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| My blinged-out Specialized Hard Rock and commuter/winter-ready Peugeot St. Laurent. |
The resurgence of 26" ATB bikes has been dominating conversations and predictions in 2026. Due to the rising cost of new bikes, tariff-affected component prices, and weirdly complicated internal routing, electronic shifting - you name it - there's a distinct backlash against new bicycles. Combine that with a demographic shift to Gen X and Z interest - buying used, like their preference for second-hand clothing - the buzz is centered around taking older bikes and converting them into usable, trendy transportation: think baskets, swoopy handlebars, colored grips, and wider/all-terrain tires.
In fact, in 2026 there are more 26" tires available than five years ago. 1980-90s bicycles are still found in garage sales, your parents' basement, Ebay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. The steel rigid mountain bike is easy to work on, upgradeable, accepts fenders, and can be converted to a cargo bike. Bicycle co-ops recondition and resell them for a reason. Our local non-profit, Old Spokes Home, specializes in rigid mountain bikes and will even customize one for you from the frame up, if that's your thing.
This interest is not lost on me, of course. I've owned and toured extensively on a 1986 Trek Antelope, and despite owning several bicycles, I will always prefer the elongated comfort of a sturdy older bike for many types of riding. I now own two!
(And don't get me started on the fiddly Presta valve trend - wish that one would disappear in favor of Schraeder valves for their strength and ease of use.👍)
Figures, just as soon as 26" tires become popular again, my trusty old steed develops a severe crack in the BB shell and the downtube. I'm still looking for a replacement my dearly departed circa 1989 GT Timberline.
ReplyDeleteUgh, noooo.
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