amyatwku

Hey sorry to intrude but I am a student at Western Kentucky University and I am doing research about the mountain bike market bascially. What I wanted to know, and since you all are the professionals is what do you think makes mountain bikers different from road bikers? Is there a difference? And also, about home much you would say an enthusiast or particpant may spend on the sport? I know this is annoying, but I would really appreciate your input. Thanks!

LowCel 

I don't know that there is that much of a difference. A good percentage of mountain bikers are also roadies. It isn't the bike that defines the person, it is the attitude.

As far as how much a person may spend that is a never ending figure. On top of that it is completely different for everyone. A lot of riders have $300 bikes and they are very happy with them. Other's prefer (or can justify) more expensive bikes. Just because I ride a $6,000 mountain bike and Joe biker rides a $300 mountain bike doesn't mean that I enjoy riding any more than he does.

If you have to have figures though, here are a few of mine.
Mountain bike #1 - $5,500
Mountain bike #2 - $4,500
Road bike #1 - $6,800
Road bike #2 - $1,600

mtnbiker66

Well, from what Ive seen in this area(WNC) road bikers are a bunch of snobbish sissys who have this attitude thing going on. They ride lightweight high dollar bikes and and tend to look down their noses at someone on a lower end bike. The MTNbikers are a more laid back group. As long as your out riding and having fun it's all good.You can always run into a jerk here and there but the MTN guys seem to have more fun with it. The roadie attitude is a big reason I sold my road bike and now I only ride the dirt. This will more than likely start a war of some kind.

DylanTremblay

mtnbiker66 pretty much summed up the difference between mountain bikers and roadies...and I personaly have spent about $1100 CND on my bike (that includes the bike, assesories, and upgrades). Its hard to give an exact amount that most people spend in this sport because of the verity of bikes and prices.

C Law

Oh well, it had to be said by someone. I really depends on your local scene though. I tend to ride with people who ride all kinds of styles so It is pretty mellow 'round here either mountain or road. But, if I had to choose a side, I would say that roadies do tend to be more snobby sort.


As far as costs go..............it's weird because you wouldn't think so starting off and the casual observer has no idea....but sh1t is mad 'spensive

When you first start off in the sport, you are shocked to learn that 500-1000 is the 'low end' range to get a quality bike. Then, after a season or two, spending $500-$1000 on a front fork or wheelset seems normal.

Taerom

Haha, that is so true. Last summer, I bought a $700 bike. I thought that was a pretty pimpin' bike at the time (my previous bike was a Huffy ). After just a few months, as my skills improved, I started to outgrow the thing. This summer, I'm thinking about buying a $1700 bike. I'm sure that in another year or two, I'll be layin' down a few grand on a bike.

Taerom

As far as the road biker vs. mountain biker subject, in my area, there isn't really a huge road biking scene, so I won't make a judgement about them. The mountain bikers definately are a pretty relaxed group though...always friendly and always courteous on the trails.

Taerom

Professional whats?

Pink_Ninja

I agree. I got a $400 bike and thought it was awesome (I was 10 or 11) and now when I go to the bikeshop and ask how much for a basic downhiller my dad had a heart-attack to learn between $2000 to anything higher...

junkyard

It's definitely a tough comparison to make because it seems that the intent behind why each group rides is varied. But, I'll give my two cents because I was in a marketing class not to long ago and know it can be tough to get people to respond. I've never been a road biker, but do have a close friend who is. When he goes on a road ride, it seems to be about being in a large pack, getting the heart rate up and cranking out a 50+ mile ride. When he and I go out on some trails, it's not necessarily about the same things. Sure, we're doing something good for ourselves, but sometimes it's just about the quality of the ride... getting over an obstacle you never could before, hauling down a rough downhill or possibly making it to the top of a difficult climb. Not to mention, the trash talk between riding buddies. I won't comment on the attitudes of road bikers vs. mountain bikers. I think that making a gross generalization about that can be dangerous. I will say, that all of the mountain bikers I've spoken with prior to entering the sport and since I've been a part have all been helpful, friendly and supportive.

Like Lowcel said, the money varies drastically based on your budget, style of riding, components, etc. I spent $850 on a hardtail getting into the sport. I'm still quite new to the sport, so that continues to be my only bike. However, the sport does draw you in. Next thing you know you are buying clothes to ride in, new rack to put it on your car, shoes, components, and even looking at the next level bike you want to purchase. It's certainly not an inexpensive sport to join, but as I've found, the initial costs are well worth the end result.

misteralz

What he said.

Drunken Chicken

Yep.
I seem to find that MTBers are more laid back and don't always go out there to train or to ride hard but to have fun (remember, I'm not saying EVERY roadie is snobbish, just the majority of those around here).
I spent 425 euros on purchasing a Hardrock Sport, now with 600 or so euros of upgrades into it. If we add the cost of gear and the like, we come out to about 1200euros?

Peek the Geek

Anybody else notice the irony here?


To the OP: I ride both. Which one depends on my mood or my fitness goals for that day. I think geography plays a big part in who rides what more often. I personally spend more time on my road bikes because of the very limited number of offroad trails where I live. With my road bike, I can walk out my front door and get a ride in before work. A mountain bike ride requires drive time (sometimes a couple hours).

As for what I spend on cycling... I won't indulge that information, for fear it will someday get back to my wife. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

LowCel 

I had been thinking the exact same thing. The same thread is posted over in the roadie section. They haven't said anything negative towards mountain bikers.

santiago

Those b@stards!

Just kidding, of course. The "us vs. them" mentality tends to exist in the younger set of the population. Older people (late 20s and up) tend not to be caught up in this type of thing.

I think the that there is a larger age distribution within mountain bikers given that the whole Urban Assault/Dirt Jumping thing is an extension of BMXing. I believe that the average age of roadies will be higher than for mountain bikers. Just an observation from my area. It isn't necessarily the norm.

delay

Hmm, I just got to looking at this forum in the last few days. This thread seems oddly familiar to the occasional thread in the fixed gear forum.

The truth is that most of us who are serious ride all types of bikes. Any snobbery comes from someone who is just exceptionally committed to one thing. It does not need to be negative, this person just feels the sport he or she has choosen is the best (no doubt thats why it was choosen)

That said, I have seen this additude in road and fixed gear riders. When it comes up, I typically just say that I do both and tend to not ride with those people any longer. There are enough laid back people in all genres of biking that you don't need to put up with crap.

mtnbiker66

Look, if a war is to start comments can't be so nice.At one time it was sooooo easy to get some peoples undies in a bunch. This is no fun at all.

Jason222

I've got no problem with roadies. I see them quite often, and whenever I do, I give a friendly wave.
...Just kidding. Always be polite .

Mod Edit If you value your membership don't post crap like that.

ok

Peek the Geek

You are absolutely right. I apologize to you and the entire cycling community for my lack of malevolence. Please allow me the pleasure of treating you to a cup of tea sometime.



Oh, and all cyclocross riders are asshats.

C Law

Thats because they know we'll come over there and put a hurtin' on their 6'2'' 125 pound asses!!

mtnbiker66

Oh crap, thats funny.......

jo5iah

there aren't really 'two' cultures, there are tons. i think i (and many others) span a number of these. here are some gross generalizations:
commuters - ride to get from here to there and back again, again and again, with stuff.
roadies - ride for fitness and fun and want to get faster (uphill)
mtbikers - ride for fun and excitement and to be out in the woods
fixers - ride for transportation and zen connection of pedal to road
track - ride for the thrill/challenge of a pure stripped down race
tourers - ride to see/be places at a bikey pace, with stuff - sometimes a lot of it

really, i'm not being fair to commuters and tourers - they're probably riding for fun too. cyclocross riders don't fit in any of these - they're just interested in self-abuse (and bike abuse).

back to the question though... "what makes mountain bikers different from road bikers?"
answer: the bikes they're riding.

Jason222

A lot of Freeriders don't like XC guys and vice versa. I know I don't.

J-McKech

This is hilarious!!! I wonder which moderator it was...

Pheard

I ride smooth semi bumpy trails because thats whats around, just for leasure does that make me an xc *****?