rydabent

One of the things that has happened because of this virus thing, is that a lot of people have turned to getting new bikes and riding them. You can see that is true because of the shortage of all types of bikes and parts.

I have noticed one way to tell this is the fact there are small bike parts on the trails. Riding a low tadpole trike it is easy to see what is on the trail. I have picked up several allen cap head screws that have fallen off of bikes. People really need to completely check over their new bikes, and see that all the nuts bolts and screws are tight before the first ride.

Bigbus

I've been hunting for a new (to me at least) bike for a while now and the supply is eaten up as fast as they appear. I'm always a day late when I find something of interest. Does anyone see this situation changing anytime soon, or will Xmas spur on new purchases again. And yes, there are definitely lots of uneducated riders out there lately. Usually hogging the shoulder and going in the wrong direction....

2old

Might slow down in some areas with inclement weather (not where I reside since it mostly doesn't happen). I was at my LBS yesterday and they're still on a "bikes come in, then go right out" basis. The holiday season will exacerbate the situation IMO. Individuals who used to get exercise playing basketball or some other group sport now have bicycling or hiking as an alternative.

mstateglfr 

Oooh, a twist on a heavily used thread topic. Nice work, bent!***
Yes, lets all listen to bent's PSA and tighten those bolts.

Thomas15

I wasn't convinced that there are a lot of new riders on my local MUP due to the increased numbers of people with shiny new machines exhibiting a lack of cycling skills and trail manors rather it is the sheer number of cap screws littering the trail that have convinced me that we are in the midst of a bike boom.

rsbob 

And here I thought I was becoming a faster cyclist by blowing by more people. Guess I will have to start looking for cap screws instead of reflectors in the spokes.

Reflector Guy

Could it be the preponderance of cap screws indicates there are still a lot of older bikes out there turning their last miles before they finally self-destruct like Elwood Blues' 1974 Dodge?

rydabent

Nope the ones I have found lately are brand new in pristine condition. Had to have come from new bikes.

freeranger

I got a chuckle out of the reflectors in the spokes! My wife, who has been riding for 35yrs or more, has reflectors in her spokes. I have offered to remove them, but she wants them left in. We used to ride more around dusk and nighttime than now, but she still wants those reflectors left on. Happy wife-happy life-so unless they fall off, they're staying put!

CheGiantForLife

Let the snobbery let loose.

Look at these fools and their Walmart bikes !
They should get a Trek Carbon !

While you're at it, please complain about all the new bodies
on the golf and tennis courts and hiking trails

veganbikes

I don't think that is what rydabent said or meant at all. It felt to me more that with new bikes one should go over them and make sure they are 100% safe before riding. However I really doubt highly that people are loosing bolts to the levels he makes it seem like. Also 'bent probably would suggest people ride the latest IceTrike or Cattrike or something recumbent not some carbon crap from Trek.

If you buy a new bike and you don't have it assembled by a competent mechanic and don't check over it, you probably should. I think that is the takeaway here.

Hondo Gravel

I have noticed more serious cyclists out in the boonies where I ride. Just parking on the side of the roads unloading their bikes and going for a cruise.

Hondo Gravel

I love scaring bike snobs Crazy liberal redneck with high end road and mountain bikes. Your worse nightmare coming true... Since I can wrench bikes fairly well the snob in need always receives my help. Just quit trembling I will still bite ya LOL.

freeranger

One thing I have noticed on the local mup is more and more cyclists sitting straight up, catching wind like a sail. But at least they are out riding and enjoying the day. Just looks odd after not seeing that style of bike/rider all that much. Also seeing more e-recumbents than ever. Might have something to do with we're retired, so we ride during the week, to avoid crowds, as are many (most?) riders we see when we are out.

Reflector Guy

Are they flat-bar hybrid bikes? IE, not drop bar? I live right by a MUP so I see a lot of bikes and I am convinced flat-bar hybrids rule the market, at least around here.

The thing I've noticed is how disk-brake bikes now make up a solid majority. If I had to make a wild guess I'd say they outnumber rim brakes by at least 5 to 1. Probably more.

Gresp15C

On a ride last weekend, I passed a couple who were stopped with their bikes, nearly identical his-and-hers models. They were having, let's just say, a heated discussion that was noticeable from a distance. As I passed, I heard several oaths sworn about the handling of one of the bikes and its brakes. I also noticed that the fork was pointing backwards on the bike. This is something I had heard of, and maybe even seen, but not actually out in the wild.

Partly due to the covid, and also due to social rules regarding couples and heated discussions, I simply rode past. But still, it was a thing to be noticed.

What I've noticed in my locale is the rising popularity of drop-bar bikes. My spouse noticed and asked me: "Are drop bars back in fashion again?" Now looks can be deceiving, but a lot of the drop bar bikes don't show the outward trappings of "serious" cyclists, such as cycling garb or even high speeds. They strike me as just regular folks enjoying a ride. There's a lot of that. Bring it on.

tomato coupe

Yep, because the only way to obtain new screws is to purchase a new bike.

Bigbus

Now that's a conundrum if there ever was one. I didn't know liberal and redneck could be used to describe the same individual.

CargoDane

Maybe he's Trae Crowder:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTH...XK1bp4vpifl6yA

freeranger

[QUOTE=Reflector Guy;21790395]Are they flat-bar hybrid bikes? IE, not drop bar? I live right by a MUP so I see a lot of bikes and I am convinced flat-bar hybrids rule the market, at least around here.

More like a beach cruisers with gears. Seeing more e-bikes and e-recumbents also (the number of e-recumbents is surprising!)

csuperbike

It’s a wonderful thing.

Wileyone 

On my local trails there are more people walking new puppies than riding new bikes.

Troul 

hyd disc brakes def out number the c-clampers.
Hybrid flat bar is prominent as well.

I've noticed a lot of lost homes for water bottles, but nothing much else.

veganbikes

Redneck as in those who fought in the coal mine wars on the correct side (not the side of the private gun thugs and U.S. government who dropped bombs on U.S. citizens)? Or the pejorative term for generally less wealthy folks of lighter skin in the south?

rsbob 

Now that you mention it.....

I think it is fantastic that more people are getting off their posteriors and getting into the great outdoors, exercising and finding new pursuits. Hopefully after the CV-19 is over, they will keep it up. Their health will thank them for it (well maybe not if they rent golf carts). Maybe they might even be inclined to fund parks and bike path expansion. Oops sorry, guess that wasn’t snobby enough. I will try to do better. Please don’t kick me out of the club.