As crazy at it sounds 2025 is one day away and 2024 is almost completed! After testing many bikes and parts in 2024, here are a few things we would like to see less of in the New Year! Happy New Years everyone!
Heavy Tires: It seemed like anytime you wanted solid traction from your tires in 2025, the weight started soaring through the roof. Heavier casings, slow rolling tread patterns, I want that trend to stay in 2024 and I want some decent rolling, lighter weight enduro tires in 2025.
Heavy Bikes: They say with every extreme pendulum swing in one direction, you get an equal reaction towards the other side. For 2025 I am hoping we start to see more companies trying to focus on getting bikes lighter.
Flat Tires: Even in the year 2024, I still found myself getting a lot of flats, with sealant not really doing what it needs to do. For 2025, I am hoping we get some more sealant competition. Maybe it’s time to finally try the extreme Stans Sealant offering!
Narrow Stock Saddles: The WTB Silverado 135mm lives in my nightmares rent free. Thankfully some companies are starting to spec wider saddles however we need more of this in 2025!
Non-Size Proportional Chainstays: One of my favorite things about 2024 was how many bikes had size proportional chainstays! As someone who rides an XL, this was much appreciated! This is a trend I want to see more of in 2025!
Sticky Dropper Posts: The new Fox Transfer, the Bike Yoke Revive, the One Up V3, so many amazing dropper posts in 2024! For 2025 there is no excuse for a sticky stock dropper post. We want to see more bikes with perfect droppers out of the box! And make them long!
Brakes that Over Heat: I’m not an engineer but in 2024 I realized one thing about brakes; SRAM Mavens dissipate heat insanely well. It’s funny how you don’t notice something until you try something else. I didn’t notice how much my Code RSC’s and Shimano XT’s overheated until I spent more time on Mavens! In 2025 I want brakes to work from the top of the downhill to the bottom.
Matte Paint Jobs: I feel like this is a controversial one but I am not a fan of matte paint especially when it comes time to wash your bike. More gloss bikes in 2025!
Bad Stock Grips: In 2024 Pivot Cycles made me realize there are no more excuses for bad stock grips. Pivot made their own grips which ended up being my favorite grips on the market! If a bike company can do this, there are no more excuses for anyone to have to suffer anymore. And if you are a bike company and do not want to make your own grips, just spec the ODI Ruffians and call it a day!
Short Cranks: Unfortunately I think this one is going to not stay in 2024 but as the industry gravitates towards shorter stock crank arms I hope that I wont always have to pay extra to have my 175mm crank length.
See you guys in 2025!
-Mo Awesome