And as mtb geometry evolved into
" back of the car to the bikepark"
those wanting to go exploring took to gravel bikes.
MTBs were "all purpose" in the mid90s, but as they became more competent offroad, they became less "all-round"
I'm not sure I agree with that totally. Even my 38.5lb Megatower with 64.5 deg head angle, coil shock, 180mm both ends and DH tyres/inserts/rims can do a 70km 3500m day while riding descents that wouldn't be out of place on the World Cup scene. To me that's the wonder of modern bikes; they can ride distance while also being absolutely abused on the descents, and that's something I've loved doing since I got my first 20" wheeled MTB over thirty years ago. Yes, they are not sprightly on climbs but as long as you've got the legs they can deal with technical climbing better than anything else too because they have the traction.
All bikes are built to the owner's own balance of performance, or at least should be, as no bike can do everything perfectly. A light weight trail bike needs ridden carefully and you can't just send it down the roughest descents without expecting to destroy things, or suffer because lighter kit flexes woefully, and that to me somewhat defeats the point of a lot of my riding. But there are also days where I just want to go and spin and on those days a heavy tyred, near 40lb bike is obviously not the one. Those days I take the '95 Trek, the '04 Cove, or if I had one, a modern mid-travel trail bike. But those rides are rare thanks to my current location; it's easier to go out and ride steep stuff. And at the end of the day, I prefer fell running and mountaineering for my wild adventures as you get into more spectacular terrain. But I do still enjoy riding big loops of trails in the hills, there's usually just a lingering frustration when I get to the fun bits that I can't fully enjoy them.
Over the last thirty years the world of MTB has definitely changed in what gets ridden, and to a degree the people have changed too, but the joy of dicking around in the woods is still that thing that drives most, it's just that as bikes have got better those 'woods' have got bigger. All that said though, I have so little interest in flow trails I'd rather watch paint dry (or go climbing, or for a fell run, or walk the dog). I like being busy on the bike and on easy trails that's what older, steeper (basically shitter) stuff gives you. But I've always had an eye for big lines if not necessarily always the kit or talent to make the most of them. Twenty years ago we were chucking ourselves off the local gravel pile cliffs in an attempt to imitate Bender, and ten years before that we were jumping off bus shelters, park benches and down stairs on woefully under built hardtails. I don't think the base premise has really changed that much, it's just that social media skews what we see, and there are more trail centres around for people to get into riding with. Plenty still love getting out and getting muddy. I think saying all early MTBs were designed for exploring as some have said is a case of rose tinted glasses based on individual desires. The original clunkers were single speed and seemed to be mainly for going down. It was only when derailleurs made it onto the bikes did the all mountain nature get explored. But humans like going fast, they always have. That MTBs could be used for exploring the hills and mountains doesn't mean that was the only thing they got used for. As an eight year old on a 20" Specialized Hardrock Mega in 1993(2?) I still loved nothing more than drifting the bike through gravel corners on fire roads as fast as I could (and still do).
I say all this as someone who loves all forms of MTB and what they can give us; thrills from going fast, the fear before hitting a massive jump or drop, the suffering of a long and hard climb or the sheer joy of exploring and spinning the legs while covering ground efficiently. Part of this is obviously also driven by your local terrain. If you live in Thetford forest or Dorset you're going to have a very different view of what MTB is than someone who lives at the base of granite mountains, regardless of your era. I don't think risk taking is any higher than it used to be, just the consequences at the higher end of it where the same skill and talent can now do more with the technology available. But how many people on here are really pushing anything like that?!
