You hear mountain bikers on the trail talk all the time about how much faster they would be if they were on a newer, shinier or more expensive bike. One with Sram XX components or the latest Fox fork. They moan and complain about their old bike and blame problems not on themselves, but on the bike. So is it all about the bike?
I was even one of these bikers for a while.
After riding the same bike for a while you just get down on what you have. You miss that new feeling and you crave something different. You visit the bike shop on a weekly basis, scour the web for smoking deals and watch the hottest new bike reviews and videos.
Instead of being content and happy with the bike you have, you constantly are looking for something better.
So… How much difference does the bike make?
As a recent buyer of a new bike, I feel I can definitely speak some truth to this question.
I moved from what would be a comparison of a cheap rowboat to a luxury Yacht when I bought my new bike. My old bike was a very bottom rung starter bike purchased for under $500 and ridden hard for 5 years. I switched from a hardtail with 26″ tires to a full-suspension beast with 29″ tires that rips apart the earth underneath with every pedal stroke.
If there was ever a situation where switching bikes should make a difference this was it.
But it didn’t make a difference. Or if it did it was so small that you wouldn’t notice. My lap times at the normal courses didn’t decrease, instead they went up just slightly. Even now, almost 2 months after buying the new bike, I still have almost the same lap times. The new bike did next to nothing to make me faster.
Ultimately it comes down to this. You dictate how well you perform, not your bike, not your friends. Nobody but you. The more you ride, the better you are.
What about you, have you bought a new bike thinking it would help you become a faster rider only to find that you have the same times as before? Post your story in the comments. I’m dying to hear.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I went from a Walmart Schwinn to a Trek and the difference was night and day. Just softer, lighter, smoother. It really makes me look forward to each ride.
Thanks Adam!
Glad to see you on a new bike buddy. Keep loving your rides.
You bet the bike makes a difference. Three years ago my wife “condescended” to have a mountain bike and got a Specialized entry level woman’s bike, 21 speed. That bike was a real challenge for her. She had ridden road for many years on a Trek 1200 she bought about 1987. 14 speed with down tube shifters. The Specialized had 21 speed thumb shifters. Riding it was always a chore for her, but she pushed through it for 3 years. Last weekend she got a new Cannondale 27 speed mid range bike with thumb shifters. She can’t stop talking about the difference. She says the bike is as smooth to ride as her old Trek. We overheard a young lady talking about getting an entry level mountain bike at a bike shop and she butted in advising her not to get an entry level, but to get a mid range bike. She said entry level was OK if you were going to park it in the garage and hang clothes on it, but not great if you were serious about riding.
Awesome! You and you’re wife have a lot of great tips, I appreciate your input!
So was the biggest difference in just having more gears available to shift through? Or was it the way that the front fork rode for her? I do agree with you guys though, there is a huge difference between entry level bike and mid range.
Rule #4, dudes. http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#4
Thanks Fake Greg Lemond.
However, I disagree and break probably half of the rules in that list. Fun site though, I really enjoyed reading through it and will be back anytime I need a dose of snarky bike related humor.
There is a lot to be said about the mental advantage some get from new parts, or a new bike in general. It really does depend on the rider and the realistic gosls to be reached. I know I’ve fallen victim to wanting lighter parts. I have seen a difference in speed, but is it the parts directly, or the enthusiasm to ride more that has made me faster. In mountain biking, it is really less of an issue than in road biking. I’ve seen people go the other way in parts. Building up what could only be described as a heavy duty downhill machine, when only riding TX xc trails… puzzles me.. In road biking, I have had people discuss how they NEED the new weight weenie part, or they will be ruined as a rider. I’ve actually have had conversations with some (very short convos mind you) that started with their inquiry about the drag coif of my handlebars, or stem, or…. Bottom line is that most upgrades are mental. They may make you find new enthusiasm for riding, thus making you faster. Some are upgrades for stronger, better built parts, making you faster with the confidence they bring. All in all, they should be purchased from your LBS, and purchased often! If it gets you riding, then its worth it.
Thanks for the input Rik. I agree that the biggest effect it will have is on the mindset you have.
The funny part about it is that I do have more top end speed, but adjusting to the larger tires of the 29er is a slow learning process. While I do have more top end speed I find myself struggling much more in tight sections than I did on the 26 hardtail.
Yes, depending upon the size of the frame, a 29″ wheeled bike is not going to handle as well as a 26″ in tight single track. This has been improved upon with the newer frame angles, but for the TX trails, a quicker steering bike handles better. The top end increase is all gearing with the larger wheels. You can’t beat a 29″ on the flats.. I have both. XC racing I use the 26″. Endurance racing, the 29″.
I agree completely. My goal is to just keep getting more time in the saddle until I feel “normal” again going around turns. There are only so many trees that can hit my shoulder or hands before I eventually knock them all down.