In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
1. vario supports
There was hardly an innovation that suited freeriders more than the dropper seatpost. From then on, you no longer had to stop on steep descents and drops and manually push the seatpost into the seat tube. Many manufacturers initially fitted the lever under the saddle tip, only later did variants with remote levers on the handlebars follow. The stroke also got bigger and bigger, and stealth versions gave the bike a clean look.
2. platform function
At the beginning of the 2010s, industry giants Fox and Rockshox launched their first suspension systems with compression levers. The idea of adapting the suspension to the terrain is still great. Unfortunately, manufacturers have moved away from the three-stage setting and now mostly only use two-stage models. The further development of the system is the e-suspension such as Live Valve or Flight Attendant.
3. wide cockpit
No other component gives a bike more control than a wide cockpit. In the 90s, racers like Nicolas Vouilloz used 640-millimetre handlebars on their long stems. "Back then, downhillers were already trying out wide handlebars, but they couldn't cope with them," recalls contemporary witness Peter Denk. Everything takes some getting used to! Fortunately, the trend caught on after all.
4. single drive
Almost all innovations need a discovery phase. That of the single drivetrain took a little longer. When the 2x10 drivetrain had to make way for the single-speed trend in 2015/2016 and we were rid of the second chainring including the front derailleur, 1x11 arrived. The only problem was that many people lacked the power in their legs for the gear ratios of the time. Various combinations were supposed to help until 1x12 came along and combined all the advantages.
5. modern geometries
In the mid-2010s, head angles of around 67° and mini-reach values of 425 millimetres (frame size M) were still the norm. And yes, of course biking was still fun. However, modern geometries allowed more speed and provided better control. Currently, the longer-flatter-lower trend seems to have reached its peak.
