Why ride a MTB

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in

the

Quoted message said:

city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I live in, the "Flat
State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of other states as well and

have

Quoted message said:

definately noticed in the past 10 to 15 years lots more people seem to
moving towards the MTB style of rides. Can anyone explain why this is or

has

Quoted message said:

no one ever given this any thought?

Sure---MTBs are "cool". People also think the flat bar is going to be more
comfortable than a drop bar, and bike shops sell people what they want. Most
people would be much better off with a hybrid or flat bar road bike. A
simple change to slicks on the MTB would make a difference, too. I have all
three---a standard road bike, a flat bar road bike, and an MTB with slicks.
The MTB is more suited to jumping curbs and such, but the flat bar is much
faster. The road bike is a fitness machine, only. :-)

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in
the
city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I live in, the "Flat
State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of other states as well and
have
definately noticed in the past 10 to 15 years lots more people seem to
moving towards the MTB style of rides. Can anyone explain why this is or
has
no one ever given this any thought?

Ken

--
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.
Arthur C. Clarke
English physicist & science fiction author (1917 - )

I think there was a period when the bike shops were convinced nobody wanted
anything but an mtb. If you came in looking for something else, they'd
steer you to an mtb. I sense this has changed with the production of more
varieties of city bikes and comfort bikes. But still, dealers tend to stock
mtbs and to push them. So, are you seeing mtbs because that's what dealers
are selling? Or, are dealers selling mtbs 'cuz that's what people are
asking for?

Bob C.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Ken' kcmarcet'@'hotpop.com said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in the
city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I live in, the "Flat
State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of other states as well and have
definately noticed in the past 10 to 15 years lots more people seem to
moving towards the MTB style of rides. Can anyone explain why this is or has
no one ever given this any thought?

I appreciate the heads-up view of traffic afforded by
flat/riser-bar'd MTBs. It's also very easy to get a
good view behind by shoulder-checking.

Both of my (older, rigid-forked) mountain bikes have
all the eyelets for fenders and racks. And those
accessories are readily obtainable.

In hilly Vancouver BC, the lower gearing can be a
blessing, especially when hauling cargo. And lots
of off-road opportunities are close at hand, if ya
want 'em.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Ken' kcmarcet'@'hotpop.com said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in the
city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I live in, the "Flat
State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of other states as well and have
definately noticed in the past 10 to 15 years lots more people seem to
moving towards the MTB style of rides. Can anyone explain why this is or has
no one ever given this any thought?

Couple things:

Cruiser and other comfortable road bikes developed cooties so nobody wanted one.
Who wants a bike like Peewee Herman's? The classic British roadster never did
catch on here.

People did want a "sit up" style bike.

That left 'em with MTBs.

Which is not a bad thing. They're rugged and forgiving. You aren't going to
crash just because you dropped a wheel off the road.

Besides this is Florida and few road bikes deal well with the sand problem.

Ron

Ken' kcmarcet'@'hotpop.com said:

I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in the
city than ride road bikes. [...] Can anyone explain why this is
or has no one ever given this any thought?

Low-end MTBs are much cheaper than low-end road bikes.
--
I love deadlines.
I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.
--Douglas Adams

When I have need to ride in the "city" of Tallahassee I ride my
off-road bike since its wider tires with thicker tread are less
susceptible to punctures. I seem to have a better view of the traffic
around me than I do on my road bike.

[censored] Durbin

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs

Sometimes it's a preference.

More often it's the fact that for many, many years most of the bikes sold
through mass-market retailers were "mountain" bikes. When people went to
Wal-Mart to buy a bike, that's what was available. And still today, when
somebody wants to spend $150 or less on a bike, MTB-style machines dominate
the market.

Hybrids and other alternatives to road bikes have only recently come to the
attention of the general public.

Cyclocross and touring bikes are still mysteries to most people, are never
considered for purchase by the casual cyclist, and probably cost too much
anyway.

And drop bars are still off-putting to the vast majority of people, who
don't know their benefits and don't understand that they can be set up at a
comfortable height -- or that "comfort" road bikes are the Next Big Thing in
bike shops.

RichC

Gooserider said:

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride
MTBs in the city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I
live in, the "Flat State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of
other states as well and have definately noticed in the past 10 to
15 years lots more people seem to moving towards the MTB style of
rides. Can anyone explain why this is or has no one ever given this
any thought?

Sure---MTBs are "cool". People also think the flat bar is going to be
more comfortable than a drop bar, and bike shops sell people what
they want. Most people would be much better off with a hybrid or flat
bar road bike. A simple change to slicks on the MTB would make a
difference, too. I have all three---a standard road bike, a flat bar
road bike, and an MTB with slicks.

"All three"? What about a REAL mountain bike with fat knobby tires?

You have three bikes...but not "all three" types.
--
BS (no, really)

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in the
city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I live in, the "Flat
State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of other states as well and have
definately noticed in the past 10 to 15 years lots more people seem to
moving towards the MTB style of rides. Can anyone explain why this is or has
no one ever given this any thought?

Ken

It is all marketing and perception. Road bikes, by perception are
uncomfortable and for racing types who everybody knows are not nearly
as cool as folks who ride mountain bikes. Mountain bikes by perception
are comfortable, and for people who are cool, unlike racing types.

It is the general public who are buying a bike for casual exercise. In
their world all bikes with drop handle bars are racing bikes. Why
would someone want a racing bike if they aren't going to race?

Only us folks who go beyond casual riding call bicycles with drop
handle bars something other than racing bikes.

Andy

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in the
city than ride road bikes.

There are several reasons:
1. thick, wide tires are plusher on rough roads and less likely to flat
2. more upright riding position gives you better visibility in commuter traffic
3. almost all low-end (under $500) bikes are mountain bikes (or at least
styled like mountain bikes)
4. when commuting, there is no performance benefit to a road bike

do not spam said:

There are several reasons:
4. when commuting, there is no performance benefit to a road bike

eh? why's that? do you commute to work off-road**? i'm quite a bit faster
riding to work on my road bike vs. my mountain bike. oddly enuf with my
early morning track record ("not too bright, not too early"😉 performance
during my commute is much more important to me than any other single type of
riding (well, if i'd like to keep my job .. and right now i would).

** some people out here in boise do just that, actually.
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]

"do not spam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in
the
city than ride road bikes.

There are several reasons:
1. thick, wide tires are plusher on rough roads and less likely to flat

Yes, but there's a point of diminishing returns here. 700x32 cyclocross
tires, or kevlar-belted touring tires, can be quite bullet-proof too.

Quoted message said:

2. more upright riding position gives you better visibility in commuter
traffic

Drop bars can be positioned to provide an upright posture. There is very
little difference between my posture on my 'cross and touring bikes compared
to a typical MTB. (Hybrids, cruisers, and comfort bikes tend to be more
upright than either MTB's or road bikes.)

Quoted message said:

3. almost all low-end (under $500) bikes are mountain bikes (or at least
styled like mountain bikes)

That's true (although becoming less so), and it's the primary reason you see
so many of them.

Quoted message said:

4. when commuting, there is no performance benefit to a road bike

Nonsense. Utter nonsense. Speed is speed, and the ability to accelerate
quickly and sprint is valuable in city riding. My commute takes me up to 10
minutes less on my 'cross bike than when I used to do it on a hybrid. And
drop bars are far superior for maneuvering through tight traffic compared to
the wider bars on other bikes. If by "commuting" you mean riding a couple of
miles to school, well, yeah, but a lot of cyclists commute much farther, and
performance does matter.

RichC

"do not spam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

city than ride road bikes.

There are several reasons:
1. thick, wide tires are plusher on rough roads and less likely to flat
2. more upright riding position gives you better visibility in commuter

traffic

Quoted message said:

3. almost all low-end (under $500) bikes are mountain bikes (or at least
styled like mountain bikes)
4. when commuting, there is no performance benefit to a road bike

No performance difference? How about all the extra weight! My road bike
probably weighs half of what the average MTB weighs! I can't see riding with
all that extra weight in the city! Maybe if i had to commute through the
woods and over stuff you might find in the woods! I will take my road ride
anyday!

Ken

<snip>

I ride an ATB for practical reasons. My daily commute is mostly flat road
and trail...but my roadie is by no means an "all weather" machine. The
hardtail does much better in wet and muck with the additional bonus of being
able to use a particular shortcut that would EAT skinny road tires. The
shortcut is necessary because the ATB is a slightly heavier and slower
ride...

Brian

Work to eat
eat to live
live to ride
ride to work.

Ken kcmarcet'@'hotpop.com said:

"do not spam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs

in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

city than ride road bikes.

There are several reasons:
1. thick, wide tires are plusher on rough roads and less likely to flat
2. more upright riding position gives you better visibility in commuter

traffic

Quoted message said:

3. almost all low-end (under $500) bikes are mountain bikes (or at
least
styled like mountain bikes)
4. when commuting, there is no performance benefit to a road bike

No performance difference? How about all the extra weight! My road bike
probably weighs half of what the average MTB weighs! I can't see riding
with
all that extra weight in the city! Maybe if i had to commute through the
woods and over stuff you might find in the woods! I will take my road
ride
anyday!

Ken

Uh Ken, most riding in the city is flat so who cares what the bike weighs?
I have two road bikes but they rarely get a ride. The two MTBs get most of
the mileage, to the point that one is beginning to fall apart. If you are
not a Lance wannabee who cares what you ride. And what is up with you don't
want all that extra weight in the city? Do you like to drag race at stop
lights?

Bill (?) Baka

Bill Baka said:

Uh Ken, most riding in the city is flat so who cares what the bike weighs?

which city might that be bill?

Quoted message said:

not a Lance wannabee who cares what you ride. And what is up with you don't
want all that extra weight in the city? Do you like to drag race at stop
lights?

blah, blah, blah. you & your 50 pound backpack & single speed cruiser
up and down the hills of san francisco..
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]

Brian said:

<snip>

I ride an ATB for practical reasons. My daily commute is mostly flat
road
and trail...but my roadie is by no means an "all weather" machine. The
hardtail does much better in wet and muck with the additional bonus of
being
able to use a particular shortcut that would EAT skinny road tires. The
shortcut is necessary because the ATB is a slightly heavier and slower
ride...

Brian

Work to eat
eat to live
live to ride
ride to work.

A real biker. Just get on the damn thing and ride. That's what it's all
about, not top speed (I haven't found any difference), and the versatility
of an ATB can't be beat if you want to cut across the grass in the park.
I tried with a 700 x 25 tired bike and it was a major effort just getting
through the grass. My MTB pretty much cruised through that. A bike is a
bike
is a bike. Whether it cost $5 at a garage sale or $5,000 at a bike shop
doesn't matter unless you want to show off your Mercedes category bike, and
most people will just scratch thier heads and wonder why you spent that
much.

--
Bill (?) Baka

"Bill Baka" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ken kcmarcet'@'hotpop.com said:

"do not spam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
> in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride MTBs
in

the

Quoted message said:

> city than ride road bikes.

There are several reasons:
1. thick, wide tires are plusher on rough roads and less likely to

flat

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

2. more upright riding position gives you better visibility in

commuter

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

traffic

Quoted message said:

3. almost all low-end (under $500) bikes are mountain bikes (or at
least
styled like mountain bikes)
4. when commuting, there is no performance benefit to a road bike

No performance difference? How about all the extra weight! My road bike
probably weighs half of what the average MTB weighs! I can't see riding
with
all that extra weight in the city! Maybe if i had to commute through the
woods and over stuff you might find in the woods! I will take my road
ride
anyday!

Ken

Uh Ken, most riding in the city is flat so who cares what the bike weighs?
I have two road bikes but they rarely get a ride. The two MTBs get most of
the mileage, to the point that one is beginning to fall apart. If you are
not a Lance wannabee who cares what you ride. And what is up with you

don't

Quoted message said:

want all that extra weight in the city? Do you like to drag race at stop
lights?

weight is weight, it still requires more energy to move 30lbs than it takes
to move 15lbs!
I am not a Lance wannabe, but I have owned both MTBs and road bikes and I
would prefer a road bike! But that is just me and my crazy opinion.

Ken

Quoted message said:

Bill (?) Baka

"B i l l S o r n s o n" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gooserider said:

"Ken" <kcmarcet"@"hotpop.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in the city? I have noticed that many more people prefer to ride
MTBs in the city than ride road bikes. Maybe it is just the area I
live in, the "Flat State" or Florida! I have lived in a couple of
other states as well and have definately noticed in the past 10 to
15 years lots more people seem to moving towards the MTB style of
rides. Can anyone explain why this is or has no one ever given this
any thought?

Sure---MTBs are "cool". People also think the flat bar is going to be
more comfortable than a drop bar, and bike shops sell people what
they want. Most people would be much better off with a hybrid or flat
bar road bike. A simple change to slicks on the MTB would make a
difference, too. I have all three---a standard road bike, a flat bar
road bike, and an MTB with slicks.

"All three"? What about a REAL mountain bike with fat knobby tires?

You have three bikes...but not "all three" types.
--
BS (no, really)

Just a simple change of wheels to put the MTB on dirt---but it's more like
sand here in Florida. Not fun riding in sugar sand, so no off roading for
me.