What's In / What's Out - Mountain Biking in 2025 - Mountain Bike Feature

Don't get caught behind the curve! Read our heavily opinionated hot takes below and then spread them as facts into the world so that together, we can influence our little mountain bike world for the better in 2025.

What’s In

Pedal kick annihilation devices. If you aren’t actively combating chain slap or chain growth, is your suspension even compressing?
Vital MTB forum members changing the industry. #CrabLink
Chainstays that scale with reach numbers, especially on larger frames. We are talking 460mm+.
35+ pound (15.8 kg+) 130-160mm travel bikes. “Trail” bikes are crazy capable right now, so don’t be afraid to pack on a few extra lbs to enhance their plowing abilities.
#USDH for domestic and international riders.
Tuned Mass Dampers.
Damping that actually provides dampening. Don’t be afraid to dial those compression knobs in.
More powerful e-bike motors that don’t compromise on range or weight.
Super baggy jeans and retro jerseys while riding the bike park.
‘Refined, not redefined’ new bike models. “We didn’t want to change what made this bike so popular before, so we changed just enough to convince you it’s new.”
Product inventory. So. Much. Product.
Continuing to ride your 2021 or newer bike and performing regular maintenance and component upgrades instead of buying a new bike.
Jackson Goldstone. He’s so back!!
People getting robbed at Rampage.
High rise handlebars. This conversation starts at 30mm+. Thanks for the stack, Dak!
Compliance. Flex where you want it, stiffness where you want it. Have that cake, and eat it too.
Wireless electronic shifting. We are nearly two years post-Transmission launch, surely some competition will enter the segment this year?
New mechanical groupsets.
Electronic suspension dohickeys. Flight Attendant, FOX Neo, Loic Bruni’s command center, to name a few.
BMX pros riding MTB. We see you, Dennis.
Shorter cranks – we tested them, and we liked it!
Hip packs and on-bike storage. Ditch the backpack and ride free! (people who go on actual backcountry adventures, keep doing your thing – in fact, we’re surprised you’re even here reading this on the internet, shouldn’t you be out bivouacking somewhere?)
Producing grippy flat pedal shoes – Five Ten, Specialized, and Fox all make them. If your shoe is less grippy than theirs, that’s on you.
Coil shocks. Boing boing squish squish!

What’s Out

Privateers at World Cups.
Speed and style. The event that never quite figured out how to mix both ingredients to perfection.
Frames without routing options for mechanical shifting. Let’s let Specialized and Santa Cruz die on that mountain; all other brands, please carry on with mechanical routing.
Semi-finals. Our optimism last year paid off!
Carbon cranks. Ankles around the world rejoice.
Headset routed cables. Nice try, suckers.
Slack seat tube angles. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: don’t do it.
Buying ridiculously oversized bikes (unless you live in the UK, then feel free to carry on).
Riders slumming it at World Cups.
Retail pricing.
Pro-only Rampage lines. Psychosis comes in many forms, for example, the few mortals who have been stepping up to ride Rampage lines after the event.
World Cup teams that can’t fork out $100,000 to be at the races. R.I.P.
Removable chin bars on full face helmets. Most brands make pedal-friendly full face helmets that work decent for everyday rides.
White socks when riding. This isn’t gym class.
Also ankle socks.
Shredits. We’ve seen the trails, we’ve heard the music, and we’ve seen that angle before. Please think outside the box before you make your next YouTube banger.
GT Bicycles. Too soon?
TikTok music in Instagram Reels. We miss when music in videos was another way to be creative and expressive.
Hip packs. Johan thinks they're in, but I'd rather walk home with a mechanical than be caught wearing a waist purse. Shorts/pants have pockets, and frames have internal storage - am I missing something? - Schroeder
Not wearing knee pads when riding bike parks, longer travel bikes, or gnarly trails. Are you okay? Or do you just not know they exist?
Forks that don’t have a fender designed with the lowers. Zip-tied fenders are so 2016.
Enduro media coverage.
Mid-power e-bikes with small batteries that weigh the same as full-power e-bikes.
Starting a new contact points company.
Starting a new gear brand.
Influencers and shops reviewing bikes or products from brands that pay their bills.
Full-face helmets with sunglasses. It was never in, it will never not be out. Even the aforementioned influencers know this.
Internal frame storage for the sake of having the feature. Please make the opening large enough to fit useful things inside and make the door easy to open.
The G.O.AT. Out of the competition, but still at the races.