I personally think a bike of 10-15k is good enough for a average rider. I can't see why I should pay 50k on a bike when I only ride for my own enjoyment. I did the Oyster Festival 80km mtb race last year on my 10k Merida, me and my bike both survived. And I think I came in before a couple of 40-50k bikes.
I am also to blame (I get bikes like twice a year). But if all of us just keep our current bikes and don't upgrade every year, they won't sell so many bikes and that would probably help the problem a bit. Rather upgrade your parts (I know upgrading parts is more expensive than buying a new bike).
I think the problem with the bike prices is the cyclists (some of us). There are people who will pay those crazy prices. If nobody buys a bike over 20-30k, then they have no reason to make the bikes so expensive and the prices will drop. This is only my theory.
I remember a couple of years ago when I was in primary school, the police came and stamped all the bikes in school with their own serial numbers. Those days like more than half the kids in school rode bikes.
I can't sit slip when I ride offroad. I need to see where I am going (rocks, bumps and holes)! I let people sit in my slip on my terms and conditions. My slip, my pace and I don't inform you of minor obsticals. You may sit as long as you want.
What does the wheel size got to do with the handle bars? I went from a longer bar to a shorter bar, both on a 26". Don't judge me for my stupid question.
