When did it start going rubbish?

[one-eyed_jim]

I can't see anywhere that "it's all gone rubbish" with mountain bikes - ride what you like, where you like and what you don't like, well, don't do it or even look at, it if it offends your eyes.

I agree - at least I think I do - that the current state of the bike market is healthy and diverse, at least compared with the state of things a decade ago.

But that doesn't mean things didn't *start* "going rubbish" at a certain point. I certainly perceived a big shift in the mountain-biking demographic between the time I first rode off-road, and the end of the nineties boom period. The mtb press became increasingly adrenaline-sports oriented, and this was reflected to a large extent in the bikes you saw in the shops. Combined with the inevitable effects of a youngish set of participants moving into adulthood, it's understandable that many of those who'd taken up off-road riding in the eighties and early nineties felt alienated and drifted away.

In many respects things are much better now. For all their faults, the likes of Surly and On-One cater to those who are after a bit of simplicity. For the rest, the technology that started with the downhill craze has matured enough to be seen on bikes that can be ridden up hills as well as down, and for those of us who miss the creativity and charm of the early days, there's eBay and retrobike.

Amen.

 

[Scrat]

I ride my retro bikes, I

I ride my modern bikes, I

I make the mistake of reading 7 pages of people bitching, I :shock:

Life's short, get over it

 

[Andy R]

I ride my retro bikes, I

I ride my modern bikes, I

I make the mistake of reading 7 pages of people bitching, I :shock:

Life's short, get over it

 

[legrandefromage]

I've been using disc brakes for a bout 16 years, I have no problem with them but they dont fit in with the era of cycling that I've retreated to (and hide in).

But the splitting into factions and that every ride must be an adrenalin rush isnt what I'm after.

But look, we all have our opinions, there is definitely a perceived change in there air that some of us have found unattractive. Whether it was 2006 or 1996, some of of us just dont get on with mass produced modern anymore.

If you ride new, fine, go and do it but this a site dedicated to retro with old and increasingly belligerent farts that like what they (we) like and are happy with that. There is no need to go shouting us down every time there is a thread comparing modern verses retro.

 

[highlandsflyer]

In many respects things are much better now. For all their faults, the likes of Surly and On-One cater to those who are after a bit of simplicity. For the rest, the technology that started with the downhill craze has matured enough to be seen on bikes that can be ridden up hills as well as down, and for those of us who miss the creativity and charm of the early days, there's eBay and retrobike.

Amen.

Totally agree. Just like Classic Car forums this is a place where many people have a foot in both camps. I ride relatively modern as well as having an interest in older machinery, same goes with my motorbikes.

One need not exclude the other.

When a thread pops up about when it all went wrong I think it is fair to throw in with an alternative view that it has not gone wrong.

It just changed.

Life happens.

 

[Neil G]

I think it's just our attitudes that have changed...not MTB!

Must seem agreat sport to get into now if your a teenager....so many half decent places to ride and bikes that are cheap and don't fall apart like they used to!

 

[reanimation]

Thats it, in 1993 I was treating my light XC bike bad cos I wanted a BMX, slippy gears and big frames and fragile bits, so traded in. I was happy and inspired and surprised to see things had gone where my mates and I would have liked them too. Only prob is now, I'm old and fragile, and the skills/risk bar has raised as high as BMX and motocross! :O

Thats why its important to refind your roots and get out n do your thing. It does get a bit much having several old bikes and several modern ones but if it keeps us happy!

 

[legrandefromage]

When did it all start going rubbish?

Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:51 am

The pin was pulled, chairs kicked back to make room, shoulders squared and fisty cuffs ensued

 

[Anthony]

Young people enjoy change and welcome it. But there comes a time for many people though, where they find that things have changed and they don't like it. Whether it's clothes, music, bikes, whatever. If you don't like modern things, it's just a sign that you're old.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

If you don't like modern things, it's just a sign that you're old.

With maturity comes discernment. That arrives at different ages for different people.