As an avid mountain biker, I am continuously awed by the leaps and bounds bike components have evolved. 21-speed was, once upon a time, more than what a mountain biker needs to get him up that hill no matter how gnarly and technical the track is.
Considering the founding fathers of the sport started on a 1941 heavy steel-framed BFGoodrich by Schwinn and running on single speed drive trains with no suspension at all except that provided by its sprung saddle and smooth balloon tires, 21-speed bikes was later thought of as the future. That was until 24- then 27-speed drive trains arrived.
Currently we have either 30- or 20-speed drive trains as choices. This, apart from the dizzying other possible upgrades on forks, shocks, wheels, hubs, and so many others which qualify more as bling rather than a move towards pedal efficiency, and all of them promising to make better mountain bikers out all of us.
What I personally discovered out there on the trail was what you have on your steed does not necessarily create for you a brave spirit. Engaging those ruts, roots, tight switchbacks, rock gardens, steep drops immediately followed by an uphill will all depend on how big your mountain biking heart is and not whether you have a SRAM XX or a Shimano XTR.
A friend would constantly tell me that “wala sa pana iyan, nasa Indian” or loosely translated as “it is not the arrow but the archer”. I think so, too. But I also have to admit that it does provide some level of comfort having state-of-the-art working with you; like that remotely adjustable seat post for example. However, without commitment, without a bikers heart working for you out there on the trail, there will be no engagement and we may as well call ourselves posers.
This brings to mind my biking mate Alex.
If he was to be identified by the region he comes from he will surely be labeled a tightwad. But Alex has always been my mentor when it comes to purposeful purchases. He is my walking specifications expert, my component and upgrades evaluator, and my product specialist. All these qualities and more make him someone you would want to listen to when that upgrade bug starts to work its poison up your system. He would not hesitate to give you an honest opinion complete with the necessary technical computations if need be. And yet with all his unbiased views, there are still those who insist they are thoughts of an Ilocano. Ah, it can get hilarious sometimes.
The thing that I most admire about Alex is his willingness to suggest what he loves to call “bang for the buck” items. Maybe a Fox fork is the bees knees or even that XTR Servo-Wave Disc Brakes. But for Alex everything is relative and whatever is efficient and gives you joy when you pedal, no matter how entry level it may be, will always be of premium value. Ask my friend Francis and he will surely agree.
For example, a Duro wire beaded tire has tremendous value. It may pale in comparison to a folding bead Schwalbe Nobby Nic, may cost pennies and may even be scoffed at by those who think expensive is better. But that it exceeded his expectations is good enough for Alex. After all, what others think does not make him a less of a mountain biker nor his rig less of a mountain bike.
What will happen on our next trail ride, whatever it is that we will overcome, be it our fear or that intimidating rut, or the joy of having successfully conquered that drop without ever releasing those cleats, will be a reflection of what is truly in our hearts.
And I just can’t wait for that next time.
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