Ever since I've gotten into mountain biking about 7 years ago, I've noticed something that seems to be a constant: the MTB a*hole attitude that manifests every time there's some major shift or change in the sport/hobby.
The first topic I recall was when 27.5" came out. So many people were opinionated, so many people were being critical, so many people on their keyboards voicing their hate for 27.5". Most of these people didn't even have a 27.5" bike yet - but that didn't matter, they made up their mind on the spot and hated it and made sure that everyone knew that they hated it.
The most recent topic is e-MTB bikes. The exact same thing is happening - so many people with critical opinions and so many people on their keyboards again letting everyone know how they feel, and mostly being A*holes about it. (Other, less debated but similar topics include SRAM XD-driver and SRAM DUB, Shimano Microspline, etc.)
I don't know if these people really feel like they dictate what is and isn't allowed in the sport/hobby, I don't know if they lack self esteem or need to feel like they are above everyone else, I don't know if they feel like they're what represents what a "real MTBer" is, but it's sad.
Why can't these people just let others ride and enjoy it? Why do these people constantly have a need to berate and insult and accuse others of "not being fit" or 'not earning it" or whatever?
What's somewhat amusing is the fact that most of the loudest opinionated people are also the most ignorant. They tend to simplify the topic and dumb it down so much in order to try to prove their point (example: the "if it has a motor, it is a motorcycle!" argument). Or they do the physically fit vs. fat lazy argument. The one I don't get the most is when people do the "suffer and earn it" argument. Just because they choose to, that means everyone else has to?
And yes - I will admit that I started this thread because of the current eMTB situation, since I am an eMTB rider myself (along with a non-E enduro bike and a non-E long travel park bike). But regardless of what the topic actually is, did you notice how many people online turn into A*holes?
Bike of the Day: http://bit.ly/rainesupreme
Bike Check #2 (sold): http://bit.ly/raine_mp29
Bike Check #3: TBA