The future of our hobby?....

[feetabix]

The 'golden era' of the emerging sport of mountain biking was partaken in, and subsequently celebrated by a, now middle aged, group of people who found themselves present at the time of its early inception and development......the demise of this group will leave the bikes they cherished as valueless, unwanted items in unloved collections as a new 'retro' generation enjoys its own, later, era.........




....discuss.....

 

[Raging_Bulls]

In that case there wouldn't be any interest in Penny Farthings and pre-WW2 bikes.

When "our generation" is gone, those early MTBs will turn from retro to vintage.

 

[Dillinger]

Wait a minute... I'm middle aged! When did that happen...

I prefer to think of myself as just out of my 20s.

 

[ez054098]

I plan to pass my knowledge and love of mountain bikes on to my kids. I will tell them why they made them better in the late 80s. early-mid 90s.

 

[dillbike]

Sad but true i think he's right, you guys better start selling off all your Ringle, kooka, and old Rocky stuff to me right away before they are valueless...

 

[We_are_Stevo]

In that case there wouldn't be any interest in Penny Farthings and pre-WW2 bikes.

When "our generation" is gone, those early MTBs will turn from retro to vintage.

I disagree; our current interest is the same as that in the motorcycle world for 'Sixteener Specials...'

...a bunch of middleaged blokes with more money than sense trying to relive their lost youth.

Todays generation lives in a 'Throw Away Society' that just does not attach the same value to 'anything' any more...

...do you seriously think the next generation of middleaged blokes are going to get all misty eyed over a Yamaha Jog or a Peugeot Speedfight?

I don't think so!

It'll be the same with our bikes; have you ever seen the type of people who are 'interested in PennyFarthings?' They're invariably almost as old as the bikes they ride...

...and they pronounce 'House' as 'Hyce!'

So not really a favourable comparison there!

As Fraser used to say...

...'We're doomed!' :roll:

 

[widowmaker]

I plan to pass my knowledge and love of mountain bikes on to my kids. I will tell them why they made them better in the late 80s. early-mid 90s.

This is what i do, and its working

My son has a Raleigh Urban mountain bike, i often take him into my LBS and ask him which bike he wants to replace it - he say he likes his as its got proper cantilever brakes :roll:

 

[titch__16]

Feel I should point out that not everyone here is 'middle-aged'. For example I'm not even 20 yet and I much prefer my older bikes to my modern ones.

Penny farthing - I would love one! And when I say 'house' you hear 'house'. Not all 'youths' talk crap and don't appreciate things that have (in some cases) outlived there 'expiration date'.

 

[NeilM]

I'm 53 and on the two RetroBike rides I've attended so far, I was probably the oldest person there by at least ten years, so that in itself is encouraging. In addition, I don't intend to die or stop riding any time soon and know road riders who are still active and fast at over 70 years old, so I reckon my little fleet are safe for at least another 20 years.

As for younger riders; my son is 24 and my daughter is 28, they both ride retro MTB's.

If you want to know what could happen in the future, just look at the world of road bikes, where people who were not even born in the 1950's will delight in finding, restoring, and riding, and original nineteen canteen 'Harry Fernackerpants' Gran Hernisimo, or take a look on CycleExif where new and old are mixed and blended.

As long as people have a passion for bicycles, there will be a section of those enthusiasts (maniacs) who appreciate fine machinery of the past.

 

[02gf74]

I thoght this would be a thread about the rain. :?