The guys that missed the boat are SRAM, They had a great concept for DH (the hammerschmidt) it just needed one more gear ratio perhps. Low, centralized mass gearbox in the Crank / BB. Hard to beat that. DH does not require a big gear range or more than 3-4 speeds, you could change the final drive cog per mtn for fine adjustment.

Because you dont need 14 speeds for Dh and they are uber heavy.

They do, Juniors ran at the World champs last season.

Thats not why actually, this bike DOES HAVE CHAIN GROWTH (just not alot) hence the rear tensioner der. tucked inside the right dropout. If Zerode were to move the upper pivot to the axle of the "gearbox" then you would be able to run a belt on the secondary jackshaft drive. (tween the "gearbox" and rear cog)

Ok then ballsy, rewind, go full rigid single speed and STFU because you obviously dont need options or change.

More variety is a sign of healthy innovation and allows us to find our own custom configuration. Its exactly what consumers need.

704mm OD with an inflated 2.35 pacenti neo-moto. ..and 650B was to be the std wheel size for MTB originally but for a shortage of stock in the wheel manufacturing industry which led to 26" wheels being adopted as an alternative. History Yo.

Some of these people will hold onto the rear deraileur like a pacifier when more frame companies go inboard IG hubs or gearboxes. Sheesh. ;-)

The changes are technically driven, not whimsical. Tapered headsets are the best of 1.5 and 1 1/8, but lighter, putting the strength where you need it on the bottom race. The thru-axles and BB are seeking stiffness and increased bearing sizes for durability. Its totally good the the industry is branching and evolving the last thing you want is "standards" then the innovation ceases. JMO

Not really, the tires that are currently available are very good and range from 2.1 to 2.4 : Pacenti, Schwable, Kenda