The Chainlink

Do You Need a New Bike? Nah. "There's Nothing Wrong With Your Bike"

I admit it, I get so caught up in the hype and it was only made worse by attending Interbike last year. Tasty, tasty new tech and shiny, beautiful bikes all for test riding on MTB trails. SO. MUCH. HAPPY. Do I NEED a new bike? No. I don't really need a fat bike when I have a great MTB to hit the trails. I don't need a new road bike with disc brakes and Ultegra - my carbon road bike with 105 will last me for years to come. So why do I catch myself picking out my next bike(s) all the time? Why N+1? 

Brett sent this article to me probably as a very strong hint.

With so many new products and so much information available, one can easily be led to analysis paralysis. Should you pull the trigger on that new fork you’ve been saving for when the next model is just months away and will be so much better than the current offering? Having all these options can be a blessing and a curse.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the material side of mountain biking. A buddy shows up to the ride on a new Nomad with all the latest wunder-bits. His bike has 6″ of travel and weighs 25 pounds. Twenty-five pounds! “That’s lighter than my hard tail,” you think. Suddenly, your bike seems inadequate, inferior. But is it, though?

While it may be nice to have the newest and best components, if you don’t have them, does it really affect your enjoyment of riding? Really think about that. Why do you ride in the first place? Is it to be a model in the mountain bike fashion show, or to act like a big kid playing in the dirt?

Full Article:

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/opinion-theres-nothing-wr...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Lazzaro on March 29, 2016 at 10:59am

I enjoy riding several different bikes, just like I enjoy wearing several different pairs of shoes and using several different backpacks.  It's fun to use something that is optimized for a particular purpose.  But it's also good not to overestimate the importance of any gear.  The best way to keep perspective is to get out and ride whatever bike you have.  When you are riding, you realize how simple bikes are, and how little technology is required to get you happily from A to B.  It's only when looking at bike porn at the LBS or online that it's tempting to think that you've got to have the latest gimmick.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on March 29, 2016 at 11:21am

Whatever floats your boat!  No harm is ever done by somebody buying a new bike -- and it keeps the bike industry going, which is important.  Also, you can buy an awful lot of bikes and bike stuff for the cost of a typical new car, right?  Myself, I'm upgrading my '86 Centurion to seven from six speeds, and that will suffice for now.  I did buy an actual bike cap for this year, I must admit.  And a jersey from an outlet store.   

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 29, 2016 at 1:48pm

I have what could probably be classified as an addiction. I just work hard to keep it in check so Hoarders: Bike Edition doesn't show up at my door. ;-) The bikes I want seem to get progressively more expensive. 

BTW, you NEED to post a pic of you in your new bike cap and jersey, riding your bike. 

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on March 29, 2016 at 3:50pm

Sure.  The world can always use more laughter!

Permalink Reply by micah bayer on March 31, 2016 at 1:51pm
Having far too much love to get rid of my old French touring bike it sits needing quite a bit of love for it to get back into riding shape (new wheels, fork, sandblast and paint since it may only be made of rust underneath). My solution was a cheapo commuter, and I find myself not thinking if I need a new bike as long as what I have works for what is needed. I also have an old "hon" folder that was free and I use for train rides to places, and free is nice.
Permalink Reply by Jeff Blumenthal on March 31, 2016 at 2:17pm

I ride an old bike.  The reason it's old is that it has never been stolen.  I'm not sure why one needs an 18+ speed mountain bike to ride the Lakefront Path anyway.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on April 1, 2016 at 12:01am

Damn straight, Jeff.  People like you are what cycling is all about, to me.

Permalink Reply by john89 on April 2, 2016 at 1:40am

One of the most entertaining sports out there is road biking. The beauty of road biking lies in its ability to suit the needs of different people, whether that is leisure cyclists, commuters, or even people taking part in exercises. This diversified demand makes bike producer bound to respond with the best product. This versatility is what makes road biking so popular. To keep pace with this eco-friendly vehicle mentality, as a responsible citizen you should think to be a cyclist. If you have not caught on to the movement then now is your turn.

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