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 that single 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 back then was thought of as the future. That was until 24 then 27-speed drive trains arrived.
Today we either have a 30 or 20-speed drive trains as choices. This apart from the dizzying other possible upgrades on forks, shocks, wheels, hubs and so many other which qualifies more as a bling rather than a move towards pedal efficiency and all of them promising to make better mountain bikers of us.
What I personally discovered out there on the trail was what you have on your steed does not create for you a brave spirit. Engaging those ruts, roots, tight switchbacks, rock gardens, uphills and, steep drops 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 confidence having state-of-the-art working with you; like that remotely adjustable seat post for example. However, without commitment, without a biker's heart working for you specially out there on the trail, there will be no engagement and we may as well call ourselves posers and not bikers.
This brings to mind my biking mate Alex.
Alex, on the left, inside our favorite trail with Ram
If 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 makes him someone you would want to listen to when that upgrade bug starts to work its poison in 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 insists they are thoughts of an Ilokano. Ah, it can get hilarious sometimes.
The thing that I most admire about Alex is his willingness to suggest what he loves to call as “bang for the buck” items. A Fox fork maybe the bees knees or even that XT 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.
For example, a Duro wire beaded tire for him is of tremendous value. It may pale in comparison to a folding bead Schwalbe Nobby Nic, may cost pennies and, may be scoffed at by those who think expensive is better. But that it exceeded his expectation 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 feeling of success after conquering that drop without ever uncleating, will be a reflection of what is truly in his heart as a mountain biker. That goes for the rest of us as well, inside those trails for the sheer enjoyment of the sport we come to love.
And I just can't wait for that next time.
