I wonder if it’s more of looking at different markets and catering to different needs. If you live on the Shore or somewhere similar, the current full squish, long/slack, 29er iteration of the mountain bike probably feels like the Platonic form of mountain bike. Some of us, however, still dwell in Plato’s cave (you know, Ontario and other less rad provinces). I’m fully willing to admit that my Kona Unit 2-9 from 2008 with geometry like a crit bike is a recipe for disaster. However, on all but jankiest of trails out here it’s still OK. Hell, on the flatter, tamer stuff it’s glorious! The “current” XC trend seems to be to go slacker than 69 degrees- not a ton slacker but enough to make it steer nicely with a 120mm fork and make a nice version of the Frankenstein-bikes more adventurous XC riders were setting up for themselves anyway.
March 25, 2024, 5:10 p.m. - retrokona
I wonder if it’s more of looking at different markets and catering to different needs. If you live on the Shore or somewhere similar, the current full squish, long/slack, 29er iteration of the mountain bike probably feels like the Platonic form of mountain bike. Some of us, however, still dwell in Plato’s cave (you know, Ontario and other less rad provinces). I’m fully willing to admit that my Kona Unit 2-9 from 2008 with geometry like a crit bike is a recipe for disaster. However, on all but jankiest of trails out here it’s still OK. Hell, on the flatter, tamer stuff it’s glorious! The “current” XC trend seems to be to go slacker than 69 degrees- not a ton slacker but enough to make it steer nicely with a 120mm fork and make a nice version of the Frankenstein-bikes more adventurous XC riders were setting up for themselves anyway.