T
Tim McNamara
Guest
John Forrest Tomlinson <[email protected]> writes:
> On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:42:37 -0800, [email protected] (Tom Keats)
> wrote:
>
>>It's hard to find any commuter/hybrid/practical bikes with rigid
>>forks anymore. Those cheap-o RST suspension forks must be superior.
>>Everybody wants them. Their ubiquitousness is solely due to the
>>market responding to the clamour of popular demand, because
>>everybody knows they're way better than rigid forks on a city bike.
>>Especially if you want/need to install fenders.
>
> It's pretty clear that many people -- esp casual riders -- want more
> comfort on their bikes. That's one reason large tired bikes have
> become widely more popular in comparison to the more narrow-tired
> "racing bikes" that were pushed (via marketing) in the 70s and 80s.
I think that's true- at least on the Internet there seems to be such a
trend. I don't know if it translates into bike shop sales, though.
Also there is a contrary trend to ultraminimalist track bikes with no
brakes and handlebars a foot lower than the saddle... Takes all
kinds, I guess.
> Marketing can push some things, but unless the things are
> appropriate for the user, the popularity will wane over
> time. (Biopace, drillium, aero brake calipers, etc, etc. are
> examples) Whether suspension forks are well-executed at low price
> points is another issue but their popularity is a response to
> consumer desires.
I mostly agree, with the caveat that more user-appropriate options
have to remain available in the marketplace; and that consumer desires
are malleable and subject to influence at the time of purchase. And
often the person either stops riding or buys more suitable stuff-
hopefully the latter.
> I don't think many casual riders care much about riding in the rain
> or on very wet roads -- full-size fenders haven't been popular for
> adult-sized bikes in the US for my lifetime or maybe more (40 years?
> ever?) and recent forks dont' have much to do with that.
Even most non-casual riders don't really care much about riding in
the rain, unless their local climate is such that's it's unavoidable.
> Tim -- now it's time for you to try to get the last word in.
> Waiting....
Gents, I be done with dis here thread. This deceased equine be
adequately tenderized IMHO. I'll leave the last words for you: ;-)
>
> JT
>
> PS -- I rode a bike with full-size fenders a lot a few winters ago and
> loved it so don't rag on me for not valuing fenders.
> On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:42:37 -0800, [email protected] (Tom Keats)
> wrote:
>
>>It's hard to find any commuter/hybrid/practical bikes with rigid
>>forks anymore. Those cheap-o RST suspension forks must be superior.
>>Everybody wants them. Their ubiquitousness is solely due to the
>>market responding to the clamour of popular demand, because
>>everybody knows they're way better than rigid forks on a city bike.
>>Especially if you want/need to install fenders.
>
> It's pretty clear that many people -- esp casual riders -- want more
> comfort on their bikes. That's one reason large tired bikes have
> become widely more popular in comparison to the more narrow-tired
> "racing bikes" that were pushed (via marketing) in the 70s and 80s.
I think that's true- at least on the Internet there seems to be such a
trend. I don't know if it translates into bike shop sales, though.
Also there is a contrary trend to ultraminimalist track bikes with no
brakes and handlebars a foot lower than the saddle... Takes all
kinds, I guess.
> Marketing can push some things, but unless the things are
> appropriate for the user, the popularity will wane over
> time. (Biopace, drillium, aero brake calipers, etc, etc. are
> examples) Whether suspension forks are well-executed at low price
> points is another issue but their popularity is a response to
> consumer desires.
I mostly agree, with the caveat that more user-appropriate options
have to remain available in the marketplace; and that consumer desires
are malleable and subject to influence at the time of purchase. And
often the person either stops riding or buys more suitable stuff-
hopefully the latter.
> I don't think many casual riders care much about riding in the rain
> or on very wet roads -- full-size fenders haven't been popular for
> adult-sized bikes in the US for my lifetime or maybe more (40 years?
> ever?) and recent forks dont' have much to do with that.
Even most non-casual riders don't really care much about riding in
the rain, unless their local climate is such that's it's unavoidable.
> Tim -- now it's time for you to try to get the last word in.
> Waiting....
Gents, I be done with dis here thread. This deceased equine be
adequately tenderized IMHO. I'll leave the last words for you: ;-)
>
> JT
>
> PS -- I rode a bike with full-size fenders a lot a few winters ago and
> loved it so don't rag on me for not valuing fenders.