I've seen lots of people out on the trails over the years and ridden with quite a few different groups and skill levels.
Based on what I've seen I'd say no more than 5% of riders are what I'd term real nutters, big drops, massive jumps, etc etc. I do not count myself in that group.
However the marketing guys seem to focus entirely on this group and as we all know lots of new bikes are big travel or long forked or what ever able to take a beating or somesuch. Equipment prices have risen to reflect this supposed need for durability and strength and the trail centre vs natural thread got me thinking how well marketed to we have become.
When most MTB and most riders I've seen are really about getting out and riding around in the countryside why do I feel that I am being put upon in someway need to live up to the perception of it as in some way extreme?
Is MTB as a pastime being "sexed up" to sell it and is that the way the industry should be going?