This video makes me feel even worse, having bought a bike a few weeks ago for €1,200 and still not feeling as comfortable on it as I do on my other bike (which is much older), but which I feel much more at ease riding and which has almost everything I need (mudguards and a luggage rack) – things I’ll have to buy for the new one. I feel I let myself be swayed more by looks than by functionality and comfort; the only good thing, I think, is the weight – it’s much lighter, no doubt about it. I don’t know, I think I’ll sell it and use the money to buy a GPS and a tent.
In case you’re interested: the old bike is a KTM Life Space with a Shimano Nexave, and the new bike is a Fuji Jari with Sram Apex.
by PatagonMan
10 Comments
been biking seriously since the mid 80s. My newer carbon bikes blow away my older steel bikes. I like riding the new stuff better
I’m very new to bike touring and bikepacking and my first “nice” bike was the jari 1.3 with grx components. So far I am super pleased but I’m all for older tech due to its simplicity at the cost of weight. As far as bike choice, I think you made a good call with bike choice and there is nothing wrong with owning multiple bikes for different riding situations and experiences.
It takes time to get the correct fit on a new bike that has slightly different geometry ad it handles differently.
I love this video, but don’t feel bad, just enjoy both bikes and be happy. I recently got a new to me more modern bike, and I still feel more at home on my 90’s Raleigh. Kind of went through the same feelings, but quickly realized they both have their place and I jump between the two frequently.
I get the point but damn even modern Walmart bikes ride better than that 80’s taint blaster.
I put 1k miles on my 1980s steel touring bike last year, but I also had a custom wheel set built around vintage hubs so that I can go tubeless. It’s made a huge difference. Steel is real but tubeless is transcendent.
This video wasn’t really aimed at bikepacking or bike enthusiasts, it’s meant for the average person who isn’t into biking but wants a reliable bike without breaking the bank. And it’s correct, for most people just riding casually, an old bike off marketplace is plenty durable and reliable with some basic maintenance. The over the top marketing and elitist attitudes in biking can be a turn off for many, this is a much more reasonable and accessible way to get into biking for most people
HELL YES, JACK
This is lovely. Makes me miss my old mountain bike, which I donated to a community bike shop a couple of years ago. I find myself looking at new bikepacking rigs, like the Salsa Cutthroat, only to realize it has pretty much the same geometry as my old bike but with more carbon fiber and drop bars. It’s funny how hard-tails were seen as old fashioned but are now back in style with the GDMBR crowd.
The better part of the bikepacking community is obsessed with consumerism. It’s pretty annoying, it makes cost an artificially large barrier to the hobby.