I believe white males between 25 and 45 years old are the market that the mountain bike industry targets.
I'm quite certain the most white North Americans are not into our door sports unless it involves watching the sport on a couch.
Poverty. 80% of the worlds population makes less than ten dollars a day. Try fixing that!
You own a mountain bike? You get to have time off to do things you like. On a world model you are rich!
MEC donates to trail building groups . They give back to the community.its 100% Canadian owned. I am very happy to support MEC and my LBS.
Buying your made in China toys on line and giving your money to some other country to save a few bucks. How ethical is that.?
I don't wear bike specific clothes . For the most part it's low quality flashy look at me crap. MEC sells jerseys with no advertising logos for half the price of a snazzy Fox Jersy. MEC brand pants have always worked great for me. Water proof jackets( ahem no jacket stays waterproof after constantly being bombarded with dirt) 150$ with pit zips. If I get a bad zipper or threads come undone. MEC replaces the garment. Talk about backing what you sell.
In conclusion affluent whiny white people suck.
MEC is great. No one forces you to shop there .