7 reasons NOT to buy a mountain bike

[@manapeace]

I live near mountains and absolutely love my high end Trek full-suspension e-MTB for long rides on gravel roads and a nearby rails-to-trail bike path… but it’s embarrassingly bulky to take on the local commuter train. I just complimented it with a Brompton P line for in town. They’re completely different tools for different needs… so opposite in design philosophies and yet each is so amazing!

[@333wheeler]

The 1980s 26" fully rigid mountain bikes were cool looking and actually not bad to ride on the road with smooth tires fitted . None of the stupid wide bars , discs and fully suspension stuff involved. Still use my DBR alloy deore equipped one when the fancy takes hold for a pretty satisfactory retro ride.

[@stephenking2218]

Julian, without a doubt , the best tongue in cheek Rant you have shared for ages. more please.

[@RF33MUSIC]

Legend Mate absoloutly love it.

[@weeringjohnny]

I'm 66 and don't have pockets on my shorts because I don't want to look like a knob either. There are already plenty of other opportunities for that.

[@pascalbruyere7108]

Yeah, you love your mountain bike. Good for you!

[@NicDade]

Julian MTB isn't for road cyclists. That's why we love it. Road cyclists are terrible at mountain biking. There's nothing funnier than a roadie riding a gentle green trail, bum in the saddle, arms stiff, feet clipped in, dragging the rear brake all the way to the bottom of a stream crossing, and dismounting and carrying their precious bike over the tiny trickle. MTB is our revenge for being consistently beaten up the hill by the roadies on a paved road, and all the civilization that well maintained pavement requires. Taxes and schedules and getting up early and being there on time. Give us a rutted animal path through a mountainside pasture and we MTBers are happy as livestock. In all seriousness, handlebars come extra wide because you're supposed to cut them down to what you prefer. And going OTB on a modern bike is a skills and body position issue, in your case due to years of road riding. I did the same when I started, and since I and my friends knew nothing and it was the dark ages, we kept doing it and thought crashing was just how MTB was done. But now in the 21st century, OTB is nothing a few lessons can't correct. A few names: Fluidride, Lee McCormack, Roxy Ride & Inspire.

[@Dj_Akey]

But you bought one, obviously😅 Its always nice to have both, city and mountainbike, like Keyboard and piano. Greetings from the hills of Erzgebirge, Germany 😎😅❤

[@HansG-l7l]

I now want an MTB

[@JulianHutchings]

Good call

[@carlosgaspar8447]

gotta stay healthy and make sure to reach 69.

[@atopdesigner]

You'll know of course that e-scooters are illegal except in certain gated cities, but eagerly waiting for the e-bike review ... e-brompton even. Dammit, I'm even looking at a Brompton now because of you, just so that I can jump on a train with one to justify my senior railcard. Most excellent rant btw.

[@lion39]

That thing is a behemoth! I prefer my 1990's vintage(sensible) mountain bike. Btw, have you had any offers for a free E-bike yet? Cheers!

[@joetoth4064]

But you DO want a mtb 😜 You don’t need mountains, rolling trails though the woods is awesome fun. Don’t get me wrong, mountains are next level fun, just got back from Canazei Italy. Stick with it Julian. Take a professional lesson to dial in your balance points and situational positioning. You’ll thank me. I’m 63 and mtb 4 to 5 days a week, 3 to 4 days in the winter (even more kit you’ll need to invest in) 🤣