Mountain Biking Costs Impact Trail Builders
Mountain biking is not immune to being labeled elitist. When entry into this sport or recreation (and lifestyle) is a $2,000-$7,000 bike (or more), it becomes problematic for many. At the same time, we know that anyone on a janky $100 bike from a thrift store can have a blast riding, but there are still obstacles that mountain biking needs to overcome.
However, it’s not just about getting new people into mountain biking, which is a challenge from a financial perspective. Trail builders who make mountain biking possible cannot always keep up in the bike arms race. In preparing for this article, I heard from a few trail builders who expressed this concern. One, in particular, commented on these challenges, “We need to get more people access to affordable, high-quality bikes. So many trail builders, dedicated volunteers, and so on can’t afford them.”
One of the goals of many trail organizations and non-profits is to get more people on bikes. A great way to grow trail building is not only bringing more people into mountain biking but when done so through a trail building organization, there’s a baked intention of integrating trail work into programming. I’ve shot photos for quite a few of these events where kids are introduced to mountain biking. The joy and excitement they experience are truly contagious, and it is this joy that inspires hope for a more welcoming future of mountain biking.
Yet, at the same time, I also think about the financial challenges. Yes, as I mentioned above, showing up at a trail system with a $100 bike certainly does work. However, there will be significant limitations. These bikes will be old and heavy, and the brakes and shifting may or may not work adequately. While many wouldn’t blink at dropping $750 for a “starter” mountain bike, the price point is also very steep for many.
Does that mean mountain biking is elitist? Is it in the same category as private golf club memberships and yacht clubs?
Another challenge, as I mentioned above, is the affordability of mountain bikes for trail builders … for the year-round hired builder, the seasonal worker, etc. With the bike industry constantly adapting and evolving, new tech comes out yearly, and, like smartphones or computers, it can feel like bikes are a forced obsolescence. I mention that as I look over my shoulder from my desk, I look at my 2002 KHS soft tail bike, which I still love to ride. That sits next to my 1987 Diamondback Ascent that I’ve converted into a gravel bike. Sure, I could take that fully rigid Diamondback 26er out on the trail and have a blast, yet there are significant limitations of what I can and cannot do.
My question is, what is the solution? A while back, I posted a question on social media asking for topics you are interested in and need to be discussed. This is one of those topics that came up. Even more than that, the conversations on this topic moved to my DMs and emails. As an industry, what is our collective response? How do we address this? It’s not just a question for the industry leaders, but for all of us. We all have a role to play in finding a solution to these challenges.
Words: Sean Benesh Photos: Sean Benesh
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. While in grad school, he worked as a mountain biking guide in Southern Arizona. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
