Geoffrey Moore wrote the book on adopting technology. He called it Crossing the Chasm. Moore begins with the diffusion of innovations theory from Everett Rogers, and argues there is a chasm between the early adopters of the product (the technology enthusiasts and visionaries) and the early majority (the pragmatists). Moore believes visionaries and pragmatists have very different expectations.
So what about Mountain Bikers? Are there laggards? Innovators? Early Majorities? I'm sure you could apply Moore's theory of adopting technology to our sport, easily. Why? Well have you been on a Specialized frame lately? Those things are like computers! Off topic here, I went to a bike shop yesterday and looked at a 2008 Specialized s-works. It costs $7000!!! But let's talk about technology in mountain biking.
Just a few years ago, the vast "majority" of us weren't on dual suspension mountain bikes. A few years before that and we didn't have suspension at all. However, Ned Overend did; he had both. I don't want to suggest that Pros are the only "innovators" at the far left end of the spectrum, but they do adopt early - maybe forced adoption??? So here's how I would picture adoption for mountain bikers:
On the far left you have the MTB lovers who love everything mountain biking. They ride every day and will buy the new stuff. They want to be on the cutting edge and realize that new technology may not work for them. On the far right, you have everyone else. These riders go out once a week. They probably don't upgrade their bike for many years. They DEMAND that a bike work, even though it may not be the best quality and they buy the newest technology after it is two years old and on sale.
So what about Mountain Bikers? Are there laggards? Innovators? Early Majorities? I'm sure you could apply Moore's theory of adopting technology to our sport, easily. Why? Well have you been on a Specialized frame lately? Those things are like computers! Off topic here, I went to a bike shop yesterday and looked at a 2008 Specialized s-works. It costs $7000!!! But let's talk about technology in mountain biking.
Just a few years ago, the vast "majority" of us weren't on dual suspension mountain bikes. A few years before that and we didn't have suspension at all. However, Ned Overend did; he had both. I don't want to suggest that Pros are the only "innovators" at the far left end of the spectrum, but they do adopt early - maybe forced adoption??? So here's how I would picture adoption for mountain bikers:
On the far left you have the MTB lovers who love everything mountain biking. They ride every day and will buy the new stuff. They want to be on the cutting edge and realize that new technology may not work for them. On the far right, you have everyone else. These riders go out once a week. They probably don't upgrade their bike for many years. They DEMAND that a bike work, even though it may not be the best quality and they buy the newest technology after it is two years old and on sale.
Comments