5 Things That Changed Mountain Biking in 2013

2013 is almost over and a lot has changed in the past 12 months. James Smurthwaite gives you a run down of the biggest changes.

1. Inaugural Enduro World Series

2013 was the year that Enduro went massive, it transformed from 'that odd thing Frenchies do' to 'Enduro IS mountain biking'. Both Trail and All-Mountain riding now lie forgotten by the wayside, every component and item of clothing is now Enduro specific, and it's only going to get bigger.

This change in attitudes is thanks largely to the Enduro World Series. Finally, Enduro has found a format that is easily understandable and accessible to the average, everyday mountain biker. The Enduro World Series has benefitted from blanket media coverage, inclusion at major events (Crankworx and Crankworx Europe) and a fair bit of controversy, including downhill legend Fabien Barel being accused of cheating!

Credit - Matteo Cappe

Perhaps what is most encouraging of all, is the manner in which the EWS has thrived despite having no involvement with the UCI. The UCI have long been accused of shunning all forms of mountain biking, in favour of road cycling, as well as drowning the sport in bureaucracy and money grabbing schemes. Other series have been launched to try and race outside of the control of the UCI, but the EWS is the first to enjoy such success and could reopen the door for the likes of 4X to emerge as international disciplines.

Best of all, next year the EWS is coming to Britain as part of the TweedLove festival.

2. Bike Park Wales

Britain has its first bike park.

Bike Park Wales was never going to able to match the 5,000 vertical feet of riding that the like of Whistler can offer, it packs in enough short, sharp, smile inducing trail sections to make it worth visiting time after time.

Composed of 23 separate sections that can be linked together in various combinations, from easy greens to pro double diamonds, the park is truly a triumph in trail building, and testament to the hard work Rowan Sorrell and his crew have put in.

Credit - Bike Park Wales

The Park has proven to be so popular that the uplift is fully booked months in advance, and they've had to take on extra staff to cope.

If anything, Bike Park Wales has raised the expectations we have for trail centres in the UK, it truly is a place where all riders can come and enjoy the community spirit of our sport, whilst having a rad day out, and that can only ever be a good thing!

3. Drivetrain Technologies

Dropping chains is quickly becoming a thing of the past as drivetrain technology improves at a startling pace.

Narrow Wide chainrings have specially shaped teeth that keep the chain on a single ring up front without the need for a chain guide. SRAM started the Narrow Wide craze with their XX1 system, but it came with a hefty price tag. Now more and more companies are getting in on the act, producing Narrow Wide chain rings for far cheaper, allowing us mere mortals to experience their supernatural abilities.

Clutch Mechs are another technology that are rapidly changing the drivetrain world

Shimano's first clutch mech, the Shadow XT, actually came out last year, but it is in 2013 the technologies have taken off and become readily available. Heralded as the greatest leap forward since Dropper Posts, the Clutch Mech has made chain slap a thing of the past and increased shifting efficiency.

Expect to see even more next year as the Deore range is receiving the clutch upgrade making it accessible for all budgets.

4. World Cup Wheel Woes.

2013 will go down as the year that the World Cup circuit started venturing into the realm of alternate wheel sizes. Seemingly from out of the blue, way back in April, Mitch Ropelato beat stiff competition, including Aaron Gwin, on a 29” bike at a pro level race at Fofana in the USA.

When we got round to the World Championships in South Africa all kinds of crazy bikes were on show. Mitch stuck with his 29er, Stevie Smith unveiled Devinci's one off 650B bike and Jared Graves took to the course on a beefed up Enduro bike.

Although the race was won by Minnaar on his 26” bike, it certainly showed that longer travel are options are being developed for the new wheel sizes and could soon be a force to be reckoned with.

Intense 951 EVO Credit - Long Nguyen

5. Fox iCD system

As if there weren't enough cables on our bikes already from gears, brakes and dropper posts, well, thanks to Fox you can add another to that list with their iCD electronic suspension system. The suspension system uses electricity to lock out both the fork and shock much quicker and more efficiently than cable systems such as the PopLoc used by RockShox.

Credit - Fox Suspension

It is arguable that most XC bikes are now developed so efficiently and with such little pedal bob, that this system is bit unnecessary for anyone but a racer. I believe however, that it heralds the start of electronics overtaking mechanical functions of bikes.

Don't forget that even suspension was first deemed unwieldy and impractical when it was first used on bikes, it may not be long before gears and even brakes start to go the same way.