Mondraker, a ten year old bicycle company based in Spain, has announced the upcoming release of what they are claiming will be a new mountain bike standard. The 2012 Podium has features that we have seen before – a carbon fiber frame, internal cable routing and a BB30 bottom bracket; but the feature that they are touting as the new standard is an integrated stem.
The new Podium is a front suspension, hard tail design specifically designed for cross country racing and riding. By integrating the stem as a virtual extension of the top tube, the rider’s weight and center of gravity is lowered on the bike. This increases stability and provides for better pedaling efficiency. Continue reading A New Mountain Bike Standard?