvantages such as puncture risk and instability. What is state of the art in the car and motorbike sector is now also coming to the bicycle sector. The term radial tyre is used when the threads of the carcass are arranged at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel. Car and motorbike tyres typically have an R in the size designation, which indicates a radial tyre. In bicycle tyres, however, the carcass plies are usually arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to the direction of travel. This is referred to as a diagonal tyre.

The radial alignment of the carcass plies alone (on the right in the graphic below) means that Schwalbe has increased the tyre contact area by 30 percent. More surface area means nothing other than more grip. And this, mind you, with identical tyre pressure. If the tyre pressure of the new design is increased by 0.5 bar, the contact area is still ten percent larger, according to Schwalbe.

Everything about the new Schwalbe carcasses and the Schwalbe Albert can be found here!

Sram Maven

The massive look of the brake calliper, which is held together by four bolts, alone reveals Sram's new Maven disc brake as a pure gravity product. Enduro, downhill and E-MTB are in the specifications of this anchor that Sram presented in February 2024. The housing of the brake lever is also more voluminous in order to hold more mineral oil (that's right, no DOT) and supply pressure to the even larger slave pistons and brake pads compared to the Code.

Simply everything seems even larger compared to the code disc brake. Of course, so much material is also noticeable on the scales. Without mounting bolts, handlebar clamps and discs, a Maven brake weighs 349 grams. That's 53 grams more than a Code. If you are looking for maximum braking power and stability, you will easily be able to cope with the low additional weight.

And indeed, in the practical test, the Maven takes braking performance to a new level. The Maven already applies the brakes firmly when braking. At the end of the procedure, minimal manual force is enough to decelerate properly. We can definitely confirm that the braking power is well above all other Sram products. You have to get used to that much power. Simply pulling the lever as carefree as with a Code is no longer possible with the Maven. In direct comparison, the Maven brakes much more powerfully.