The Pinkbike Podcast: Rating Each Other's 2024 Predictions

 I'm sure its tough to follow all this through the year and then comment again about it the follow Dec/Jan but - what were the previous predictions and how did those stack up. The predictions are fun, but it would be cool to do a followup podcast or article on who got what right - I can't remember what any of last year's predictions were and who was close...

 I definitely think the jump from road to XC (or vice versa) is far bigger than the jump from XC to DH. We haven’t seen a top XC athlete in the men’s cross over to DH in ages. We’ve seen a few in the women’s, but most have had a few seasons at the top of enduro before transitioning over (Cecile, Noga Korem). That said, I love seeing the road and cyclocross athletes race XC - seeing Pidcock rallying through 100 riders is absolutely mind blowing. It adds a lot of excitement to the races and probably draws a bigger audience. While the organizers should definitely make sure the rules on getting cross and road athletes into XC are fair, allowing the swaps worthwhile to me.

 Sarah! Welcome back.

Henry causally propositioning everyone for ski lessons now

 My thoughts....

If Shimano focuses on CUES instead of going head to head with the T-type, financially they come out on top. Way more lower end bikes are sold. Sram's SX and NX groups leave a lot to be desired if I'm putting it nicely.

Related drivetrain question... Why do you think Di2 never really took off in the MTB world like AXS did when it came out? We saw XT & XTR Di2 back in 2016 I think? Timing wasn't right? Too much road influence?

More metal bikes would be great! The last few decades have had a lot of people in the industry pushing carbon. Given the choice between a nicely spec'ed alloy bike or a carbon bike with cheaper components, the alloy bike will almost always be better if both are at a similar price point. Not to say I'm against carbon, but seeing carbon bikes with bad low end parts out there just so people can boast about having a carbon frame is really doing a disservice to the customers.

Geometry may mellow out as far as drastically changing... At least until the industry and the forums figure out a new number to argue over... The problem is the the focus goes to one particular measurement and the effect on the rest of the bike is overlooked. Maybe stack is the next "it" number? We haven't had that debate yet... Maybe higher rise bars are a band-aid since it doesn't change reach as much?

I had a few others... But I forgot while eating... Hopefully some of the PB staffers see this...

 Just pick a prediction and be a dick about it.

 After seeing a Starling Murmur in the wild, I agree with Dario's more steel prediction. That bike is haunting

 There was discussion of XC hardtails and tire choice. Thoughts on if it would be prudent to run a heavier casing tire in back on a hardtail, as the rim and tire have no suspension to mitigate impacts?

 Good to see Henry back after his stint playing Prince William on the crown

 Upside down forks will be back. MX have been on UD for years now. It will happen.

 2800 for high end carbon frames, 3800 for yeti and sc frames being the new normal

 Inflation is still out of control in the US