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Bike industry booming in lean times

By Howard B. Owens

Times may be tough, but the makers and sellers of bycles say business has never been better, according to Wired Magazine, which is covering the industry's annual trade show in Las Vegas.

 

"You can feel the collective buzz," a smiling Tim Blumenthal, executive director of the bicycle advocacy group Bikes Belong, says from the middle of the bustling show floor.  "It's a really, really heady time for us. This show feels very optimistic and that bucks the general economic trends. There doesn't seem to be many businesses that are thriving, but the bike business is doing very well."

Anybody in Batavia biking to work now?

 

Gabor Deutsch

Anyone biking/walking/busing to work in Batavia ?
The Batavian would love to know in case we speed by you in our cars one day.
I am Gabor D DEUTSCH and I approve this message.

Sep 30, 2008, 2:21am Permalink
lazario Ladou

the 3000 dollar electric bike
we are so lazy we will pay to not have to pedal our own bicycle

I'm not sure there is anything GREEN about riding one of these beasts

Bikes are great, though
Road bikes. I'm sick of the MTBiker crowd that never sees mountains or even trails
I think MTB popularity has helped turn people that much more OFF physical fitness

Try a road bike.
The most efficient machine ever created ..probably

do need more lanes and trails

Sep 30, 2008, 9:05am Permalink
Timothy Paine

I recently replaced my MTB with a nice road bike. I probably ride 10 times as much as I used too. I know it all depends on your own style and prefereneces. I myself found my MTB to be laboring and therefore wasn't pleasureable to ride, so I hardly did. The new bike has great gears and is much easier. So either I have a bike that is better excersise but too hard to ride very often or an easier bike that I now ride daily. My kids love thier MTB's but they ride in the parks and on trails where as I ride in the City. It was my first MTB and had I known how hard it was to ride I woulndn't have bought it. The three of us now ride together and are having fun. I just recommend that like when buying a car, you list what's important and how you plan to use it before making your purchase. I've already put more miles on my road bike in two months then I put on my MTB in two years. I have admiration for all riders regardless of their bike. Remember, walking and bicycles are the best "true green" forms of ground travel.

Sep 30, 2008, 6:24pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

I used to have a road bike but I seem to have had more problems with popped tires from broken beers bottles and bent rims going over train tracks then anything but yes they are easier to ride.

Tom

Sep 30, 2008, 7:07pm Permalink
lazario Ladou

So either I have a bike that is better excersise but too hard to ride very often or an easier bike that I now ride daily.

MTB aren't better exercise
You just destroyed this theory

They're just heavier
which means you're going to have to mash on the pedals
which means you're going to get tired very quickly
Which FEELS like a great workout but is about the same as doing 3 reps of 200 pounds compared to 12 reps of 100
12 reps will burn fat
3 reps will only really build muscle
If you can do 12 reps every day or so you're going to be burning much more than if you can only muster the will to do 3 reps a few times weekly ..that is if you don't get burned out on it and quit

MTB are popular because of advertising
MTB are probably much cheaper to build than even the heaviest, crappiest road bike
MTB's -in general- are the Hummers of the side streets
MTB are the bikes a manufacturer can install a bunch of cheap but still costly "No Thank You" equipment onto turning a simple bike into some advanced-looking technological breakthrough 40lb wonder-drug that sucker Americans gobble up and then hang clothing from once they find out you have to ALREADY be in shape to pedal the beast

People lose respect for them
Leave em outside
buy a new one which you still won't but occasionaly ride

The train tracks and potholes in Batavia are rim killers
I'll give you that

Sep 30, 2008, 11:59pm Permalink
Timothy Paine

Sorry I destroyed my theory Laz. In the future I'll check with you first on any opinion I have on any subject. You are the expert on everything apparently. You made your statement without even knowing what type of excersise I wanted. You have no idea what goals I have if any. Do I want muscles or do I want to burn fat? Do I want to excersise daily or once or twice a week? Do I ride for pleasure or fitness? You know none of these things but You claim I destroyed something? I have a better idea. Instead of me checking with you about what I want, you should check with me about what I want before you claim I destroyed my own opinion. Why is what I think or feel wrong but your opinion is right? I post on here now and then when I have an opinion or something to offer about a fact. I chime in on Mall crap because I attend MMA meetings. I'll sometimes ask questions. I read this site to get information, not some useless rantings from an angry person. I chimed in on this subject because I recently purchased a new bike that happened to be part of the subject in the original article. I don't post here to piss and moan about every little aspect of what seems to be a miserable existence. Some of us enjoy spirited debate while others just like to contribute useless crap. I doubt Howard invisioned a cry-baby, pay attention to me, I'm the smartest one here you suck web-site when he started this. I personally think he has more patience the most editors when they're constantly being overrun with siffling whiney temper tantrums from people who offer no actual substance. There are a few people who are constantly commenting here that seem to only cry and complain. It's getting harder to take this site seriously when there seems to be so many tears and belly-aches. Howard, I give you mega-cudos for tolerance. Laz, both you and Dave are my age and I'd love to go toe to toe with both of you on personal challenges or tragedies. I'm not saying I've had it better or worse, I'm just saying I've dealt with a lot and I don't sit and bitch about every single thing. You both seem to be educated beyond high school. You both seem to write very well. Not all of us can say that, certainly not me. It just seems you two can do some actual good to help society and our community, instead you offer hate and arrogance. I wish I possesed both of your writing abilities. I'm stuck with a very limited vocabulary and no grammar skills. Try offering help, not hate. Complaining doesn't change squat, contribution does. You're both old enough to know that. Oh yea, in case you've forgotten what started this? I love my new road bike! Even Tom G had nothing bad to say even though we disagreed on bikes. Take a cue.

Oct 1, 2008, 2:25am Permalink
John Roach

Tim, don't feed the trolls. Ladou is a loon, who has no idea how to present an idea or make a point.

I have been thinking of buying a bike and if I do, I'll ask your opinion before some nut like Laz. Did you get your bike around here? If so, how many places around here besides Adam Miller's sell good bikes.

Oct 1, 2008, 5:25am Permalink
Ron C Welker

John,

I have both road and mountain, infact I have two mountain bikes,one full suspension which is nice for rough riding.The gearing on mtbikes works smooth and you can travel over a variety of surfaces and weather conditions,much more exciting than road bike ridding.
Road biking is great if speed and high millage is your thing,they are light,fast,and sometimes uncomfortable to ride for long periods of time. Flat tires can be a negative,bent rims can also ruin your ride.Road bikes have to deal with traffic, which is another story in itself.
Dicks sporting goods has mid priced bikes, you pretty much get what you pay for like anything else.
Rw

Oct 1, 2008, 7:46am Permalink
Ben Cherry

I have nothing against road bikes, but to trash mountain biking is like writing "idiot" on your forehead. This is another case of lazario simply trying to cause trouble again.

Oct 1, 2008, 9:09am Permalink
Ron C Welker

I really dont have any problems with any bikes in general,road bikes have been in my blood for most of my life.Started out with an 80 lb Schwinn Phanthom (single speed) phew! what a tank,wish I still had it. Adam Miller's has one on display $$$$$$$.

STOMP OUT TROLLS:(

Oct 1, 2008, 9:34am Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Yeah you do make good points. I have two modest mountain bikes (one i have for sale). I cannot afford to drive. I have been hit twice by cars in Batavia that never stopped and on the positive side of it i lived. I do not buy exspensive bikes because even when i lock them up they get stolen. I prefer to walk now since it is easier and safer. I enjoy complaining about things because it makes me feel better and i feel like i am a contibuting part of the website.
I think that you are very well spoken and maybe havent had the chance to fully understand other peoples "where they are coming froms ".
If you are interested i have tons of bike parts like aluminum mountain bike rims with tire and tubes seats handle bars etc.
Everything they couldnt steal or run over.
Its great to have a new member posting.

Oct 1, 2008, 9:09pm Permalink
lazario Ladou

Tim, I wasn't jumping all over you
"for being wrong in your opinion"
If anything
I was asking why
(after giving your reasons on how a road bike has increased your fitness/physical activity)
you for some reason felt as though you had to remain "loyal" to the difficulty of MTB riding being better exercise compared with RB

"no pain no gain"

you say you ride 10x more than you did on the MTB
then say
So either I have a bike that is better excersise (MTB) but too hard to ride very often or an easier bike (RB) that I now ride daily.

In my mind this is a contradiction

To me, 10x the amount of activity over "hardly ever" = much better exercise
About the same as saying no exercise is better than exercise
Or ..and this is getting to that deeper held "belief" I think
Lifting
1000 pounds 1x
will definitely make you stronger than lifting
100 pounds 1x

but if you never lift 1000lbs it's POSSIBLE benefits go out the door
It's not better exercise if you cannot do it

it's pretty self-destructive/depressing etc
if you ask me

I think you know from your own experience/instinctually that "a MTB is better exercise" is false
I think you're just second-guessing yourself in saying that and I tried to bring that out into the open so it could be seen

Tim, were the one who said "exercise" and "better"
Not me
"You made your statement without even knowing what type of excersise I wanted"
Didn't need to. I was posting in regard to exercise in general since you only posted in regard to general excerise

**
This doesn't matter so much but since it's been brought up**
Not wanting to pedal hard makes it pretty clear that you are not wanting to get "ripped"
you mention having fun with your kids. Enjoyable, healthy exercise ..not looking for a big Workout.
Do I want to excersise daily or once or twice a week?
"I now ride daily"
This equals daily/regular exercise.
You have no idea what goals I have if any
"The three of us now ride together and are having fun"

Why is what I think or feel wrong but your opinion is right
It's not like that at all

Complaining doesn't change squat, contribution does.
So what do strikes accomplish? They're not "doing" anything but walking in circles with cardboard signs.
same thing

Oct 2, 2008, 12:57am Permalink
lazario Ladou

but to trash mountain biking is like writing "idiot" on your forehead.

Stomp out the trolls
lol

Didn't trash mountain biking
I'm "trashing" the riding of mountain bikes on city streets where the only mountains you're likely to encounter are ant hills

Riding a MTB is fine
I did
I do
RB are healthier for the average person, IMO
There are hybrids and Xbikes that combine the two that
if for some reason
a person doesn't feel safe on a RB (no reason for this)
they can still receive most of the benefit of a RB

MTB popularity is the product of marketing. What is the percentage of ALL MTB owners that actually log real time on trails
very small
There aren't many trails to be found for one thing

Oct 2, 2008, 1:08am Permalink
Timothy Paine

Thank you Laz. You must be the smartest guy around. I hope we can get together some day and you can share your wisdom with me. I hope we can be best friends. I'll just keep it this short so when you analyze every sentence and every word I write your response should only use half of a page to critique. BFF? (fingers crossed!!)

Oct 2, 2008, 1:33pm Permalink
lazario Ladou

I'm not the smartest guy around
I just know that not everyone who thinks me an idiot is smarter than I am
so I question people
and those people I question will rarely ever reply with anything substantial

I happen to be a very respectful person and great team player
You don't have the good manners
Don't know where this gets us

I walk the line sometimes but it's never meant to hurt
this is the internet so things don't always translate well
I'm not taking the blame for that ..that's just how it is

Oct 2, 2008, 7:18pm Permalink
John Roach

We agree, your not the smartest guy around.
You act this way to be noticed (such "look at me, please look at me")or just to be disruptive. And it works to a point, you get noticed, but only in a negative way. You have been asked not to keep hitting the enter key to make everyone scroll down to get past your post, but you continue to do so. That's called bad manners, or just stupid.

This site has many points of view and that's why we come back to it. People get their views read but your's are mostly passed over only because it you. As for your statement, "I'm not taking the blame for that", nobody would expect you to own up to your behavior.

Oct 2, 2008, 7:58pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Laz, I try to stay out of it, but ...

Sometimes, you make VERY good points. I appreciate your contributions.

But I can also see why some people lose patience with your posts.

There's so many. And sometimes you don't seem to respect other opinions. And the lack of standard writing style ... but personally, I just try to pretend I'm reading a poem.

You're a smart guy. I think you get why people lose patience. It's not up to me to ask you to behave differently. You rarely break the rules, so your right is free expression. But it would be helpful to get to your point more to the point and with some standard structure. It's just easier to read, which makes it a more useful contribution. That said, you won't get in any trouble with me for non-standard writing.

Oct 2, 2008, 8:12pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I find myself "line breaking" because it looks better.
I think that its a welcome change for people to disagree in a proper manner on this website.
If everyone said one line comments and agreed all the time with "kiss kiss" I would be gone.
It really doesnt have anything to do with writing abilities or intellect. And it has everything to do with writing abilities and intellect.
Just the opportunity to post where you are coming from and what you think is what makes this website work and be successful.
I want to know what dont feed the troll means.
Is that code for dont be a jackass ?
I get the feeling its not right.
My uncle is a troll.

Oct 2, 2008, 8:44pm Permalink
Timothy Paine

I was just making a comment about what I purchased for a bike and why. I'm not a physical therapist or fitness expert. I simply pointed out that I prefered a bike that didn't require as much effort, hence my "assumption" not as good an excersize. You win Laz. I'll quit visiting this site, or at least stop commenting, and leave it to your expertise. Just one more question, where did you get your degree in physical fitness from? Is it a Phd or just BS?

Oct 3, 2008, 12:00am Permalink
lazario Ladou

I don't se it this way

It's not about ME winning
I think it's about

fighting for what you believe in
..If you truly do believe in what you believe to believe in

I want you to KNOW that you were "correct"
initially/instinctually/empirically
I'm not TELLING you -when- you were correct
I'm asking that you stand up for your own experience/evidence and not be "bullied" into looking for anothers answer because "you don't know anything unless you have a phd"

You ARE a fitness expert
-Your- fitness expert.

I just think you KNOW that riding daily or regularly or more often IS better than hardly ever

**No pain no gain is kinda correct for some ..weightlifters, master athletes and the like but not for people in general

You quit if you want to
I certainly don't want you to
That certainly doesn't mean I'm not going to comment if you say something I take issue with

Everyone gets to have their opinion
Doesn't mean you are free from others regarding yours

Oct 3, 2008, 12:59am Permalink
lazario Ladou

If you've been on the net for a while I'm pretty sure you've seen that once posts get to a certain length the number of responses drops anyway

It doesn't matter how they're written

If you write in a way or use language that others can then publicly pat themselves on the back for being able to comprehend or mimic you get -more- voices ..usually voices you've never or rarely seen post before

I don't want to align myself by association with those people
I don't write that way
I don't learn in order to write that way
I'd rather use my own style and if my own style doesn't work for people
I'm not going to blame myself

People will either care about what someone has to say and interpret
Or they wont

Oct 3, 2008, 1:09am Permalink
lazario Ladou

as for what "don't feed the troll" means

Create a thread
Create a thread asking for answers (too strong of a word so better try opinions or suggestions or methinks)
but then
of course
you'd just be trolling

Oct 3, 2008, 1:14am Permalink
Ron C Welker

An internet troll (slang) for someone who posts controversial and irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response or generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

If the shoe fits:)

Oct 3, 2008, 7:25am Permalink

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