What's Your #1 MTB Frustration?

What’s Your #1 MTB Frustration?

It's a privilege to mountain bike. At the same time, there are aspects of the sport that can be frustrating.

By Jeff Barber
April 21, 2024

35 comments

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Just to be clear, mountain biking is awesome. It’s hard to think of another ~~activity~~ lifestyle that’s as healthy and as rewarding as mountain biking, not to mention the community of riders around the world. At the same time, there’s always room for improvement, even when you’re #1. We want to know what, if anything, frustrates you about our sport.

Bonus question for the comments: How can mountain biking be improved?

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35 Comments

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highland.hippie Queensland // 2021
Apr 22, 2024

Lack of participation in TrailCare activities.

Most everyone has got plenty to say when it comes to criticising their local trail networks. But very few turn up on dig day.

6 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Apr 21, 2024

Hey, dirtin' is mental and physical therapy! My bike, a singlespeed 27.5+ enduro might be a pithy little punk of a bike however, that bike was there through the tough times of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment. Wouldn't trade my wide rim, 3.0 wearing punk for a small tire, evar!! Annnnd, no, I wasn't bent over for the lovely 4130 frame. Bin build that loves good terrain and lives high in the mountains, in excellent mountain bike habitat.

5 reply

zakuhn North Carolina // 2019
Apr 22, 2024

I too have found my bike therapy! I also have been going through some tough times with chemo and I too, had a stem cell transplant. Getting out in the woods helps tremendously. I can't afford a new bike so I stick with what I have and improve when I can. Just wanted to share my experience.

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
May 5, 2024

zakuhn, I hope to hear of you reaching success in your treatment and becoming cancer free. Meanwhile, enjoy the bike and all the bike brings your way! Prayers to you!!

0 reply

gdecker Colorado // 2023
Apr 21, 2024

More and more i see a lack of etiquette amongst riders. For example, if you're going slower than the person behind you and there are no clear areas to stop and let them ride by, they rather yell at you to go faster than to slow down themselves.

Allan Taylor 2019
Apr 21, 2024

eBikers 🤣

3 reply

Tim Whitney Maine // 2019
Apr 25, 2024

Wait till your 75

1 reply

Barry Walstead Washington // 2023
Apr 21, 2024

Yep.
I like bicycles in the woods, NOT mopeds and the nonsense they bring.

Rick Bullotta 2019
Apr 22, 2024

show us on the doll where the eMTB hurt you.

wbrent21 Texas // 2011
Apr 25, 2024

Amen, brother.

Hap Proctor Florida // 2014
Apr 21, 2024

No big frustrations. Bikes are amazingly reliable (though pricey), more and more trails throughout the country. I do wish more riders were active with the building and maintenance of the trails they ride.

2 reply

Mark Obsniuk 2018
Apr 23, 2024

Bikes are just too heavy. I ride hard but don't need 3-4x safety factor on my trail bike.

iaguerrevere 2007
Apr 22, 2024

The cost of bike rentals is astronomical. It's cheaper to rent a car than a bike !!!

danngreenburg Oregon // 2024
Apr 22, 2024

Walkers on trails that won't move over and share the trail

thebadpixel Delaware // 2022
Apr 24, 2024

I see a hiker up ahead on a multi-use singletrack trail. I have my Timber bell on, so I'm jingling. The guy doesn't react so I assume he's wearing earphones. I get right behind him and call out several times. He keeps slowly walking. The trail is narrow so there's no way to pass safely. This goes on for some time until I finally decide to reach out and touch his shoulder. He stops and I say "sorry, I guess you didn't hear my bell". He responds "I heard you. I was just ignoring you" and then keeps on walking. This is on the trail I put 70+ hours per year volunteering to maintain.

4 reply

bikejoy Georgia // 2023
Apr 24, 2024

All stoke, no complaints. MTB is an area of my life for fun, relaxation, and friendship. Love it! Go get at it!!!!

stillfat Colorado // 2008
Apr 21, 2024

Crowds. If you live on the Front Range in Colorado the after work ride is pretty much a thing of the past unless you're willing to make laps in n the lot waiting for a parking spot and get in line to merge onto the trail. Too stressful

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Apr 23, 2024

Get out of Denver if you can!!!

huck_one_cog Michigan // 2024
Apr 24, 2024

Lack of expert-level trails. Bikes are more capable than ever, but the vast majority of newly built trail (talking about trail networks on public lands, not DH parks) maxes out at an intermediate level. The trails that really stick out in my mind as a fun challenge were not built with IMBA guidelines, a mini-excavator, or in some cases even permission.

Joe Cambron Ohio // 2014
Apr 25, 2024

Ride whatever bike you have as much as possible. Don't worry about what other riders are wearing or riding. Go a little farther than you did last time and smile as you do it. Any other rider that is unfriendly is a jerk. Ride your bike. As a reminder, mountain biking is a lot like yoga: it's YOUR ride. Do what you want.

Timkennedy Georgia // 2015
Apr 25, 2024

Hey Joe that's a big hell yes to everything you said 👍

JBird Ohio // 2013
Apr 26, 2024

So many skills to learn and so little time!

Oldguyjeff Colorado // 2024
Apr 23, 2024

The bros who treat new riders or those with less skill or a lesser bike like they dont exist and take the right of way from uphill riders becuase you shouldnt be on their trails.

Jake_g1 England // 2024
Jul 24, 2024

The community had died on its arse, call me a snob but since a huge influx of riders post lockdown the attitude of riders to other riders and trails (maintenance, building, respect to land owners etc) has gone down the pan! Folk building stuff anywhere and everywhere, changing trails, posting locations on socials etc and I've seen so many trails demolished. The toxic attitude etc.... I've been riding for 25 years and I just cba anymore

Claude Bike Italy // 2019
Apr 21, 2024

the poll doesn't seem to work

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Apr 21, 2024

There's a bug that doesn't show the results for some people when you submit. However your vote is counted. Hopefully we'll find a fix soon... Sorry about that!

RetiredVTUPSer 2014
Jul 24, 2024

All mountain bikers need to do trail maintenance several times a year. It's always the same folks who maintain the trails. You want quality trails then give back to the community in sweat equity.

mikew2 Pennsylvania // 2017
Apr 25, 2024

Bad weather and to many other responsibilities are my biggest frustrations.

Michaelyod Mexico // 2024
Apr 22, 2024

Cleaning my bike after a dusty or muddy ride. Coming home tired and happy the last thing I want to do is clean.

Black-Man West Virginia // 2011
Apr 25, 2024

Definitely the cost of a new bike. I was looking at a Honda 4-wheeler w/ AWD for $8k. Trek Top Fuel is pushing $6k. Makes zero sense.

Wile E Warren Louisiana // 2019
Apr 25, 2024

I love riding and agree it's a wonderful privilege. Since my fave trail closed though, it's been a bit of drive to ride the nearest trail. So, I'd say my gripe is the long drive to and fro.

OhioFatBiker Ohio // 2016
May 1, 2024

I wish I had more time to ride, or trails outside my front door.

Young 67 Indiana // 2024
Jul 30, 2024

The arbitrary use of the class 1,2,3 system and not paying attention to the rider on the trail, not even the park office seams to know what to tell me. I have a Denago fat tire that I am able to unhook the throttle and set pass to 15mph,would you say that is class 1?

Kerry Norman 2015
Jul 26, 2024

The lack of universal class-1 eMTB access where regular bikes are allowed to go. Ie the USA cluster-f… of ebike rules.

Julio Rodriquez Tennessee // 2022
Apr 22, 2024

Disc brakes. Give me rim any day

-6 reply

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