I think it could be true for some riders and on some trails and is a very personal judgment call. I’ve definitely purchased bikes in the past that were too much for the bulk of my local riding and they were “dulling” at best and cumbersome at worst. On the other hand if the trails and riding style merit the bike, you may find you can just go faster and bigger on more bike. Is this a good thing? I think I t’s fun but it may not be the safest option! My riding involves long fire-road climbs followed by a consistent downhills. I almost always try to ride the downhill as fast as I can and because I find that the most fun I like a bike that comes alive when it is being pushed hard. Could I ride a less aggressive shorter travel bike? Yes. And I would probably be just a bit slower. A lot of my riding buddies are less worried about riding all-out on the way down and they are all on more moderate bikes. I think it’s more about priorities and trade offs then it is about what’s “good” or “bad.”
May 5, 2022, 3:50 a.m. - Brigham_Rupp
I think it could be true for some riders and on some trails and is a very personal judgment call. I’ve definitely purchased bikes in the past that were too much for the bulk of my local riding and they were “dulling” at best and cumbersome at worst. On the other hand if the trails and riding style merit the bike, you may find you can just go faster and bigger on more bike. Is this a good thing? I think I t’s fun but it may not be the safest option! My riding involves long fire-road climbs followed by a consistent downhills. I almost always try to ride the downhill as fast as I can and because I find that the most fun I like a bike that comes alive when it is being pushed hard. Could I ride a less aggressive shorter travel bike? Yes. And I would probably be just a bit slower. A lot of my riding buddies are less worried about riding all-out on the way down and they are all on more moderate bikes. I think it’s more about priorities and trade offs then it is about what’s “good” or “bad.”