2024 was a big one in terms of tech releases. Despite huge sales and massive discounts gracing many retailers’ websites, fresh technologies have been coming out left, right, and centre. Last year, I took a punt at guessing what we might see throughout 2024, and it’s been rather interesting.
- Does cycling depend too much on technology?
- Do technical courses make for better cross-country MTB racing?
- Can F1 technology benefit mountain biking? Rimpact thinks so with its Tuned Mass Damper
Fresh wireless shifting from Shimano – Right
Technically, I was right here but in fact, I was hoping we might see Shimano release a true competitor to SRAM’s T-Type drivetrains. However, the brand brought out its GRX Di2 2x drivetrain for gravel bikes, so I will take that as a win.
It takes inspiration from the brand’s road groupsets and it surely caters better to the racier side of gravel with its 2x configuration. But it shows its commitment to a genre that’s still growing, and that there’s likely a 1x version on the way.
Is 2024 the year we’ll see mainstream adoption of cable-integrated handlebars of mountain bikes? – Wrong
With brands such as SRAM and Shimano designing brakes with reservoirs that sit closer to the bar, like the Stealth brakes and those seen as part of Shimano’s CUES ecosystem, I thought we might see brake hoses run through the handlebar. Now, there are a few bikes that do this, but they’ve mainly come from the integration-addled mind of Dangerholm.
Maybe this concept is still in its infancy and it’s yet to flourish, or brands are recognising that it’s probably not the way forward.
We’ll see more Eagle Powertrain-equipped e-bikes – Wrong
Technically, there are fewer around. With Nukeproof going down with the ship, Chain Reaction Cycles, the Megawatt makes one less bike equipped with SRAM’s e-bike motor. And we’ve seen no new bikes released with it. With SRAM being SRAM, I expect that’s not the last we hear of its motor, but this year, it’s been fairly quiet.
New fork tech from Fox – Right
It’s been pretty big from Fox in terms of fork technology. Not only has the brand unveiled the new 32 Step Cast with its mental-looking reverse arch but Fox has brought the GRIP X and GRIP X2 dampers to the market.
Triple clamp forks on more than just downhill bikes – Wrong… Kind of
This one was a bit of a stretch but it’s a prediction made from bikes that could be equipped with dual-crown forks. And to be honest, there are more bikes out there that are compatible with downhill-focused bouncers, like the Privateer 161. Such releases have been few and far between, however.
Wireless suspension lockouts – Right
When I first made this prediction, I was thinking of Ohlins as the brand had been testing systems for quite a while now. Fox, not so much.
Fox launched its Live Valve Neo technology which is its answer to RockShox Flight Attendant. It does things rather differently, relying on two sensors mounted at each brake caliper and only actuates the shock. But it’s quiet and effective.
750d probably won’t pick up – Right
This one was a slam dunk. Granted, Merit has created a gravel bike that runs the new wheel size but that’s all we’ve seen so far.
Celebratory Olympic Games stuff – Right
It was all about special colourways. The Pinarello team’s bikes and, of course, a Nino Schurter special, just to name a few.
