Inspired by Shannon's burnt out post.
I had a brain fart moment yesterday during our PCE ride while I was juggling time between boredom and frustration while waiting for our B group to catch up during our first regroup spot.
In the span of that 45 minute wait, I realized that 7 years during the DT PCE New Year's Ride, there was probably almost near zero carbon fiber parts in any of the bikes in our line up then. In stark contrast, yesterday, there were probably less than half a dozen non-carbon bikes from our group of nearly 30. Can't even begin to count how many carbon wheels, handlebars and other bits were hanging on everyone's bikes. It's amazing how much we have come along to trust and now crave this said carbon technology. The market demands carbon fiber now and manufacturers are racing to feed to consumers before the demand plateaus.
If you're familiar with PCE, you know the sand wash. It's partly hell and mind numbing boredom on two wheels. Well, an older gentleman maybe just a few hours older than Fred passed us effortlessly like we were standing still. He was wearing a full face helmet, body armor, heavy looking Foes bike with an aftermarket motor bolted on front bottom of the BB area. This was my first ever experience getting passed by an e-Bike in a real MTB trail environment. While I shrugged the incident many among my friends got bothered by this. From our train alone that got passed (not counting the bitch fest during our lunch break up at the tractor tables), I heard guys behind me cussed at this guy with a touch of witty subtleties. Dudes were pissed ahahahaha.
That eBike incident reminded me how vocal many naysayers were in the early days of carbon fiber use and from the marketing of it. Many retro geezers scoffed at the concept that it would never never catch on or even be safe. No justification in buying into it whatsoever. I too had reservations about bars and definitely cranks made of carbon. However, after riding prototypes and gotten on carbon fiber frame, my mind broadened and acceptance came quickly once production methods figured itself out. I have full trust on carbon fiber now. I won't even think twice (except for the price tag).
So! Forging ahead, like carbon fiber, would pedal assisted bikes be more tolerated and culturally accepted years from now? Fred and I could only hope while I wait for the technology to bring the weight down to around 30 lbs. The next greatest innovation may not even be bolted onto a bike - it could be rider's attitude. Just remember, Europe paved the path in enduro mountain biking and racing as a format. Does anyone remember when we all made fun of the "euro" look? Fast forward to just the last few years, we have softened this "euro" look by calling it enduro blue (or whatever neon monstrosity you wear to match your Bell Super 2 with detachable chin guard ugly ass helmet). All of the sudden, wearing a helmet with pink visor and green accents over blue is ok. The attitude has changed. Now, "across the pond," there are eBike parks, ALL trails are open to eBikes, every company had an eBike at this year's Eurobike. I'm not in hurry for the fad to catch on here in the US. One, our structure here is not conducive for that share use just yet. Two, 90% of these eBikes are still butt ugly for me t openly be ok to ride. Nonetheless, it took North America and the rest of the world nearly a decade to catch on with the enduro movement. How long will eBikes loom outside of our vacuum?
Food for thought:
Two of the strongest (lobbying) and generous (grants and donations) proponents of nation-wide improved bike access and nationwide bike advocacy are Trek and Specialized. Both have production pedal assist mountain bikes with Trek just recently introduced four models (two real mountain bikes) into the US market.
Xoxo,
DT Renaissance Movement
