Why Nobody Wants Mountain Bikes Anymore

[@MattyActive]

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[@___asd159gh43]

I'm hopeful we'll run into each other on the trails! I'm normally riding around north and south table. I've switched to riding cherry creek, platte, and other trails to the trail heads. Green mountain is probably the most difficult for me to get to, but I love those switchbacks on gravel or mtb. Definitely would love to ride!

[@___asd159gh43]

@@upgrayde all of the trails i listed are literally in colorado, all down the front range. are you from CO?

[@upgrayde]

@@___asd159gh43 yes, apologies, I didn’t see your list until just now. I’m from Denver, grew up riding bmx, got into mtb in 2018. Very casual mtb’er btw

[@upgrayde]

@@___asd159gh43 are you MattyActive?

[@johngreason9964]

@MattyActive One topic to why no know wants mountain bikes I think is, progression. ALOT of new comers exploded in the market. But it's been a few years now. Perhaps they're not progressing, don't feel the need to, have not gained the confidence, or the commitment. Therefore, there is no need for a new, lasted, and greatest mtb. Funny because, the time passed and the popular option for a gravel bike is all logical.

[@RedShipsofSpainAgain]

The 3 reasons why mountain biking (and bike sales) has declined in popularity: 1. The high prices of bikes today 2. The crazy high prices of bikes today. 3. The ridiculously, insanely high price of bikes today.

[@wlittleman]

@@RedShipsofSpainAgain That's why I buy all my bikes used. So many people buy them brand new and decide they don't like the activity, or no longer have time. I usually purchase 2-3 year-old models for apprx 50% of retail value. But in agreement with your three reasons for declining popularity, even at half the retail price, most non-bikers look at in astonishment when I tell them what paid ...yet, they won't blink an eye to the $1650 per year they pay for their daily dose of Starbucks coffee.

[@crafty_matt]

I have a full rigid 90s MTB, and a modern full suspension. The full sus cost 12x as much as the 90s bike, and while it's more capable, it's definitely not 12x as fun. In fact, for the kinds of trails I ride (rocky, but I never leave the ground) the biggest difference in riding experience between the two bikes is how fast I can go (need to go a bit slower and more carefully on the rigid bike). The full sus doesn't really enable me to go anywhere new

[@statom985]

but bike prices are low now because of various brands problems you can have decent bike for 1k $

[@SecretSpots]

Great point, however, the retailers are starting to put out some great deals now as a result.

[@Durwood71]

Right now, you can get a Trek Roscoe 9, one of the best hardtails on the market, for $2000. That's a steal.

[@stringbender247]

Too expensive the entire bike industry is insane. My son rides motocross and mountain bikes are more expensive to buy and maintain. Its insanity

[@stefanreimund7630]

Never this is true. I have ridden both. Mountainbikes are way cheaper. Especially maintaining.

[@humbertobizzotto]

@@stefanreimund7630i ride both too, dirtbikes are way more expensive to maintain. But in general everything got crazy expensive after the pandemic

[@JosephRedmond]

Maintaining mountain bikes is almost as much as dirt bikes

[@hytorcdaved]

@@stefanreimund7630ok. To maintain I race Moto and ride MTB enduro , XC and gravel for training. Yes over a period of time MX bikes are more expensive. But , I have a new 170 inch enduro bike that was more money than a 2024 KTM 450!! I need to have my head examined. The advancements in MTB is constantly happening but any brand of 450 MX bike has traction control, hydro clutch , top of line stock suspension and on and on. Try replacing rims. MTB vs Moto. It’s out of control

[@nickdaigle]

​@@stefanreimund7630a few years ago I would agree but now adays no dude its true I sold my 2012 demo 8 and just started riding my atv more cuz its cheaper

[@erich7863]

Im 52 years old.I had one of the early mountain bikes, a 1984 Raleigh Tamarack, mounain biked through the 90s and up to now. Here is my humble take on things and why mtbing is dying: 1) rhe sport has become so subdivided: trail, downhill,, xc, enduro....and I probably even missed a few of the various categories 2) the sport has gotten SO extreme. The mindset of if you arent taking 20 foot jumps or jumping caynons you arent really mountain biking- Red Bull type stuff. As stated in the video, most people dont want to participate in a sport that will get them a likely ticket to the ER or worse. 3) the bikes have gotten so good that what I categorize as tradional or old school mountain biking such as traversing regular trails is no longer challenging- riding a concrete stair case used to be extreme on 90s mtbs. 4) the sport now rivals road biking as being a snooty sport. Its no longer ride what you got and have fun in the outdoors for many. Instead its all about $$$ bikes, gear, etc. Some people treat it as a badge of honor to be able to swipe a credit card better than others and feeling impervious to debt....i guarantee most arent paying cash for some of those bikes shown. Ive always have had lower mid to mid ranged mtbs. I feel the sport should be about fitness and enjoying the outdoors and not about how much you can indebt yourself. The price of what is considered a "decent" bike has become astronomical and intimidating to those wanting to enter the sport.

[@TheVintagesteal]

Nailed it ( 55 here). Snobs and Jerks. I ride in faded t-shirts,cut off shorts. Don't care about others opinion on the trail.

[@crafty_matt]

20-30 years ago, mountain biking was mostly just riding a bicycle on some trails, but now it's become a dedicated sport like skiing. Unfortunately, it has gone through a similar type of equipment inflation, where people are made to feel inferior unless they buy something relatively top of the line. I think the vast, vast majority of riders out there would be perfectly happy on a $500 entry level bike, but then they go online and everyone tells them that they need to spend at least $1500 to get something that will even roll.

[@erich7863]

​@@TheVintagesteal One of the perks of being older...don't give a rats @$$ what others think.

[@erich7863]

​@@crafty_mattso true

[@Durwood71]

I don't know where you guys ride, but in my area, all the mountain bikers are a pretty chill bunch, own what I would consider to be modest bikes, and nobody cares what anybody else is riding, or how they're riding it.

[@MTBr-of-SoCal]

During the pandemic, "everybody" was a mountain biker. Then slowly over time, people went back to their "normal" lives and routines. Those that are left are the riders that been in the game way before the pandemic and will probably continue until they can't.... thus the illusion that nobody rides or buys bikes anymore. But the reality is, it's just going back to the way it was before. I've been riding for over 30+ years, regardless of pricing, headache of packing/unpacking things, drive distance or whatever. The love of MTB'ing for me outweigh all that.

[@Gotdurt]

^this^

[@gaza4543]

Nah its not this my friend, the whole industry is over stocked but they have left a very large niche behind that gravel bikes have now filled.

[@Kjedesigns]

I now benefit from buying used bikes on the cheap

[@diyfu]

Exactly, combine that with technological advancements slowing down a lot over the last couple of years... The benefits of buying a 2024 bike over a used 2020 bike are tiny for beginners and intermediate riders, so why nit safe a bunch by buying from people leaving the hobby

[@pizzapie4me]

​@@gaza4543the whole industry is overstocked, because everyone ramped up production, not because less people are riding. We're seeing a gradual shift towards more mountain bikers in Missouri and Arkansas with all of the new trail accessibility in the area.

[@lovesafrica111]

I'm a 62 year old female who started mountain biking in CO in the 90s, on a hardtail Cannondale & now ride a Trek Roscoe 7 in northcentral wI & just love it still. I will ride until my last day on this earth. Also, all the years riding mountains & roads near Steamboat Springs, CO saved my life years later when I went into heartfailure from a tumor on my thyroid. My heart was beating so fast the docs said a normal person would have died long ago, but since my heart was used to hard work, it did not kill me. Once my thryoid was removed, the heart failure stopped & lo & behold, we ride mountain & trails every single weekend. Greatest sport ever. Fyi..I used to road bike as well and Ive come to see one good mountain bike is all you need for 30 years. You ride a mountain bike everywhere vs a road bike that always gets flats, you can't take on trails and hurt your butt and back after a few hours.

[@KeywordManagement]

I’ve been dealing with afib. I used to take thyroid med years ago. I’ll be getting thyroid checked again.

[@RowesRising]

Just got my son a Trek Roscoe 6! He races and loves it. I ride an antique dual suspension. It gets me around.

[@TheBlueScreenTeam]

We're not worthy! You should start a KZbin channel! I started in the late 80's and early 90's. My first new nice MTB was a Scott Boulder and I still ride it at work an hour distribution center to cut down on walk time. Great to hear that you're still on the bike!

[@lovesafrica111]

@@TheBlueScreenTeam Great to hear you are as well. Hek yes, we LOVE our mountain bikes & I'm beyond grateful to it, for how strong I still am even at my age. Keep on riding until the end.

[@bondaley]

I wish you lived near me. I have a hard time finding 60 something women to mtb tide with. Road biking is ok but that’s for recovery days.

[@lastpme]

I think problem is the price and the technology keeps changing. I have gravel, mountain, and a road bike. Bikes are too expensive to replace the ones I currently own.

[@17even]

Fact

[@jokermtb]

Seeing that my current mtb is almost 5 years old, I figure even at today's prices, it's not so bad if one factors in keeping it for a long time. It's the people who keep buying and selling their bikes that suffer the most with pricing.

[@casestudymtb]

Technology hasn't meaningfully changed in 10 years. Just because something is new doesn't make it different or better. The only real change has been to geometry, which hasn't changed much in the last 5 years.

[@marklouieadame]

True overpricing then when an alternatives comes with very affordable price the industry will try to sanction, badmouth and making things impossible to sell in affordable price. The problem is bureaucracy they monopolize the industry control the pricing milking the people who are just want to enjoy biking, now they make mtb as status quo like LV, Dior and chanel like treatment. Well people still buy regardless its on the riders fault as they fall into status as well

[@tunaficiency]

Same I have 2015 cube road a 2011 stump jumper and a boardman cx that’s about 10 hrs old they’re good enough for me

[@katahdincloud9803]

Classic example of an industry whose producers are FAR more focused on each other, and the competition, than on the consumer.

[@TenFalconsMusic]

If only Trek was less obsessed with emptying your wallet than they are making quality bikes. Their product line is littered with hot garbage they're selling at Bugatti prices.

[@goodoleme747]

Profits over people. That’s their motto

[@hippiebits2071]

@@katahdincloud9803 Manufacturers have to offer competitive products if they hope to capture sales and they are very focused on consumer demand. If new tech isn’t a hit with consumers it is phased out. Yes, the industry heavily promotes new tech but the major widely embraced changes and phasing out of old tech doesn’t happen overnight or without support of their target market. The issue is more that for a few decades now the manufacturers of quality bicycles have done little to nothing to attract the average Joe Schmo off the street even to promote their entry tier bicycles, so those people never really got a vote.

[@ENLSN77]

Spot on

[@lurker-mq4fp]

@@TenFalconsMusic I don't want/need disc brakes, I can live without a dropper post, and the 3-8k figure for an e-bike is unaffordable. Let them suffer!!

[@magicunicorn6535]

It seems like mountain biking became synonymous with steep, technical downhill and jump lines, but for me, mountain biking is exploring off road, on all sorts of trails. I've owned a lot of bikes, and the bike that is MY Jack-of-all-trades is a cross-country hardtail mountain bike. I have fun with it in the city, on paved roads, dirt roads, single-track trails, bike paths, etc. It's fast enough to keep up with my road-biking friends, and climbs hills easily. The front shocks give my sore shoulders a break. I've had bikes with drop bars in the distant past; too narrow, too low, don't like 'em. But I also don't like super-wide mountain bike bars either. Too hard to squeeze through narrow places. The flat bar on my XC bike is in-between, which for my purposes is just right.

[@Driver8takeabreak]

The shift from XC to all mountain or enduro in the 2000s definitely changed the sport.

[@crazyalcayne]

THAT PART!! You can also cut down wide bars with a pipe cutter. We used to do it all the time back in the day.

[@23lnp]

100% agree with you ! Ive got my marin indian fire trail 2014 and its the perfect do it all bike and its light and fast

[@ronbell7920]

Right on!

[@sertaoexpedicoes]

I totally resonate with your comment! I'm 47 years old and I have been riding for fun, pleasure and exploration all my life (non competitive riding). I feel the exactly the same about drop bars (can't even undestand how people use them...)... I have 9 MTBS, aluminum and cromoly, some form the nineties and the newest is about 15 years old.

[@arncht6507]

Maybe you're not old enough to remember, but gravel bikes are reminiscent of 90s mountain bikes. Even the lightest XC bike is too aggressive for the average cyclist; they will never use such steep downhill sections, and at the same time, these bikes have diminished the pedaling and uphill experience. Gravel bikes have brought back the pure off-road experience of discovering new areas. That's what mountain biking was originally about-not just focusing on downhill.

[@macmurfy2jka]

Heck yeah!

[@catinthehat906]

Yep I thought the same, the 1993 MTB I bought back in the day (which I still ride) with no front suspension would probably be called a gravel bike now. Very versatile, tough and low maintenance. The world had come full circle.

[@natkingcol909]

We all started on a gravel bike😂

[@kennethwellington9547]

80s Mtb literally had road bike frames.

[@bryancorts5389]

Getting my 2000 gary fisher fixed. That vintage era was the best for mountain biking. Sq much fun hitting the tight trails too.

[@marcotramontana]

I come from Italy, and the prices for mountain bikes are too high. We Italians are often fascinated by top-of-the-line models, but in general, they are too expensive for most people. I’ve realized that an expensive bike doesn’t make you a better rider. I’ve assembled an enduro hardtail starting only from the frame, using budget components. It cost me less than 2K, but it's my perfect bike. I’ve learned a lot from my HT. When I go on vacation to the Dolomites, I rent top full-suspension bikes and have fun for a day. I'm 48 yo and I have priorities and I don't want/like spend too much money on bikes in general. (2 wheels, easily stolen so far).

[@smith4686]

If you look at bikes under 500€ most bikes are mtb. Road bike and others start at 800€ or something. I just recrntly ordered a brand new bergamont revox 2 for 200€. I don't care about components just a budget suntour and shimano tourey is ok for me since i only use it for commuting.

[@tom-c1j2p]

i have a trek Roscoe 7 because i got it for FREE FROM A GUY in perfect condition or i NEVER thought of having one, needed a $20 shifter and upgraded $100 BUCKS COST.....i put on a royal Italian comfy seat and nicer grips and aluminum peddles and a riser on and use it as a casual cruiser ....HEY IT WAS FREE....! I have tons of trails and quiet safe tourist places to putts around for casual EXERCISE.....

[@GregAspenson]

40 years old here. Started Mountain Biking 2 years ago. Going out about once a week. I make time for it and my health, mood, relationships are better for it. Just have one hardtail, that's all I need, and I keep my wheels on the ground most of the time.

[@midlife_mtb]

46 here, started 3 years ago and keen to get my wheels off the floor as much as possible 🤣, it has been bloody good for my health though... apart from my ribs 🤪

[@mikeburgh3956]

I only have a Hardtail also. Im 48, started about 1yr ago. 🤙🏻

[@spiderpimp33]

Same here bud. 40yrs old, 2.5yrs in, and I have a Trek Marlin 7 HT. I try to go 1-3 times a week for cardio, decompression from work & family life, etc. As far as high prices, I bought most of my items…helmet, lights, seat, tires, chain, etc. from eBay and Amazon due to the insane markups at the local bicycle shops. I can’t afford a $5k FS MTB at the moment with private school, and other real life bills & responsibilities.

[@scstinger5]

@@spiderpimp33 Same here. I’m 61 years old, ride about 3 times a week and started riding about 4 yeas ago. I recently got a full suspension bike and I have to say, it’s not all that great lol! I have a lot more fun on a hard tail. It’s really had to beat a good hard tail bike! Long story short, I’m going back to a hard tail lol! Also you can get a damn good HT for $1500 to $2000 🤙

[@MrQmason]

I have a hardtail with rigid suspension. I ride mostly on paved roads. I'm 59 and having big fun with it :)

[@casestudymtb]

As much as the industry wants you to be on a 1-3 year bike purchase cycle, the reality is that these investments will last. If you bought a bike within the last 5 years, geometry hasn't changed much and that bike can be ridden for another 10 years or more with proper maintenance. I own multiple bikes, but I'm at a place now where my needs are met. There just isn't a sufficiently compelling alternative to my current bikes to make me want to purchase something new anytime soon.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

I hear you. Im not in the same spot as you, I only have 1 bike. Its a 10 year old trek remedy 7 29er that was given to me. The previous owner bought a new bike and asked if i wanted the old one. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity! Its was squeaky and in pain, I could tell. I sent it into the shop to fix the brake squeal and have the suspension set to my weight. I then went through it with a fine tooth comb. Now when people hear me coming they look 10 feet behind me because I'm so quiet, its just tire noise unless I stop pedaling. I am in the market for a drop bar bike. A sort of one bike to rule them all kind of thing. To cover the qround that makes a full suspension bike feel like overkill. Im getting into trouble riding no hands on grass, down paths, and atop short walls trying to find the bikes comfort zone @ my local park... i need something more nimble to keep me sane on the streets I guess!

[@casestudymtb]

I'm a big advocate for old steel frames. I have a couple of steel bikes from the 70's that I've modernized and are perfect for that kind of thing, one of which I literally found in the trash. 350usd can go a long way towards making something super unique that rides beautifully, especially if you're down to use rim brakes and friction shifting.

[@jolly1374]

Same here. My bike is a Jet 9 from 2010. It still rides like a dream. The new crap is just too damn expensive. $4000 for a good entry bike? Get outta here lol

[@brandonhoffman4712]

@@jolly1374 $4k is not a good entry level bike. Its just a good bike. Entry level bikes tend to be for kids, not adults. No suspension, 1 gear, and 16" rims. I think a GT mach one is $400, not $4,000. Perhaps our ideas of entry-level differ? Perhaps when you go to the bike shop you pretend to be entering the market for the 1st time yet want new bike to beat old bike you're pretending not to have? Maybe its just nostalgia glasses remembering what things used to cost? I remember getting 12pks of coke for $2 not on sale. Now they are $8.50... Which would make an 800 bike 3,400 over the same time. 25 years can do a lot...

[@jolly1374]

@@brandonhoffman4712 lol I was just over exaggerating for the sake of the video. I know what most are going for. But, I sold bikes for many years and have had more people come back for that upgrade to a slightly more capable bike. And the price tag is always the shocker. The bike industry has just lost its way.

[@Iggy52]

I love my do-it-all hardtail Kona Honzo and wouldn't trade it for anything. Playful, fun, multi-purpose bike. I dont even need to be on a trail all the time, just riding around neighborhood and being a kid again is AWESOME. I am 44. 😊

[@pingpongballz5998]

I got the Big Honzo!

[@winky619]

Same honzo is the best bike ever

[@badorx]

I have the Honzo cr race, and I love it!!

[@edkuhlenkamp9984]

I have a carbon Honzo, love it! No need to get rid of it. Thinking about buying a gravel/adventure bike. Have a hybrid I have been using on gravel, really like it. Great video, on top of the trend that people want simpler options these days

[@mikehemens9359]

Stolen sinner -got it complete. I am upgrading with 155 cranks. It sucks to go fast over bumps with it but it has a 'free coaster' so you can set up a small ramp and ride up and back down backwards.

[@believeinjesus8300]

Bro, the price kept me away years ago, and has only gotten worse. I bought a wall mart bike 2 years ago, not the best for sure. But get me down town and back home. I would love to get a fancy bike. But I’ll keep rolling with my Walmart bike.

[@Eroldlite]

Love how you’re comfortable with where you’re at and not just chasing the upgrades

[@AI-Entertainment-xh1us]

It's because some brands wanna charge 11k+ for their bikes. They raised the prices during the covid-hype, thought they could keep it that way and now sit on their products

[@TenFalconsMusic]

So true👍 Paying over $500 for a Trek is like buying Wal-Mart brand caviar at normal caviar prices.

[@tonyb9735]

"t's because some brands wanna charge 11k+ for their bikes" Sure, but almost every brand also sells a bike for under $1000

[@xKillYourTVx]

that and mtbs are too heavy

[@slksol]

I got a 37% discount on one of those bikes, last season’s model, basically free ha.

[@jags333]

What?

[@davidtrevino5211]

I bought one $900 dollar Salsa Bike @REI last year, and thats good enough for me. Im not in competition with anyone. Same thing with my Vehicles, I currently drive a 1999 4x4 3rd gen 4runner and a 1991 4x4 Jeep Cherokee XJ, these 2 are rock solid , so no need for a newer vehicle full of electronics and sensors. Makes life alot easier with no car payment as well...

[@owldon]

The actual millionaire mindset here folks! Props!

[@paul734]

I tend to ride every weekend here in Maryland and usually see the same people on the trails. I recently went XC and utilize it for everything from gravel, trails, and road. I bought a Specialized Chisel ($1,300) and made some great upgrades (dropper, grips, and carbon bar) that makes me enjoy the heck out of the bike. I recently went to my local shop and the NEW Status 140 2s are $3,500. I have the last status 140 and paid around $2,100 for and there is no "big" difference between the two. The price of bikes these days is crazy. Enjoy what you have and ride.

[@triggamusician]

Good point. I got lucky this year. I bought a brand new bike and I didn't know that it was at the very end of its generational cycle. So I got a great deal and I love that bike. 2 weeks later the new gen was released and the differences are so little and so few and so unnecessary but €4,200 asking price while mine was at €2,500. I will stay with this bike until it breaks.

[@HasanibnSabah]

New to Maryland myself and looking to get back on the MTB. Can’t wait to discover new trails, and to take the DJ to Germantown!

[@jdotoko]

​​​@@triggamusicianLet me guess, Cannondale? :) Price points are so similar to my situation with Cannondale Scalpel but I went with the newest generation. For my own reasons.

[@dalefrolander3583]

I'm 60 years old. I used to ride mountain bikes a lot. Then in a period of about a year or two all my friends got married, had kids, and stopped riding. I eventually hung my bike from the ceiling too. I retired a couple of years ago and recently moved to Boise, ID. Who knew, but there's a huge mountain biking scene here. I've been all over the trails on my new bike, along with my 73 year old neighbor. A couple of old guys climbing hills, and flying down the trails. We're having a blast. I don't think bikes are too expensive now. Bikes are way better than they used to be. I picked up a brand new $5k Salsa Blackthorn Carbon for $2200. When I bought my Gary Fischer Joshua Z2 back in 1997 I paid $1800, which is equivalent to about $3500 today, for a bike with V brakes, 26 inch wheels, and a 3x9 drivetrain! Unfortunately the season is ending here, but we'll be back on the trails in the spring.

[@josephrival951]

I'm a bit of the opposite. As a kid I would spend whole summers on my bmx style bike. In high school I got a 10-speed. College and life happened and I never rode anymore. In 2005 I bought a Schwinn Ranger 2.6 fs, rode it a couple of times, life happened again and its been in the garage since. 70 lbs later I pulled it out and want to get back into riding for health reasons.

[@DavidJDiehl]

I'd rather buy a dirt bike for the prices MTBs are running these days. Shit is crazy.

[@chrisprysok7634]

If you buy a yz 250 they will give you a emtb or were.

[@Durwood71]

I'd rather buy a mountain bike for the price of a dirt bike, because I have no interest whatsoever in riding a dirt bike. That's where this ridiculous comparison always falls apart. We spend money on our interests, and the cost of something outside of our interests is irrelevant.

[@JayRock907]

yeah i was all for getting a dirt bike until i realized that i couldnt (legally) ride them on any of the trails nearby where i live, and i live in Alaska haha

[@Johnslist]

I buy good bikes used, then maintain them well. I don't need the latest.

[@treasurewuji8740]

Fortnite legit made a vid on that topic. They are a motorcycle channel

[@rogercole5280]

I’ve been riding my budget gravel bike for the exact reasons you mentioned. The only upgrade that makes a difference in mountain biking is to move to an area that you can pedal to the trailhead. Electronic shifting, electronic droppers, flight attendant suspension have all made analog bikes as expensive as e-bikes.

[@hereticyogiexpectationsups4037]

I'm 1/2 mile to my local trail system. Love having easy access. Also ride a hardtail for pavement and gravel, but thinking of getting a "real" gravel bike to serve my road/gravel time (70% of my rides?). I'll keep the full-suspension for single track.

[@JayRock907]

What 'budget gravel bike' do you have?

[@hike2024]

I love my mountain bike. Two years ago I purchased a Diamondback Release 29 3. I don't have to ride MTB trails to enjoy it. Just last week I road 52 miles on the Virginia Creeper trail on my MTB. It can handle any situation, and I use mine all over the place, and on all kinds of terrains, and on gravel... it just doesn't matter to me, it just works. I'll have this bike for a LONG time!

[@HasanibnSabah]

That is my bike too and I have seen zero reason to ‘upgrade’ to a cool brand. It’s just right!

[@erents1]

Everybody needs three bikes! One gravel, one mountain and one road! I’ve been riding an average of 8000 to 12,000 a year in the high Sierra for forty years. I still ride nearly everyday at 67 years old, I’m hoping to get back into MTB racing next summer for one last season of racing xc. Sounds crazy but I can out climb most thirty year olds. I must admit I have the best trails in the world right out my back door, so I have huge incentive to ride daily. If I don’t race I will ride from California to Maine in the Spring. Just found your channel, great content, I’m subscribing!

[@garyschapiro893]

What I'm seeing which is very cool is a lot of older folks out on the trails. The popularity has produced some great trail systems. We (us old folk) never had such nice stuff to ride so we are basically sneaking back out into the scene grinning. We now can get a super light FS bike and ride trails that are well marked so we don't accidentally get out over our head. As mountain bikers, we know there's nothing better to stay in shape than a good day climbing and suffering (aside from surfing). I'm totally stoked with riding again these days. And yes, the bike prices are absolutely depressing. You had some great points in your video and I like your attitude on basically just get out and enjoy. Cheers mate and keep on riding!

[@ronaldgainsford2854]

30 Years ago, I bought a GT Outpost All Terra. I still have it. The only thing I did was fit narrower all terrain tires, which has less road resistance. It's a good commuter and adventure bicycle.

[@magicunicorn6535]

My first good MTB was a 1995 GT All Terra. I loved it. It had the bullhorn-type handlebars, which looked funny but were more comfortable to grasp and gave more power when climbing. It shifted like a dream. Unfortunately it was stolen off the rack in the back of my truck. That bike could do everything. If it hadn't been stolen, I'd probably still be riding it.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... tires which have* less rolling* resistance.

[@crazy-_-Beard]

What gets me is seeing bicycles priced at what a used motorcycle goes for !!! I don’t want to spend more than $1500 for any bike. Yet the store makes me feel like a poor person because I’m not looking at bikes that cost over $2000 🤨

[@avxy3632]

Of course the store looks at you that way, they want to make money.

[@lynch42o]

and if you look at the parts on those 1-2k bikes, they aren't even that good!

[@Durwood71]

If a salesman denigrates you for not wanting a more expensive bike, then tell him you don't appreciate his condescending attitude and that you will be taking your business elsewhere.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

bought a 700 dollar hardtail a few month back, heck with the elitist side eye. an expensive bike should be researched and if possible test rode before you shell out 2K plus.

[@HeleneLogan]

We're fortunate to be near a great bike store where that type of attitude doesn't fly. The people there are knowledgeable, friendly and super-helpful, no matter your price range. Just chill and reasonable people. I agree with other commenters--find another store if you can.

[@TheAngryHusky]

A big reason is because it’s hard. Lots of people got bikes after watching a few KZbin videos and quickly realized they don’t have the fitness or skill for it. Also price

[@fpeter01]

Yeah, cycling is hard... You need to be in good shape to enjoy uphills, and you need good line choice riding downhills. And as a technical sport, it is crazy expensive, even I if you do the maintenance.

[@chadcolton528]

Gravel bikes are the newest iteration of what was called a hybrid bike back in the 90’s. A bike that can ride bike paths, moderate (ie not scary) trails, get you to the store or work or bar, and isn’t so high strung and doesn’t require a ton of maintenance.

[@coachrobwille4176]

Hi what is the differences between a gravel bike and a cyclocross bike ? To be they are the same as they have drop bars.

[@arewethereyet0079]

I'm in my early 50's. I remember when a new cable, wrench, break pads would do most of what you needed to keep a decent bike running safely. Bike shops don't even carry parts for old school bicycles. They have to service new innovations that change radicaly every three years or less. Seriously it's like having an old car you can't get parts for, or no one wants to work on it. But the new stuff is changing so quickly it's like all new tools are needed, for new generations. Imagin your gas vehicle brands changing the lug pattern on your wheels every three years. Causing all the dealerships to buy new tools and parts. My bike collection just got added to. I was delighted to find a 1990-2000 made in America GT mtb, at a garage sale for $60. Said he was selling it for his buddy. Struck me as two guys that had good bikes rode little and now have kids. Probably hung in the garage for the last 15 years Mint condition. and working at the plant in the early 2000's this bike that I always wanted would have cost me 1.5 months income I'm good with old school.😊

[@marvinlee4887]

I think Matty's 1st point is spot on, at least from what I have witnessed. When people were essentially paid to stay home, had more time on their hands, people ventured outside and took on new challenges like mountain biking. Post C-19, life ramps back up, fitness levels starts to taper off, the thought of making that 5% to 10% grade climb again begins to look more and more unappealing. Human nature is to seek the easy path forward, combined that with the streses of work, life, money, family, etc....yeah, activities like riding a bike, let alone climbing up a hill again, doesn't seem like a good time anymore. Another factor is, when the industry thinks a $900 dropper post is a good idea, that is part of the problem.

[@medina23]

I am a lifelong MTB rider, and you are preaching 100% truth. The points in my life where I took a break were due to the factors you mention in terms of convenience, high barrier to entry (on a daily basis) that sometimes life doesn't allow. But that said I'll be riding till I die... and hopefully that isn't on the trail. Keep up the meaningful content.

[@paQ75]

I don't understand how anyone can say that a gravel bike is more versatile than a semi-rigid MTB with the shock absorber lockable from the handlebar.

[@jdaniels1313]

I didn't hear you mention this... E-Bikes are taking over a lot of the bicycle market, including mountain bikes for city commutes and city riding. I'm seeing so many E-Bikes (and E-Scooters) here in Central and Atlantic Coast Florida -- Orlando and Melbourne/Palm Bay. I'd expect the changeover to E-Bikes has taken a significant chunk out of the mountain bike sales. Many of the E-Bikes are mountain-bike style bikes.

[@burrellbikes4969]

I work at a shop and I honestly tell them - “if you are having fun, you are doing it right. I’ll help you find a bike for your budget that will help you find your desired experience”. Then I find them that correct bike. And I can simply explain why a couple certain features are important. I do pretty well sell bikes using that approach.

[@person.X.]

Sounds like a very sensible approach. I used to work in retail (not bicycles) and used the same approach. I would find a product that did the job as well as possible at a price the customer could afford and the result was a lot of repeat and word of mouth sales. Too many business people indulge in the fantasy that all their customers need to have investment banker levels of income 🤣. That simply is not the real world.

[@garretteverett2613]

I'm finding that I sell more bikes by selling less bikes - if I'm honest with the customer and meet them where they're at for needs and budget, they'll refer their friends, even if I don't make a sale at all. If I overhyped stuff and sold people bikes that are above their needs or skill level, there's a chance that they'd feel ripped off. Exponential long-term growth is better.

[@chuckjoga1161]

Everyone who wanted a bike, got one. Mountain Biking is a lot of fun, but the flip side is that it is very hard. When I buy a bike, I plan to ride it for 4-5 years because current bicycle technology is state of the art with over 100 years of refinement. And, you pay big for that state of the art. I'm hoping to pick up someone's lightly used super bike in a couple years.

[@princelinus8320]

Agreed. There is a huuuge learning/fitness curve too. Most people aren't ready to work hard for it.

[@jacobnugent8159]

@@princelinus8320yeah, I don’t have the skills for the jumps or the super technical stuff, I’m just here to push myself on the climb and have fun on the decent.

[@johnwilkins3995]

Agreed. The dropper post alone is an unbelievable development. I just love what they’ve done with bikes. I got a Roscoe 8 myself. It’s awesome, so capable .

[@dkricher]

I ride more than ever, but a lot of that is that I picked my house based on how close it was to a good trail, I don’t have to drive.

[@timking2822]

I'd have to agree with the majority of your comments. But, I don't get the gravel movement. No suspension? I grew up on a road bike, but quit due to the concerns with riding in traffic on the road. I purchased a mtb in 1980 to get off the streets. In 1990 I bought a suspension mtb. A huge improvement. I ride for fun. At 77yrs old, I don't seek aggressive downhills, climbs, or technical rides. But, my mtb is still my choice. You're absolutely right about all the technical models of mtb's. For a racer, sure. But, for a typical rider it's overly confusing, costly, and limiting. You see the reviews of Walmart's Ozark Trail 29er. This is all most people need. $400!

[@rileysmith6668]

Wow. I haven’t biked more than twice a year for last 2 years and this video actually made me want to go out! I got overwhelmed by the constant “new” tech which, I didn’t realize, made me feel my bike was garbage but I freaking love my 2017 intense tracer! That thing is insanely fast and solid compared to every other new bike I tried. Yet I felt a little embarrassed pulling out my old bike amongst all the flashy new ones. And now that I’m nearly 41 years old it just seems scary to ride like I did! Ha! I still want to get a good hard tail and enjoy the local trails. Thanks for this video. Hopefully I get the itch again!

[@kingtriton7202]

You can get good deals on used mtb from people that bought them during lockdown and get into the sport relatively cheap. I bought a used Marin and take it to trestle and snowmass. This has been one of the funnest summers ever. You don’t need a 5000k plus bike to have fun.

[@MattPula]

the logic path you break down on different advancements in MTB (dropper posts, suspension, etc) is exactly why my main trail bike is over 10 years old - nothing has changed that drastically to make it seem like it's worth upgrading (and I can upgrade individual components if I want) - and most importantly the terrain isn't changing rapidly either. eMTB is the only new advancement that is appealing to me, and that's largely just to make it more convenient - it would make it less of a chore, and make it feel like I'm able to do more with the limited time I can spend mountain biking.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

My mtb is 10 years old (2014 Trek remedy 7 29er). There have been lots of advancements. Mine is a 3x10 drivetrain, has quick release axles, a long stem (old school geometry), no dropper post, and rolls on loose bearings like a 70's schwinn. The new stuff is 1x, strong axles, geometry like a motocross bike, a dropper post, and rolls on sealed cartridge bearings. I do think an e-mtb is the only e bike that interests me. For me there are 2 viable e bike sectors. Commuters and mtb. Commuters for those that need it or choose it, and e-mtb to get the adventurous sort deeper into the wilderness. I have dreams of riding an e-mtb in the sierra mountains to my fav fishing places and expanding my reach beyond the favorites. All of this said, im in the market for a drop bar bike. My goal right now is building so much leg muscle I cant feel mountains on my mtb. It may be a pipe dream!

[@MattPula]

@@brandonhoffman4712 I suppose mine was a little ahead of the curve in terms of components - its a 2013 Yeti SB95 29er - it already had "modern" stuff like through axles and a tapered head tube. I converted it to a 1x (all new drive train, box prime9) put a dropper on it, new tires, new cockpit - and the geometry is basically identical to my 2022 Canyon 29" hardtail. I do all the work myself, I'm into the bike about $1300 total, so it's really hard for me to justify buying anything newer lol

[@petedog9581]

Finally bought a new bike after 10 years on my 2013 Stumpy Elite 29er. It is a great bike and my son rides it now. I did numerous upgrades and the bike is better now than it was new. However, I bought a 2023 Rocky Mountain Instinct C30 and it is so much more capable than the Stumpy. I was in denial about modern geos not meaning that much, but now I understand. The bike was $1800 off the MSRP from Jenson... $2900 shipped to my door. No chump change, but I had to pull the trigger on that deal.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

@@petedog9581 Jenson is good. And 30 miles from me!

[@pascalbruyere7108]

I agree. I have a 26” full suspension from 1999, rim brakes, good enough for what I am doing. Bearings cost $10, chains $20 brake pads $10 so I can always run on a new bike.

[@seano218]

Same here. Unfortunately, if your fork goes, unless it's a 100mm of travel, you're screwed.

[@jokermtb]

you'll cry if you ever ride a mtb with modern geometry.......

[@rocstarang5747]

​@@jokermtbno he won't. I switch between my 1990s GT and my 2024 Cervelo on a daily basis. Literally no adjustment period needed.

[@jqk369]

I have a 98 fully rigid and a 2021 mtb, it makes such a difference to be able to do my own work on the 98 without messing anything up or it costing an arm and a leg for more modern components

[@jokermtb]

@@rocstarang5747a bike with a 69 degree head angle and 74 deg seat tube angle is not modern geometry, which is why you can’t tell any difference

[@antoniohillario9770]

It's like Microsoft pumping out new operating systems. Why upgrade when what you have works and you have it set up exactly the way you want it?

[@dogsnot]

Avid biker all my days, Stingrays(Huffy) to roadie(Bianchi,Poletti) then MTB(Intense,Santa Cruz) to moto cross YZ 250 to Harley Fat Boy, now pushing 70 years young riding a Bulls enduro mountain E bike with a 13-mile single track trail around a lake or the 13-mile loop on pavement both outside my front door, Sweet. I have been so blessed, Thank you Lord

[@zachwhite2716]

The simple fact is most people aren’t looking for super technical mtb trails, they just like to ride off the road. That’s why gravel bikes are so popular now, because you can just hop on and hit some single track and have a bit of safe fun. Technical trails are just a way to hurt yourself.

[@petekutheis3822]

100%

[@Headlessthirst]

90% people who are riding single track on a gravel bike are usually more hard-core of a cyclist than most mountain bikers! My 2¢

[@zachwhite2716]

@@Headlessthirst There's a pretty wide variety when it comes to single track. For a perfect example of what I'm talking about look at Eugene, OR's Ruth Bascom Path System. It has a paved multiuse trail with a bunch of single track trails paralleling it but almost none of it is technical. Sacramento, CA has a similar situation along the American River. That's the kind of single track I'm thinking of.

[@Headlessthirst]

@@zachwhite2716 I’m talking about the Colorado front range in which the video is focused. 90% of our “single track” would not be suitable for a gravel bike unless you liked torture and challenge

[@ianmcnally8501]

Thank you for this video, more information than fluff like so many videos I watch here. You are so knowledgeable.

[@ej22twagon]

Too expensive. Even used market is really high. People asking $50 off the new price for 10 year old bikes.

[@michaelduha]

What no way. I the used market is dirt cheap right now. I just got back into biking and I'm in awe of the used market prices.

[@trentvlak]

Intense just had a sale on new 2022 Primers for $2200 shipped. NOW is a great time to buy. 2020 was a bad time.

[@owldon]

Use BlueBlook on them and get the price you want!

[@finerbiner]

14.2 million mountain bikes sold in US in 2019. Sales spike in 20 and 21 at 21 mil and 19 mil. In 2024 they are on track to sell 18 million. Companies were stupid and presumed the Covid years were forever but sales are super strong.

[@rodkoehler]

I've lived on a volcano for 35 years, and three years ago I got into doing the single track trails right out my front door on an EMB I bought. I'm 72 and try not to go fast because healing takes a long time when you're older. I ride with a few guys who always want me to load up the truck and go somewhere else to ride, but that's too much work. In the winter I snowboard and falling and tumbling with that is much nicer.

[@owldon]

The three biggest historic changes in MTB were adding suspension at large (versus fully rigid), disc brakes (instead of destructive and less powerful rim brakes), and tubeless tires (reducing thorn and pinch flats). All the detailed tech stuff like motors, power meters, and electro-shifting have issues that the average cyclist does not want to deal with or be hindered by, and as you mentioned, they are super specific and did not change the game as much for the average rider with a budget. In general, I agree that contemporary bikes are overpriced hassles. I just raced a full cross season (my first season that consisted of 9 races) on a used Specialized Tri-Cross from 2015, and did really well. Then post-season, with the same bike, I can ride all the blues and most black diamonds with it as well. My friend had a fancy hydro-disc brake bike that needed some sort of special care, and couldn't stop on the downhills in our final race of the season, thus limiting his riding pleasure immensely. From my understanding, gravel bikes have less clearance than a cyclocross bike. It seems like the real future bike has a higher bottom bracket for clearance on the trails, and can also duke it out on the road and long gravel sections, and get kitted up for touring or longer adventures. What are your thoughts re: cyclocross bikes being the magic bike we all need more so than gravel bikes? When I go to shop for a gravel bike I just can't pull the trigger since their features (all have hydro-brakes), price (minimum 2k for a hog, or 3.5K for something under 20 pounds), and slack geometry seems like more of a risk than what I already have working for less than $400. Will a company fill that $500-1,000 price point with the perfect game-changer? Or have all the big bike companies (Trek Specialized, Cannonade, Canyon, etc) bloated themselves beyond that capability? Seems like a new brand could come in and take them all out of commission in one season of releases.

[@ryancale9719]

For new mountain bikes sales, I feel like tech has leveled off. If you own a bike that's less than 4 years old, there's really no reason to upgrade unless you're moving to a different style of bike. Around me mtb still going strong it's the road scene that died. Lot's of people moved from road to gravel, mtb or stopped riding years ago.

[@JElz5150]

i feel its more of the frame style has been about the same since 2020. nothing really game changing. so for now keep frame and just upgrade parts. another reason the industry has slowed for new bike sales.

[@DaveRider719]

I changed from MTB to road because I can start riding in front of my door. As here in the video mentioned I have to travel 30 min in the forrest to ride the trails

[@two_loose_bolts]

I've been riding mtb for almost 25 years, mainly XC trails in the Southeast. Your iPhone reference (14:40) hit on something that I can relate to - buying the latest model just for the updated tech. Instead of dropping $$$ on a new bike every few years - I've upgraded the components on my 10-year old Trek FS (brakes, wheelset, drivetrain). Much more cost effective in the long run, imo.

[@stallflaka]

Gravel bikes are harsh to the trails and not comfortable. The most versatile bikes these days are hardtail downcountry mtb and modern hardtail trail bikes. You can do bikepacking, trail riding your every day fitness and commutes you can realy do anything

[@lorenholzem6792]

I think you nailed it. I'm still riding an old hardtail I've owned for over 10 years. I live in the mountains of Southern California - ride it several times a week, and it is more than capable for the type of trail riding that I do. I don't feel the need to spend thousands on a new mountain bike when I'm not super extreme and just want to get out and ride.

[@TacomaAddict23]

Just got my first mountain bike and have taken it out a couple times. It’s super fun! But I’m probably never going to take the super hard trails with big jumps. It’s just fun to get some miles in riding in the woods

[@aaronrominske7870]

I have to drive 45 minutes to get to a decent trail system. you're right, if i go to ride a hour and a half away, it can easily be a half day or more till I get home. I have been riding BMX cruisers alot lately, just riding for fun is what it's all about.

[@MangoJim90]

😊 same with me, bmx is ultra fun machine 🤩

[@jjpython]

Crazy prices, a high end bike was £1000, now they expect you to drop near 10,000

[@jarenci1]

I started with a $450 hard tail, and rode it 2 to 3 times a week, I enjoyed it so much. Now I own a 6k mountain bike that I ride once a month if I can. But I also have 3 kids, going to school, and a full time job 🤷🏻‍♂️ But you don't need an expensive bike to enjoy riding.

[@drc2088]

I've had both a road and mountain bike for many years. Road riding has dropped off over time and mountain biking is what puts a smile on my face. I'm now late 60s and bought and upgraded to an e-bike 2 years ago, and can't stop smiling. Our trails are quite rocky and technical, which is my type of riding, and the e-bike certainly makes it more fun. Although it wasn't always the case, I'm fortunate that I can now afford the stupid prices they ask for. I also fat bike in winter on bush trails, which great fun during our long winters. Just recently, I purchased an e-fat bike. The 31% price drop certainly made it an easier decision. I've also come to the conclusion that I can't take my money with me when I die. The bottom line, is ride what makes you happy, and at what price point you can afford. Enjoy life.

[@brew62]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I’ve been riding mountain bikes since the mid-late 90s. One day years ago, I walked into a bike shop in Manhattan. Thank you completely fell in love with all of the cross bikes. It is like having your cake and eating it too. And you’re not dumping a whole bunch of cash in the latest technology. I’ve always been about less is more.

[@ekims_echoes]

I started riding mountain bikes in the early 90s, when most of us were riding steel rigid bikes on fire roads and relatively smooth singletrack. These were shared use trails without big jumps or drops. Basically, what we were riding back then was similar to what gravel riding is now - maybe a bit rougher than typical gravel riding, but not by a whole lot. As you were saying, going to "proper" mountain bike trails takes time whereas I can jump on my "adventure" bike (a rigid 29er with alt bars that started as a hardtail from 2010) and go for a rad ride from my house, hitting dirt along the way. I think that style of bike is great for just going for a ride nearly anywhere.

[@Eric_Luke]

Having to drive to BIKE is definitely a chore! Bought a trail MTB in 2020 then next year got a gravel bike. Now I just ride out my door. But on recent trip to Utah, I realized nothing can replace the magic & flow state of single track. Just got new XC MTB’s on sale for me & the lady. Looking forward to traveling with the bikes to epic MTB destinations.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

Expensive. Video games. Not safe outside snymore. Lots of reasons. I am 62 ,and I take my 8 year old grandson out.He absolutely loves it. You dont need big jumps ,or do crazy stuff to have tons of fun

[@Earthboundicarus]

Reminds me of something I say with some regularity, and it’s that I miss the older times when I was a kid when riding a bike wasn’t made to be some kind of event every time. It didn’t require driving somewhere to ride, special clothes, worrying if you’ve eaten enough calories that day, etc.. You just went out and rode. Sure, I’ve got both a full-suspension MTB and a carbon road bike, but I’m losing count of how many time I decide I’d rather just go for walk or a trail run or something to cut down on all the gear and prep. Definitely miss living somewhere it was easy to just leave home on a bike for a ride instead of having to drive to the ride.

[@Everton4109]

Entry level budget hardtail is like having a spare tire. Anytime my go to bike is in the shop. I always have a mountain bike to ride.

[@kahoycrafts]

In addition to the other things you mentioned, I feel like the physical exertion of climbing giant hills is what turns most people off to mountain biking. That's probably why we're seeing a spike in e-mtb sales. 😃

[@blotto3204]

Physical exertion can make you strong and healthy

[@ffwast]

And after all that time of being told "stay home"

[@michaelviglianco6121]

The trails being overcrowded and expense of mountain bikes coinciding with me becoming more interested in touring did it for me.

[@RohamBroccoli]

Bought my "proper" bike in 2011 from a pregnant woman who could no longer ride here in Oslo/Norway. The knobs on the tires were still on so it was virtually unused. A full carbon Scott Scale 920 fully loaded with SRAM equipment for 900USD. I have now used that bike where it can be used, literally. Long story short, I would like to upgrade this year in something similar and my jaw dropped to the floor at the prices and even worse how "cluttered" the bike world has become. Maybe it makes sense for a bike geek, but for us "mortals" it is completely absurd that there should be so many different types of bikes - components - geometry and a "decent" bike now costs as much as my first car. My purchase is still on hold for so long😅

[@corail53]

I've been in this sport since the golden age of freeride and north shore stunts, the truth is over the years the bike industry has changed a ton. The bigger the companies got, the more out of touch they became. It's expensive, companies are no longer innovating - just going in circles rehashing old tech as new, standards (minimal changes as in like mm) keep changing to try and nickle and dime you. Lots of gate keeping on the community side of things as well. People treat bikes as investments these days, I know folks who constantly roll over leases on mountain bikes to have the latest and greatest while they barely ride, only care about re-sale values. Some people in industry and in the community forget that biking is supposed to be fun. That all being said - fantastic video in which I agree with you on all points. Have fun out there!

[@kelley71]

I feel the differences between new models is subtle at best. I went through3 bikes quickly with landing on my Ripley. I built it from frame up and I have had it for 5 years and it still handles everything I am WILLING to throw at it. There has to be people like me out there that are just "satisfied" with what they have.

[@LeifMacIver]

Definitely the price. You can buy a full on race ready motocross bike that had all this technology, floating discs, hydraulic brakes etc… decades ago not to mention the suspension. For $12000! With a motor that’s top of the line. The prices don’t make sense. 6:14

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

After three decades of people thinking MTBs were the only bikes worth riding, most just realized they're the wrong bikes for them. Most did ride them on paved roads where MTBs are slow due to heavy, knobby tires and small gears. The latter got worse with 1x setups. Kids love MTBs because they are so much cooler looking than an all-road worthy city bike. Some are better off with hybrids or commuter bikes and those who like to ride faster go for gravel bikes as these are so much more versatile.

[@macmurfy2jka]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Only recently has the perception here in the US changed that an MTB is the only bike worth having. The amount of people I saw riding knobby tire MTBs on the road only always infuriated me. Now that “gravel” bikes are the next hottest thing, everyone seems to be realizing that they never needed half the capability that even an entry level XC bike had.

[@georgitrifonov2243]

1. Overcharge at least three times 2. Difficult to maintain which also makes it more expensive 3. Most of them are made for bike park riding, which makes them difficult to ride all day in the mountain

[@FlyLeah]

answer: e-mtb still wont solve the elephant in the room which is price

[@SalsaAmigoMG]

I think your perspective is spot on. Back in the early 1990s, I was drawn to mountain bikes for the adventure and the inclusiveness of the scene. The roadie crowd was too exclusive and elitist for my tastes. Fast forward to today and much of that elitism has found its way into the mountain bike scene (and unfortunately it’s growing in the gravel scene as well, but that’s another story). Because my first love is mountain bikes, the best I can do now for the sport is to coach kids and help them realize their own love for mountain bikes and mountain biking, so they can help be the change I seek. That said, you absolutely nailed it on the ‘not wanting to take as many risks’ thing. I’m 52 and have 34 screws and four plates in my body from mountain biking. I don’t really regret any of it, but every day I’m less and less keen to take the risks necessary to hit big gap jumps, for example… and that’s just one. Great video, man… Spot on.

[@RamadanBatata]

Mountain-biking is one of the best things I have in life. SHUT UP AND RIDE is a great motto, because you only understand it when you ride with the right spirit. I'm a soul rider. I don't care about competition (tried it, it's ok, but not the main goal) or high priced bikes. Average bike, epic rides, loads of fun.

[@GURKS35]

Prices have gone insane, the tech has not imoroved so drastically to call for these prices, and frames/parts seem to be breaking more than ever

[@vtrials9577]

The reason I feel Gravel bikes are taking off is it’s the migration of road riders getting off the streets which are becoming too dangerous, crowded, and wanting to get away from cities. Once you buy a bike it’s going to last many years with just basic care. Only a few percent of riders have or buy multiple bikes. Costs are high and technology leaps are not that important but to a few. How is the service business? Are people bringing their bikes into be repaired or upgraded? Back in the 1980s when the MTB craze was taking off (yes that was happening) people bought bikes off the shelf’s for one or two years then sales died. Same happened with the Covid sales burst. All of your points are valid.

[@streddaz]

I agree, a lot are road riders, and some are older riders that don't want the injury risk of MTB. The few gravel races that I have been to have a much older average of rider than MTB races.

[@saskhiker3935]

100% you can ride gravel on a road or an easier mountain bike trail. The highways are dangerous, even riding in the city is dangerous. Riding on country roads don't have traffic.

[@bakemono83]

I'm one of those riders with many bikes. I live in Canada, countryside and my area has a lot of dirt roads and hills. I use my bikes to commute, so I ride all year long so I have a road bike for summer, an entry-level mountain bike for spring and fall -and until now, winter with studded tires- and I just got a fatbike for riding in the snow.

[@dennisfloyd8514]

I agree. I use to ride roads and switched to MTB. And now that more old rail roads are being converted trail I picked up a budget adventure bike (Poseidon X Ambition).

[@shyamsundar-tl4cr]

Define mountain bike please- I have a mountain bike with a 40T chainring and 700*45C tires, a 63 mm Suntour air suspension fork and 700mm wide handlebar. I can beat any gravel bike with my mtb. The control is awesome and it performs great on the asphalt too.

[@iMadrid11]

I’m a city boy. I never rode a mountain bike on a trail all my life. Since there are no MTB trails nearby. Gravel bike rides don’t even have gravel roads they could ride nearby. All the roads here are concrete or tarmac. So you’re mostly riding on the roads. So a Hybrid Road straight handlebars is more appropriate for daily riding. Gravel bikes with fat tires are ridden as more comfortable road bikes on bad roads with potholes.

[@dmb3428]

I switched from mountain bikes to gravel out of curiosity and the fact I generally ride easy trails-road- dirt paths - rails to trails . I also like drop bars, gravel bike is right at home with my style of riding

[@BruceChastain]

haven't watched the whole video yet but let me put my theory out there first and see if it matches or not. I think there are several reasons but I want to highlight one, what I call the parkafication of mountain biking. When I started riding MTB over ten years ago I never went to a park to ride, I'd just ride the general trails on the mountains where I lived at the time. At least there folks would just make mountain bike trails that usually connected to fire roads, it was a ton of fun, it was casual, and it was adventurous. No lifts, no trail markers, very few features, just trails. Now it seems like when folks talk about mountain biking, the next question is "what parks do you like". And I've sort of fell into that too, not sure why, maybe it's where I live now. But at the end I think the adventure and to some extent the fun has been taken out with all the parkafication and sort of structure around mountain biking that now seems to exist.

[@Himathyyy]

I use my Mountain bike for city/roads, parks and the forest but I do agreee. Everyone has gravel bikes and fixed gears around me

[@Himathyyy]

I use my Mountain bike for city/roads, parks and the forest but I do agreee. Everyone has gravel bikes and fixed gears around me

[@TRESYKES]

So i guess im lucky that my country doesnt have them at all. There are some small ones which takes train to travel, thus making it exciting,

[@BruceChastain]

@@TRESYKES well yes I think it could by depending on country or region. When I was in Switzerland these were the days I was just enjoying more natural mountain biking everywhere. Now in the US, in Florida, it's all parks.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

​@@BruceChastain Florida! No wonder... The highest point in florida is like 200 and something feet. Literally 0 mountains, so parks must bring the mountain vibe. Switzerland has the alps. Aka a mountain range...😅 I dont know where the closest mountain range to florida is, but I would think its the Appalachian mountains. Might be a little bit of a drive, but I bet there are plenty of trails to give you that old school feeling of exploration! Ive never been to a bike park, unless you count sheep hills near me. Its an area where BMXers have carved out tons of jumps, feels like a motocross track. Even then the last time i was there was 25+ years ago on my BMX.

[@lonewanderer2287]

The problem is the industry and other riders making it seem like you need a $5k FS to go have fun. An industry that was started with klunkers is now seemingly for a wealthier demographic.

[@Will-tm5bj]

I've been buying random used bikes on fb marketplace. Sitting on an easy 3k worth of msrp that I've spent 300 bucks on 5 different bikes. These new ones are absolutely crazy

[@DarkDramon]

I bought a new bike in 2021 due to my old bike frame cracking. I paid $5,200 for a trek fuel ex 8, my local bike shops still have a 2021 and 2022 model going for $3,500 now, and its been sitting there for months. Looks like the covid rush/interest has yruely died and its back to the normal riders trying to keep the shops alive.

[@Krouwkaar]

Mountainbike forever! Thanks in large part to very high prices for new rigs with each time new standards, sizes and options, you can pick up real gems on the cheap these days in the second hand market. Especially with all the covid athletes picking up their old life and the gravel mania.

[@StefanDrake]

THE HOLY WALL OF TEXT! I use a MTB in both city and around it, the way I see it is that a MTB is more versatile on where you can use it then a gravel or a road bike, ill be talking about Bucharest - Romania since thats where in from A Gravel bike can be used both on road and on dusty paths but it becomes dangerous when you encounter tram tracks which you sometimes have to ride over, potholes, sewer mouths, drains etc... Weather is also a factor to be taken into consideration, tram tracks become very slippery then it rains making it more difficult to ride over on a street or gravel bike, Puddles are also a challenge because you don't know if under it its a pothole or not, i never mentioned this but also sidewalk Borders are a thing tl be considered, if you don't time your jump perfectly you might bent the rim... also it gives an unwanted massage on streets which have Cubic stone A mountainbike on the other hand can be taken pretty much everywhere regardless if its a FS or Hardtail, tram tracks aren't that much of an issue because of the wider tires eventho they're still slippery so be carefull when crossing them, rain can be annoying but the wider tires offers more grip eventho at the cost of speed, small potholes can be faced straight on if you have an MTB with good suspension same with drains and sewer mouths, sidewalk borders can be droppes off much easly with a MTB where with a gravel or road bike you can't without possibly damaging the rims Equipment wise if we talking MTB in the city you can wear whatever you want, shorts, t-shirt, just have a spare t-shirt with you in the backpack and a spray for once you arrive at work or school, the t-shirt you wear at work can be worn until you're back home... this is a me thing but to work i wear my full face helmet just in cause, i don't agree with half-nut helmets in mountainbiking With road bikes/gravel bikes you MUST wear spandex which can be annoying to take off if you sweat from the backpack, it also takes time to change in and out of the whole cycling outfit, pants, top, shoes etc... Personal suggestions for those who are looking to buy a MTB, 75-60mm stem, 680-720mm handle bars, 27.5 or 29 inch wheels, 1x9, 3x9 or 3x7 gears, flat/platform pedals, fork 100mm or 120mm, don't be scared of the SR Suntour forks, XCT30 and XCM30 are build to withstand neglect long term (Never serviced mine, and i had it for 3 years) and most importantly Hydraulic Disk Breaks, Rim breaks (V-Breaks) tend to lose breaking power in the rain

[@ffwast]

Why would you put on spandex to go gravel biking? The whole point of it is not being just like road biking.

[@StefanDrake]

@@ffwast a lot of people do that its like a cult... i remember someone asked me why i don't wear spandex when i had to take my father's 90's roadbike to meet up with someone cuz my MTB was in service thats why i prefer a MTB so i can wear shorts, t-shirt, hoodie and sneakers ✌🏻 and nobody will ask me anything XD

[@Matt133]

My life use to revolve around mountain biking. I chose the places I lived based on the trails in the area. I've lived and worked at a few resorts as well. And then about 6 years ago I slowly lost interest. I have no idea why, it was almost like I burnt myself out obsessing over it. I sold my DH bike a few years ago and now my trail bike pulls my toddlers trailer. I'm hoping one day to get back into it when I have more free time.

[@hippiebits2071]

It just sounds like *life* happened. Might be really fun for you to encourage your kids to get into it if they show an interest once they get a little older.

[@Matt133]

@@hippiebits2071 yeah my oldest is still on training wheel, you might be right though.

[@breichard100]

I went through the same thing several years ago. I was a fanatical mtb rider for like 18 years then boom, the desire to ride was completely gone. It took about 5 years but the interest came back to me. Now I mix up the type of riding a little more, but my heart is still in technical, rocky mtb trail riding mostly. My body just needs more time to recover from it now. :-)

[@Matt133]

@@breichard100 my mom was a big adventure racer back when I was young, she actually got me into mountain biking. I think mostly to get me out of the house, but I fell in love with it like no other sport I had tried. But those days are gone. Now if I go out I feel like the friends my mom would invite along on our rides who had good bikes, but they were good bikes 10-15 years ago. Next year my only ride left will be 10 years old, I have never had a bike this long before.

[@wldtrak]

The one thing that got me back into biking more often is an E-MTB. Yep, I said it. Due to work and other obligations, I wasn't riding as often which meant my fitness dropped - so when I finally did go ride, it was painful and really not that fun. Now, I can grab my E-Bike and go ride without the dread of suffering, stopping to rest, and being completely worn out after the ride. I still get great exercise and can go so much further or do more laps. The downside, I have NO idea how to work on the E-bike. To me, that's the biggest downside to them.

[@puntoycoma47]

The old american tradition of fixing stuff with money.

[@lobowellness]

​@@puntoycoma47😮

[@seano218]

Dam, you're lazy! Get a motorcycle

[@lMcFlyyl]

Ye no you’re not exercising anymore that’s why you aren’t as tired

[@BaldKiwi117]

So instead of using your existing bike to improve your fitness you bought an ebike to make riding easier

[@EngineerSaysWhat]

27.5" wheels were a good upgrade. I think 29's are too big unless a person is really tall. I enjoy full suspension on my mostly non-technical trails. Mostly roots and some rocks. My Giant has 130mm of travel and I'll go though 110 mm of it without ever leaving the ground. I'm old though. If I'm more than 12 inches off the ground something has gone horribly wrong!

[@the_derpler]

I don’t do much mtb because it’s honestly too extreme. I just take the hard tail or use gravel bike here in Marin.

[@hecouldhavediedbettermtb9785]

I think the biggest factor slowing bike sales is simply inflation. Most people have utility bills that are over 100% higher than they were a decade ago. Groceries and gas are way up as well. Wages haven't gone up in step with that, and people don't have nearly as much disposable income. People love to get into a hobby or whatever and geek out on the tech and all that because we're a very consumer-driven society. There's a lot of people looking at the cost of entry into mountain biking and walking away although they'd love to do it. I have a bunch of friends that would love to go riding with me, and I even tell them they don't need a bike as tricked out as mine, but they just don't have the money to invest in it. The interest is there. The COVID boom has all but washed away now, and I see the bike industry correcting itself (slowly) as far as prices. I don't think that will result in more new riders until our economy improves and regular people actually have some money to spend. I know even a die-hard like me won't be buying a new bike until I get a promotion or something else changes the math for me.

[@CalmTFD]

I rode mtb or bmx pretty much every day from like ‘93 to’06. Moved on to different hobbies. Just got an Ozark trail and took it out this weekend, that $400 bike is as good or better as a $2000 bike 20 years ago. Certainly could improve, but can for cheap. I’m stoked on it, and hoping I’ll stick with riding. Your buddies don’t need to spend thousands to get started.

[@hecouldhavediedbettermtb9785]

@@CalmTFD lol brother, I'm from WV. Nobody here has thousands.

[@vadymvv]

It is marketing. Give mtb for people to buy then give them gravel to by and then again. Mtb is practical, it is easier for beginners to maneuver. I'm own mtb and have no car, but I'm not American(we can live here without a car). Also have a proper road bike. I did 100-200km rides on my mtb many times.

[@elfwithabike]

I have a 35 min/ 30miles drive to work one way so using my bike as a means of daily transportation isn't a option for me, tho i wish it was. But thats common here.

[@DieterVanHolder]

Some fair points there. This summer I was trying to get a friend into mountain biking and he literally said it wouldn't be for him because he dislikes the maintenance part

[@puntoycoma47]

Hardtails do exist.

[@DieterVanHolder]

@@puntoycoma47 100% agree. He even seemed put off by maintaining the chain. I was very surprised

[@jokermtb]

@@DieterVanHolder Your friend is much happier scrolling tiktok and callousing his thumb

[@NAVX3]

Ur friends a moron if he can’t maintain a bike

[@wackrapsatire]

@@jokermtb the vast majority are thats why our societies are facing a health crisis. More people, sicker than ever before. Terrible

[@fmarcruiz]

I came into MTB in 2020 and am now all in on the sport. There’s no 17 year old on a cell phone coming up behind me on the trails, if I’m getting hurt it’s at my own hand. Bikes were stupid expensive during COVID….shame on the industry, but now the Trek Rail is down 40% in price and I’m about to add a full power eMTB to the stable. What comes around, goes around. Great sport though.

[@TheQuikMix]

for me, as someone who wanted to get back into the activity (I still have a mountain bike from the 1990s), they essentially priced me out of anything but a hardtail - which isn't a bad thing, but certainly a real thing.

[@Chiller11]

I beat myself up mountain biking. Dislocated fingers, separated shoulder, impaled my thigh with a tree branch and various scrapes and bruises. I confined myself to the road after that.

[@24zer0nd]

I had dilusions of downhill untill a few relativly minor spills....Im good with single track in the forest now lol

[@glennstreeter3404]

One of the great canvases for modern scienceand technology is the MTB . But sadly it takes high T to ride one in proper conditions and most don't have enough Testosterone anymore. That's another reasons sales are lagging. Everyone with the T to ride already has one, and there are very few up and comers. Also, to many folks, the technology has become more important than the experience. God help us.

[@breichard100]

The road is cool, but distracted/a'hole drivers are worse than anything the trails can do to you.

[@Chiller11]

@@glennstreeter3404 Hahaha. That shows a huge misunderstanding of both demographics and endocrinology. Good try though.

[@BobzUrUncle-te6dj]

I never ever thought of Mountain Biking as a "chore." The fun part is the downhill, the technical portions of the trail, the jumps. But I always loved the personal challenge of the nasty, steep and sketchy climbs of mtb'ing. I always wanted to ride faster, quicker, more efficient and climbing was a challenge for me to be better as a rider. I was never the fastest, but I never gave up, or thought about it as a chore.

[@EvilDick1995]

Same

[@spookyshark632]

I didn't look up how much regular suspension servicing would cost until after I bought the bike...

[@joen4088]

Suspension service is overrated. I just did my front lowers after 3yrs...oil and everything still looked great. It's just a way for fork manufacturers to make you buy oil and seals.

[@davidmalakoff147]

@@joen4088 Exactly.

[@edmundas919]

@@joen4088 I disagree. I serviced my lowers yearly and replaced seals every 3 years and in 10 years still worn trough the bushings due to small amount of dust getting in. From the outside fork looked fine, but on the inside where the bushing are, coating got worn off and stopped sliding smoothly. I replaced it with rigid fork, but for my next MTB I will service my lowers twice a year and replace seals every 1-2 years.

[@Vcfpowerpads]

When mountain bikes are priced the same as motorcycles it becomes a problem.