On Monday, May 21, 2012 9:03:40 AM UTC-7, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery wrote: > > When I first started cycling as an adult, I purchased a $430 big-brand > "hybrid" style bike that was god-awful ugly but served my novice self > perfectly as a commuter and general transportation/recreation machine. But > when I decided that I was committed enough to bikes to get something > fancier/cooler, the big-brand shop didn't have any upgrades that weren't > racing-style bikes or suspended MTBs. The message was clear: the only way > to be a serious cyclist was to aspire to the racing image and racing > paradigms. I knew that probably was not ever going to be my cup of tea. The > ensuing internet research led me to conclude that a touring bike was what I > really wanted, but the only one likely to be found locally was the Trek > 520, and none of the local shops I called had one in stock. Eventually, I > "discovered" and purchased an Atlantis. That was my first truly good bike, > and even though I no longer own it, it has influenced all my subsequent > ideas about bikes. > Jim, you don't say how old you are, but I'm betting you're quite a bit younger than me (I'm in my mid-50s). What you may not realize is that most LBS stopped selling or at least reduced their inventory of "touring-style" bikes in the early to mid-80s or when mtb starting becoming popular. I recall Sheldon Brown saying that it took like 2-3 years to sell off well made and reasonable touring style bikes because nobody wanted them. Basically, in the 90s, everyone wanted either a mtb or racing-style bike. The only exception as you noted was Trek with its 520. Riv came along and found the niche and offered touring style to fill that void. Of course, their first bike, the Riv Standard was more "racy" with short reach brakes and clearance for only 28mm tires than their current offering. I guess you could say its been evolving. Then again, I still don't get two top tubes for a 56cm frame, but that another issue....Good Luck!
> > Anyway, I agree that some people who own race bikes and related kit are > probably stimulated by that aspect of cycling. BUT, how many of them went > that direction because of peer pressure or because they didn't know of > other options? > > On Monday, May 21, 2012 10:05:41 AM UTC-5, Patrick in VT wrote: >> >> On May 18, 8:18 am, Pondero <cj.spin...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > Totally on board with the ride for fun philosophy, but I also suspect >> that >> > some of those in-training racer folks are actually having fun. >> >> Agreed. Almost every racer I know has a lot of fun doing it. And >> despite certain preferences (some misguided, for sure), a lot of >> racers are actually pretty passionate about cycling in general which >> is a good thing. Whether we kike it or not, cycling is still a sport >> and it's not just "lance wannabes" who do it - the vast majority of >> people will never race anywhere near the elite level, let alone pro >> level. But they do anyway because it's fun to challenge yourself and >> participate in something. It's no different than any other physical >> endeavor - you can take it as far as you want. >> >> There's a marathon in Burlington, VT this weekend - the event is about >> as a good of an example as you can get of people of different >> abilities challenging themselves in the same "race." 99% of the >> people who line up know they will not win the race. 100% are there to >> prove something to themselves without regard for winning or losing - >> just finishing, or setting a personal record (the "PR") will be a big >> deal. it's very similar to randonneuring. bike racing is the same. >> it's all the same - we set goals and take steps to achieve them. >> whatever keeps people inspired and motivated, more power to them. >> >> >> >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/MIlIMlsZ80QJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
