The folks at Mountain Bike Action have put together a list of 20 innovations that they feel have changed the sport of mountain biking. Like them or not, they say, “mountain biking will never be the same” thanks to this technology.
Check out these highlights from the article, which include Live to Play Sports brands SRAM, Lock-On, Stan’s No Tubes, and Truvativ.
TRUVATIV HAMMERSCHMIDT
The HammerSchmidt, introduced in 2008, is a two-speed planetary gearbox housed in the right-side crank assembly. It did away with the front derailleur and proved to be unaffected by smashing into stuff. While the HammerSchmidt can’t be called a runaway success, Mr. HammerSchmidt inspired a generation of drivetrain engineers—and these are the engineers who brought us the trail-changing 2×10, 3×10 and 1×11 drivetrain revolutions.
SRAM 2×10 DRIVETRAIN
While it’s not as revolutionary as HammerSchmidt, SRAM’s 2×10 has reshaped the way we view drivetrains. It tightened things up, noticeably improved shifting performance, increased reliability and simplified adjustability. Even if you swear you will never ride a 2×10-equipped mountain bike, the bike you do end up riding will have a better drivetrain because of XX.
STAN’S NOTUBES SEALANT
There is not a more unlikely mountain biking innovator/hero than Stan Koziatek. The man from Big Flats, New York, ran a go-kart track before coming up with his secret formula for a latex tire sealant (because he was sick of flat tires on his karts). He has pretty much single-handedly killed the tubeless tire and we, from trail riders to world champions, all ride more miles with fewer flats because of Stan.
LOCK-ON GRIPS
How many of you got your first mountain biking blister, not on the bike, but while changing a set of grips? The ODI Lock-On grip set the standard for ease of installation and removal while being never-slip tough.
Read the full article on mbaction.com