Opinion: Shiny Objects Aren't The Answer
Mountain biking isn't about shiny objects. It's about where those shiny objects take you, the adventures they facilitate, and the stories that result. There's a raw simplicity to it all – even the most elegant and meticulously crafted bikes are still designed to be ridden away from the concrete, to be pummeled and thrashed like pugilists, enduring round after round of use and abuse.
It's the sensations that matter; of speed, of tires spinning and clawing for traction, the moment of weightlessness that transpires just after leaving the lip of a jump - those are the reasons to ride. Not to impress or convert, but for yourself. Riding is good for the soul, and as long as you're rolling on two wheels, roosting around corners on a rigid singlespeed is
It's the sensations that matter; of speed, of tires spinning and clawing for traction, the moment of weightlessness that transpires just after leaving the lip of a jump - those are the reasons to ride. Not to impress or convert, but for yourself. Riding is good for the soul, and as long as you're rolling on two wheels, roosting around corners on a rigid singlespeed is
There's also an underlying grittiness to mountain biking that's easy to overlook, to gloss over with that lingering sunset imagery, but it's one of the things that originally drew me to the sport. The idea of exploring, of getting scratched, bruised and battered, away from the rules of home and school was hugely appealing to my 12-year-old self, and that appeal still remains. Just like how I'd rather go see a noisy punk show in a dingy dive bar than a watch a sugarcoated and over-processed pop concert in a stadium, I'll take a steep, muddy, rocky, chewed up trail over a smooth, manicured ribbon of singletrack any day.
The same sentiment applies to the bikes themselves - a well used bike, with grips perfectly worn to matched each hand's calloused contours, the crankarms polished smooth by countless muddy revolutions - that's a bike with a story, a story that's infinitely more interesting than that of the spotless bike with the little rubber spikes still protruding from the tires, the one that looks like it's never been anywhere more challenging than a gravel rec path. Bikes and bodies alike are meant to be used, to be pushed to their limits, part of a continuous experiment to find out what's around the next corner, and how quickly it can be reached.
That rawness is what has fueled my addiction for all these years – mountain biking isn't easy, which is why I can't get enough of it. The fact that there are no rules, that it's an anarchic activity free from whistle blowing referees, makes it all the better. Deep in the woods there are no speed limits or safety nets – your decisions belong to you, along with the consequences that come with them. Mountain biking is a constant a balancing act, a teetering on the edge of chaos and control that forces the brain to block out everything else except the moment at hand. Best of all, once I'm far enough away from the masses there's no one to judge my mismatched kit, my tire choice, how I hold onto the handlebars – it's just me and the squirrels, bears, and mountain lions, and they definitely don't give a f*ck about head angle or chainstay length. I ride for myself, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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"I could either have these pieces of green paper, or a new fork" makes the decision making process much easier.
It was absolutely worth every dime I spent on it. That grin after nailing a line perfectly and knowing you just destroyed the fastest you've ever gone on it is worth it. The equipment just makes an activity I adore on anything even more fun for me!
Granted, you will have a very small number of individuals that go out an blow thousands on bike products that will inevitably, never really use them to their full potential. That is the reality of life. They either don't have the ability to ride it as hard or fast as their idols or they haven't been overwhelmed by the deep down, out of control addiction. they may have purchased the bike to try and chase the dream of being in the "bike bum" lifestyle, but the clinch of metropolitan life has too strong a grip on them that they can't break away. Going down to the trail centre is the only escape they have from a life less fun. That on it's own is a start. If they don't break through that first barrier, is that such a hardship??? Are you not then segregating them from the two wheeled family as an outsider?
The upside is though, these types help keep the evolution of the sport alive. They buy the latest products that intern, are sold to other riders after a year/small period of time. They are actually helping others to gain the parts that some can't afford at the full retail pricing. The sport is the freedom of expression as well as a platform to explore and go on adventures, as close or as far away from your home as you like. Do with it what you will I say and don't be prejudice. We are all chasing the same dream.
And sure, I may have bought a bike I had no hope of riding to it's potential at the time, but I've advanced by leaps and bounds because you know what? I just love being out riding the thing because it's wonderful, and for me, that's worth it.
Human natures simplest desire is to evolve and hunt out new things as well as to improve. If you we didn't crave this, where would the sport be and why bother doing anything if you're willing to just accept something and never thrive to improve it.
Well put @Uberbob102000. Thats a mature and objective outlook on it.
I reached the almost top end of what is possible with the bike and from all my life/biking experiences I've seen what of it makes me happy, for instance I will never buy a carbon part or frame again unless it is a banger deal (eventually 29" rims), I will never consider suspension type again, I will never again go through geometry chart with microscope. In that sense I will never buy most of top stuff again. From my experience, for me myself, it makes no sense what so ever, sometimes even makes it worse, than some middle-class choices.
Each life is a set of experiences and circumstances, and there is no single concept (God and Science included) that applies to everyone, and it is utterly short sighted to weigh a human being, if only his MTB riding alone, on the bike he rides, whether it is low end, high end or everything in between - and here's this, that does not mean that it doesn't matter what you ride, a squirell, bear or mountain lion don't give a sht if you ride bike at all, they could not give a bloody damn if you exist. So you may as well relax about whatever you have between your legs (even if it looks as shitty as the latest Nomad
It's the same story with mtb's, I rode my brothers (06-07?) Specialized Epic for a little bit when I was just getting into the sport and every descent felt like I was making a death wish especially on 2.2/2.1 tires. Then I got on a Stumpjumper Evo (slacker, longer travel, shorter stem) and immediately noticed a night and day difference.
Being the person I am, I cannot help but be effected by the dreaded placebo effect. For example, if you changed my stem from a 40 to a 60, and bars from 780 to 740, I could hardly even concentrate on the trail because my brain would never let me relax knowing I don't have the right tools in my hands. The other side of this is the marketing of new products isn't always just a load of shit. A lot of the times a company has worked very hard to bring people something innovative, and the stubborn / broke PB'ers call it absurd when it very well may be the next best thing.
We are who we are, and its a beautiful market, overpriced, full of bright colors, and most of the time unnecessary. But god damn it feels good when you spent the extra hard earned $1000 and got the model with the X1 drivetrain. As well as a 2X system works, mentally you cant help but love the idea of finally ditching that 2nd ring.
If you water and take care of your lawn then the grass on the otherside of the street is not so green! im just sayin!
grandma says : doesn't matter the bike brand, go and ride your bike!!
(french citation)
One thing's for sure though, a $1000 bike nowadays destroys a $1000 bike from 10 years ago. Same goes for the $3000 or $6000 bikes out there too.
This should be implemented into a Pinkbike Competition or even just a community image request - 'Show your bike' with the emphasis being on a well used bike opposed to a showroom fresh model on a plinth?
Says a lot about the rider.
I love my original Juicy Ultimates, and my original Codes.
I still have my XTR 970 cranks, they just work.
Shiny = Expensive
Old faithful = Reliable fun.
Did not realize the ultimates were that old, or I was that old
Hayes 9's + power.... keep them bad boys, never seen a set, sticking pistons, leaks and the horrible feel.
It's funny how much people are concerned with being authentic and all that. Yes, there are riders who are insanely gear focused. They geek out over their gear, the spend embarrassing amounts of money on it, and they just won't shut up about it. And yes, we've all seen "that guy" who shows up at the trailhead with a $10k wonderbike, but can't ride for shit. Just like we've all seen the guy who rides his 10 year old beater hard tail so insanely well that we all feel guilty about even having a rear shock.
But let's be real - money can't buy happiness, but it can buy better bikes/bike parts, and that's not a bad start. Everyone has their own little happy place sweet spot. And, like with most technical sports, geeking out about the gear at least a little bit can be part of the fun. There are a lot of people who spend way too much on gear. There are a lot of people who could really benefit from investing a little bit more instead of protesting loudly how they don't need any of that shit, and if you were truly hardcore you wouldn't either. There are poseurs on both ends of that spectrum. And then there are a lot of people in the middle who just go for a ride.
Shiny things are fun. They are nice. They can become a distraction. As can overly focusing on the "purity" of the sport. Just go ride your f*#)ing bike, whether $100 hand me down beater, $10k carbon wonder sled, or anything in between. Riding > preaching/judging.
I'm a roadie. And a mountain biker. (climber, disc golfer, blahblah)... they're my yin and yang, equal loves that I approach differently and satisfy me in very different ways. I ride with roadie friends who ride mtb not too differently, all xc, milage, fast, more business than play. I ride with mountain bikers who scoff at road bikes- other than fixies
The ones I get along with best understand sport is sport. Most ride with the goals of riding better and having fun. Not the goal of looking good, either through their gear or their attitude toward other disciplines. (Though if you can make any trail look like butter and ride with steaze, power to you- keep posting sick videos)..
Same as many of you I have a shiny new wonderbike. Thing is sick, and i'm in love. Spent way more than i'll admit to most people. Something has held me back from posting it here, though certainly I know it's worthy. Like Lance said it's not about the bike. I mean, we all like nice things and so it kinda is, but I want to ride this thing not showcase it. And I know it's way more beautiful than my riding, so I dont want it to be about the bike! I just want to keep learning what it and I are capable of.
I personally don't get this "steaming over things easier" concept. You still feel the trail but you will adapt your riding slightly to suit the sizing.
Easiest way to "feel the trail" switch to hard tail, or how about completely rigid.
So, give Hans Ray one of his may 650b or 29er's that he has in his garage and go tell him he- "can't ride this area because he's on the wrong wheel size or bike design" and see what response you get........ This is exactly the same for the likes of Danny Mac. Small features have formed in the sizes they are, because of the standard 26 inch wheelbase for the last two decades or so. If the overall wheel size and wheelbase grow, so do the spacings and sizes of said small features. You feel as if your "popping" off these as you're used to riding them on the wheel base that you are used to.
Your flippant comments have no substance buddy and you're looking at it from a very naive mindset. Evolve your mind and approach to looking at things or, alternatively, get left behind and then wait for the moment that reality slaps you in the face and you have to skulk back into the group of people, you spent so much time calling weirdos for changing, only to say "I was wrong".
I've often been partying and *think* I have something insightful to say
@speed10... building up the 26" steel hardtail now, need only a new wheelset. stoked.
And disc golf is what they call "the shit."
I agree that trialsin through seeming impassable parts of trail is badass. I disagree that 29 or 27.5" wheels will be incapable of this. Countless videos come to mind.
The end of the day, it's the rider, not the bike (or wheel size) that makes it.
PS disc golf: Why does smoking pot need a sport? Just sit on your couch.
Firstly, if you can't take Criticism for what are stupid comments then well, you'll live a very poor life my friend. haha.
Yes it's about having fun but you brought up the silly little comment about wheel size and how it ruins the "fun factor". The reality is, you are like a lot of people on here. You haven't tried a certain thing, yet you instantly have the title of computer chair champion and you have all the knowledge in the world on anything. Have you ever ridden a different wheel size for a justified period of time to make such drastic comments????? I'm not talking about a few days here either. The Bigger gnarly comment wasn;t stating that you need to go bigger to feel the track at all either. I said, if it doesn't challenge you enough on your normal trails, take it somewhere more challenging. Go have a re read it. I also said you would just adapt your riding style as well. That is being creative and finding the fun factor in itself. Also, i mentioned the fact you can still Pop off the same features with a normal creative style on any bike.
I don't buy crap, I buy products that are relevant to my bikes and needs. I buy it if it's justified and only when broken stuff needs replacing.
I've been riding for 20 + years on all kinds of bikes and locations around the world. Get off your high horse buddy, its more manly to accept that you can be wrong in life than to be a complete idiot and stand your ground as it crumbles underneath you.
Hey, i your eyes I'm a Factory yes boy. In someone else's eyes, I'm the guy that sells them a bike in 18 months to 2 years that they could never afford outright.
The drama mike has created with this article is that he's segregated those that spend cash on bikes that others won't or can't. This instantly drives a split between the community that is supposed to be all after the same thing. Riding is an escapism for most, me included.
I'll lay this out for you buddy, feel free to come over to the UK and visit. I'll put you up for a few weeks. We'll go explore all the none groomed trails that I ride and I'll come visit you afterwards at some point. We can even do it on fixes if you're willing to look Uber factory yes boy cool. Or I can just lend you my top end, overpriced and pointless bike. haha.
GENUINE OFFER.
Also if your bike is so cheap/bad that it breaks down on every ride, ruining all your sessions, it can suck all the fun out of riding: all your buddies happily shredding the trails while you're waiting in the car because you just bent the shit out of your forks.
Also a bike always "needs" to be specific to the trails. I really enjoy riding rigid single speeds (preferably with big ass enduro or even DH tyres for extra grip and speed on the descents), but once the trails start to get really rough, like many decent downhill-trails, it sucks riding a bike where you're at your maximum speed at 10km/h, while you could go 25km/h if you had a decent downhill bike instead of your rigid machine.
But back to the point, I totally agree with you. My set ups have always been focussed on durability. I want to be able to trust my bike 100%, and make sure it will last as long as possible, without spending insane ammounts of money. The cost/durability-ratio is one of the most important things for me in a bike.
However a contradiction occurs when the form of escapism is now rooted with many of the issues that made you want to escape in the first place - complexity, comparison, inadequacy.
I remember a ride I went on and someone in my group laughed about my SLX gears and suggested I buy a new bike. It's not the comment that bothered me, it's more the realisation that mountain biking as a form if escapism has it's limits and like most things has reached a stage where it's not drastically different to other parts of life.
OK, you're young! Let's see how all that limit pushing feels when you're 40+
Now I earn money I buy bike parts. I buy them because I can afford to and because I don't need / want to spend my spare cash on anything else. Why would I ride a shonky worn out crap bike when I have money in my account that could make it ride / look better?
New bike parts are better than old bike parts.
Well you can tell our parks and rec Department about that. We have this BS 15mph limit in the bay...
Sorry, can't help to say this Indonesian phrase that really goes along with the spirit of the article.
I do not agree, it's about where YOU take the shiny thing!
i dont give a s*it for bling.... if you ride hard and fast, no one will see your gear, only your speed and style.
just buy what its needed out there. the price-tag says absolutly nothing about the function, and that is what you really need on the trail.
None of my kit matches and I use a camelbak that I got in 05 and I have to admit a dirty bike looks a lot better than a shiny one..
I admire those out on the trails ripping on bikes that are 10 plus years old..
This sport needs to in some way find it's roots again. Like surfing it's loosing if not lost what it's like to ride in some respects... "Only a rider/surfer knows the feeling"
Have you had ride buddies that you see maybe 6 times a year, since they're out training on their own, on miles of fireroads, checking out their elevation stats on Strava? They might believe skill comes with fitness. These guys ride way more miles than most, yet they noob it up braking through corners, on rocks, on technical uphills, in ruts, because their wheel went off the trail a little... they follow the worn in noob lines on the trail, even the ones that take you through the washed out part of a corner, or mega-rutted part of a switchback, since they assume it's the line everyone takes. Their semi-bald tires and lightweight gear doesn't do them any favors. Guess all that fitness didn't teach them common sense on the trail, and a new shiny bike doesn't teach them any better, it just makes them spend less effort going just as fast.
Then there's the DH/FR crew that rides 8-12 miles in 3 hours, riding the playground areas with various rock features, jumps, drops, etc. that have little to no transition, practically landing on flat. Once in a while these guys challenge themselves to an epic sufferfest at high alt, drawn by the prospects of a raw DH, and wonder why their parts break on a non-technical uphill (after getting pounded and crashed on repeatedly). A new shiny bike either holds them back, since they don't want to break it, or revs up their competitive spirit even more.