What are the most underrated and most overrated things in mountain biking?

[Dozer]

It can be from any era, I'll go.

Underrated: Hardtails. Yep, we've all had one and earned our stripes on one but seriously, getting a good hardtail to not just hone your skills but to ride one to the limit is so damn rewarding.

Overrated: Watching XC racing, especially the Olympics. It's more boring than a road race.

 

[slider_phil]

I'll counter that last point about watching XC racing. You just gotta get the right race, much like a road race. Watch any round from the female XCO series this year, especially the last round. All awesome. The males were a snoozefest though.

 

[moorey]

Overrated.
Boost.
Pressfit.
Big wheels.
Pivots.
Lycra.
35mm bars.
Long chainstays.
64mm or slacker HA on trail bikes.
TDF
Added: carbon, fat bikes, plus tyres.

Underrated.
Added: Aluminium wheels and frames.
I’ll think on that more.

 

[Dales Cannon]

Over:
Carbon frames
Boost where the spoke width at tge hub isnt changed
Pressfit BB
Marketing BS about rear brake/suspension (Trek)
Tubeless
My opinion

Under
Just about every mainstream bike

 

[droenn]

Over: Carbon

Under: Steel

 

[frenchman]

This is going to be great.

Underrated- alloy versions of carbon bikes.

Also, Giants Trail bikes.


Overrated - Fucking yetis man.
Just cos your Chinese made superbike comes in turquoise does not make it better than any of the others. (even a giant.)

Also wide carbon rims. Neither the downhill or enduro overall winners are running them, yet punters are still happy to shell out 1500 for a set of the carbonz. Buy some alloy wheels and spend the rest on some cornering lessons with a pro.

 

[tkdbboy]

Under: 26 & having fun
Over: 29 & strava times

but really ... super over: Proprietary sh!t that could've easily been universal

 

[Flow-Rider]

\

Also wide carbon rims. Neither the downhill or enduro overall winners are running them, yet punters are still happy to shell out 1500 for a set of the carbonz. Buy some alloy wheels and spend the rest on some cornering lessons with a pro.

Shoosh will ya, let them buy the big heavy wide rims so that I can be faster than them.

 

[moorey]

Under: 26 & having fun
Over: 29 & strava times

but really ... super over: Proprietary sh!t that could've easily been universal

Very like.

Also overrated: elephant in the room...ebikes.

 

[Zaf]

Removed by user

 

[tkdbboy]

Under rated: External cable routing. I don't know why you left us, but I want you back.
Over rated: Internal Cable routing, especially the tubes in tubes style when your run brakes moto.

 

[moorey]

Under rated: External cable routing. I don't know why you left us, but I want you back.
Over rated: Internal Cable routing, especially the tubes in tubes style when your run brakes moto.

YES! Cuss your internal routing other than dropper.

 

[Zaf]

Removed by user

 

[Flow-Rider]

Also overrated: elephant in the room...ebikes.

Overrated is also

E-bike retailers telling the MTB community that projected sales will rule the mountain bike world, when the reality is that China is the biggest customer and that they are used as a green alternative to commuting and not MTBing.

 

[link1896]

over:
"do it all" bikes. it just doesn't exist
proprietary shit
specialized, yeti and santa cruz

underrated:
carbon. it's not scary dudes

 

[Ultra Lord]

Very like.

Also overrated: elephant in the room...ebikes.

We have a seperate section for that kinda talk mate

Over rated.
Bike parks. The amount of “world class trails” that get advertised, then you turn up and it’s just glorified xc tracks. That’s not “world class” bikepark. Thats xc trails

Under rated.
riding new trails for the first time. Getting lost out middle of bumfuck nowhere makes for some memorable days, and riding trails blind and managing to find flow is one of the best feelings out.

 

[Zaf]

Removed by user

 

[Flow-Rider]

underrated:
carbon. it's not scary dudes

The cost of when it breaks is overrated though.

 

[The Reverend]

I'll counter that last point about watching XC racing. You just gotta get the right race, much like a road race. Watch any round from the female XCO series this year, especially the last round. All awesome. The males were a snoozefest though.

Couldn't agree more. Watching Nino cane everyone, every round for the last 3 seasons almost has become akin to watching Michael Schumacher in F1: boring and predictable...

The women's rounds were always more exciting and varied.

 

[The Reverend]

Over rated.
Knock block
Proprietary bits on bikes
Carbon wheels (I've still got some)
Light carbon frames (too frail)
Plus tyres
Short chainstays (for tall people)
Low stack (same reason)
Cushcore (at RRP)
X % extra stiffness.
Convertible helmets


Under rated.
Aluminium frames
Bike skills
Tuned / aftermarket suspension
Adjustable drop outs
Fox Proframe
Spending money on decent tyres
Dialled suspension systems vs lightness
One up Dropper posts