These Products Changed Mountain Bikes FOREVER!

The world of mountain bike technology is ever-changing, with new standards, flashy tech and groundbreaking innovations popping up all the time.
Not every new piece of tech is worth writing home about, but today we’re looking at the innovations that truly changed mountain biking forever. We’re talking real game-changers!
The products here could tell us where mountain biking is going in the future, so strap in for some psychic surprises from the MBUK crystal ball! 🔮
Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments 👇
#MBUKmagazine #MTB #mbuk #mountainbike #mbuktech
Photo Credit:
Chris Longbone
Dave Caudrey, Future Publishing
Getty Images Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT
Getty Images Doug Pensinger
Getty Images Mike Powell /Allsport
Getty Images Gary Newkirk /Allsport
Dan Milner
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Suspension
02:28 Dropper Posts
03:35 Disc Brakes
04:29 Wheel Size
06:50 Tubeless
08:26 Electronics
10:03 Ebikes
10:44 Conclusion
11:17 Outro
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[@bikeradar]

Tell us your favourite MTB innovation!

[@johnh4650]

The biggest in my opinion also happens to be my favorite. The electric pedal assist has to be the biggest innovation. All mentioned were huge but this provided the 99.5% of mortal riders the ability to ascend like the .05% of super hardcore riders. Intern enabling them to descend without being nearly as fatigued. Add all that up and it = exponential fun!!

[@stepan.furman]

Dropper post for sure!!! With a huge gap from any other innovation

[@NeilDeBarna]

Droppers. They make me more comfortable, afford me more control of the bike, make me more efficient and probably a bit faster too. Can't imagine riding without one now.

[@That.Guy.]

I just bought a gravel bike and first thing I thought was this thing need to dropper because it’s a pain in the ass to get on and off.

[@tornagawn]

Eeh lad, when I were young we ‘ad to stop and use a qr lever to drp,the seatpost, circa 1980’s

[@dadventuretv2538]

Dude you missed geometry. None of the these do much by themselves if geo didn’t change.

[@arbjful]

Yes that’s the most important aspect of mountain biking…geometry is critical to a great riding experience

[@olik136]

geometry is not a product, therefore not compatible with the videos title ..

[@johndef5075]

26 aint dead. My 2013 Devinci Dexter still rips and posts competitive times easily.

[@That.Guy.]

“ it’s ground breaking telescopic design is still mirrored by forks today” Motorcycle from 1918 has entered the chat

[@bikeradar]

Haha fair one! I should have said "mountain bike forks" really! ~ Will

[@abmong]

That face carpet is revolutionary

[@johnelrick8945]

If you trust wireless gear shifting, you need your head examining. If you trust wireless braking, you need your head re-configuring.

[@calebharmen3914]

i agree wireless braking just sounds like a recipe for disaster!

[@blurglide]

You forgot about the Proflex/K2/Noleen smartshock from the late 90's!

[@bikeradar]

Great shout! I remember seeing that on a bike with the LEDs and thinking how cool it was! Never rode one though... ~ Will

[@robertbransby]

I'd put the Ahead headset in the mix, getting rid of those awful 1" threaded headsets was a god send

[@bikeradar]

Thanks Robert! That's a great shout, trying to keep threaded headsets tight (or keep your stem pointing forwards) was a nightmare I will not miss! ~ Will

[@TonySolliday15]

Not listing the 1x drive system in this list is a big oversight IMO. Definitely a game changer in the MTB world especially when you consider what it gave the Bike MFGs the ability to do with rear suspension when you don't need a front mech.

[@mlee6050]

I'm looking to slap a XX1 or XO1 groupset on my mountain bike build (first 29er) my only hate is I prefer two or three chainrings but a sub 12.8kg Trek Slash be alright for enduro I guess

[@bikeradar]

Hi Tony, 1x is a great shout! We're certainly not missing front mechs over here at MBUK towers 😂 ~ Will

[@SW-ku9ji]

hey dude I got an idea about your one x drive, I noticed that one X are cross chained a bit in first gear.they actually grind metal a little bit especially when they're brand new, I think the boys at scram and Shimano should invent a floating front ring.

[@worldstallestmidget]

Dropper post besides suspension front and rear, is the biggest game changer! I use that more then I switch gears! And I am a e bike nerd also. Once battires are smaller with same watts as ti run full power smaller motors is definitely on the horizon!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for the comment! Droppers are super convenient, and we're excited for the days of even lighter, even more highly powered batteries around the corner! ~ Will

[@athomenotavailable]

Quite an accurate compilation

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for the feedback! ~ Will

[@GoodwinGlassworks]

I may be incorrect with timing, but I first recall Jamis bikes offering 27.5 before that trend began and way before 29 had any real hold on industry change. 29" makes total sense for going fast downhill and plundering over everything in front of you....or wanting to get to point A to point B as fast as possible....as in XC racing. 27.5(even 26), are great for flatter trails and wanting to be more "poppy" and active on the bike. Riding style and trails dictate desire of wheels and even geo

[@HansumRob100]

pop 2 tubes in 3 days... thinking time to go tubeless... wanted to drop the seat down for manual practice... dont have dropper post... its time to upgrade...

[@bikeradar]

Some upgrades really are worth spending your money on. I think it's possible to argue that tubeless and dropper posts can really enhance your time on the MTB. Thanks for your comment! ~ Will

[@owensnicholas]

I’m not sure how you can do this video and not include 1x drivetrains. Electronic shifting has had an impact on a small percentage of riders. But almost everybody who buys a bike these days, for trail use, gets 1x.

[@cyrusf.4039]

Though not a product I would also add the advent of MTB park with it's groomed berms, drops and jumps has significantly changed the riding experience. The MTB experience is now akin to a theme park ride and is more about generating adrenalin than connecting with the outdoors. Wilderness is the new gym.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for your comment! I agree that bike parks have radically changed MTBing and made it more accessible to riders just starting out in MTB which is awesome. Perhaps a topic for a future video! ~ Will

[@cyrusf.4039]

Bikes are increasingly being designed for the bike park experience. The adventure , exploration of backcountry on bikes (you might call it "slow biking") has been relegated to bikepacking bikes. When you ride wilder trails you're actually rolling over a unique terrain ( that includes the type of rock, amount of dust, mud, moss, pitch and roll). Bike parks are more like a food franchises because , for the most part , the unique aspects of the land are bulldozed away. You even have pro trail builders that can recreate a specific downhill experience anywhere in the country. It's great for some and maybe not so great for others. @@bikeradar

[@Rose_Butterfly98]

I like the 36 for the clip on bars so they'll never be out of alignment.

[@AFV85]

They haven't ditched tubes for good alot are going back to them just now on YT! I just got a new embt with 27.5 it's my first since about 2009 so everything's new to me! I want to go tubeless but I've got inner tube sealant just now till get all that sorted or how to do it! I have tubeless ready wheels and tyres on my new bike not sure if should get a cush core aswell? I got my new emtba couple weeks ago Ordered it on new years day new years resolution is to get fitter and back on a bike! All my days before my accident I was on a DH or trials 14in for streets it's amazing how much has changed! Seeing a 27.5 wheel there for the first time on magic Mary's and a Big Betty was like holy hell that's cool size of them! 😂 so cool think the next thing is for fox to catch up for an auto sus system like the rock shox I seen the live thing when registering my fox 38s that's definitely something I'd be very int in having! Definitely going to be a whole new experience from a stinky and an ATX ONE and TWO that i used to ride!

[@bikeradar]

Sounds like the new bike has got you proper excited! Enjoy! Would you be interested in a guide to tubeless fitting? We could think about working on something like that... ~ Will

[@SW-ku9ji]

ditto I just bought a set of tubes that were 65 bucks EACH OLD SCHOOL and there lighterr.

[@SW-ku9ji]

The video covered everything but the elephant in the room .The cherry on top would bethe automatic transmission,and I'll give you a bonus we know how everybody likes a bonus ,the link suspension front fork .After all you did mention something about that .i've been hammering trails since 1988 to present.thanks

[@tom6493]

9:33 I feel like the K2 Noleen Smart Shock, should’ve been referenced here.

[@bikeradar]

Great shout Tom, I remember the first time I saw one on a k2 it blew my mind that computers could control suspension! Hopefully we can cover it in a future video... ~ Will

[@locualoein8543]

Here one that still use tubes and is not slow ... it is light weight as I still have some of that 400gr tires. Do you remember that tires that were 380gr? They are not tubeless. Another one: 2x10 speed: why? Because the casette is a 11-36 and when you change gears the jums are so smooth, only 2-3 teeth. Andthey are cheaper and more durable. A XT casette cost 46 euros average ... combined with a XTR 985 of cuourse.

[@verynaughty6563]

For me it's: suspension, disc brakes, tubeless, good mud guards and droppers. Pretty much in that order. Good list by bike radar. 👍💪

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for sharing! Appreciate the feedback!

[@olik136]

mud guards? you mean those things that came standard on every bike until someone said they don't look cool?

[@CANNABISfreedomNOtaxes]

Vee brakes Trigger shifting Suspension forks Suspension frames Hydraulic disc brakes Dropper posts 27.5 and 29 inch wheels Carbon frames and components Electric motors That would be my list of things that revolutionized the mountain bike industry over the decades.

[@CANNABISfreedomNOtaxes]

Oh yeah and wireless component technology

[@CANNABISfreedomNOtaxes]

By the way, I didn't watch the video before making my list.

[@sadiejones7991]

I thought this was going to be run of the mill but I'm glad I watched it. This was great.

[@wazoo7016]

Hi You did not mention about mechanical cardan system to sustitute traditional chain. What is the problem to not use this system ?? I am not a mtb expert, just a simple ocasional rider, but need to understand 😊

[@jackiegammon2065]

Actually the first Electronic Drivetrain was from Mavic, back in the early 90's I believe. It did not seem that most were interested, and it went away quite quickly. As for ebikes, I'm certainly not a fan, never understood why people want them unless all one wants to do is sit and let the bike do the work for you. I know many will disagree with me, and that's your right... but definitely not something that I am interested in. Best innovation...suspension without a doubt.

[@JaymzBooth]

Warner ain't THAT old. He won his wc in 1996, not 86 😅

[@bikeradar]

Quite right Jaymz I misspoke there! Thanks for putting us right! ~ Will

[@br5380]

#8 Geometry

[@richdyer2000]

Yep - being a veteran, I can confirm that this is one of biggest game changers. We had full sus, dropper posts, hydraulic discs, tubeless back in the early 2000s. If I had to have an early 2000’s bike with only one change, that change would be geometry. 1x should also get a mention, and little things we just take for granted like the thru axles, wider bars…

[@br5380]

@@richdyer2000 as someone with a near 36” inseam the first MTB that properly fitted me and where I also didn’t think I was going OTB at every opportunity was my 2018 Cotic FS

[@ZillaYT]

Internal shifting is next.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Hydraulic disc brakes, btw first ones were the Formula in 1987, hope came out in 1995 iirc?!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for your comment Laurentius, you're quite correct! Not sure how we missed that one! Formula were very early to the game. Cheers! ~ Will

[@MTBGabGalendez]

I got a Toseek Barton 30.5 inch frame and tire

[@johndef5075]

I started riding in 1990. Ive never used a dropper. And on the trails I ride I only have wished for one once in the last 5 years. I go plenty fast according to Strava but just never felt the need. I like light and fast and I see a dropper as extra weight. Never used tubeless either by the way😅

[@BRTbike-fz5fn]

Almost parallel here. Started in 92 been thru many evolutions of MTB. There is one tech spot in all the places Ive ridden that a dropper was almost neccesary. Other than that, never gets used.

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

What about Tartan shirts and hostage beards??

[@siriosstar4789]

cut off jeans and converse all stars are way more important . 🤪

[@robertbransby]

Hostage beards 😂😂

[@Trailhawks_Austria]

Is there just one car outside with full electronic brakes? There is a reason why.

[@bikeradar]

It sounds like any issues could be high consequence! But don't write off those clever engineers... ~ Will

[@Trailhawks_Austria]

@@bikeradarHi Will, I'm a cycopathic engineer, by the way. ;) My meaning about is simple. Breaks are responsible for your life. Electronics between are a risk and not necessary. And I bet those units will be heavier as well. You need 2 batteries, motors, and housing. Between a normal lever and saddle you need just a hose and a bit oil or dot. This system is lighter and simply saver. My meaning. Lets have a look at the ABS systems, how many companies will install it on future ebikes? Not really necessary in fact. Have a good time. 👍

[@siriosstar4789]

i think the most practical and useful inventions were the first knobby tires , then followed by the dropper post. i have zero use for a rear suspension and my slow riding style rarely if ever deflects the front suspension i use the dropper more than any other feature on my bike., electronic tech for bikes is more of a gimmick than anything really useful . of course you will get strong arguments from riders that are enamored with excessively expensive bikes and the likes of wireless this and that . they will make the negligible difference into a mountain of importance . now wait for the flames to begin 😂

[@bikeradar]

Good tyres are essential, and must have been a game changer for early ATB riders! We're spoilt for choice these days! Thanks for the comment and keep enjoying your hardtail 🤘 ~ Will

[@siriosstar4789]

my first 'knobbys' were the Specialized Ground Control. compared to slicks they made a huge difference in dirt even with my super slow style of riding .

[@shawnpritchard366]

I think… 29” wheels. Tubeless systems. Disc brakes. Dropper posts. Modern geometry. Short stems and wider handlebars. Low standover height. Gears and suspension front and rear, carbon frames NOT so much. I prefer a rigid steel frame and fork, set up single speed, these are the things that do it for me.

[@MikeWarner75]

Think front and rear suspension should be separate. They took off at different times and rear suspension was really bad in the early days. In my eyes, SPDs were a game changer, but only to those using toe-clips and straps. V-Brakes were a game changer but have been clearly superseded now. This may seem like a dumb thing to say, but if you mountain biked when old style cantilevers were around, you would agree! I think 1x gears should be on there. The benefits of 1x aren’t just about ditching the front mech, but also noise reduction, better chain retention and simplified gear changes. Funny that the height rite was on here - back in the day nobody had heard of this. It is only bought up these days because we equate it to droppers. If it had been mainstream we would have got droppers sooner!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for your comment Mike! We would have loved to include more items in the list but we just didn't have enough time! Clipless pedals were a massive step up from toe-clips (respect to anyone who managed to ride off-road with them, it seems terrifying!). V-brakes (and Maguras) were also a vast improvment over cantis (pre-disc brake) especially in the wet. And you're right about 1x; manufacturers ability to create massive cassettes and suitable mechs to accommodate them showed impressive engineering! ~ Will

[@JohnDoe_75]

I miss Shimano biopace.

[@craigbest8644]

Kaprun 86??? 😂

[@bikeradar]

Sorry about that Craig I misspoke! Don't worry, we all know Rob is far too youthful to have won a World Cup in 1986! ~ Will

[@craigbest8644]

@@bikeradar I honestly thought it was an intentional joke, I'm sure Warner would see the funny side.

[@sebastjansslavitis3898]

I don't understand how tubeless tire can be better against punctures (not talking about inserts). Doesn't make any sense. If you puncture inner tube the tire is punctured too, so it would be flat with our without tube...

[@olik136]

tubeless is just a name for a system. besides the fact that there is no inner tube, there is a liquid sealant you have to put into the tire. That is what makes the difference. I personally don't bother with tubeless because it is so messy (because of the sealant) and the fact that I very rarely have punctures.

[@sebastjansslavitis3898]

@@olik136 I see. well that's a neat marketing trick, because you could just put sealant in tube and it would have same reliability - and not messy. thanks for answer

[@user-zw1xf6jy9z]

La taille des roues est l évolution la plus importante en vtt.J ai roulé dans les années 90 avec des v brakes,roues en 26" xmax,une rock shox à l avant,3 plateaux 27 vitesses,sur un vtt en aluminium.Maintenant,j ai un carbone,1 plateau 12 vitesses,une rock shox à l avant,des disc,et des roues 29" xmax.Avec des roues 29",tu passes partout sans problème,tu vas bien plus vite,c est beaucoup plus facile,c est le jour et la nuit.Les autres évolutions sont formidables bien sur,mais mineures par rapport à la taille des roues.

[@razorree]

well.... electronics... it only make bikes more expensive !! and literally, it's just a way to get more money from You (all AXS stuff) - super expensive, less durable, no big improvements.

[@donaldkarli3991]

Yes, mopeds did change mountain biking forever Check your Estrogen levels boys 😹

[@rouxenophobe]

new "standards"...

[@turner02]

eff ebikes

[@shadowdance4666]

Electric ⚡️ is the future

[@arbjful]

I don’t think so. Lot of us prefer the analog bikes

[@shadowdance4666]

Sounds like someone who hasn’t ridden an electric bike. Come on Luddite get on board. I know it’s scary at first just like when people started traveling in cars instead of horses @@arbjful

[@wullieg7269]

how dare anyone to complain about a ORANGE P7 OR CLOCKWORK / C16R dont know yer borring

[@GokkunGuru]

Those who can’t play tennis, play pickleball. The same can be said about those who can’t ride MTB, ride E-Bikes!

[@arbjful]

Some people can’t ride for genuine reasons, like old age, arthritis of the knees, knee injuries etc. for them the e-bike is god’s gift

[@robertbransby]

Have you tried one?

[@iimv]

such bs. ebikes are basically mini motorcycles, not a true bike.

[@mjohnny9949]

No it did not 👎 thats BS Bunch of lies

[@lefthorse1]

Must protest , e mtb its NOT an innovation , they are no more mountain bikes , they are motorbike and f..k off .. instead there are more innovation not mentioned in this video , like the chain wax , the graphene wax , its just absolutely amazing , there is the Pinion gearbox with belt drive , the Aenomaly Swichgrade its a sadle angle adjuster witch i am about to purchase

[@robertbransby]

Beg to differ, eMTBs (the ones you pedal to make the motor work) are real innovations. The electric bikes with buttons and throttle are not what is being described

[@lefthorse1]

I understand how it works , its just not fair to call eMTB , only e bike , and its not fair in day life when a 15 old kid pass me on the road , making the impression on people's mind that i am weak and unfit

[@robertbransby]

@@lefthorse1 that's all in your own head, it's not a competition 👍 I really don't get all the hate for them.

[@robertbransby]

Also, have you tried one?

[@lefthorse1]

Of course i tried , i have two coworkers who bought last year e bikes , and they want me to service their ebikes , but i can't even to lift to my bike stand , they are so heavy , they need bigger suspension pressure , tire pressure , the drive train its not designed for that extra power , on long descends the breaks are more used and less efficient , the stopping distance its bigger , cornering its difficult ... they are downgraded motorbikes made it to look like mtb