I think often bikes are more about fashion than need. Looking at all the 10 and 12 gear bikes that was sold in the 70 and 80`s, how many of the owners do you think used the big ring? Also you see peopel twistng the drop bars upwards to be able to sit more upright, since that is what they need. Some had the guts to do this (met one two days ago), a lot of peopel just did not ride the bike. 90% of the old 10 speeds show hardly any wear from use.

Now MTB`s is the big thing, at least where I ive. I guess the gearing is not so terrible for most peopel, apart from that they do not understand the most simple thing about maintenance (cleaning, lubing and tensioning the gear and brake cables) and therefor the gears is messed up within a few months.

Also the MTB`s are made for MTB riding, and most of the buyers are not MTB riders. Maybe some of them want to be but need to get there first. On the bikes peopel ride (at least half of them on the wrong size) you can see the rider is not comfortable and for sure they are not riding as much as they would like to.

A lot of peopel on this forum is able to find out (often by asking others) what s wrong with teyr bikes and fix it. The peopel I meet around where I live are not on such forums and depend on the LBS for ifo. The LBS sell bikes like they sell hotdogs, and peopel buy the bikes that is in the shop when they walk in, in a colour they like. LBS`s are chainstores, so they only sell what is in the catalouge from theyr partners.

My friend wanted a longer stem for her bike. She bought a hybrid and decided she was not comfortable on it. The LBS said "it is not possible to buy that (not made). In Denmark you can buy stems up to approx 40 cms, but he didnot mention that. He sold her a stem the same size as the one she had, but the new one is adjustable. I put Northroad bars on her bike and now she rides alot. She needed the bars to be closer to her body, not higher up. She also ride an old 1speed comfort bike her mother bought, and tell me it is her best bike.

There should be serious punishment for selling bad bikes (wrong type, badly fitted), and thereby taking away the great pleasure of riding, but why do peopel not ask more and demand more when buying? They think they need a new bike when the cables are messed up on the old one.

Sorry, just had to vent. Not many peopel ask questions like you do, it is like svearing in church. Looks like three speed comfort bikes is the fashion now. If that can make peopel ride bikes that is great, and they are so simple to keep going so maybe this could make peopel actually keep them going. Also most peopel who are not "Lance wannabees" are comfortable on such bikes and therefor maybe enjoy to ride it.