You've probably seen the thing on Facebook where people have been posting a pics of themselves from 2009 and 2019 - usually with something self-depreciating about how old and haggard they now look.
So let's do a bikey version.
Here are mine, a picture speaks a thousand words about how MTB Geometry has changed...
Sadly for many of us, pie geometry hasn't changed in decades; a tendency to round Great point though, my 15yr old full suss does now feel a bit like a toy.
a picture speaks a thousand words about how MTB Geometry has changed…
How true.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/3639/3481500482_f2dc51c584_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/3639/3481500482_f2dc51c584_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/6iDANo ]090417_112937[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48663551917_c59427cd91_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48663551917_c59427cd91_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2h9eqzc ]2019-09-02_07-41-10[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
From this
and this
To this
and this
Yeah, geometry has changed! And my current bikes aren't even that LLS compared to many, but wheelbases are a good 4-6" longer than their 10 year old equivalents!
Sadly my 2009 bikes are my 2019 bikes. During that time my geometry changed pretty significantly. I'm back to my pre 2009 dimensions now so I reckon my bikes deserve an upgrade too in 2020.
I didn't think anyone would have a bigger difference than me (as my 2009 is a small frame and 2019 a large), but I think you've managed it Stu.
Tracey yours look quite similar TBH.
Mboy I'm glad to see you still favour minging-looking bendy-framed full-sussers after all these years.
This thread needs more people on the bikes though.
Chakaping - that first photo wouldn't happen to be chatel would it? Just above the pre la joux lift?
High single pivot, gearbox bike in 2009/10...
https://flic.kr/p/2a7v3b3
High single pivot, gearbox bike in 2019/20...
https://flic.kr/p/2gsvBef
(Plus a couple of others)
2010 (couldn't find any 2009 images).
2019.
That 2010 Mr Hyde was a total beast BTW.
And the 2019 Transmitter is a stupidly capable all-rounder running 650 x 2.8 rubber.
But the Rocket is still probably the best (most flattering) bike I've ever ridden.
In 2009 I had a 1998 hardtail. In 2019 I have a 2009 hardtail. Weird progress, but progress nonetheless..
My 2009 bikes would appear to be....
Closest I can get to a 'modern' mountain bike would have been these two 2010 offerings
I've fell off the wagon,so there isn't really a 2019 bike as such
My 2005 Shand is still being ridden, same forks and wheels!
My slightly younger Big Kahuna is on B+
I do wonder if a modern bike would be any improvement.
DMR Trailstar in SS guise, probably bought around 99?
And this Pitch Pro, bought at the end of 08.
Flash forward 10 years, Calibre Dune.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2gycJsn6dP/?igshid=2f5eqovmhxn1
And a Whyte T129
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuytQvjlyKU/?igshid=lwez53hu54op
And I guess it did get ridden a few times last year, Unit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfVuIhOFdWn/?igshid=2feeeokof6eh
My most recent MTB is from 2008, so not a lot has changed for me...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/8177/8038517501_ba87ab7aea_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/8177/8038517501_ba87ab7aea_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dfkvck ]My Steed, Scott Spark RC[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
DMR Switchback (was just about to swap it for a 456 IIRC) to a new OnOne Scandal.
No pics of me riding either! But a good indicator of how even mainstream bikes have changed. Both 130mm hardtails but the Switchback had a 70deg head angle IIRC and was considered longer and slacker than most with a 'short' 90mm stem!
2009 (well late ‘07 in a ‘12 set up) hardtail:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/6191/6086703214_0f3a0f0c17_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/6191/6086703214_0f3a0f0c17_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
2019 hardtail:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49273141003_eb0e1b0946_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49273141003_eb0e1b0946_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
2009 (well ‘08 actually) FS:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/3565/3500506829_7406f4d111_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/3565/3500506829_7406f4d111_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
2019 FS:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46993411674_3d5e26f2de_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46993411674_3d5e26f2de_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Another pair from me.
The Giant Reign I was riding in 2009, loved this bike and particularly the Fox 36 on the front - fond memories being able to ride rocky descents in the Lakes faster than before on it...
And the 2019 Radon Swoop 29er, waaaay longer, slacker and bigger of wheel - and gives a similar "magic carpet" feel when it's up to speed...
Chakaping – that first photo wouldn’t happen to be chatel would it? Just above the pre la joux lift?
Yep just next to the main car park at Chatel.
2009 was the year of the Intense Socom for me. There she is, in all her glory.
Vs my current bike.
Which if google is to be believed, as reach wasn’t even a thing back then is 7cm longer, wheelbase is also 7cm longer & head angle is 2 degrees slacker. DH bikes were rubbish back then
That was the year I started racing.
2009 was the year of the Intense Socom for me.
Yours is the first contribution where the 2009 bike looks better, for me.
I did have a thing about those raw Intense frames though.
2009(ish)
[img] https://tinyurl.com/vpwxpr2 [/img]
2019 (though its a 2015 model)
I think my son has seen more significant changes..
from 2009's Haro
[img] https://tinyurl.com/qlu83ac [/img]
to 2019's Trek
Dez - I had a black 575 like yours right after the Reign I posted above.
I have a pic of me riding it in full 1980s roadie lycra somewhere, but I'll spare you all from seeing that.
Another pair from me with quite a difference but in a different way...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/3515/3959784890_3d08fe9cb7_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/3515/3959784890_3d08fe9cb7_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/72UW6h ]2009_0927ashtonlot0030[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/4872/45494772495_614951908a_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/4872/45494772495_614951908a_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2cjdARe ]2018-12-21_03-13-03[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
2009 I had an 08 Commencal Meta 5.5 in Large 70mm stem
2019 XL Ibis Ripley V4
2009
2019
Both are steel hardtails with a Rockshox Pike.
Wheels have got bigger, everything works a bit better but not by that much to be honest. Droppers are a nice development.
Also, I'm now riding the right size frame rather than "chuckable".
2009 Bike racing -
2019 Bike racing -