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Over biked- the bloke commuting, on the flat, on the road, with 3 inch tyres on a norco A line with full marazzochi super monsters 😃
He looked like he was having fun, slowly.
Something like this
I admired his commitment and was tempted to try and buy the bike, mostly for the forks.
"Overbiked" for me = STFU. I dont want to hear such bullshit judgemental opinion on what someone should or shouldnt ride.
Ive got 2 bikes - a steel 650b gravel bike i use for commuting and a custom 180/180 steel enduro bike with dual plies, mullet and almost identical geometry to the Grim Donut. I bloody love riding it, even on the 530am "before the kids are up" 45 min spin from the door which is a loop of road, gravel, singletrack and a few steep steps. When the terrain is flatter, its draggy and harder than the gravel bike or an XC bike, but thats great as it means I get a better workout in the same timeframe.
IMO, overbiked is a derogatory term from someone who thinks they know better.
Sometimes I'll do the school run on my bouncy bike, sometimes I'll ride Dunkeld on my hardtail.
I tend not to jump my road bike as the wheels break 😂, but otherwise I'll ride the bike I feel like on any particular outing.
IMO, overbiked is a derogatory term from someone who thinks they know better.
To honest some of you come across a little thinned skinned. Personally I've mostly heard it used by someone about themselves.
For the past decade I’ve occasionally passed a guy commuting on an old Kona downhill or freeride bike, dual crown forks and all. He wears a full-face too. I don’t think he’s going MTBing on it because it’s suspiciously clean. Not that I can pass judgement, I’ve only got about 40mm less travel on my commuting bike, slacker angles, longer wheelbase, etc etc.
A lot of folk have bought gravel bikes in the last few years and use them (in part) to ride what they used to use a mtb for. That has to be an example of acknowledging they’d have a bit more fun with a bit less bike.
Yeah, I had sort of assumed that the whole "Over/under-bike" thing was more of an MTB trope.
But Gravel bikes manage to be simultaneously "under" and "over" often in a single ride; being a bit 'under' off-road, and a bit 'over' and less efficient (than a road bike) on tarmac. Yet that can make it them the perfect machine for a certain sort of riding.
Back to MTBs, I do find myself looking at the latest Epic 8 and start thinking is that more like the sort of FS bike I want. Something a little more on the "under" side travel and weight wise, but with more modern trail geometry and thus handling that encourages you to get a wee bit out of the bikes depth, but also an efficient pedaller compares to trail bikes like my current stumpy? Isy the current marketing spiel "down-country"? I just don't like it, but I think it's what would suit me.
I certainly don't feel a burning desire for a bike with more than about 5" of rear wheel travel any more, where younger me wanted all the suspension I could afford, but never really had the talent or bravery to make good use of it TBH.
To honest some of you come across a little thinned skinned. Personally I’ve mostly heard it used by someone about themselves.
I'm a prick vs. You're a prick.
“Those who say overbiked do you also say overcar’d, overvanned, overphoned, etc?”
No. It’s only used in to refer to hobby equipment. See also, all the gear and no idea. It’s mainly used by people who are jealous of the things you have and use the phrase to judge you negatively.
But what it actually means to me is that you’d enjoy the trail you’re currently riding on a bike had less suspension and weight.
That said, if you only have one bike you’ll likely find yourself over biked at times and under biked at other times. Though under biking is for trail heroes!
It would be great to have a whole range of bikes to chose from so that you never have to suffer the indignity of these situations.
It's like the perpetual 24hr radio phone-in topics (LBC, Talk Radio, etc) without the benefit of Keeping journalists/presenters from the chattering classes in jobs.
” It’s like the perpetual 24hr radio phone-in topics (LBC, Talk Radio, etc) without the benefit of Keeping journalists/presenters from the chattering classes in jobs.”
Are you sure it doesn’t keep them in jobs?
Keeps the pedants busy.
Overbiked to me is just the outcome of the bigger is better concept. I see it all the time where I live. We have some DH tracks, but a lot of the DH bikes aren't using them. Kids are convincing their parents they need more travel than they're ever going to need locally. But as long as people are having fun it doesn't really matter.
I've tried to explain to my teenage son that while the 180mm Enduro bike he wants looks incredible his current 140mm is far better suited to the (not that technical) descents he's racing... but he's a teenager so obviously has superior knowledge. Anyway, unless he wants to do a lot more chores at home that's what he's riding until he grows out of it.
I’m a prick vs. You’re a prick.
No - again , the idea that being 'overbiked' is seen a derogatory slur. More a "Whoops, I appear to have brought an AK47 to a knife fight".
On reflection "overbiked" may well mean that I crash a little less often but a little harder.
My hardcore hardtail feels overbiked on flat straight trails/xc but perfect once I reach the hills.
I'm going to BPW next week, and with a mere 130mm travel, I hope I dont feel like I've brought a nine iron to a driving range.
Pretty much any bike for me, never mind the 200mm DH midlife crisis bike I’m planning.
Do it - nothing beats a DH bike (on the appropriate terrain of course)
I live in Norfolk and ride a singlespeed gravel bike most of the time... everything else is "overbiked".
But you still see a fair few e-bikes riders with a full face helmet on at Thetford every weekend.
a “Whoops, I appear to have brought an AK47 to a knife fight”.
One of my favourite phrases is ‘sometimes it’s fun to bring a Gatling gun to a knife fight’
Do it – nothing beats a DH bike (on the appropriate terrain of course)
The blue at Leeds Urban bike park, yeah? 😉
200mm DH midlife crisis bike I’m planning.
Do it, do it, do it and share pictures
Patience, followers. I’m not 40 for another 54 weeks, and need to save up some pennies first. It’s happening, but will be a slow process. Also depends on how much of a shafting I get come remortgage time in a few months 😩
Yep, nope and maybe. Only you will really know OP.
Why do people get offended by the term?
Edit: clearly didn't read the replies😁 Take the power back, it's okay to be over biked
I also think it can be used in both a factual sense:
"i'm riding round this flattish forrest with a few tarmac climbs on my long travel bike and i'd be faster and having more fun on my hardtail"
or as an insult by ego maniacs with unhappy lives and a low sense of self worth
"hey bro, you dont need that enduro rig here in the peak, i'm only on my vintage steel singlespeed so i must be way better than you"
Why do people get offended by the term?
Subjectively: Does it mean that someone is observed having fun on their bicycle and the observer is envious of either the fun having or the equipment?
Objectively: Does it mean that the enjoyer is having fun but they acknowledge that whatever type of bicycle is in use by them is making the riding experience less visceral?
Really bikes are bikes and just for having fun, no?
You definitely want a gun at a knife fight. I've only been accused of being over biked once when I was going for a one night bivvy in the Lakes but doing a trial run for a much bigger trip. I think they were offended by all my gear. I just pointed out to the accuser they were definitely overweight and carried on with my nice weekend.
Lots of money where I am
And literally no challenging trails, just canal banks and sanitized farmer access road
Still we often get the 2-4 gangs full storm trooper and full suss heading to who knows where on Sundays
I'm glad they are enjoying themselves
I took my 150mm, 2.6 MM/HD shod Pace on the Whitby to Ravenscar cinder track last summer. Was perfectly fine but a bit of an effort and very draggy. IMO that was over biked. It's ace fun up at Gisburn though, where as my 120mm carbon Cube with Rekon's would be perfect for the Whitby route but sketchy at Gisburn so I'd be under biked.....
Or something....
Meh.
It is all riding bikes, so good.
It does however offer the opportunity to take the rip of your mates on bigger bikes and stroke the ego of the singlespeed rigid gravelbiker of the group.
Meh.
It is all riding bikes, so good.
+1
Although on the one hand I'd acknowledge that even ~150mm travel bikes are light and pedal well enough these days that they rarely feel as 'overbiked' as they did 15 years ago, these days you'll at least keep up with the XC guys.
And you can definitely be under biked (which can be fun too).
But there is definitely a point where you've been riding a hardtail on the road for a few hours, or your FS down the canal towpath where the only thing you're doing is spinning the pedals, no other inputs or skill required. And it's just boring. Even road bikes are fun because you make enough compromises to gain that extra few mph that the riding becomes exciting (group dynamics, twitchy handling, potholes etc and if you're really after a hard time, fixie).