At the Tokyo Olympics, cross-country cycling was adopted as a competitive event, and the races captivated not only Japanese fans but mountain bike enthusiasts worldwide. It's likely that many people became interested in mountain biking or decided to start riding after watching the events. This article will introduce the latest must-know trends in mountain bikes.

Adjustable Seatpost: The Dropper Post

When riding a mountain bike on hilly terrain, you typically adjust the seatpost to a higher position for ascents and a lower position for descents. This adjustment usually requires dismounting the bike. Therefore, on trails with continuous ups and downs, adjusting the seatpost can be quite a hassle.

The "dropper post" solves this problem. This feature allows you to adjust the seat position while riding, using a lever mounted on the handlebars. When you pull the lever and apply weight to the seat, it lowers. When you pull the lever and lift your hips, the seat naturally rises. This mechanism allows for on-the-fly adjustments while riding. Dropper posts can also be added as aftermarket parts to existing bikes, easily enhancing the convenience of mountain biking, which is undoubtedly why they are gaining attention.

Disc Brakes

"Disc brakes" are a trending component not only for mountain bikes but also for various other bicycle genres, including road bikes and mini velos. Up until now, the standard brake was the "V-brake," which stops the wheel by clamping the rim with brake shoes. Due to its structure, V-brakes have a weakness: if there's dirt or water between the rim and the brake shoes, braking performance drops significantly, especially on downhill sections in the rain. The braking power can be severely reduced.

In contrast, disc brakes work by clamping a disc rotor attached to the wheel with brake pads, meaning that dirt or other contaminants do not affect braking performance. Furthermore, disc brakes do not require as much grip strength as V-brakes, allowing you to stop the bicycle with less effort. The stopping power of disc brakes is particularly effective for emergency braking on descents, reducing the risk of flipping over and making them a must-have for safer riding. Recently, many complete bicycles come equipped with disc brakes, and there's no doubt they will replace V-brakes as the new mainstream.

e-MTB

e-MTBs are hugely popular in Europe and widely available in the market, and they have gradually gained traction in Japan since around 2018. Originally, mountain bikes are heavy, and there were many initial doubts about the compatibility of electric-assist mountain bikes, which are even heavier due to the battery. However, it is now widely recognized that the climbing performance of electric-assist mountain bikes is so good that it completely negates any perceived disadvantages. By equipping mountain bikes, which often ride on steep slopes and rough, uneven terrain, with electric assist, the burden on riders who previously relied solely on leg strength is reduced, making mountain biking, with its many uphill sections, much more comfortable.

Recent batteries have become lighter, with some weighing around 2kg, and there are even models with batteries integrated into the frame for a sleek design. While they are more expensive than standard models, some batteries have a lifespan of over 5 years, making them a viable option for long-term use.

Trail Models

One reason why choosing a mountain bike is considered more difficult than other types of bicycles is the sheer number of categories. Cross-country, a competitive event at the Tokyo Olympics, is just one of many mountain bike classifications, primarily referring to races on circuit courses with continuous ups and downs. There are also various other types, such as enduro, which competes on timed stages, and downhill racing, which is primarily downhill. Because the necessary features differ depending on these finely categorized disciplines, choosing a mountain bike is not straightforward. However, these competition-specific mountain bikes are considered overkill for casual riding like hobbies or city use, and they are not always suitable for Japanese mountains. The trail bike has recently garnered attention as having the most suitable performance for Japanese mountains.

Globally, trail bikes can be said to be the most widespread type within the mountain bike category, and their popularity is growing in Japan as well. One reason for this is their excellent shock absorption. Most trail bikes are full-suspension models with suspensions on both the front and rear, minimizing the impact on the rider from bumps and uneven terrain. Furthermore, the slightly angled suspension fork helps maintain stability even on descents. These features are highly compatible with the conditions of Japanese mountain roads, which often have many ups and downs and unpaved sections.

Summary

This time, we introduced four trending features of mountain bikes. Whether you're planning to buy a mountain bike or already own one, we encourage you to embrace these trends to further explore the world of mountain biking and enjoy a more advanced riding experience.