All articles tagged with #mountain biking
The 2026 Lake Placid DH World Cup featured significant gear updates, including new Shimano and Hayes brake prototypes and a revised Manitou shock. The event also marked the 100th World Cup for Myriam Nicole and the induction of Tracy Moseley and Greg Minnaar into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
A former mountain biking purist shares his conversion to electric mountain bikes (eMTBs), highlighting how they extend ride duration, enhance exploration, and improve family accessibility. While eMTBs were once viewed as niche, industry predictions suggest they may soon account for 75-80% of mountain bike sales. The author argues that eMTBs do not replace traditional biking but add a new dimension by reducing physical strain on climbs, allowing riders to cover more ground and maintain consistent aerobic effort.
A new open-access study analyzed on a downhill bike to determine the causes of pedal kickback. The research found that traditional kickback caused by cassette engagement is rare. Instead, the primary feedback comes from chain slap and cassette rotation due to chain line extension. The study suggests that crank-based solutions like OChains are more effective than hub-based devices for mitigating these forces. While the findings challenge popular marketing narratives, experts debate the role of anti-squat and chain growth in high-performance setups.
A heated debate on Pinkbike highlights how e-bikes are exacerbating the 'dumbing down' of mountain bike trails. Critics argue that motorized access allows riders to bypass the physical and technical progression required to master difficult terrain, leading to unauthorized modifications of trails to suit lower skill levels. While some acknowledge that trail sanitization predates e-bikes, many believe the technology has dramatically increased the frequency and severity of these alterations, threatening the core culture of the sport.
Crested Butte’s Pearl Pass Klunker Tour marks its 50th anniversary as the nation’s oldest mountain bike tour, drawing 100+ riders on vintage klunkers for a nearly 40-mile ride from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass, honoring the sport’s origins and the pioneers who cobbled bikes from junk decades ago.
Revel Bikes announces the signing of freeride icon Cam McCaul, who will ride a Ritual and the redesigned Ranger as part of a long‑term partnership. The press release emphasizes aligned values, community building, and a shared belief in growing mountain biking, with Revel’s Adam Miller expressing excitement for Cam’s impact andCam’s goal to push the Ranger farther than anyone anticipated.
At Sea Otter, the author finally tests Revel’s 32er prototype and finds the big wheels offer stability and comfort for tall riders, with potential benefits for long rides and bikepacking. However, the demos were scarce and the geometry is not yet dialed, leading to nervous steering at low speed and tradeoffs in weight distribution and agility. Tires and suspension are still evolving to handle the configuration, so while the concept is promising, 32ers aren’t ready for broad adoption—patience is advised as the tech catches up to the hype.
A BBC travel feature highlights Phaplu’s growing mountain-biking scene in Nepal’s Solukhumbu, near Everest, where 70km of community-built trails, homestays, and local training empower Sherpa youth with guiding, maintenance and first-aid skills, creating new income streams and a deeper cultural experience for riders.
Reserve Wheels announces an exclusive aftermarket partnership with DT Swiss to offer Degree of Freedom wheelsets across its MTB lineup (HD, SL, DH in carbon and aluminum). DoF provides adjustable kickback with three settings (0°, 10°, 20°), no weight penalty, and low maintenance, with pricing unchanged and availability now at reservewheels.com.
The Pinkbike team concludes their Arkansas mountain bike field test with a roundtable discussion on their favorite and least favorite bikes tested, sharing insights and inviting listener questions, while promoting their podcast and sponsors.
Dario predicts that cross-country mountain biking will become more popular and stylish, with 32" wheels challenging traditional sizes, bike travel will continue to increase across categories due to tech improvements, adventure racing will grow as a fresh, escapist alternative to enduro, and AI will increasingly influence the bike industry, mainly in operational areas.
Jessie-May predicts that in 2026, the first World Cup XC win on 32-inch wheels will likely go to Charlie Aldridge, with major brands developing this technology. The industry will also see widespread adoption of motor gearbox units in eMTBs, possibly with eCVT systems for beginners. Helmet safety will advance with the release of RLS helmets like Canyon’s, and Fox will not release a shorter travel version of the Podium fork, despite its excellent bump absorption. The article emphasizes that bike performance depends on many factors beyond just equipment.
The article predicts a surge in e-bike brands using the new Avinox motor, a decline in global enduro racing's prominence, and limited adoption of electronic suspension systems in mountain biking, highlighting industry trends and challenges for 2026.
The SRAM Maven Base brake has won the 2025 Pinkbike Awards for Value Product of the Year, praised for its simplicity, power, and affordability, offering a linear and intuitive feel with excellent stopping power and consistency, making it a top choice among gravity brakes.
The 2025 Pinkbike Awards highlight bikes with innovative modular designs, versatility, and refined performance, featuring nominees like the Pivot Firebird, Trek Fuel, Scott Gambler, Orbea Rallon, and Revel Rascal, each excelling in adaptability and rider customization.