Have developments in MTB'ing made you a better rider?

[Tad]

No, Im still shit

Bless. Have a hug.

 

[fingers]

As technology in cycling has improved, enabling me to ride faster in the rough stuff and stop quicker in the rain and mud, I have deteriorated, aged, and got fat.

So no, I was better on a p7 with cantis and f7 forks.

I have one here somewhere...

There's a purity to hammering a rigid bike. Sus and discs makes me lazy.

 

[Ally]

Just been wondering this exact thing.

I do like using my modern full-suspension as its fun to ride and this being the case, then yes it makes me better as I want to go out and I am willing to be more adventurous on it. Suspension and disc brakes are great, but my Shimano gears are too smooth for a MTB. Basically its a blast!

That said, if I ride it more than my other bikes, it makes me lazy and a sloppy rider. My rigid bike forces me to think about what i'm doing and can be unforgiving if my mind wanders. I get a lot of satisfaction and fun from a rigid bike.

Very basically, they both make me better by pushing me in different areas. I timed myself on a regular run the other day and my rigid bike came out quicker (3min over 10 miles).

Either they both make me better or make no difference at all, but I like having old and new and tend to split the time quite equally.

 

[messiah]

I find my smugness when riding a rigid steed means my head tends to get stuck between the trees I can usually get through on my normal bikes.

 

[MJN]

I find my smugness when riding a rigid steed means my head tends to get stuck between the trees I can usually get through on my normal bikes.

 

[MikeD]

Riding a modern bike shows you just what can be done, to then go and do some of those trails on an old bike adds another twist. I rode some scary stuff back in the day on old bikes, but now I ride even scarier stuff on old bikes. Riding modern bikes has absolutely improved my skills.

That's pretty much exactly what I was going to say. Back when I got my first FS I rode a load of stuff that I'd never tackled on my HT, up and down. A little later I was back out on the HT riding the same stuff, having gained the confidence that it could be done. So yes, more capable bikes can make you a better rider. No question.

They won't do it by themselves, though ;-)