#1 Most Interesting Comment Left To MTB198
Yesterday afternoon, I received an email from a reader who was unsubscribing from this blog. Normally, I would not post up these kinds of rant emails (its actually the first I have received…so we must be doing something right!), but I just had to share this one with you guys.
Adam writes:
I am unsubscribing because your website is just another commercial website. I am tired of commercialism; I prefer bicycles as a utilitarian vehicle, not a two – wheeled sport utility vehicle where the price of Chinese – made frames and components continually escalates. I think the founding fathers of mountain biking never wanted mountain biking to become the plaything of a small group of capitalists.
Before I jump into this head first, I want to say, I feel ya Adam. I wish there was more bike commuting. I wish there were more cities that embraced the bike culture more than it is now. And I wish everything could be manufactured on this side of the pond giving more jobs to American workers for a price everyone was able to pay. Are these dreams realistic in today’s economy…most of them aren’t but we do our best to try to make things the best we can given current situations. If everything was manufactured here (or anywhere else that isn’t Taiwan or China – there are some sick rides coming out of Europe and the surrounding areas…you guys make some great bikes!), bikes would cost 3 times what they do now. Unfortunately, it is a necessary evil to get affordable bikes to the public.
However, I am not tired of commercialism as the competition brings us better bikes and parts over time. Commercialism is also what funds our advocacy groups and allows people to fight for the rights of cyclists in government.
Now…has this site become too commercial? Well…it’s a review and riding tips site man! We review parts and bikes for mountain bikers who happen to use their bikes for sport. I can’t lug my heavy ass long travel bike around town and I don’t want bike manufacturers to stop making them just becuase they are a two wheeled sport utility vehicle. I DO believe that the founders of mountain biking would be incredibly happy to see how far mountain biking has come. Do I think they would like every single aspect of it? Probably not…but that doesn’t take away from the progression the sport has seen over the years.
I don’t have any stats to pull from…so I am going to shoot from the hip…but I would venture to guess that there is a substantial increase in bike commuters due to the growing popularity of road and mountain biking. Anything that increases awareness in a positive light is a good thing.
The beauty of cycling is that we can all enjoy it exactly the way we want to. You can keep on using it as a utilitarian vehicle and I can keep riding for sport. Part of what brings the cycling community so close is the fact that we all “get” each other and can exist in the same realm. While their is friendly competition between sub-niches in the overall sport of cycling, we are all out there for the same goal…to have fun on our pedal propelled machine.
Anyways…there is my answer to your rant and I hope the rest of you enjoyed it!
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Tags: advocacy, bike commuting
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One can't continue to live in the past. Its like saying kids shouldn't play video games cos we never did. Certainly here in RSA, the cheap chinese bikes are brilliant for rural people to commute and their very cheapness has come about from developments in the cycling world. So yes, I often hanker over what was but have to recognise that the world moves on.
@santacruzrulz makes a good point… One could probably argue that one could get a great A to B bike (mtb or other) for less than it's cost in the past (relatively speaking, of course).
It's going to be lighter, more durable, and work better, all because of what's being done at the other end of the spectrum.
Just like with car racing, bike racing continually pushes the envelope and create new demands and stresses on part and frames, forcing companies to constantly evolve – Do us regular joe's need this type of cutting edge tech? Probably not, but in the end everybody gains from it. From the $9k downhill race rig to the $199 Schwinn Armstrong at Walmart you end up with a better bike.
I will control my immediate impulse and simply say amen to bikeridr and santacruzrulz.
No fun..
I would argue the fathers of mountain biking did want it to grow into a capitalist adventure because they needed the technology to make the jump from cyclocross to full off road. The big name factories then joined in to take advantage of the market and the rest is history. Popularity breeds capitalism.
As for the Taiwan made stuff, I feel ya, but what's a brotha gonna do? The more affordable bikes are made there and we all know it's because of the cheap labor rates and non restrictive manufacturing labor laws or environmental impact laws. We could go on and on forever about the many factors that affect the price of US made and non US made products. I was demo'ing a Pivot Firebird at Blankets one morning and everyone was chatting about the bikes. Someone asked the rep where they were made and he said in an almost shamed voice, Taiwan. There was that uncomfortable silence for about 30 seconds that everyone hates to be involved with.
If it weren't for a very generous sponsor, I would be buying one of the foreign made bikes because my old lady would experience an immaculate conception if I told her I paid $7k for a bike. It's fine to ride a high horse, if you can, but a lot of us can't. I'm sure this site generates a fine revenue stream and I think it's great 198 can provide great reading and make a living on it. Anyone who thinks otherwise must have some communist or socialist tendencies in them.
Keep up the soild work. I like your blog. Some stuff doesn't hit me, like the big money components and FS big travel bikes, but other stuff is really cool. I have come to appreciate your road ride and your ability to embrace the diversity of biking.
Why are people so p***ed at Taiwan, or ashamed that there bikes come from there? Get some perspective. These guys have to work too, and – according to a local Aussie mtb mag that did a recent feature on the industry there (they're practically our neighbours, afterall) – they put a hell of a lot of work into making it a good, reputable industry.
Incidently, on commuting. Here in Oz, over the last few years, people have bought more bikes than cars, and in Sydney every month I reckon I see more people commuting to work, and there are continual improvements to cycling infrastructure. Sure, we have a stupid public transport system and insane gridlock that drives people to bikes, but the more the merrier. Australia as a country is too small to make it's own bikes, really, so we buy whatever works well. Who cares where it comes from!
Personally, I don't care who builds them as long as they are built correctly. I have had frames that were made out of the US, Europe, Taiwan, China…you name it! Do I sometimes like the fact that I am employing American citizens by buying an American made product? Sure! But that doesn't make my decision on bike purchases.
Great news in OZ! That is a really cool! I don't even consider the public transportation system in our area. Takes too long to get anywhere…I'd probably be better off walking!
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Thanks! You know me…I'll ride just about anything that pedals. This new cross movement in my area is something that I think I will leave to those guys (might eat my words later). Ride what looks like a road bike on dirt?! Didn't I buy a mountain bike for that?
Thanks for the support along the way Ti22. If I told my wife I bought a $7k bike, I think she would tell me to sleep with it.
While I've never seen or done cross before, I believe you do need skinny bikes so that it's easier and lighter to carry on your shoulders on those obstacle sections.
In the US, I believe there is a care for US made products because the US WAS the poster child for massive manufacturing capabilities, i.e. the Industrial Revolution. But, companies found they could make products cheaper overseas and in many cases that came with the price of cheaper quality and in every case meant US job losses. So there is a stigma with many people that products made in certain countries are not as high quality or they just want to support US made products to keep jobs here. Personally, I felt the Pivot was a solid bike and I would buy one. I am not overly concerned with where a product is made, as long as the company has a reputable customer service record and the products have a history of reliability.
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transport had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions in the United Kingdom. The changes subsequently spread throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the world. The onset of the Industrial Revolution marked a major turning point in human history; almost every aspect of daily life was eventually influenced in some way.
Well pointed out that large corparation's are the root to our problem's with the way wealth is passed out in this country. Good or Bad ?
In summary, that douche is a retard. good riddens
Kinda funny, but annoying too, that as soon as you read the article above you get blasted with a ebook ad that takes over your whole screen. I hope that was for comic relief, because that was a little much.
Only shows up once per visitor. You won't see it again.
HAHA…perfect answer from you Fo!
I wish i could be so idealistic but i really love my SUV of a bike that was made in the USA. With out commercialism and capitolism we would all be riding bikes made by the wright bros and paying more for them than the cheap bikes made overseas. I wonder if he his blogging using a comedore 64 or he gave into commercialism and bought a new pc or mac.
First as a insanely strong AMERICAN I can see that Adam is at least a socialist and most likely a communist. Just on the 'capitalism' comment that is clear. Second, cycling is not a holiday that has been taken over by commercial interests just to play on heart strings like Christmas. With out commercial interests we would all be riding Penny-farthing bikes if even something that advanced.
Just one thing to Adam MOVE AWAY. Go to a country where they dictate everything to you so you can fully find no differences between you and your neighbor. Well that is unless your neighbor is part of the class that makes the ruled for you to follow. Then he will have what ever he wants and just keep you like a mushroom, in the dark (ages).
Rob you are doing a great job here and may you make millions or at least a very good life for you and yours from this little verbal adventure you have here.
damn bro! how do you really feel?! haha..j/k man…thanks for the support!
why does everything have to be a issue ?just ride and enjoy.do your own thing.
I wanted to be clear. I thought it was. Directly to the point and no regrets. That is why I just do my thing and work with the rest. Everyone has their space and as long as they are not a moron I dont mind. But then there is the moron……..
That's the idea…get it as light as possible for the running sections. More power too them…that looks grueling.
Absolutely…we all are not the same and the world would be a pretty boring place if we were. That is why I don't understand comments like this guy left. Shouldn't he be happy there are so many forms of cycling now?
I agree with that 100%.
i have an mtb made in taiwan for 4 years now here in Dubai,United Arab Emirates and logged thousands of kilometers exploring rocky mountains here, but still in a very good condition, as long as it built correctly there's nothing wrong in it.
And heyyyy! Robb you're doin' great man – more power!…
Thanks Sparky! I agree…build quality is much more important than country of origin.
Thanks Sparky! I agree…build quality is much more important than country of origin.
hello dear i don't agry with you because i thing this si totaly depend on us thats all dear thanx for this
hot deal
Let's not forget when you buy a bike made in Taiwan or China, you are still employing Americans, e.g those whom work for that company & bikes shops that sell their products.
Happy riding for 2010, cheers