Singletracks Wrapped: The most read (and most commented) MTB stories of 2024

In case you missed it, these are the most viewed mountain bike articles in 2024, along with the ones that got the most social media comments. 😬

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re looking back at some of the top mountain bike stories of the year. A lot has happened in twelve months, with important trail openings, big news from bike brands, and spirited discussions on topics like e-bikes and wheel sizes that seemingly will never die down.

Remember, you can keep up with the latest mountain bike news by subscribing to the Singletracks newsletter. Each week, we round up the top stories and also include some exclusive content that you won’t see posted online.

Most viewed MTB articles of 2024

The most viewed Singletracks mountain bike articles this year spanned a wide variety of topics, including new trail and destination coverage, fitness tips, epic bike sales, inspiring stories, and yes, debates over wheel sizes and eMTBs.

I Can Ride my Bike 50 Miles, But I Can Hardly Run Two. What Gives?

You're a strong, fit mountain biker. So why does running still hurt so much? We ask an exercise physiologist. Click to read the article.

A black mountain bike with a modern design, featuring wide tires and a sleek frame, positioned against a bright red background. The bike is equipped with front and rear suspension components, a colorful gear cassette, and hydraulic disc brakes.

Trek Slashes bike prices by thousands including SRAM Transmission builds

Like 2019 housing prices, we're going to look back at this Trek bike sale and kick ourselves for not buying a whole fleet of bikes. Click to read the article.

Three mountain bikers navigating a rocky trail in a wooded area, with trees and hills visible in the background. The riders are in action, showcasing dynamic movement as they maneuver over the terrain.

This tiny Nevada town of 840 people now boasts 60 miles of raw desert singletrack

They built it — now you need to ride it. Tim and John spent a day ripping the raw desert singletrack in Caliente, Nevada, just 150 miles from the Las Vegas strip. Click to read the article.

Two mountain bikers navigate a rocky trail surrounded by scenic mountains and greenery. One cyclist, wearing a red shirt and black pants, is leading the descent, while the other, dressed in a gray shirt and shorts, follows closely behind. The landscape features rugged terrain and distant snow-capped peaks under a clear blue sky. Cave Lake State Park mountain bike trail.

This small Nevada town is upping the ante by investing $12 million in 50 miles of new singletrack

The small town of Ely, NV, is making a big bet to become a recognized IMBA Ride Center. Click to read the article.

A well-organized bicycle shop interior featuring a row of mountain bikes displayed on racks. The shop has a modern design with overhead lights and bike accessories visible in the background.

After a decade riding 29er wheels, I returned to 27.5 (front AND rear)

Dedicated 27.5 bikes may not be nearly as popular as 29ers, but as we found out, they still have their place. Click to read the article.

A smiling young person sits on the steps in front of a wooden door, wearing a colorful patterned shirt and baseball cap. Next to them is a silver mountain bike, showcasing its front wheel and handlebars. The background features dark gray wooden siding.

He’s riding his grandfather’s MTB from the early 90s and winning races 🏆

Nathan Peterson is racing his grandfather's 1994 Merlin Mountain titanium hardtail mountain bike, and in spite of the dated geometry, he's winning. Click to read the article.

Close-up view of a mountain bike's drivetrain, featuring a Shimano Deore XT crankset, chain, and a Shimano EP8 motor. The background consists of green foliage and forest floor, suggesting an outdoor setting.

Do you own an electric mountain bike?

We've been writing about e-bikes for over a decade, and we're curious to know how many Singletracks readers own one. Click to read the article.

A mountain biker mid-air after leaping off a dirt jump, surrounded by tall trees in a lush forest setting.

$1.3 million for 6 miles of top-tier trails: The newest county park in Washington is only open to mountain bikers

"These trails have saved my life." Through a rare private-to-public land swap, the residents at Tehaleh have access to an incredible bike-only trail system. Click to read the article.

How a North Carolina Community Managed to Build High Quality MTB Trails in a City Park

A lottery winner helped fund the new trails at Rocky Branch Park near Charlotte, North Carolina and the project greatly benefitted from a master planning process. Click to read the article.

The Hidden MTB Deals of Planet Cyclery’s Closing Sale

Popular products from big brands like Shimano, SRAM, Kuat, and ENVE have been marked down and inventory is already looking limited. Click to read the article.

Most commented social media posts

Ugh, social media. Love it or hate it, this is where many important conversations are happening in the world of mountain biking. These are the Singletracks stories that garnered the most comments on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Most shared social media posts

These are the Singletracks stories that were shared on social media the most in 2024.

Most Singletracks podcast listens

The goal for the Singletracks podcast is to learn from our expert guests. This year we tackled a range of topics from skills to gear, and from trail building to fitness. These were the top three episodes based on the number of listeners. Click to see all the shows we produced in 2024.

Finding Flow with Flat Pedals – MTB Skills

Both flats and clipless pedals have their pros and cons, and there's no right or wrong answer for mountain biking. Skills coach Carol Baldwin shares her tips for finding flow on the trail. Click to read the article.

So, You Don’t Have Time for MTB Training. Welcome to the Club

Former pro mountain bike racer and cycling coach Sara Bresnick shares tips for busy folks who want to ride faster. Click to read the article.

Is carbon better than aluminum for MTB frames? It depends on how you use it!

Specialized engineer Chuck Teixeira explains why aluminum is still a great choice for mountain bike frames and why early carbon MTB rims caused so many pinch flats. Click to read the article.

You made it to the end, congratulations! Now, tell us which Singletracks article or podcast was your favorite in 2024.