Freeride - Growing or not?

[boardbrat]

Having a debate with a couple of buddies other day after too many beers!

One says freeride isn't growing anymore and is slowing way down. Says that were getting too old for big bikes and that is why so many used big bikes for sale. Also says tons of big bikes still sitting in stores from last year?? Figures that shorter travel lighter bikes like Bears, Fluids, VT's etc are the future.

What do you guys think?

[eye of the tiger]

growing

[Revscene]

its still winter... wrong time of year, mountains are generally unused/unusable, wait till the snow melts and the temp goes up

[Adam West]

dude look at all the foreing people posting pics on pinkbike...its anoying me... but its definately growing.

[IFO]

loook at the power of Whistler bike park...

it grows exponentionaly each year...

while the type of bike the freerides are using morphes each year, the scene isnt getting smaller at all....i dont know to what point its growing, but theres no question freeride/DH for the average weekend warrior type is still strong adn healthy....

the fact there are more bikes for sale is simply cuz there are more riders out there now...and bikes are becoming cheaper for the technology u get with every new year....

lots of freeriders are able to spend freely and as such want the best/NEW gear each season...

i count myself in that group... trust me im not getting outa freeride...:D

even thou im selling my 04 Super-T (MINT).....:eek:

ok that bit was a shameless plug....:D

[nick1111]

Freeride is growing for sure. As for the types of bikes, everyone is finding the right type of bike for them, and following trends less.

[white ri0t]

no.

[BAC5.2]

It is growing. But with it's growth, comes it's falling-out with a lot of people.

The more people that start freeriding, the more people that hate freeriding.

[boardbrat]

Originally posted by BAC5.2
It is growing. But with it's growth, comes it's falling-out with a lot of people.

The more people that start freeriding, the more people that hate freeriding.

Whaaaaaaaaaaat????

[boardbrat]

Originally posted by diggs
no.

Seems like your odd one out. Why do you think its not growing?

[BAC5.2]

The more people who get into freeriding, the bigger it gets. With more coverage, more people are exposed. The more people that are exposed, the larger the number of people who hate the sport.

If Abortion was secret, there would be far fewer protestors.

[boardbrat]

I didnt know there were people that "hate" freeride.

I just wonder with all the used rigs for sale and all the bikes in the stores on the shore is Freeride still big enough to absorb all that.

[Onegear]

The freeride marketing aspect is growing as is the street aspect but on a larger scale.

When you look at the infrastructure that whis is putting in to what was a "fringe Element".
like new access and trails for 04 you have to believe that the dollar value of the sport is growing.

but the total # of riders may not. ie xc folks crossing over, and bored roadies, etc, etc. the amount of traffic on seymour has grown over the last two year and continues to.

As long as body armour for the working white and blue collar folks improves more people will ride harder. and as long a companies keep producing more quality bikes that hit an achievable price for the youngers the sport will keep growing

Bac: you may have just opened a can o worms with the abortion comment that I 'm side stepping:D

happy new year all

[feelmybrainwaves]

If you pay attention on the board people are constantly getting new bikes, and ditching there old one for the new model. This last year I've seen a trend towards hardtail if you want to be 'tough'. But the sport is definatly growing.

[BAC5.2]

Originally posted by boardbrat
I didnt know there were people that "hate" freeride.

I've gotten yelled at on numerous urban trips, and been "yelled" at by XC racers and such, saying that freeride and downhill isn't real mountain biking.

Onegear - I don't care if I opened a can of worms.

[Desloc]

Some people's age may dictate their own lack of growth or ability to go big ;)

... freeriding is still in it's infancy and will continue to gain momentum, year after year.

Bikes are sold at the end of each season to 'trade' up to newer bikes with newer tech. With SPV becoming common place, 2004 should be a good year for upgraders and bike shops.

The trend most likely will move towards lighter, stronger, pedalable, big travel bikes, ImHO.


Des

[eddiebrannan]

Originally posted by New_Breed
dude look at all the foreing people posting pics on pinkbike...its anoying me... but its definately growing.

why are you annoyed by foreign people (i assume that's what you meant)?

[white ri0t]

Originally posted by boardbrat
Seems like your odd one out. Why do you think its not growing?

because.

[Sobot_FR]

well, in Ontario, alot of the guys with big bike's can't actually ride.... truth.

I've seen a guy bottom out a monster T off a 3.5 foot drop, he was leaning forward over his bars (not supposed to do), and then I find, there's a guy with an old black P.3 (bike in good shape) and he can do more!

So I think, the good riders are starting to get onto their HT's......

......all the HT's from last year (good HT's) are all sold out, and the stores still have like 6 bighit's and 2 RM7's and those types of bikes....

but then again, the sport IS growing. The stores npw have alot of XC Bikes left.

(this is only for Ontario that I've noticed [but not everyone])

[boardbrat]

Originally posted by diggs
because.
OK. Thanks!:???:

[Revscene]

Originally posted by IFO

even thou im selling my 04 Super-T (MINT).....:eek:

ok that bit was a shameless plug....:D

hmmm... is that sooo eh?? how much green might you be wanting for that little goodie?;)

[Shore for Sure]

Your buddies are right. Riders aren't going huge like they used too.

[M13]

i ve seen that more people go more technical than "donw-right-balls"

street experts are riding with more style than "how many stairs can you gap", yet make us drop our jaws.

huckers are still going, but with the flow of new riders like bear-claw, it is really "what you do with the drop, not the height"

it has been all HT pride back in summer-beginning of fall on this board, but RIGHT now, it seems to be street and getting money/plans to get those ripping race rigs.

2002-2003 was interesting; most people went from "tanks" to light techno rides, although i will remain with tanks:D:D

[8-balled]

no more big drops to flat....everything thats built big now has some thought put into the landing so any kind of bike is able to stand the abuse....thats maby why there seem to be more HT'S these day's, IMO.

[boardbrat]

Originally posted by M13
2002-2003 was interesting; most people went from "tanks" to light techno rides, although i will remain with tanks:D:D
What do you call a light techno ride?

[The_Real_Yeti]

its growin like a mofo:thepimp:

[Slamigo]

Originally posted by Sobot_FR
well, in Ontario, alot of the guys with big bike's can't actually ride.... truth.

So I think, the good riders are starting to get onto their HT's......

......all the HT's from last year (good HT's) are all sold out, and the stores still have like 6 bighit's and 2 RM7's and those types of bikes....


You're making a huge blanket statement with absolutely no way to back it up. There is no difference between people from Ontario or BC or elsewhere. It is simply the terrain that is available.

The reason more hardtails sell is because you can build up a complete .243, le toy, or evil for the price of a Bullit frame. Big bikes cost big bucks and a lot of the teenage riders cannot afford them. Also, the teenage riders still have lots of cartilage in their knees. As you get older, you need a little more cushion.

The other thing is that YOU probably don't know who the 'good' riders are because they are probably older and don't hang out with you. (Assuming you are a teenager, and if you are older then you probably don't hang out with the teenagers.)

There are lots of really good riders in Ontario and Eastern Canada. Go pick up a copy of Eastern Standard or Eastside Freeride.

Here are some Eastern sites to check out:

Eastside Freeride (http://www.eastsidefreeride.com/esfr/index.php)

Chico Racing (http://www.chicoracing.com/)

Always Mad (http://www.alwaysmad.com/)

HCOR - American but still East Coast (http://www.hcor.net)

[canadianfreerider]

Originally posted by Slamigo
You're making a huge blanket statement with absolutely no way to back it up. There is no difference between people from Ontario or BC or elsewhere. It is simply the terrain that is available.

The reason more hardtails sell is because you can build up a complete .243, le toy, or evil for the price of a Bullit frame. Big bikes cost big bucks and a lot of the teenage riders cannot afford them. Also, the teenage riders still have lots of cartilage in their knees. As you get older, you need a little more cushion.

The other thing is that YOU probably don't know who the 'good' riders are because they are probably older and don't hang out with you. (Assuming you are a teenager, and if you are older then you probably don't hang out with the teenagers.)

There are lots of really good riders in Ontario and Eastern Canada. Go pick up a copy of Eastern Standard or Eastside Freeride.

Here are some Eastern sites to check out:

Eastside Freeride (http://www.eastsidefreeride.com/esfr/index.php)

Chico Racing (http://www.chicoracing.com/)

Always Mad (http://www.alwaysmad.com/)

HCOR - American but still East Coast (http://www.hcor.net)

Yup.

*I* also think that some people are building up the HTs just because its the thing to do. I've noticed in the last year or so everyone arround all of a sudden has a HT with 3 inch for and SS setup and this and that.

*shrugs*

If you want to see good talent in Ont....take a look arround....check the movie "Onterrible" theres tons of talent in that movie and the cool part is they are all just joe-blows.

[hampstead bandit]

well i don't know about the US and Canada we get a distorted view of your scenes through the media?

in England its definitely on the up, in fact its just starting to blow up big now with the first couple of legal freeride parks opening across the country (Cheddar, Esher Shore, Edinburgh, Woburn Sands)

we're getting brands like Banshee, Santa Cruz, Rocky Mtn, etc. doing healthy sales in UK so there is definitely a market there

theres alot of people my age (30) getting into it the last few years starting to realise what can be done with the new equipment

When i look at the difference between my Scream with 03 Super T's and my old race bike from 94 (Mongoose Amplifier with Judy DH) then i know why i freeride

body armour, bikes, helmets, tires, pedals, bars, stems its all sorted out now..gives me the confidence to go bigger

[JJ 666]

I think its growing big time, and I totally agree about the skills, and riding techniques. When people do drops you look for ones with nice trannies, and making it flow, not how big you can go to flat.... land in the flat you break your back, I personally don't do drops to flat any more. As for big bikes, I think every one will have a personal preference, I ride a pretty beastly morphine, but thats the way I like it, im not gonna get into hopping or 360's so might as well make it strong.

[RoBurban]

it's certainly growing in northern california. lots of people don't even know what freeriding is, i have to explain it a lot. but i'm seeing more and more people with burly bikes.

we even have some northshore style built up stuff hidden in the woods being made by some kids on my school team.

[pump]

Originally posted by boardbrat
What do you call a light techno ride?


light and new technology involved bikes.
lighter than tanks but handle just the same abuse and even out perform, more pedal efficiency, less unnecessary bobs, better dampening, etc.

[Slamigo]

Originally posted by hampstead bandit
body armour, bikes, helmets, tires, pedals, bars, stems its all sorted out now..gives me the confidence to go bigger

Is that you in the pic? Holy crap. Nice.

[white ri0t]

Originally posted by boardbrat
OK. Thanks!:???:

no problem.

[hampstead bandit]

Is that you in the pic? Holy crap. Nice.

yeah the gap is found at Woburn Sands free ride park just outside of a city called Milton Keynes, in England

its alot of fun

:thepimp:

[boardbrat]

Originally posted by ADD_rider
light and new technology involved bikes.
lighter than tanks but handle just the same abuse and even out perform, more pedal efficiency, less unnecessary bobs, better dampening, etc.

Which companies are making the best of this stuff? Hasn't Cannondale been doing this for a while now? Jekyll's (5 inch adjustable bikes) and now Gemini's or are you thinking something else? Or more like VT's, Kona Bears and ???

[Tonestar]

If you include Urban and Dirt Jumping in the "Freeride" category, it is growing everywhere. The scene in BC is not growing near as much as it did for the last 4 years or so. Freeride is growing everywhere else in the world, because it is still relatively new to them, it has existed on the Shore and around BC for a long time.

The bottom line is, so long as people are getting on their bikes, we will always have whatever options we want, XC, road, cyclocross, freeride and whatever else you want to make a catagory. It's all good.

[Adam West]

Originally posted by eddiebrannan
why are you annoyed by foreign people (i assume that's what you meant)?
because they are taking over our pinkbike
wasnt pinkbike created for north van shore style riding?

[boardbrat]

Originally posted by New_Breed
because they are taking over our pinkbike
wasnt pinkbike created for north van shore style riding?
I think the threads and Pink Bike go where people take it. This goes back to my original question of growth in freeride. Based on your comment about PinkBike, maybe it is on decline (no pun intended)

[Slamigo]

Originally posted by New_Breed
because they are taking over our pinkbike
wasnt pinkbike created for north van shore style riding?

Uh oh. I'm in Ontario. Does that make me a foreigner?

You're harvesting a bad attitude. Try to be a little more accepting and groove on the fact that people share a common interest. If you are at the centre of one of the best places to ride, if not the birthplace of freeride, maybe try to be more of an ambassador. Also, you should check out what other folks around the globe are doing, you'd be surprised at the talent that is out there.


Oh and the basis of your argument is flawed: PinkBike is based in Calgary.:P

[lardy]

It's certainly on the up in the UK. Like the bandit I'm from the UK but only started freeriding in Aug 03. I'm hooked and havn't picked up my XC bike since.

I think the biggest change has been the capability of the bikes and kit. This has grown so much in the last 3-4 years that it's allowed more people to have the confidence to do it. Some however still have pretty low skills, but then most ride DH like they do XC. I did a training course before I started DHing and have had to change my riding style completely - I'd say for the better. Pretty much anyone can ride XC well but freeride requires skills most people just never learn.

I ride mostly DH but am now venturing into drops, North Shore and 4X - I LOVE it!

[Loopie]

Even here in BC, the forefront of the "freeride" scene, it's growing:)
The "buyers" are able to afford better stuff each yr, which mainly means lighter and better designed stuff....and the kids can afford used Big duallies now no problem it seems.

So the movement now is with more and more riders getting "big" bikes, whether new or used.
The second factor is that the thing now is about having flow and style on a trail and in the air VS just going bigger and/or farther.
For something to be considered a "movement" or "main scene" don't a LOT of the riders need to be doing it? IMHO, last yr seemed like a peak for MOST riders.....doing 10-12' no problem...but drawing the line at say, 15'plus. And it makes sense. Most can crash a 10ft'er without major consequence.....but start crashing 15+ and you're gonna get hurt odds are. SO what do MOST of you do? Start tricking up the 10ft'ers:D

[freerider4ever]

Yeah I agree that freeriding is going to become much more trick oriented. Watch new world disorder 3, then 4 right after it, and you have Cedric throwing no handers over gaps and a lot of guys tricking stuff, wheras new world disorder 3 was pretty much the same size drops and gaps but with not much style. I can't wait to see what will be thrown down in years to come.

[Painting_of_Rebelion]

I think alot of the "slowing down" you're seeing is very similar to things like BMX and Skateboarding...what I mean is that when you have a sport that in reality is not too old, what like realy 94-5? opr at least that has not been exposed, you'll always see it's shock value wear off...when the first guy decided to jump off a cliff, everyone's jaw hit the floor, now, we have kids like 13years old doing it, and everyone in between, so, it is naturaly more common place...now the thing seems to be seeing what is possible, wether it's harder, or just more stylish...take skating and BMX...they've been around for alot longer, and they are still thriving... they've gone through, and are still going throughthe X-games, MTV hype but riders are looking for new terain, and getting way better/more stylish/smoother all the time...another thing is the younger generations that are growing up with this stuff...me, I'm 25, and I gotta tell you, having started maountain biking when I was 12 and having never even thought about the things were doing now, it's more amazing to me than it is to the 12 yearold who's starting now and has been subjected to it for years...BMX/freestyle/flatland was the rage of my youth...the movie rad was unequel'd, and it drove me to learn to do that shit on my BMX...then, I grew up smack dab in the middle of Skateboarding's biggest boom ever, and that will always be a part of me...are people going bigger or is it as wild to see...no, cause alot of it has been done, but this is the time in skating when the posers drop off, and the lovers stay...look at kids like Ryan Scheckler...he's so young, but he hanghs with the big kids...that could never have happened like 10 years ago, it just wasn't possible, but this kid has grown up knowing that he could do it, and has seen it done, noe he's tearing it up...we'll see it in Freeriding, just as I've seen it in several other sports...freeriding is realy still in it's youth as much as you may not want to admit it, but when we see a MTB street contest on the X games, or a Rampage styl comp. we'll know the begining of the end is here...I say the begining of the end only to symbolize what I saw in skating...everyone will have to have a MT bike...they'll sit in garages and get rustry and never used, sure that'll mean alot of people will leave the sport, but how many of those kind of peopl were ever realy part of it to begin with? We'll see a more core group of riders in our local areas...right now, I see quite a few kids who look like mom and dad droped a billion decking them out, and they're realy not up to a level of skill that they need to be. they nearly kill them selves, and get discouraged...sound like any other sport you can think of? the guy's who are killing it on MTB's right now are guy's who have grown up riding all kinds of shit, and realy have mastered the art of Cycling...yes, there are kids who have never ridden a BMX, motor bike, road bike, but in reality, they may be able to pull amazing shit, but a guy like Wade will ALWAYS out class them as he's got more all around BIKE skills then all of them put together...

yes, I think Freeride is still growing, it's chronologicaly impossible for it not to be...:thepimp:

Dave

[Adam West]

Originally posted by Slamigo
Uh oh. I'm in Ontario. Does that make me a foreigner?

You're harvesting a bad attitude. Try to be a little more accepting and groove on the fact that people share a common interest. If you are at the centre of one of the best places to ride, if not the birthplace of freeride, maybe try to be more of an ambassador. Also, you should check out what other folks around the globe are doing, you'd be surprised at the talent that is out there.


Oh and the basis of your argument is flawed: PinkBike is based in Calgary.:P
my mistake sorry foreing people.

[eightball]

it's growing...may be close to plateauing now but it is still growing.

:D

[hampstead bandit]

it funny all these people telling "freeriders dont got no skill any idiot can ride off a huck"...

freeride to me is the best because its the most pure, bullshit free kind of riding i've ever done

it uses all my skills learnt from bmx race and freestyle, cross country racing and enduro riding, road bikes, downhill racing, dirt jumping..it all comes together

there are no excuses, no one else to blame as you roll the skinny 10 foot off the ground or launch 30 foot off the drop

i like the preparation, the assessment, the mental battle, going off riding and coming back, checking and pinning it :thepimp:



its not at all easy it takes all my concentration and 25 years of riding (im 30) experience to get through

lots of people recently boasting of skills scared when they try, the freeride is the great leveller you cant hide from the truth

[boardbrat]

Haven't been back for a while. Lots of interesting opinions. Thanks.

[frizanko]

Its all relative to your location, on the shore im sure its beginning to mellow somewhat. Especially since thats where the big bang that created it all took place... and the shockwave it sent out has taken a while to make its way around the world... places that are closer have obviously gone through the cycle where the movements hits, everyone gets into it, and then whoosh it fades back into obscurity... Im 29 and have about 20+ years of experience on boards n bikes... and its seems like by some act of fate i was there for every major evolution in skating, bmx, snowboarding,... and the last 3 yrs. or so it's been all about freeride MTB... in the last 3 yrs. the bikes have gotten better by leaps n bounds... regardless of whether you ride a cush or a stiffy...Yeah i think the bikes (the best ones) are too expensive. however with each year the lucky ones get to upgrade everything, which means that we all get a little luckier cause last years stuff trickles down to the rest of us cheap... thats why bikes are abundant, so much so that it seems like there are less riders than bikes ... which could be true too since after the initial awe of it, only the ones who truly love it for something more than either showing off or looking cool , really get the addiction... to everyone else it is just a passing thing that fades with time (or seeing something shiny)... I personally traded my winter snow addiction for the wood n mud and its got me good... i think i could still get super stoked to go snowboarding but i think freeridin ofers a similar form of expression with an offset in costs since lift access is only really an issue occasionally, and every thing else you ride is FREE!!!

[Valo]

Originally posted by M13
i ve seen that more people go more technical than "donw-right-balls"


This is why I appreciate Bender so much, some times the down-right-balls of it, is what I want to see

[bygdaug]

Who cares....as long as you are doing what YOU want to do...right?

[switch]

I've been living at by Old Buck parking lot for 11 years, and it is very obvious that the number of riders on Seymour is growing A LOT year by year.

[Stinky_Rider]

Originally posted by frizanko
Its all relative to your location, on the shore im sure its beginning to mellow somewhat. Especially since thats where the big bang that created it all took place... and the shockwave it sent out has taken a while to make its way around the world... places that are closer have obviously gone through the cycle where the movements hits, everyone gets into it, and then whoosh it fades back into obscurity

Its funny how you say that, because it seems to me that every city around the world is going through there own seperate stage, but each go through them. I think that by the time all the people in the world get to be riding like in Vancouver now, there will be another change, like from big bikes to street bikes, but different. We'll just have to wait and see what the future brings, from spring to fall '04

[Strupat]

Originally posted by bygdaug
Who cares....as long as you are doing what YOU want to do...right?

yep, that's what it's all about.