Has mountain biking peaked?

[Globalti]

Pardon the pun.

It's my impression that there are fewer and fewer new cyclists coming into the sport. Mountain bikes were responsible for bringing lots of people back to cycling during the last twenty years but some of those have lost interest, grown up, moved on or gone into road riding. Meanwhile small MTB clubs are struggling with dwindling memberships. We all know the stories about unfit kids glued to their computers and parents terrified to let their kids out on their bikes. I have a pal who is in a cave rescue team and for a while now he's been saying that you seldom meet groups of young cavers any more. My own disenchantment with mountain biking started with the constant need for maintenance and cleaning of bike kit and self and the beer bellies and pub scene that seemed to go with it.

The attrition rate on mountain bikes is huge, parts wear out and break and there is constant expenditure on bikes that are used regularly. By contrast, now that I've got my road bike set up the way I want it, my expenditure is almost nothing. I wonder if this is putting people off in these cash-strapped times?

Anybody got any thoughts on this or bike sales stats?

 

[Zoiders]

It's not peaked, it did that more than ten years ago, if anything it peaked in the late 80's early 90's.

It's just a mature market that self sustains these days, it's own subculture.

Bikes don't break that often, yes you see the sponsored riders and the down-hillers with a team issue bike and body armour who burn through a frame and groupset every few months but that's not reflective of the wider sport as they don't have to pay for the kit, most guys just like the single track and a good time.

Your post seems to suggest that it's time to get out of MTB'ing because it's got a bit too common for your tastes, what with the lads with the beer bellies and white vans to haul the bikes around in.

It's not like road cycling and particularly the emergence of sportive is any better at the moment, that's just as bad, it's like a pro-cycling re-enactment club for the middle class and middle aged.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Pardon the pun.

It's my impression that there are fewer and fewer new cyclists coming into the sport. Mountain bikes were responsible for bringing lots of people back to cycling during the last twenty years but some of those have lost interest, grown up, moved on or gone into road riding. Meanwhile small MTB clubs are struggling with dwindling memberships. We all know the stories about unfit kids glued to their computers and parents terrified to let their kids out on their bikes. I have a pal who is in a cave rescue team and for a while now he's been saying that you seldom meet groups of young cavers any more. My own disenchantment with mountain biking started with the constant need for maintenance and cleaning of bike kit and self and the beer bellies and pub scene that seemed to go with it.

The attrition rate on mountain bikes is huge, parts wear out and break and there is constant expenditure on bikes that are used regularly. By contrast, now that I've got my road bike set up the way I want it, my expenditure is almost nothing. I wonder if this is putting people off in these cash-strapped times?

Anybody got any thoughts on this or bike sales stats?

I've just bought an entry level road bike so I can have a go at that. Not saying my interest in MTB'ing has dropped but I fancy a change at the moment.

 

[asterix]

Yes, it's all downhill now.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Yes, it's all downhill now.

LMFAO.

 

[corshamjim]

A lot of the interest in cycling among the younger men where I work is in mountain-biking. I wouldn't say interest has peaked, but there is indeed increased interest in cycle-commuting, sportives and charity challenge rides too.

Among my colleagues there's a broad spectrum, from the die-hard mountain-bikers who baulk at the thought of riding more than a mile or two on a public road to those like me who can't see the point of using an expensive bike to enjoy countryside which would be far better experienced on foot (if it weren't for those annoying downhill bikers - only kidding!).

 

[lukesdad]

There are more Mtbers in this part of the world than Roadies but then again we have the terrain for it.

 

[rodgy-dodge]

I've just bought an entry level road bike so I can have a go at that. Not saying my interest in MTB'ing has dropped but I fancy a change at the moment.

I've just bought an entry level Road bike too, only because recently I keep falling off the MTB and sick of my body resembling something from silent witness! Feel like I just haven't got the strength in my arms anymore to control the bike downhill!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I've just bought an entry level Road bike too, only because recently I keep falling off the MTB and sick of my body resembling something from silent witness! Feel like I just haven't got the strength in my arms anymore to control the bike downhill!

That is a feeling I know all too well. My arms and legs are a mass of scratches and bruises most days The lack of strength is something I also identify with. Mind you with me it could be because I haven't as yet done any additional upper body training!!

 

[NormanD]

I've just bought an entry level Road bike too, only because recently I keep falling off the MTB and sick of my body resembling something from silent witness! Feel like I just haven't got the strength in my arms anymore to control the bike downhill!

Weakling

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I've just bought an entry level Road bike too, only because recently I keep falling off the MTB and sick of my body resembling something from silent witness! Feel like I just haven't got the strength in my arms anymore to control the bike downhill!

What did you get OOI?

 

[rodgy-dodge]

That is a feeling I know all too well. My arms and legs are a mass of scratches and bruises most days The lack of strength is something I also identify with. Mind you with me it could be because I haven't as yet done any additional upper body training!!

I was just saying to MoH I think I need some upper body workout to gain some strength or some coaching after last weekends escapades! and I wasn't even doing anything really extream just loose dry rubbly rocks and grassy banks. I can fly up the rocky bits no bother but coming down I'm like a rag doll! There where about 8 of us out and everyone's an expert!!! too many shouting out do this! do that! By 16 miles I was blumming exhausted.

 

[lulubel]

I have a nice little mountain bike that I keep meaning to use (once I've checked it all over to make sure it's safe because it's been sat in the garage for 18 months). But it seems much more difficult somehow. Most of us don't live right next door to lovely offroad trails or a MTB centre, so the first thing you have to do is get where you're going (and riding along a few miles of road on the MTB to get to the trails still feels like the journey rather than part of the ride). And then you and the bike come back dirty, and possibly a bit beaten up. It's so much easier with the road bike because you start your ride the moment you get outside the door, don't tend to come back dirty or beaten up, and regular maintenance is pumping up the tyres and giving the bike a quick wipe down and re-lube every now and then.

We have some lovely trails around here, but I still find myself getting out the road bike.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I was just saying to MoH I think I need some upper body workout to gain some strength or some coaching after last weekends escapades! and I wasn't even doing anything really extream just loose dry rubbly rocks and grassy banks. I can fly up the rocky bits no bother but coming down I'm like a rag doll! There where about 8 of us out and everyone's an expert!!! too many shouting out do this! do that! By 16 miles I was blumming exhausted.

The "too much help scenario" is a pain in the bum sometimes. It makes me just get off and push as I lose all concentration. Be proud you can get up the hills well

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I have a nice little mountain bike that I keep meaning to use (once I've checked it all over to make sure it's safe because it's been sat in the garage for 18 months). But it seems much more difficult somehow. Most of us don't live right next door to lovely offroad trails or a MTB centre, so the first thing you have to do is get where you're going (and riding along a few miles of road on the MTB to get to the trails still feels like the journey rather than part of the ride). And then you and the bike come back dirty, and possibly a bit beaten up. It's so much easier with the road bike because you start your ride the moment you get outside the door, don't tend to come back dirty or beaten up, and regular maintenance is pumping up the tyres and giving the bike a quick wipe down and re-lube every now and then.

We have some lovely trails around here, but I still find myself getting out the road bike.

According to the medics at the last MTB Marathon roadies are wimps when it comes to cuts and bruises whereas MTB'er will ride with a limb hanging off [sic]