Grant Petersen: So Fun to Read, but Rivendell Doesn't Appeal To Me
#126
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,929
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Liked 3,933 Times
in
2,053 Posts
Is that not the ultimate badge of dishonor? "His stuff has value mostly as a counter to equally insane ideas promoted on BF."
Likes For Maelochs:
Likes For ofajen:
#128
Senior Member
In regards to s24o's.
It is not objectively correct to say "the big issue with sub 24 riding is.." It would be more correct to say "In my case the big problem is...". That assertion is subject to the individual. In my case for example, it is super easy to do a variety of s24o's or s48o's routes in an ordinary weekend. I live on the side of a mountain, am a 30km ride from the tip of the Northern Cascades and am an hours drive from three major mountain passes.
Also. Using the example of carrying 80lb's of gear but balking at a 5lb axe has little relevance when discussing the idea of taking a hatchet on a s240. Using an exaggerated set of criteria people wouldn't reasonably employ doesn't discredit the activity.
Of course it is not for everyone but I doubt most things in cycling are one size fits all. For some it might work, for others not so much. There is nothing wrong with a writer putting out the idea for others to consider. In the touring sub forum it is quite common to suggest short overnight rides to people who are unsure about the idea of touring or who are testing out new bikes/gear. There is nothing unusual about the concept.
Indy is correct that the idea of s240's has been around in various forms for a long time. Almost nothing people write about is really original. I think GP might say it has merely been forgotten in the current trend (I also think the trend is coming around with many sub genres emerging). Alistair Humphreys promotes a similar concept called the "micro adventure" here: https://alastairhumphreys.com/microadventures-landing/
It is not objectively correct to say "the big issue with sub 24 riding is.." It would be more correct to say "In my case the big problem is...". That assertion is subject to the individual. In my case for example, it is super easy to do a variety of s24o's or s48o's routes in an ordinary weekend. I live on the side of a mountain, am a 30km ride from the tip of the Northern Cascades and am an hours drive from three major mountain passes.
Also. Using the example of carrying 80lb's of gear but balking at a 5lb axe has little relevance when discussing the idea of taking a hatchet on a s240. Using an exaggerated set of criteria people wouldn't reasonably employ doesn't discredit the activity.
Of course it is not for everyone but I doubt most things in cycling are one size fits all. For some it might work, for others not so much. There is nothing wrong with a writer putting out the idea for others to consider. In the touring sub forum it is quite common to suggest short overnight rides to people who are unsure about the idea of touring or who are testing out new bikes/gear. There is nothing unusual about the concept.
Indy is correct that the idea of s240's has been around in various forms for a long time. Almost nothing people write about is really original. I think GP might say it has merely been forgotten in the current trend (I also think the trend is coming around with many sub genres emerging). Alistair Humphreys promotes a similar concept called the "micro adventure" here: https://alastairhumphreys.com/microadventures-landing/
Last edited by Happy Feet; 09-22-20 at 08:36 AM.
#130
I'm the anecdote.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 1,821
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Liked 1,176 Times
in
795 Posts
I love the idea of a short range bike camping trip. There's hardly any public land in Texas, so you'd have to go to some state park or national park which is nowhere near a short range bicycle trip for most folks here. Unless, you like camping at water detention dug out areas. The ones here that aren't part of a city or county park, certainly have a fair share of "permanent" campers near them (aka homeless folks).
#131
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,612
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Liked 9,103 Times
in
5,054 Posts
I don't think many of his ideas are insane, I just don't agree with some of them. I also think some of the "they're ruining the industry" stuff was a bit closer to the mark when he was writing it the first time.
OTOH. showing people that the "one true way" perspective pretty much sucks by giving them another version of it is a neat rhetorical tool. I come at this from the perspective of someone who's never met anyone who rides the same way I do--high gear, long distance, flat pedals, cargo shorts, and fast, so I'm used to hearing "general" rules I find completely silly..
Likes For livedarklions:
#132
Senior Member
Dear Mr. Dunning-Kruger,
Many of that guy's "asinine takes" actually foresaw the shifts in the bike industry and marketing away from racing and more towards a practical adaptable bike. "Just Ride" was published in 2012. Yes, there's still marketing of racing bikes, there should be, some of us like riding them for whatever purposes, but there's also now whole categories of wide-tire drop bar bikes that just didn't exist when he was writing, many of them essentially copying or building on some of the things Riv was doing at the time.
As to his take on clipless pedals and kit, I ride pretty much as he describes, but at longer distances and higher speeds. I don't agree with him that that stuff is a scam because other people are probably pretty good judges of whether they're getting some benefit from it. But I really do appreciate having his stuff out there as a counter to all of the people who post on BF to claim that you're somehow doing it wrong or are not serious if you find you don't want or need that stuff. We recently had a thread on platforms vs. clipless, and I was just astounded by how many people were making ridiculous claims about all the things you supposedly can't do on platforms that I do every damn day, not to mention the absurd safety concerns they were raising.
Many of that guy's "asinine takes" actually foresaw the shifts in the bike industry and marketing away from racing and more towards a practical adaptable bike. "Just Ride" was published in 2012. Yes, there's still marketing of racing bikes, there should be, some of us like riding them for whatever purposes, but there's also now whole categories of wide-tire drop bar bikes that just didn't exist when he was writing, many of them essentially copying or building on some of the things Riv was doing at the time.
As to his take on clipless pedals and kit, I ride pretty much as he describes, but at longer distances and higher speeds. I don't agree with him that that stuff is a scam because other people are probably pretty good judges of whether they're getting some benefit from it. But I really do appreciate having his stuff out there as a counter to all of the people who post on BF to claim that you're somehow doing it wrong or are not serious if you find you don't want or need that stuff. We recently had a thread on platforms vs. clipless, and I was just astounded by how many people were making ridiculous claims about all the things you supposedly can't do on platforms that I do every damn day, not to mention the absurd safety concerns they were raising.
My name is not Dunning-Kruger, it's BoraxKid. Grant Petersen's takes on bicycles are nothing more than asinine ad copy, designed to help him hoodwink people into buying his overpriced, ugly steel frames fitted with inferior components, along with some norm-core, low-fashion clothes. Grant Petersen did not invent the idea of wide tires paired with drop bars, nor did he cause any market shifts with his expensive, boutique, retro-styled bikes. I know this because I built myself a city bike in 2011 (prior to Just Ride being published) after reading about all their virtues on popular internet bike sites, and then I bought a touring bike (with drop bars and 40 mm tires) in 2012 for doing longer rides. That touring bike was on its 3rd or 4th year-model iteration by then, because the trend of selling bikes with drop bars and wide tires definitely predates Just Ride. Petersen simply wrote a book to capitalize on the wave that other bike makers were already riding.
The ironic element here is that for many years, I also rode as Grant Petersen suggested: no kit and no clipless, but I also did so at higher speeds and over longer distances. I shunned jerseys and clipless really because I had to be frugal and Alton Brown taught me that uni-task items are bad. However, I've recently seen the folly of shunning all new tech as "pointless," especially where aerodynamics are concerned. I have found that wearing cycling-specific kit is much more comfortable for getting a workout, and clipless really does have a nice feel and performs better and more reliably than my platforms & Hold Fast or the toe clips and straps from yesteryear. Grant Petersen's book is fine for people that need to justify why they ride slowly, but for anyone that is comfortable in their own skin, Just Ride reads like the pointless ego embrocation that it is. If you can't see that, take the wool blanket off your head.
#133
Senior Member
Rivendell bikes are not for everyone. Having read about Riv's for years, I was intrigued but it wasn't until I went to Denmark and Japan where cycling was something completely different that made me embrace that style of cycling. As I said in my post back on page one, I can enjoy any kind of cycling. Though, if I could only have one bike it would be a Rivendell. Yesterday I did 60 km on my Trek and today I will be doing a 40 km on my Rivendell with my wife. Each ride is enjoyable in its own right.
#134
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 2,087
Bikes: Soma Pescadero, Surly Pugsley, Salsa Fargo, Schwinn Klunker, Gravity SS 27.5, Monocog 29er
Liked 234 Times
in
166 Posts
I love the idea of a short range bike camping trip. There's hardly any public land in Texas, so you'd have to go to some state park or national park which is nowhere near a short range bicycle trip for most folks here. Unless, you like camping at water detention dug out areas. The ones here that aren't part of a city or county park, certainly have a fair share of "permanent" campers near them (aka homeless folks).
Likes For c_m_shooter:
#135
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 6,006
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Liked 2,277 Times
in
1,393 Posts
Riding that bike for more than 10 miles at a time sounds like an absolutely awful idea. Why would anyone make themselves a full sail in the wind and then endure that nonsense for longer than is necessary to reach a nearby destination? I mean, it's fine as an exercise in utility biking, but those types of bikes are not designed for long rides (at least if you care about comfort & efficiency).
You don’t have any clue about the people here who have ridden thousands of miles through all sorts of weather on those exact same bikes. What comfort and efficiency do you think is appropriate riding across states, even the country?
Do real touring in your kit first and then report back.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
#136
Senior Member
My name is not Dunning-Kruger, it's BoraxKid. Grant Petersen's takes on bicycles are nothing more than asinine ad copy, designed to help him hoodwink people into buying his overpriced, ugly steel frames fitted with inferior components, along with some norm-core, low-fashion clothes. Grant Petersen did not invent the idea of wide tires paired with drop bars, nor did he cause any market shifts with his expensive, boutique, retro-styled bikes. I know this because I built myself a city bike in 2011 (prior to Just Ride being published) after reading about all their virtues on popular internet bike sites, and then I bought a touring bike (with drop bars and 40 mm tires) in 2012 for doing longer rides. That touring bike was on its 3rd or 4th year-model iteration by then, because the trend of selling bikes with drop bars and wide tires definitely predates Just Ride. Petersen simply wrote a book to capitalize on the wave that other bike makers were already riding.
The ironic element here is that for many years, I also rode as Grant Petersen suggested: no kit and no clipless, but I also did so at higher speeds and over longer distances. I shunned jerseys and clipless really because I had to be frugal and Alton Brown taught me that uni-task items are bad. However, I've recently seen the folly of shunning all new tech as "pointless," especially where aerodynamics are concerned. I have found that wearing cycling-specific kit is much more comfortable for getting a workout, and clipless really does have a nice feel and performs better and more reliably than my platforms & Hold Fast or the toe clips and straps from yesteryear. Grant Petersen's book is fine for people that need to justify why they ride slowly, but for anyone that is comfortable in their own skin, Just Ride reads like the pointless ego embrocation that it is. If you can't see that, take the wool blanket off your head.
The ironic element here is that for many years, I also rode as Grant Petersen suggested: no kit and no clipless, but I also did so at higher speeds and over longer distances. I shunned jerseys and clipless really because I had to be frugal and Alton Brown taught me that uni-task items are bad. However, I've recently seen the folly of shunning all new tech as "pointless," especially where aerodynamics are concerned. I have found that wearing cycling-specific kit is much more comfortable for getting a workout, and clipless really does have a nice feel and performs better and more reliably than my platforms & Hold Fast or the toe clips and straps from yesteryear. Grant Petersen's book is fine for people that need to justify why they ride slowly, but for anyone that is comfortable in their own skin, Just Ride reads like the pointless ego embrocation that it is. If you can't see that, take the wool blanket off your head.
While you may think of him as just some guy who wrote a book in 2012, he was part of trans continental riding in the 70's, US director of marketing for Bridgestone in the 80's and is credited with developing a very popular and coveted product line while there. So... probably not riding someone else's wave.
But of course, by your account, you (anonymous poster) were doing it all before him, only farther and faster.
It says more about your own ego state than that of any of his readers.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 09-22-20 at 11:54 AM.
#137
Senior Member
I did think that many of their bikes had an "old timey" look to them but I had an appreciation for the construction materials and methods. At the time, the bikes and many items in the catalog were too pricey for me but I did purchase many cycling related (and some not so) items from Rivendell that weren't readily available nearly anywhere else...
... Even tho many say that the Rivendell bikes are bargains, I still think their prices exceed my "bike budget". Looking is free tho!
... Even tho many say that the Rivendell bikes are bargains, I still think their prices exceed my "bike budget". Looking is free tho!
#138
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,271
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
Liked 3,990 Times
in
1,332 Posts
In making sense of the upright bar fat-tire Rivendell, I find it more helpful to think of them like going for a walk or a hike in really comfortable shoes.
You're sitting up straight so it's easy to look around.
The steel frame and fat tires soak up the little bumps and make the big ones less dramatic.
Adding racks, a basket, and luggage allows you to carry some food, maybe a pair of binoculars to take a look at the little blue bird that fluttered past you or the critter across the field at the edge of the woods.
While you're not going as fast as you possibly could on a different bike, you're still going faster than you can walk so you are able to cover more ground. And when the terrain tilts down you can still enjoy that wonderful feeling of descending
You're sitting up straight so it's easy to look around.
The steel frame and fat tires soak up the little bumps and make the big ones less dramatic.
Adding racks, a basket, and luggage allows you to carry some food, maybe a pair of binoculars to take a look at the little blue bird that fluttered past you or the critter across the field at the edge of the woods.
While you're not going as fast as you possibly could on a different bike, you're still going faster than you can walk so you are able to cover more ground. And when the terrain tilts down you can still enjoy that wonderful feeling of descending
Likes For abshipp:
#139
Senior Member
I don’t care much one way or the other about Grant Peterson’s designs. I don’t tour and it obvious that neither do you.
You don’t have any clue about the people here who have ridden thousands of miles through all sorts of weather on those exact same bikes. What comfort and efficiency do you think is appropriate riding across states, even the country?
Do real touring in your kit first and then report back.
John
You don’t have any clue about the people here who have ridden thousands of miles through all sorts of weather on those exact same bikes. What comfort and efficiency do you think is appropriate riding across states, even the country?
Do real touring in your kit first and then report back.
John
If a bike is meant to be ridden far and it's well designed, then its design will allow the rider to minimize frontal area while making use of a wide range of smartly spaced gears. A bike that puts the ride in the "sit up and beg" position with a narrow cassette and one chainring does none of those things, because it isn't designed to be ridden over long distances (even if the ad copy says it is). Just because you can take your family of four on a road trip in a 2-door pickup truck doesn't mean it's designed for that task.
#140
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,574
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Liked 2,367 Times
in
1,573 Posts
Parts of this thread was cleaned up because they contained personal insults. Grant Petersons philosophy is controversial for certain. Argue all you want but no personal shots are other members, please.
#141
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,434
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, Karate Monkey, Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Liked 1,314 Times
in
655 Posts
Since for some reason I can't insert multi-quotes..
While you may bat you lashes at folks who spend 1k on wheels that's half price on most high end hoops.
Yes there are classic bikes you can build to be a Riv for less but no chit's are given
No rev's aren't aimed at the LCD bike people no matter how low he goes in price they still will complain.
No $400 in racks isn't too much if your thing is riding with crap on your bike no matter how much you hem haw and justify a stiff frame and good racks are required if you want to spend more than a day or two on your bike.
No I don't care that this is GCD this is an enthusiast website the same as OCN or Blade forums I type this from a $300 keyboard and carry a $500 knife every day both are cheap to enthusiasts, many if not most are not looking for the cheapest way to do something they're looking for the most satisfying way.
I love C&V bike but nothing mass produced during the "bike boom" will have the anything close to the quality of a modern Riv especially if it comes from the US or Europe.
Yes I can build an old bike to take big tires but some will take relocating the brake mounts, some will take new brakes, some will take funky seat posts and weird bars, and some will be perfect, but none will have a warranty.
Rivs aren't meant for the novice cyclist while I thought that a company whose cheapest frame is $1500 this fact would be obvious apparently it's not.
If you are a utility cyclist you don't need kit you ride with whatever you're wearing that's what Gp is saying.
If you think disc brakes, a composite frame, and kit to hop on the bike GP has an argument for you to listen to, we had a thread not two days after this one that asked what a someone should wear when performance isn't a priority and the answer is whatever you're wearing right now....just ride your bike
While you may bat you lashes at folks who spend 1k on wheels that's half price on most high end hoops.
Yes there are classic bikes you can build to be a Riv for less but no chit's are given
No rev's aren't aimed at the LCD bike people no matter how low he goes in price they still will complain.
No $400 in racks isn't too much if your thing is riding with crap on your bike no matter how much you hem haw and justify a stiff frame and good racks are required if you want to spend more than a day or two on your bike.
No I don't care that this is GCD this is an enthusiast website the same as OCN or Blade forums I type this from a $300 keyboard and carry a $500 knife every day both are cheap to enthusiasts, many if not most are not looking for the cheapest way to do something they're looking for the most satisfying way.
I love C&V bike but nothing mass produced during the "bike boom" will have the anything close to the quality of a modern Riv especially if it comes from the US or Europe.
Yes I can build an old bike to take big tires but some will take relocating the brake mounts, some will take new brakes, some will take funky seat posts and weird bars, and some will be perfect, but none will have a warranty.
Rivs aren't meant for the novice cyclist while I thought that a company whose cheapest frame is $1500 this fact would be obvious apparently it's not.
If you are a utility cyclist you don't need kit you ride with whatever you're wearing that's what Gp is saying.
If you think disc brakes, a composite frame, and kit to hop on the bike GP has an argument for you to listen to, we had a thread not two days after this one that asked what a someone should wear when performance isn't a priority and the answer is whatever you're wearing right now....just ride your bike
#142
Senior Member
It's a little sad to see how much vitriol some people can generate towards others who really have no impact upon their lives. And such a well formed negative opinion for someone who admittedly, had never heard of Grant until four days ago. You are indeed a fast study to know so much about him his products and his motivations. The question I might have is why the rush to such distain? What is achieved by it for you personally?
But of course, by your account, you were doing it all before him, only farther and faster.
It all says more about your own ego state than that of any of his readers.
But of course, by your account, you were doing it all before him, only farther and faster.
It all says more about your own ego state than that of any of his readers.
#143
Guest
In making sense of the upright bar fat-tire Rivendell, I find it more helpful to think of them like going for a walk or a hike in really comfortable shoes.
You're sitting up straight so it's easy to look around.
The steel frame and fat tires soak up the little bumps and make the big ones less dramatic.
Adding racks, a basket, and luggage allows you to carry some food, maybe a pair of binoculars to take a look at the little blue bird that fluttered past you or the critter across the field at the edge of the woods.
While you're not going as fast as you possibly could on a different bike, you're still going faster than you can walk so you are able to cover more ground. And when the terrain tilts down you can still enjoy that wonderful feeling of descending
You're sitting up straight so it's easy to look around.
The steel frame and fat tires soak up the little bumps and make the big ones less dramatic.
Adding racks, a basket, and luggage allows you to carry some food, maybe a pair of binoculars to take a look at the little blue bird that fluttered past you or the critter across the field at the edge of the woods.
While you're not going as fast as you possibly could on a different bike, you're still going faster than you can walk so you are able to cover more ground. And when the terrain tilts down you can still enjoy that wonderful feeling of descending
If Petersen wants to promote that aspect, more power to him. It isn't hurting anyone, and may open a few people's eyes to the simple joys of cruising. If that's a segment of the market that Petersen chooses to market to, great. If that's how folks choose to spend their money, great. The Rivendell aesthetic and philosophy are obviously appealing to a lot of folks, and there's no question that the bikes are well made and durable. Sometimes pride of ownership comes with a higher price tag, but you can always vote with your wallet as you wish. Why any of this inspires such unhinged responses as those by the Laundry Detergent Kid is utterly lost on me, but I'm way too old for that kind of childishness.
I'll now let everyone return to the sandbox.
Likes For Rolla:
#144
Senior Member
In making sense of the upright bar fat-tire Rivendell, I find it more helpful to think of them like going for a walk or a hike in really comfortable shoes.
You're sitting up straight so it's easy to look around.
The steel frame and fat tires soak up the little bumps and make the big ones less dramatic.
Adding racks, a basket, and luggage allows you to carry some food, maybe a pair of binoculars to take a look at the little blue bird that fluttered past you or the critter across the field at the edge of the woods.
While you're not going as fast as you possibly could on a different bike, you're still going faster than you can walk so you are able to cover more ground. And when the terrain tilts down you can still enjoy that wonderful feeling of descending
You're sitting up straight so it's easy to look around.
The steel frame and fat tires soak up the little bumps and make the big ones less dramatic.
Adding racks, a basket, and luggage allows you to carry some food, maybe a pair of binoculars to take a look at the little blue bird that fluttered past you or the critter across the field at the edge of the woods.
While you're not going as fast as you possibly could on a different bike, you're still going faster than you can walk so you are able to cover more ground. And when the terrain tilts down you can still enjoy that wonderful feeling of descending
#145
I'm the anecdote.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 1,821
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Liked 1,176 Times
in
795 Posts
What makes you think that GP just crapped out all those ideas instantaneously in 2012? He started his bike company in 1994 and worked in the industry for many years prior to that.
Likes For FiftySix:
Likes For Rolla:
#147
Senior Member
Excellent post. I guess this is the aspect that many people miss: Cycling doesn't have to maximize efficiency. Sometimes it's more fun when it doesn't.
If Petersen wants to promote that aspect, more power to him. It isn't hurting anyone, and may open a few people's eyes to the simple joys of cruising. If that's a segment of the market that Petersen chooses to market to, great. If that's how folks choose to spend their money, great. The Rivendell aesthetic and philosophy are obviously appealing to a lot of folks, and there's no question that the bikes are well made and durable. Sometimes pride of ownership comes with a higher price tag, but you can always vote with your wallet as you wish. Why any of this inspires such unhinged responses as those by the Laundry Detergent Kid is utterly lost on me, but I'm way too old for that kind of childishness.
I'll now let everyone return to the sandbox.
If Petersen wants to promote that aspect, more power to him. It isn't hurting anyone, and may open a few people's eyes to the simple joys of cruising. If that's a segment of the market that Petersen chooses to market to, great. If that's how folks choose to spend their money, great. The Rivendell aesthetic and philosophy are obviously appealing to a lot of folks, and there's no question that the bikes are well made and durable. Sometimes pride of ownership comes with a higher price tag, but you can always vote with your wallet as you wish. Why any of this inspires such unhinged responses as those by the Laundry Detergent Kid is utterly lost on me, but I'm way too old for that kind of childishness.
I'll now let everyone return to the sandbox.
#148
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,074
Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet
Liked 2,013 Times
in
972 Posts
As I said in my first post, I was familiar with Rivendell bikes before I heard the name Grant Petersen. I was also familiar with Surly, All-City, State, Velo Orange, and other companies that make products aimed at the same (or adjacent) markets. I was also familiar with the musings of Sheldon Brown, Bike Snob, Yehuda Moon, and other retro-grouches (real & fictional) touting the "slow bike movement." To find out that Grant Petersen codified some of that nonsense in a book, and went as far as to call very useful technology "pointless" is really nothing new. What is new, and quite silly indeed, is pretending that this simple, sanctimonious capitalist is somehow a Nostradamus of the bike world, when the things he supposedly "predicted" were happening years before he wrote his book. It's like some sort of mass-hypnosis happened where everyone pretends that city bikes weren't around in the 2010s, as though we just went straight from young hipsters on fixies to middle-aged hipsters on re-branded randonneuring bikes with knobbly tires riding over very small rocks.
#149
Senior Member
He was trying to gain notoriety for his flailing boutique bike business, so he made a bunch of "controversial" statements into a book to help move his merch. He didn't predict anything (despite the claims of some people in this thread), he just published a book in which he regurgitated what others were already saying. Take GP off your pedestal and recognize him for what he actually is; that's the whole point of this thread. The guy is a decent businessman who found a way to keep his niche-market business alive, nothing more, nothing less.