Our 10 most anticipated mountain bike products of 2017

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As 2016 winds down, it's time to look forward to new advancements in mountain biking. Here are some of the model year 2017 products and general trends that our team of mountain bikers is most looking forward to riding in the year ahead. 

• The top 5 mountain bike trends for 2017
• Five exciting cross-country race bikes for 2017

Liv Hail – Aoife Glass, women's cycling editor

The brand new Liv Hail is one of my most hotly anticipated products for 2017. 

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This 160mm-travel aggressive trail bike is designed for the rigours of enduro racing, with some pretty bling kit at the high end of the range. It’s also one of an increasingly rare number of bikes with a geometry specifically designed for women. Liv bases its bike geometry on data gleaned from a global body dimension index, refined with comprehensive testing from riders and racers. I’m very interested to see how this bike feels in action on big terrain!

More affordable 1x12 drivetrains – Josh Patterson US technical editor

Many of our test team, myself included, have been impressed with the shifting and range of SRAM's new XX1 and XO1 Eagle drivetrains. While they're impressive, they are also extremely expensive for the average rider. 

What I'm looking forward to in 2017 is the introduction of 1x12 groups at more affordable price-points. I don't know for certain that this is in the cards for the new year, but given the high level of aftermarket competition for 11-speed cassettes and add-on cogs that outgear SRAM's own 11-speed mountain groups, it seems very likely that SRAM will push forward with an X1 level 12-speed group to maintain a competitive advantage. Once this happens, the front derailleur will become as outdated as bar ends. 

Focus Vice – Reuben Bakker-Dyos, videographer

Coming from a road and cyclocross background, I naturally gravitated toward hardtail 29er mountain bikes, but I found fear was a major barrier in progressing. So with the assistance of a Focus Vice, I’m hoping to gain confidence when the trails get steeper and the terrain gets gnarlier. With the 120mm travel shock, 130mm travel fork, burlier-than-I’m-used-to tyres and a SRAM NX groupset, the Vice is a middle-of-the-range trail bike perfect for building skills.

More aggressive 27.5+ tyres – Seb Stott, technical writer 

Shimano Steps – Tom Marvin, technical editor, What Mountain Bike magazine

Nicolai Gemetron – Rob Weaver, technical editor-in-chief 

Fox Live Valve – Jon Woodhouse, technical editor 

Cannondale Scalpel – Joe Norledge, videographer 

Giro Privateer – Jack Luke, staff writer 

Long-travel 29ers – Ed Thomsett, staff writer, Mountain Biking UK magazine

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

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