Why Has XC Tech Changed So Much?

Why Has XC Tech Changed So Much? | GMBN Tech Show 337

Рет қаралды 20,590

Күн бұрын

In this week's GMBN Tech Show, Anna Cipullo is joined by Neil Donoghue are looking at the evolution of XC bike tech since 2004. Look how much bikes have changed! Plus your usual favourites including this week’s Quiz question, Top Mods, and much more!
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⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - XC Bikes Have Changed A Lot
03:59 - XC Wheel Tech from Val di Sole
06:08 - News
11:48 - Quiz
12:41 - Top Mods
13:59 - Comments
15:42 - Coming Up On The Channel
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Пікірлер: 98

@gmbntech Ай бұрын

What are your thoughts on the evolution of the XC bike?

@01FozzyS Ай бұрын

The uploader link leads to the GCN channel.

@eXaviar Ай бұрын

If had started on a modern Downcountry bike 3 years ago, I would be still on one today instead of a gravel. I love my custom built gravel, but it would have saved me money, even with the cost of my custom built Enduro on top 😅

@floydblandston108 Ай бұрын

Lightness and the functioning of some mechanical components has improved, but not to any degree that a non- 'Nationals' level rider has any need of. The rest is just capitalism and merchandising.... Anyone who could swing a leg over a well set up 2005 Turner Nitrous (for instance) and find it inadequate for XC type riding is riding on another level from mere mortals.

@floydblandston108 Ай бұрын

Not surprised to see Rich is still suffering from 'Torsional Polarity Syndrome'- it's probably irreversible in his case. ALL of the 'improvements' he lists are materials driven, and those- not based on absolute performance- are driven by manufacturers cost cutting. Everything on your Chinese wonder missile is flammable, brittle, and poured into a mold from a giant vat of goo. In other news ( Shout out to the Don 😃) , Hank Djernis notoriously refused to ride full suss- he fitted all those Proflex bikes with dummy struts to lock the rear! Nino's ongoing battles with Scott to *not* ride their (admittedly pretty poor) fullies was only exceeded by the great Absalon- a hardtail man to the end. The man with the money calls the tune, eh?

@gur262 Ай бұрын

They had to go full suspension/ even more off-road with XC Bikes to distinguish them from gravel bikes. Gravel bikes and the bigger tyre trend exist so you stop riding your 90s roadbike that can't fit those. All just a sales pitch. Also you gotta tell the roadie's that some comfort is fast otherwise you don't get new old rich people to pick up the hobby in the first place.

@MegaIceeagle Ай бұрын

Hey don't knock my triple chain ring guys 😭

@ynie1 Ай бұрын

I'm so glad for the modernization of XC bikes. My local XC race is adopting more wrinkles every year including adding a few rock features, a few additional jumps here and there, ect... I'm already pushing my 120/115 just riding that course.

@todd727300 26 күн бұрын

Chicken or the egg though?

@theakh4238 Ай бұрын

Still riding a hardtail, but now with a 120mm fork. I'm having fun and staying in shape. The cost of these rigs has become abusive.

@Velo1010 Ай бұрын

Yes, but you have to be a wise shopper by finding bargains on eBay or Facebook.

@bobby.k Ай бұрын

We need more XC content!

@JeffMTBinVA Ай бұрын

The Val Di Sol XC course was gnarly and that drop they were taking was nuts. I would have wanted an enduro bike to ride that. Speaking of Enduro, it really sucks that the UCI is covering EDR so poorly.

@thesingjaliarchives Ай бұрын

12:32 C) FLIGHT ATTENDANT

@paulhodgson6027 Ай бұрын

Showing my age but I miss the 90's craze for Onza bar ends.

@billderas3420 Ай бұрын

With a Hite-Rite spring to change saddle height.

@LaurentiusTriarius Ай бұрын

I hated all bar ends, especially the onza. Now it's nostalgic so it's okay 😂

@danielstormy3660 Ай бұрын

lm using bar ends on all my MBT bikes including full sus, cant ride with only 1 hands hold position on grips.

@xssonlineltd4212 Ай бұрын

@@LaurentiusTriarius I loved those to protect my hands

@keirfarnum6811 Ай бұрын

I’m pissed they made them illegal for racing! It makes no sense whatsoever. They’re great for changing hand positions on long rides and they’re actually safer than potentially getting core sampled by the end of a handlebar.

@The-Jokes-on-You Ай бұрын

They need to have a retro or vintage class for 26" riders. Modern geometry & new tech is phenomenal & truly much nicer to ride, but much like riding single speed there is just something spiritual & nostalgic about racing/riding old tech.

@theakh4238 Ай бұрын

Running hardtail SS, and I don't care to change. My pocket thanks me!

@KP-ol3tc Ай бұрын

A lot of XC races in my area have a "underbiked" class that are mostly retro bikes and they usually smash it!!!

@messagedeleted1922 Ай бұрын

Agreed... Until I got a ride on a new 27.5 norco storm ht and I could absolutely smash the trails compared to older bikes I usually ride

@interceptor7905 Ай бұрын

Nicely said.For that reason I have now 4 bikes.Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo from 2000 for example that I restored and so glad I did!

@peterfreeman3317 Ай бұрын

No 26” are done, and need to be never ridden again. The only thing that 26” wheels bring to the table is quickness in tight single track. I love my Salsa Timberjack single speed but it isn’t as “fun” as my old 26” Spot SS I rode 24 years ago. That bike was fun as hell, like riding a huge BMX bike.

@MTNMAX88 Ай бұрын

27.5 still lives and the victory proves it. I’m not sure why that’s so shocking to everyone. 29 is just too big and looks a bit like a circus bike. I really hope they never phase out 27.5

@sethrich5998 28 күн бұрын

Horses for courses. Good to have options.

@carloshenriquealvesdossant8855 Ай бұрын

I ride a 2013 Fuji SLM 2.0, added a dropper, but tubeless, single chainring never catch me. 30 psi on tires and platform pedals for life! Anna is gorgeous!

@TheRickysee Ай бұрын

I think longer lower slacker is a fine line. I think we’ve reached the limit. I don’t want to see less than 66° head angles and my bottom bracket is already ridiculously low and pedal strikes are so annoying. The bikes are getting heavier, but I guess as long as we’re all getting heavier together that’s OK right?

@user-yv1pd5jg7w Ай бұрын

I am riding a trail frame with XC forks/shocks, XC tires and short handle bars. LOVE IT! Not close to be a pro but do well in local events...

@matt_acton-varian Ай бұрын

I have a Cannondale F2000 (the same frame type that Cannondale Volvo team used to win the World Champs in 2000 and 2001) with the Headshok suspension system (70mm). That bike was, in a way, ahead of its time but its old school sizing and geometry makes the bike handle very differently to a modern bike.

@chrisridesbicycles Ай бұрын

I still have my fancy Scott scandium frame from back in the day but today I did a loop on my Scalpel SE and I don‘t miss the old times at all. It‘s such a good, capable bike. The only thing I miss from time to time is the big gears on the 3x chainset which would be handy to drop e-bikes.

@keirfarnum6811 Ай бұрын

That’s one thing that I have been wondering about. The lack of big gears is just nuts. If I was still racing these days, I would absolutely run a double ring up front so I could have some top end.

@chrisridesbicycles Ай бұрын

@@keirfarnum6811 I think races have changed as well. It‘s either steep uphill or technical downhill.

@rupedog Ай бұрын

Shim fiddling is scary but fun... I re-shined my 2018 RS super deluxe after fitting the high flow 'hotdog' piston which cures it's knocking problem

@elizabethpoley6882 Ай бұрын

I thought I'd like dark yellow Ergon grips....until I actually used them. Now I know why the pros usually stick to black. The yellow, and even orange, grips get so dirty by the end of a ride that you have to get an old toothbrush and clean them every time...and that's when you're now most tired. Alot of work for pretty. I eventually dumped the color and went back to black.

@johndef5075 Ай бұрын

My 1989 Raleigh Peak is fully rigid and weighs 28 lbs. with XT. My Specialized Epic has full sus and xt 12 speed and 29" wheels and weighs 25 lbs. Huge improvement

@andymakarewich Ай бұрын

With respect to the quiz it’s the rock shox flight attendant

@toddpillow3074 Ай бұрын

IMO it was obvious in 1992 that Full SUS would come to dominate in all forms of racing. I come from an off-road motorcycle racing background and understood perfectly well that SUSPENSION was the most important aspect of chassis performance; reduced crashes, less fatigue and better traction up, down and around. I bought a Cannondale Delta V1000 in 1992 and went faster overall except on the smoothest of terrain. Hardtails lasted so long because riders were stubborn and macho….

@marksandoval5361 Ай бұрын

I have a 2009 Specialized Epic. It came with 100/100mm travel, 29x1.9 tires on i18mm rims, 3x9 drivetrain, and road bike like geometry. The new Epic comes with 120/120mm travel, 1x12 drivetrain, 29x2.3 tires on i30mm rims, and progressive modern Trailbike geometry. I consider all these changes are for the better.

@keirfarnum6811 Ай бұрын

Except the 1x12. Not enough top end.

@lionelwagner472 Ай бұрын

Quality MTB Content

@jimdurham13 Ай бұрын

I still like riding the SC Blur from 2021.

@marksandoval5361 Ай бұрын

The Spur is probably still the best XC/Downcountry bike ever made. However, the new Specialized Epic 8, Pivot Mach 4, and Yeti ASR might be nipping at it's heels.

@jimdurham13 Ай бұрын

I have switched to 2.4 tires, SID ultimate 130 fork and one up dropper. All good choices. ExpedoSpry pedals.

@jimdurham13 Ай бұрын

120 fork

@feedbackzaloop Ай бұрын

"still"? As if 2021 was 30 years ago, not 3. Also, Blur is what got reshaped into that new all-winning Pinarello Pidcock rides.

@nateisright Ай бұрын

@@feedbackzaloop 2018-2021 had a VPP suspension. It’s a generation behind the current Blur.

@NonLegitNation2 Ай бұрын

wait, so the Charger 3.1 damper is only $75.00? I was looking to possibly install a Charger 2.1 damper in my Domain and it was around $275.00. If the 3.1 is compatible then I'll definitely go with that instead.

@luketoms6110 Ай бұрын

No plastic in the packaging but they came I a plastic sleeve. 😂

@lidarman2 18 күн бұрын

So what is wrong about bikes 20 years ago again? 😲 That was back when we had 'yes tubes' vs Stan's 'no tubes.'

@corner_store_bill Ай бұрын

The answer is, flight attendant

@InitialP_Photography Ай бұрын

Uploader link just goes to the GCN KZfaq page

@AnnaOnTheBike Ай бұрын

There is a drop-down menu that starts off with GCN, but if you click on it there is the option to select GMBN Tech. Thank you! ☺

@rogamru7533 Ай бұрын

C) Flight Attendant #quiz

@drahoslavhorvath 28 күн бұрын

#askgmbntech - My actual bike is Trek Rail with Shimano 12sp drivetrain SLX / XT mix... can I use SRAM GX EAGLE 12sp chain? I have one spare at home from my previous bike.

@ridemend9723 Ай бұрын

you guys need to fix your uploader link because when i press on it it sends me to gcn youtube channel and i want you to show my bikes

@AnnaOnTheBike Ай бұрын

If it was broken before, I apologise. It is working now. There is a drop-down menu that starts off with GCN, but if you click on it there is the option to select GMBN Tech. Thank you! ☺

@feedbackzaloop Ай бұрын

BMW that work. LOOOOOL Also LR used to belong to BMW before Ford

@LaurentiusTriarius Ай бұрын

You have to stay on top of maintenance, I can attest car payment never end with BMWs 😅

@joelsjkd1 Ай бұрын

Quiz answer, flight attendant

@VFXBishop Ай бұрын

Flight Attendant :D

@ninjazzrhythm400 Ай бұрын

29er isnt the standard. Mullet is actually more common in my area. I ride mini mullet with one of my bike😂 fun as hell.

@daviddauza Ай бұрын

Mini-mullets! great way to extend the life of my 26er. The 29/27.5 mullets in your area, are many upgrades of 27.5 frames?

@richardpolidore1702 Ай бұрын

#quiz c/ flight attendant

@matteotassone9578 Ай бұрын

C) flight attendant 12:28

@exothermal.sprocket Ай бұрын

A lot of these products being danced in front of the eyes of customers seem to be throw-away bikes. They seem to demand buyers get totally invested in the gravy train of buying, upgrading, changing, modifying, extensive maintenance, swapping for years to come. Where's the bike that will last a decade with little fuss, little problems, longevity and reliability with only brake pads, tires, and a bit of lube? Sell us those kind of bikes.

@mr.mastor Ай бұрын

C) Flight attendant

@Mada_1337 Ай бұрын

C flight attendant.

@frienduro24 Ай бұрын

XC changed, yes…but lots of world cups riders are still running 100mm to 110 suspension and no dropper.

@johndef5075 Ай бұрын

I do mostly xc type riding for 34 years and I dont have a dropper yet. Did go tubeless finally this year and loving it so far😅

@WalkerInTheAir 20 күн бұрын

@@johndef5075 you will love dropper too

@martinschwartz7342 Ай бұрын

Anna feels old when she thinks about what she was riding in 2004. Yesterday I was thinking about my first full adult-sized bike. The 1958 Schwinn Hornet. Now I feel old. I better get out on my full-suspension mountain bike and pretend I am young again.

@AndrewWatton-r4e Ай бұрын

C) Flight Attendant

@youngstadan4999 Ай бұрын

Xc has become trail bikes trail bikes have become enduro bikes and enduros are basically dh bikes . Dh is looking pointless. Its crazy. 10 years ago putting 140 mil on my stumpy was frowned on, now there all in that range

@AutiSam1974 Ай бұрын

the audio quality on this episode is really bad, somehow its both thin and muddy

@craesh Ай бұрын

I can perfectly understand her, but not him. He just talks too fast.

@tim__sadler Ай бұрын

#quiz - you guys need to make it harder not easier - C) Flight Attendant

@nathanputland8199 28 күн бұрын

c) Flight Attendant

@Sketchybackyardtrails Ай бұрын

@Velo1010 Ай бұрын

I’m glad it’s changing. Last thing we want is a sport that has stagnated.

@blairrighton6270 Ай бұрын

why has xc changed so much? (not for the better imo) In a monetary economy manufacturers have to constantly re invent the wheel in order to stay relevant and sell their units so what's available today is just economic cope combined with marketing. IMO the peak of xc mtb tech reached it's zenith approx 15 yrs ago where the geometry and smaller wheel size was perfect with 120mm forks and disc brakes. I haven't bought a brand new bike in 15 yrs as the geo and cramped cockpit, combined with big unwieldy wheels and the industries insistence that mtbr's are to granny ring everywhere has put me off, also the aesthetic of the current xc bikes are just not attractive so the next new bike I purchase will need to involve a frame builder and ebay to source the rims, shifters etc

@richardhaselwood9478 Ай бұрын

Oh, the whining here. Who the hell died and put you in charge of deciding at what point bikes have to stop evolving. The notion that tech shouldn't have changed in 15 years is absurd. 29" wheels are awesome. You can comfortably roll over stuff.

@keirfarnum6811 Ай бұрын

@@richardhaselwood9478 I do agree with his complaints about “granny ringing everywhere” though. 1x has its advantages, but it lacks top end. The whole idea of “racing” is to go “fast”; and not having big gears when necessary kind of precludes that possibility. Sometimes going fast down non-technical fire roads requires a big gear to pedal.

@richardhaselwood9478 Ай бұрын

@@keirfarnum6811 I do get where you are coming from. I'm certainly not interested in going 1x for my gravel bike for this reason. Indeed, last week on a gravel ride, my mate and I, both using GRX 2x10 were making a point that we had lower and higher ratios than an equivalent 1x setup. But, the market really has spoken. People don't want 2x MTB's. I doubt you're going to see 2x XC bikes making a comeback. Shimano, I think still sell front mech's for the MTB groupsets. This also isn't slowing down elite racers either.