sidevalve
Über Member
Just looking in the old bike shop yesterday and I began to wonder just how much "better" bikes are getting. I mean obviously they are technicaly far superior to the bikes of even 20 years ago
but is the price that one bike will only do one job ?
Sure we have racing bikes that weigh naff all but are so delicate that most road surfaces will be at best risky. MTBs that can cheerfully blast down the side of an alp and "road" bikes that have nowhere to fit mudguards.
Do we have to have two, three or four bikes. Fine if you want your sport serious you buy your dedicated machine, that has always been so.
Sure the hybrid seems to be trying to fill the gap but it's just another type to swell the ranks [and they can be way too heavy].
Of course nothing wrong with having lots of bikes [all good fun and we all love a new toy] but are we being bluffed by the manufacturers and fashion ? After all, be honest, how many have in the shed the "old faithfull", it's neither one thing nor t'other but it's great for the commute, for the cycle path/tow path, shopping trip etc etc ?
but is the price that one bike will only do one job ?
Sure we have racing bikes that weigh naff all but are so delicate that most road surfaces will be at best risky. MTBs that can cheerfully blast down the side of an alp and "road" bikes that have nowhere to fit mudguards.
Do we have to have two, three or four bikes. Fine if you want your sport serious you buy your dedicated machine, that has always been so.
Sure the hybrid seems to be trying to fill the gap but it's just another type to swell the ranks [and they can be way too heavy].
Of course nothing wrong with having lots of bikes [all good fun and we all love a new toy] but are we being bluffed by the manufacturers and fashion ? After all, be honest, how many have in the shed the "old faithfull", it's neither one thing nor t'other but it's great for the commute, for the cycle path/tow path, shopping trip etc etc ?