Is it not time to acknowledge that the pursuit of comfort in mixed-terrain cycling has led to a dilution of the performance characteristics that truly matter in a bike, and that the trends in frame geometry that prioritize comfort over efficiency are merely a crutch for those who are unwilling or unable to adapt to the demands of riding on varied terrain?
Rather than designing frames that can handle the rigors of mixed-terrain riding with precision and agility, it seems that many manufacturers are opting for a one-size-fits-all approach that prioritizes comfort over all else, resulting in bikes that are little more than glorified hybrids.
Is this trend a result of a lack of innovation in the industry, or is it simply a case of manufacturers catering to the lowest common denominator?
And what are the real-world implications of this trend for riders who demand a high level of performance from their bikes?
Are we sacrificing too much in the name of comfort, and if so, what can be done to reclaim the performance characteristics that truly matter in a bike?
Rather than designing frames that can handle the rigors of mixed-terrain riding with precision and agility, it seems that many manufacturers are opting for a one-size-fits-all approach that prioritizes comfort over all else, resulting in bikes that are little more than glorified hybrids.
Is this trend a result of a lack of innovation in the industry, or is it simply a case of manufacturers catering to the lowest common denominator?
And what are the real-world implications of this trend for riders who demand a high level of performance from their bikes?
Are we sacrificing too much in the name of comfort, and if so, what can be done to reclaim the performance characteristics that truly matter in a bike?