A very interesting article, and refreshing to see from a media outlet who understandably survives through revenue from companies who make their money from the constant selling of “new, better” stuff. Not a criticism of NSMB or mtb media outlets in general or an accusation that NSMB is biased (I don’t think it is btw), but there is a commercial reality that media outlets like NSMB rely on “new, better” to feed them. I'm fine with that.
I actually really like reading about new kit but can’t afford a new bike so this article resonates with me, more so as I’m still riding a 26” Heckler and my wife’s still riding a 26” Cove Hustler regularly. Both with 1 1/8th headtubes and both with 160mm forks so no new replacement options as far as I can see. Both bikes are slackened with offset bushes and headsets, both have droppers, tubeless and 1x but that’s as far they can go to keep up with current trends. Both bikes are actually still running well as I’m ocd about the maintenance of both bikes (I carry out very regular lower legs and air sleeve services), but there’ll only be so long before the forks can’t be salvaged any more and parts won't be available - even decent grippy tyres are getting harder to come by in 26”.
I’ve resisted the urge to buy a new bike for years as I don’t believe in using all of our savings for new bikes when every time I finish a ride I absolutely always finish it with a big smile on face, especially when having a young family means rides are more precious. All my wishing for a new bike when I’m on the internet (too much btw) completely disappears when I actually get on the bike. We are now trying to save up for new bikes but it’ll be at least year or so before we can financially justify 2 new bikes, and the only reason for changing them in reality is parts becoming obsolete / difficult to buy (decent tyres as mentioned, internals for 2009 fox 36’s anyone?). I’m sure that a new bike would be nicer, better, faster etc and I do want a new bike but I very much doubt it would make my smile at the bottom of a descent any bigger so I'm not willing to dig a financial hole for myself and my family to get one.
Sorry for the long post, it’s just the article resonated with me.
June 22, 2018, 7:25 a.m. - Littleman
A very interesting article, and refreshing to see from a media outlet who understandably survives through revenue from companies who make their money from the constant selling of “new, better” stuff. Not a criticism of NSMB or mtb media outlets in general or an accusation that NSMB is biased (I don’t think it is btw), but there is a commercial reality that media outlets like NSMB rely on “new, better” to feed them. I'm fine with that. I actually really like reading about new kit but can’t afford a new bike so this article resonates with me, more so as I’m still riding a 26” Heckler and my wife’s still riding a 26” Cove Hustler regularly. Both with 1 1/8th headtubes and both with 160mm forks so no new replacement options as far as I can see. Both bikes are slackened with offset bushes and headsets, both have droppers, tubeless and 1x but that’s as far they can go to keep up with current trends. Both bikes are actually still running well as I’m ocd about the maintenance of both bikes (I carry out very regular lower legs and air sleeve services), but there’ll only be so long before the forks can’t be salvaged any more and parts won't be available - even decent grippy tyres are getting harder to come by in 26”. I’ve resisted the urge to buy a new bike for years as I don’t believe in using all of our savings for new bikes when every time I finish a ride I absolutely always finish it with a big smile on face, especially when having a young family means rides are more precious. All my wishing for a new bike when I’m on the internet (too much btw) completely disappears when I actually get on the bike. We are now trying to save up for new bikes but it’ll be at least year or so before we can financially justify 2 new bikes, and the only reason for changing them in reality is parts becoming obsolete / difficult to buy (decent tyres as mentioned, internals for 2009 fox 36’s anyone?). I’m sure that a new bike would be nicer, better, faster etc and I do want a new bike but I very much doubt it would make my smile at the bottom of a descent any bigger so I'm not willing to dig a financial hole for myself and my family to get one. Sorry for the long post, it’s just the article resonated with me.