Originally Posted by
sykerocker
Every other 'advancement' out there is sheer marketing. Mountain bikes, 26, 27.5, 29 wheels, if you're just riding like the majority of MTB riders out there, the wheel size really doesn't matter all that much. But the manufacturers gotta get your completely dissatisfied with your current MTB at least once every 5-7 years. Bottom brackets. Once again unless you're racing and critically worried about weight, the old Stronglight invented square-end bottom bracket serves just as well as BB30 or whatever the newest flavor. Hell, for that matter, just how much more does 11 cogs on the rear give you over 7? I've noticed now that the style is going to single chainwheels, guess that's a good justification for 11 on the rear. Carbon fiber frames? I've ridden more than a few, and with my age (71) riding style and level of fitness (I can still do centuries) they're a complete waste to me. I prefer steel, and fully understand that aluminum came about with the primary intention of lowering production costs.
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You picked the wrong example to make your point. Whether or not you SHOULD buy a new MTB every 5-7 years is up to you, but in the 24 years that I have been riding mountain bikes off road, the the advancements in any 5-7 year period are real and easily noticed on the trail by pretty much any rider. Taking a bike from 2000, 2010 and 2020, the leap between each is massive and game changing on the trail.