Hey! I am new to the mtb world and i ride with a shitty hardtail bike that i got for like 450 bucks a few years ago.I’ll leave a link if anybody is interested(I don’t think anyone will be interested).Today i was at a resort (one of the biggest in my country and i just felt like an outsider of the mtb world.Everybody was riding bikes worth thousands of dollars,while me and my mate were the only ones with hardtails.I don’t really have any equipment only an old helmet,a backpack with a hard back and some pretty nice gloves.A dude came up to me and asked me how i got down so fast on my bike and that just made me question my existence.Is it mandatory to have a nice bike to not be made fun of?I am not a hardcore biker but i like the sport.I can go down blue-red trails with little to no problems.How do i make myself more comfortable around other people with better stuff?
https://dragbicycles.com/bike/c1-comp/
Mine id just like this one but it has a 3×8 drivetrain and it is different in colour with 27,5” wheels.
by PILIPCHO8948
47 Comments
it is not mandatory to have a nice bike.
people who make fun of folks riding cheaper/older/lower end bikes are assholes. if someone makes fun of you, just smile, nod, and ignore them.
keep riding, keep having fun, and try not to worry about what other people think. it’s not easy, and everyone struggles with it.
How do you make yourself more comfortable around others with better stuff? Therapy, self help books, lots of different things to try out there. But the answer is in your head and is a simple answer: perspective.
A dude w “better stuff” asked you how you got down so fast, and that made you feel sad, not super pumped about yourself? I’d high five myself so hard if I were you. That’s a very high compliment.
This sport attracts a certain type of person who thinks they need the latest and greatest to make them a better rider. (Same kind of thing in the guitar world… People buying $5000 amps to play the exact same blues dad stuff they always do). Meanwhile, people 20 years ago were sending crazier lines on worse gear than you have today.
I can always tell when somebody started on hardtails because they actually know how to pick out a line and work with the trail, rather than just monster truck over everything. Because you actually have to develop riding skills, which people who have the big full suspension 29″ wheel bikes never bother with.
How did you get down so fast on your bike? Because you’re better than him.
That dude was complimenting you, not insulting you. Like most things in life, it’s easier to just worry about yourself and not give a crap about what others think, especially in a hobby that you are doing for your own fun and fulfillment.
But did you have fun? If yes, then who cares?
Making clean runs and having a good time should be all it takes to be more comfortable around those with better gear. There are plenty of guys running $10k bikes that can’t ride them to save their ass, all some of them have left is to act elitist.
Anyone who makes fun of someone for riding a cheaper bike is a complete jackass and is the kind of elitist that most people don’t want to be around.
I ride with a guy who rides hardtail everywhere. And he’s a really solid rider. Most riders would only speak up if your bike looked flat-out unsafe.
Don’t let it get you down, and don’t try to imagine others’ opinion of your bike because honestly the vast majority of us really don’t care what others ride. I see 90’s vintage bikes at my local flow trails somewhat regularly. Nobody cares.
I was riding mountain bikes down gnarly stuff in the early to mid 90’s on a rigid-then hardtail 37 pound steel beast with rim brakes and a 50mm fork. And it was just fine. I guarantee your bike is nicer.
Ride what you got, keep it in safe riding condition and ignore what others are riding. I’m an older rider with an expensive bike but I started out riding a modest every level bike that was cheaper than nearly everyone I rode with was riding and nobody cared. This is generally not a snobbish sport despite the money people pay for mountain bikes. I get the sense of snobbery much more so in road biking.
There was a time when a bike like yours would be top of the line. We still had fun.
The dude asking you how you got down so fast was giving you a compliment. You were shredding and that’s what it’s all about. The rider, not the ride, is what makes a mountain biker.
Also – hardtails are rad.
You are not your job, you’re not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You are not your fucking khakis. You are all singing, all dancing crap of the world.
Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club.
I have an expensive bike and the most of the time it’s just staying, because I don’t have f. time to ride. Enjoy your life as long as you can.
Funny sometimes I feel like an ass with my nice bike around people with more entry level rides and my bike isn’t even that nice
Dude, it’s just riding bikes. Go find more important shit to worry about.
My man, I promise you, nobody cares, and anybody who does, you shouldn’t care about their opinion anyway. I have fancy bikes. A Pivot Mach 6 and Santa Cruz V10. They’re dope, but I’m also self conscious on the other end. Lotta people see a nice bike and assume I’m some rich douchebag who can’t ride.
I had an old hardtail when I started riding though, we’ve all been beginners at some point, and some of the best riders I’ve seen at the bike park are on old, beat-up, used bikes but they rip. I’m under no delusion that my fancy bikes make me a better rider, and I don’t look down on anyone who has less than me. You’re there to have fun, be outside and get some exercise. We all are, and so long as you’re doing that, it’s the only thing that matters.
Don’t let other people discourage you, it’s not about the bike it’s about rider skills. Ride your bike until you feel it’s time to save up and get a better bike. I have an ozark trail ridge, it’s also a hardtail from Walmart and I’ve taken it to a bike park and local trails. Most of the guys I’ve seen on 5-10k dollar bikes can’t even do have the stuff I’ve done and I don’t even consider myself an intermediate rider. Keep riding and focus on improving your skills.
I’m pretty sure that guy was complimenting you. But I wasn’t there so I of course don’t know for sure. I can see how you would interpret it that way though.
I’m sure he meant well.
I didn’t expect this post to get so much traction in 15 minutes,so thanks everyone who sparred their time to read my post and give some very needed advice!I seriously can’t express how grateful i am to have such a nice place where you can express your feelings freely with no judgement!Thanks for the support and shred down the trails!
Peace✌️
stop worrying about others. these other people think you need a fancy bike to go downhill and you are showing them that an old basic hard tail can do the same stuff their 8k bike does. you’re making people question their purchases. the fancy bike makes down easier/faster. You don’t need a fancy bike to go downhill through gnar, just a proper mountain bike.
Most people don’t start out with super expensive bikes. It makes sense to learn to sport and figure out what your needs are. A lot of people I see are riding the completely wrong bike for their needs. Be smart, learn what will work best for 90% of the riding you do. Then buy as nice of a version of that bike as you can afford.
Starting out you really shouldn’t have top tier equipment, not only is it a new hobby and you might one day drop it, but I really think there’s a lot of value in starting with a more basic setup.
Suspension is great but it can be a lot harder to learn how to properly bunny hop with it.
Climbing is a lot easier when you don’t lose energy to the rear suspension. You’ll get some good practice going up hills and it’ll be just a bit easier.
You’ll get good practice using your legs as suspension picking better lines. Starting out with a really nice bike can make it so you don’t pick up those skills very fast because you don’t need to.
Go out, have fun, feel like a badass when you ride a trail on a hard tail when those with full suspension might have trouble. Ride the $450 bike into the ground and then maybe you’ll be in a place in life where you can treat yourself to something nicer.
I am getting overwhelmed by all the support from the people of reddit,so i can’t reply to all of you but thank you all for the support!
u/[PILIPCHO8948](https://www.reddit.com/user/PILIPCHO8948/) You dont say that anyone actually made fun of you, only that you felt like an outsider, this is a you thing, not a them thing.
Relax, go watch Seven, Envy is a bad look.
It’s not mandatory at all. I was you when I first started. It’s really hard not to get in your head especially when you go to a popular spot and see SOOOO many nice bikes. The thing that helped me was just telling myself that one day I’ll have a new bike, but at that point I wasn’t ready. I had a lot to learn and wanted to max out my skills on my current bike (Trek Marlin 5). Patience is a good thing to learn. Comparison is the thief of joy. As long as you are out there having fun fuck the others. The big thing to remember is that 99.9% of people were you at one point. If someone gives you shit, they are a shitty person. Period.
Basically, you have the skills to ride things that others need more expensive equipment and gear to ride.
You should be proud of that and yourself.
It’s not all about the equipment you ride, it’s about how much fun you’re having. If you and your friend are having fun that’s all that matters. Screw everyone else ❤️
Takes more talent and strength to ride a “lesser” bike on a challenging trail than the latest megabuck hardware. My buddy has an $8k enduro bike, but he often goes on his 160 fork hardtail just to make the ride spicier. Enjoy your ride and don’t worry about other riders 😉
It’s not what you ride it’s how you ride it. There is lots of people out there that have added every piece of gucci kit and still can barely mount their bike. Be proud that you can shred on a budget bike.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Do what you love and do it often.
My first thought would be to think it was a compliment. That just means you got some strong mf legs! At the end of the day it’s the rider not the bike. Nobody is judging you negatively because of the bike you ride- trust. Don’t be such a Debbie Downer on yourself!
I got 2001 jekyll, I’m not professional and I don’t care about others. Do not overthink, if you have fun go for it.
Being on two wheels is all about the enjoyment YOU derive from riding the bike. I urge you to watch some of Sam Pilgrim’s excellent videos. [https://www.youtube.com/sampilgrim](https://www.youtube.com/sampilgrim)
This guy is an absolute pro, yet he passes no judgement on anyone, he can ride literal hobbled together pieces of trash like a madman. He is the epitome of “it’s not the bike it’s the rider.”
Being out there is all about the enjoyment YOU derive, you’re not out there to satisfy others! Just ride your ride and have a good time that’s what it’s all about.
Don’t look at a hardtail as being cheap or junky. Most everyone started their time on a hardtail and they help you become a better rider. I have a specialized rockhopper and while it may not be as bougie as everyone else’s I’m quite content with what I have.
How much you ride is the only thing that matters. A shit bike and gear ridden more than others is what makes a rider a rider.
Back when I was young and poor, I raced cross country on the only bike I had, a $400 fully rigid steel beater 26er. I got fast enough to win local series races on it, over people on bikes that cost 10x what mine did.
now that I’m old and fat and slow I’m that mamil on the Sworks you’re ripping past and believe me I have nothing but respect for your skill and envy for your youth and the years you have ahead.
Be a real man a go over trails with an italian 1964 Graziella
I ride a “cheap” hard tail, I think the MTB community is a bit weird sometimes. A lot of people are out there cosplaying like they’re pro riders. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, the trails are open to all. Sure, I’ve had people make comments before and at first it bothered me but I’ve come to realize that they are probably just projecting insecurities about the fact that we’re both out doing the same thing but I’m doing it much cheaper and probably having more fun than them.
Keep riding and upgrade as you need/as your budget allows.
Bro, what I would give to go back to rediscovering mountain biking and riding the equipment I started on. Those were the best days. Just me and my friends figuring out the hobby together. Now that we all figured out what’s going on, and all got state of the art gear, and got the riding technique down for the most part, it feels like the hobby is partially complete. The best moments of this hobby for you are yet to come and I’m quite jealous. We all started there, and it’s the best part of the sport. Cherish these days.
Thats a compliment on how you got down the trail not a insult! The less you care about what others think, the better life is. Also watch Sam Pilgrim, he sends it down black or even double blacks on cheap 150$ 10 year old walmart bikes, so you definetly don’t need a 2000$+ bike for riding
Comparison is the thief of joy my friend.
Most of us with “better” equipment just overpaid for bikes we really can’t use to their extent. You’re a better rider than most of us, soon enough you’ll get what you want.
To me, having the guy ask you how you got down so fast is a compliment!! Person was saying “wow dude, you’re damn good” nothing to be embarrassed about there!
That should make you feel elite AF if you’re waxing dudes on serious rigs.
You got a compliment and it made you feel sad?
You can either try to get a job that pays you well and buy your feelings away, or work on your self. Get some some help books, do some therapy , talk to people . You have massive issues if someone gives you a big compliment and you take it that way.
Ride what you want to ride , have fun. It’s just mtbing .
And you will always be behind in life. You’re not a millionaire , others are , you’re not a billionaire others are. You gotta be happy with what you have , actively working towards something that will make you happy and enjoying all these little things like being able to go for a bike ride ( you could be blind or disabled and not able to ride at all!) or life just sucks.
Go subscribe to r/hardtailgang !
Seriously, I’m in the same boat. I bought an entry level hardtail to learn the sport. No need to spend thousands on a bike if you don’t know if you will like it. Learn on a hardtail for a few years and save up for something else. Learning on a more rigid bike may help you with your technique.
Noone actually cares about your equipment (in a good way). The most important thing and honestly the ony thing you should care about is that you have fun and do the sport. 99% of the time you get compliments for riding stuff on a hardtail where other people barely manage to control their full sus bikes. But you should definetely consider to get modern protection gear like a MIPS helmet in the future.
I’ve had an few full sus carbon riders tell me I need to upgrade my hardtail. “I’d like to but poverty ya know?” Is my fav go to
What’s funny is that some people will judge you if you have a really expensive bike. It’s like there’s some magic price range you have to meet. The vast majority of people don’t care, and you should ride the bike you want that’s within your budget.
I know a guy who was a Santa Cruz team rider and almost exclusively rides a 70s beach cruiser fitted with MTB tires.
How’s the saying go?
Comparison is the theft of joy.
I was riding a 1999 Specialized Ground Control at Trestle and would get more looks than any modem bike. A new bike would be nice but even better is not going broke. There’s so many more excuses on an old beater, wxyz parts all need upgrading.
The way I see it is if I were to die on a mtb I would rather die on an expensive ass bike with top components than some shit bike. You should value your life more