Trends & Innovations(?) in Mountain Bikes

Following up on Sunday's post about the new bike and last year's post about Tech Observations from the Santos Fat Tire Fest, I found and re-read an article in last August's issue of Mountain Bike Action.  Here are the main points along with my wry/rye comments:

• The larger 29" & 27.5" wheels have won.  Reiterating last Sunday's comments, the awkwardness of the early 29ers has been tamed, and we now have good-handling bikes again that roll faster and over obstacles better.
• Drivetrain reliability is up.  As also mentioned previously Sunday, dumping the front derailleur and multi-chainring setups of yore is the best way to keep from snapping chains on the trail.  Mega-range rear derailleurs that allow for a full selection of gears for true off-road travel have opened up this possibility.  Lots of other little tweaks as well just have things working better.  (I will admit a nostalgic soft spot though for the old triple- and even quad-ring setups.  But it's only a passing feeling, wouldn't give up my new single-ring for any of that.)
• Ongoing improvements with hydraulic disc brakes.  No one thing, just lots of incremental steps upward toward perfection, and they're getting pretty close.
• Electric shifting is here, and the results are conclusively... mixed.  On one hand, it gets rid of a bunch of cables.  On the other... batteries.  Ask me in another decade or so.
• Internal cable routing.  Formerly a mechanic's nightmare, manufacturers are getting this one sorted out.  I will say though, it's pretty slick not having a top tube look like a banjo.
• Internal frame storage.  Not so sure about this one.  On one hand, it somewhat obviates the need for riding with a hydration pack.  OTOH, punching big steenkin' access holes in a frame can only make things weaker and heavier.  How about a compromise?  Put an extra set of water bottle cage bosses on a frame and attach a tool pod there.  That'll get a lot of weight off a rider's back.  Honestly, the idea of reaching for a water bottle while riding fast wigs me out – a hands-free hydration pack with a hose is the only thing that works off-road.  Furthermore, newer pack designs do keep the formerly floppy-pack under control.
• Tubeless & sealant now standard.  Yep.  As discussed Sunday, nearly all mtb flats are not ride-stoppers, but more of slow-leakers that you notice right before your next ride.  This pretty much solves that problem.  More possibilities in development, such as foam inserts.
• Direct-to-Rider internet ordered bikes.  I won't buy a bike without an extensive test ride, period.  Maybe this could work on lower-end stuff though, or if you could find a similar bike locally to try.
• Internet info look-up for the more esoteric aspects of bike maintenance.  Yep, just like with everything else in life these days.  Even if you're taking your bike to the more experienced hands at the shop, odds are that they'll be doing a lot of that too.
• Improved safety gear.  Most notably with helmets, with rotation-absorbing and XC full-face designs.  What's more, there are plenty of other body parts that receiving upgraded protection.
• Year-model product churn is out, and good riddance.  Change the model when you have something new and better, not just because the calendar changes.  This makes everybody happy, except maybe few weirdos who have to have to show off their latest fashion device.  Better products, lower costs, fewer supply chain issues – what's not to love?
• Bonus: a move away from simple cyclometers.  While concluding my recent bike buy, the sales manager at the shop said that these weren't selling much anymore, because everyone has moved to some type of phone app.  On one hand,  I can see this.  On the other, isn't it better to be at least somewhat unplugged while in the outback?  Nonetheless, customers have spoken and there it is.
• Bonus & much-later-ps: dropper posts.  I thought these were a gimmick, until I tried one off-road. Now I'm a believer.

On the whole, a lot of upgrades with perhaps a few missteps.  Well, the jury's still out on that electric shifting that Shimano keeps pushing, but we'll see.  Altogether it's pretty promising.