mitch1992

@watchmen: how could I forget the side stand!

@CustardCountry: Hey don’t get me wrong, it’s great that they are out and about and I agree with another commenter, would be an awesome way to enjoy your retirement and I hope to be able to do the same when I am that age. I was more making an observation that Treks original intentions or target market for the bikes has probably been adopted by an unintended market, that being the older generation using them more as commuters than burly mountain bikes. Maybe Trek have picked up on this and thought “how can we appeal to this market more”, thus tan walls. I highly doubt that is the case but it probably could appeal to that generation as they probably grew up around the time of the original tan walls, thus providing a nostalgic element. You can’t deny it is somewhat amusing to see bikes like this specified with burly components sporting nearly every accessory you can find on a bike shop wall that are usually intended for commuter style bikes. It does make you wonder how many salespeople see these people coming and take advantage of the situations to sell them things they probably don’t need.

Or its a masterstroke seeing as most Rails I see around in New Zealand are piloted by the "high vis brigade" (elderly pensioners in highvisibilty vests riding around cycleways to coffee shops). They are usually kitted out with the salesman special which includes but not limited too, full front and read mudguards, clip on handlebar mirror, tyres that are better suited to sealed cycleway riding, pannier bags, front and rear lights and a quadlock iPhone handlebar mount. You will probably think I am joking but it is a thing in NZ. Cashed up retirees walking into bike shops for the biggest and burliest eMTB only to ride it between their lifestyle village and the coffee shop or garden center. The salespersons defiantly see them coming and upsell them on every accessory they can fit on it. The tires are probably a good way to stand out and offer some nostalgia to the older generation.