Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
And turned off millions of others for whom the 10 speed racers were brutaly harsh riding and with uncomfortable riding positions to match. Nothing like the fun rides they remembered as youth, but more like doing unpleasant calisthenics for an eventual benefit to be seen off the bike.
My take is, that no matter how impractical the mountain bike design was for general bicycling, it offered a more comfortable ride to the general public than the despised/discarded 10 speed racer. or at least a tolerable ride. It had, at least, lower pressure tires, a more upright riding position, and a wider saddle.
This is probably true. The road/racer style bike certainly was not good for everybody. It is not a design that you just hop on and start riding. I remember the first time I got on a road bike, I fell over with a clank. It was embarrassing and painful.
Yes, the mountain bike brought the riding position back onto the saddle - just not far enough back to really give the average rider all the comfort possible in bicycle design.
Good perspective, I-Like-to-Bike