General Cycling Discussion - Confessions of a Bike Snob.

Ok, I'm probably going to get blasted for this
but I confess, I am a bike snob.
Let me explain.
I believe that sewups ride better than clinchers,
and I'm not adverse to saying so. I believe that
I can tell the difference between a cheap sewup tire
and an expensive one in the way it rides, and corners,
and think the exorbedent prices are justified.
This isn't objective, Its just what I believe.
I believe that steel is the material of choice for a
road frame (well maybe Ti also), I won't even bother
looking at an Aluminium frame.
I believe that a Richard Sachs, Ben Serotta, Seven,
and other custom frames are worthwhile goals.
I believe that Campy components are inherrently better
than Shimano, simply because Campy is Italian and has
been building components for a long time. Its a tradition
thing (thats not to say that Shimano is bad stuff, its
just MY preference).
I believe there is no room for mountain bike inspired
components on a classic Italian steel frame. I don't like
the new threadless stuff, and the stems are for the most part
butt ugly (again in my not so humble opinion ).
A quill stem in proper silver like the Deda Murex, is
aesthetically more pleasing to me than a Salsa S.U.L.
The tic,tic,tic,tic of my Suntour winner freewheel
is more pleasing than the CLICK,CLICK,CLICK of my wife's
Daytona Freehub. (whats with that anyway?).
I believe that there are valid reasons for spending
$140 for a pair of bib shorts (although my wife doesn't
quite see the logic in this :lol: ).
This has nothing to do with the bike YOU ride,
nor the way that you ride. I don't care if you have
an Xmart bike, or a Colnago C40, I don't care if you
ride 10 miles a day or 100 miles.
I care about the people, I'll try to answer questions,
I've asked my share of stoopid questions, still do and will
continue to. We all started out as newbies, ableit some of us
did this a long time ago . I'll talk to anyone
when I'm out on the road, just don't expect me to stop my
training/cadence/zone just to chit chat, find me at a rest stop.
I'll help fix a flat, and won't even get too upset that you
don't have a decent pump (and not one of those minipumps) or
C02 cartridges, I'll even use one of mine.
I might even spring for a tube if you're really in
a pinch (no pun intended).
Yes, I'm a bike snob, a roadie elitist whatever, but above
all I'm a bike rider.
Let the flames begin.

Marty

Bike Snobs Anonymous

I'm OmahaRider and I'm a bike snob-----sniff sniff

Ok, I'm probably going to get blasted for this, but I confess, I am a bike snob.

No you're not. You are a bike elitist, an entirely different animal.

You offer help and talk with others, you change their flats, you don't look down on someone with a "lesser" bike. Snobs don't do those things.

Nothing wrong with being an elitist. I wouldn't mind owning a Seven, myself!!

Denver,
Cool pages on your home site. I have a couple questions;
do you have a closer pic of your blue/black jerseys from the ride of the rockies? They look cool, tell us about it.

Also, where did you get the 3-wheeler? What kind is it? Looks cool!

Originally posted by RacerX
Denver,
Cool pages on your home site. I have a couple questions;
do you have a closer pic of your blue/black jerseys from the ride of the rockies? They look cool, tell us about it.

Also, where did you get the 3-wheeler? What kind is it? Looks cool!

Sorry, no better pics. Might be some on their web site.

http://www.ridetherockies.com/

Each year they have a different design/color on their jerseys, which are given to each rider as a part of the registration fee. RTR is an annual ride through Colorado mountains and passes, over about 7 days and 400-500 miles or thereabouts, featuring a significant amount of elevation gain. About 2,500 folks in all attend, although they tell you it is only 2,000.

The 3 wheeler is for my son, who is handicapped. It is of no special brand, and they are available through special order through a good bike store. Also, Wal-Mart has or used to carry them. He really enjoys riding on the trails around here. We are fortunate to live right on a bike trail where he can go and ride while I walk alongside him (Oops, I think I said a naughty word there - bike path). He visits us on weekends where we do this together. His sister-in-law sometimes roller blades with us, also.

Thanks for the comments!!

Im a little snobbie, I like owning equipment that is much better than my abilities warrent. I would rather own a 12 year old Dura Ace crank than what ever that 41 dollars would have bought new, I think the Campy Victory is one of the prettiest cranks made. I won't even look in the bike department of megamart except to see what awfull c*ap they are sellin this year. I spend considerable time hunting up old componets to keep my bikes running, but I enjoy doing it!!! I like index but switch to friction sometimes just for the practice. My ideal frame is of lugged steel with longish chainstays and room for 32mm rubber. I get new bike lust but the price tag cures it every time.
How ever I will try to help any cyclest with their questions or repairs, while teaching them enough to do it themselves the next time. I try not to pass judgment on other poorly equiped cyclest because they are out there riding, not parked on the sofa or in a gas hog.:thumbup: :roflmao: kev is done ranting

I'll join Lotek in the snob category and be proud while doing it.

I can count on the fingers of no hand the bikes that look better than my Basso with Campy SR. (Aren't those black anodized rear derailleurs beautiful?) Even my "modern" Ergo bike is a "proper" bike, that is lugged Italian steel with Campy components.

I spend an inordinate amount of time riding/fixing/talking about/etc. bicycles. I teach for a living and the computer in my classroom no longer has the school mascot as it's wallpaper. A Graham Watson photo of Lance and Jan sprinting side by side has replaced it.

Here's to snobbery!


:beer:

I'm probably a snob too. When I'm on an organized ride and I pass people, especially women, who are riding mtn bikes and comfort bikes I always think "I wonder why your trying to ride 40, 50, whatever miles on that kind of bike, don't you realize I'm passing you because I'm on a road bike!" However, as I pass them I always greet them with a comment about the weather or whatever seems appropriate so I don't seem too snobby. At least they're out there trying.
I also appreciate how hard it is, at least was for me. I used to try to do 50 milers on a Fuji Royale Mixte Frame. In 81 it was the only bike I could find small enough (only because of the womans frame). It was heavy and way too big but I didn't know any better. I was a slow rider and walked a lot of hills. I almost gave up riding bikes because I didn't enjoy it. When I bought the Cannondale I realized how much easier the bike made a long ride and a whole new world of cycling was opened up to me.
I also wonder if an of you think these guys are snobs. On organized rides or tours I often see guys on these really nice Litespeeds, Treks or Cannondales and their wives or SO's are riding a comfort bike or mtn. bike. If they are good enough for a nice road bike why aren't the women with them? What do they say when the women say long distance riding is too hard and they don't want to it again? Do they get them a comparable bike or just leave them at home the next time? Please someone, explain this mystery to me!

Yeah yeah.
So you are saying you like the best of the best. The Elite of all things.

My question is... WHO DOESN'T??

Yeah if I had the option I would love to have all the stuff you listed, who wouldn't? That's top of the line shi*t.

The reason people don't go with the absoloute best gear is not usually cause they don't care or don't like having them, but it's due to money and other resources.

I got a road bike that I love. I love it. It's not the hands down best there is, but it's practicial not only physically, but also practical for my wallet.

I did have the money to spend twice as much, and my components would have been quite better, but I wouldn't be as happy as I am now, cause when I'm on the ride I'd be too worried about the hefty university tuition I gotta pay off two months from now instead of enjoying the smooth blissful shifting of a Campy group set that I just spent my tuition reserves on.

snobs are pricks. biking is biking. get what's right for you and don't worry about what others are doing.


If I'm passing a chick, the last thing I'm looking at or thinking about is her bike! Priorities man!

As a piglet in a man's world, I've earned my bragging rights!
It wasn't until 1995 that bike companies started recognizing the needs of small riders. That's when Cannondale came out with their compact frames. When I bought my Fuji in 1981 I had to buy a mixte (female) frame because I couldn't straddle the tt on a wedgie frame. Even though they called it a female frame it still was based on the size of an average man (longer tt, cranks, handlebars, etc.) The bike was bigger than me!
After I bought my compact I thought I was in heaven. I never had a bike that was so perfect. I began to ride more, longer distance and tours. However, I outgrew the bike. When aluminum gets small it gets stiff. I felt the road shock all over my body. I even put a cf fork on it, but at the end of a long ride I felt like I had been running a jack hammer all day. So, I finally gave up on it. I wasn't sure I wanted to do custom and I knew I didn't want aluminum but very few of the companies making steel, ti or carbon were making small enough frames. That's how I ended up with my Aegis. Not only do they make a small frame but its spec'd in small sizes.
But the story doesn't end here. I put my 105/campy mix on the Aegis. This year when I wanted to do all Campy I faced another roadblock. Campy doesn't make a 165 crankarm! I had planned to get chorus but the only way I could get the crankarm was to do dura-ace cranks with record everything else. It was through this website that I found Peter White and Specialities TA. Not only did I get a compatible crankset but also smaller chainrings which now enable me to spin at 90 - 100 rpm in my big chainring! Oh, and even though my tt length was correct I still didn't have a slight bend in my arms, even with Terry handlebars, so I got the Deda 4 girls handlebars which are short reach and now my reach is perfect.
I spent a lot of money on this bike because I figure that it's the only road bike I will ever have. This bike is built to my specifications. I had to educate the shop on what I needed because they didn't know or think about some of the components that would be effective for me.
So when you debate on what bike to buy, which material is better, etc. think of me. I can't walk into a shop and ride 3 or 4 different frames for comparison. If I weren't a piglet in a man's world I too would probably riding an average Cannondale or Trek.
It's probably good though because I'd have 10 or 20 bikes in the garage instead of 3.

Originally posted by RacerX
snobs are pricks. biking is biking. get what's right for you and don't worry about what others are doing.


If I'm passing a chick, the last thing I'm looking at or thinking about is her bike! Priorities man!


Nail. Head. BAM!

RacerX? I am waiting form my Switchblade to come in. HOOWAH!

Originally posted by lotek
Yes, I'm a bike snob, a roadie elitist whatever, but above
all I'm a bike rider.

Tell it!

Good post!

I don`t care about snobs, do whatever you like!
I feel allright in my cheap shorts and nameless coolmax shirt, i ride for fun, body and soul!

I ride for myself and myself only... :)


biking is biking. get what's right for you and don't worry about what others are doing.

Cheers to that!

Originally posted by RacerX
[B]Denver,
Cool pages on your home site. I have a couple questions;
do you have a closer pic of your blue/black jerseys from the ride of the rockies? They look cool, tell us about it.[B]

There should be some pretty incredible pictures of this year's ride. I remember one in the Denver Post of some cyclists wearing bandanas over their mouths to minimize smoke inhalation. My understanding is that the roads that they're using are also being used by firefighting crews to reach the Missionary Ridge blaze. Top that with a visibility of 150 feet in some areas and you have a challenge to remember. I have to applause these people doing it this year in such horrible conditions. Cheers! :beer:

Originally posted by toolfreak
I don`t care about snobs, do whatever you like!
I feel allright in my cheap shorts and nameless coolmax shirt, i ride for fun, body and soul!

I ride for myself and myself only... :)



Cheers to that!
I am absolutely with you toolfreak!!! It's all comfort and am I having fun.:beer:

Have you seen the Exogrid frames? Awesome. I am going to get a FCR one of these days too.


Originally posted by Baboon



Nail. Head. BAM!

RacerX? I am waiting form my Switchblade to come in. HOOWAH!

I can dig the snob thing. I'm not really a bike snob myself, but I appreciate a good snob when I see one.

A bike shop is a good place for snob watching. I went to a shop in a large metropolitan area near Dallas recently--OK, it was IN Dallas, but I'm trying to keep this anonymous.

Anyway, I went there to buy a new bike; and before I knew it, the shop owner had me test-riding a very expensive aluminum bike which I really didn't want.

Taking a breather back in the shop, I noticed another customer looking at me disdainfully. This cat had a thin-tube, steel, custom-made, British bike up on the trainer, getting fitted for a new seat height or something. His bike was a light blue color and very understated. Ah, I thought, a true bike snob.

That convinced me not to buy the aluminum job that had "MOST EXPENSIVE BIKE IN THE SHOP" written all over it.

I made a more realistic choice and left the shop with a new Reynolds 853 steel frame bike that cost considerably less and fit my riding style better.

So I say send in the snobs.

Condor

PS: I helped a guy on a beautiful Italian bike change his flat the day before.
and used a mini-pump to inflate his tire.

Originally posted by toolfreak
I don`t care about snobs, do whatever you like!
I feel allright in my cheap shorts and nameless coolmax shirt, i ride for fun, body and soul!

Yeah, me too. Snobbery clobbery. :crash:

But....I am anxious to soon be sporting one of those extra-neat bikeforum.net jerseys! :D

Condor

Uh, would that shop happen to have the initials
RBM? :lol:
I know a guy rides a $3k Serotta Ti frame, no stickers
no Decals, very understated (I like that look) Very
elitist in his kit/gear etc.
The Italian bike? at white rock lake?
where do you ride?

Marty

Originally posted by lotek
Condor

Uh, would that shop happen to have the initials
RBM? :lol:
I know a guy rides a $3k Serotta Ti frame, no stickers
no Decals, very understated (I like that look) Very
elitist in his kit/gear etc.
The Italian bike? at white rock lake?
where do you ride?

Marty


Marty, the shop had different initials, but you are right about White Rock Lake. Was that you with the flat on a blue Italian bike?

I love riding around White Rock when I'm in town. I grew up in Dallas and learned to sail on the lake. I like to ride there, enjoy the view, check out other riders, and generally enjoy myself.

My bike is a Fuji Roubaix-Pro that I bought at Jack Johnston Bicycles. The owner, Alan, was very helpful, as was the great man Jack Johnston himself. Jack helped me choose my bike, get fitted on it, and pick out accessories. He even swapped a 42mm handlebar off a smaller Roubaix to fit me. The stock 44 was too wide.

I chose the muted, steel Roubaix over a screaming-yellow aluminum Team. I'm a recreational rider who does about 10 miles a day near the Mississippi Gulf Coast and pretends it's White Rock Lake.

Condor,

Nah, I'm riding an 18 year old Trek, High snobbery stuff there!
and I have frame pump and (shudder) CO2 cartridges.
I am building Blue Serotta, so maybe that will be me!
I like white rock, I usually park aways from the lake, and
take the trail into the lake, then avoid the trail like the plague.
The funny thing is White rock is THE place to be seen on your
new, RBM eyetalian ride (no, I have nothing against Italian
steel, in fact I kind of lust after it). alot of the fancy bikes there
are poseur status machines (oh god, the poseur/phred thread
raises its ugly head), goes with the SUVs and BMWs.
Jack Johnston Bicycles where's that? I'm a relative
newcomer here (moved here in 94 then off to Europe
and Africa for the next 6.5 years.)
may have to check them out.

Marty