General Cycling Discussion - Which Group on These Forums is Most Bewildering?

Which group on these forums is the most bizarre to you? IOW, they really don't seem to make any sense to you. (At least their type of riding doesn't make sense.)

All of them make sense to me.

See ... that's the great thing about cycling: VERSATILITY!

There are many different types of cycling to appeal to our varied moods, or to appeal to many different types of people.

Personally, I ride a road bicycle, I ride in the winter, I ride a mountain bike, I commute, I ride recreationally, I have ridden recumbents, and I am a cycle tourist.

I am also an ultra-distance cyclist (Randonneur) which you did not mention in your list.

All of them make sense to me.



I am also an ultra-distance cyclist (Randonneur) which you did not mention in your list.

I mainly used types of cycling that are categorized on these forums. For veteran forum members we have been exposed to most of these categories for years. There is not a Randonneur forum that i am aware of so there isn't as much material to draw from.

I ride on the road on a road bike, but "roadies" are just WAY too fashion obsessed. Hanging out on the road forums is like listening to Joan Rivers at the Oscars, only more pathetic.

"Did you see what he's wearing? Doesn't he know it's gauche to wear a green jersey if he didn't win it on a sprint stage???"

"Ooooh, I just got a compact crank because I need lower gearing but I can't possibly be seen with a triple."

Can't we all just get along?

I ride on the road on a road bike, but "roadies" are just WAY too fashion obsessed. Hanging out on the road forums is like listening to Joan Rivers at the Oscars, only more pathetic.

"Did you see what he's wearing? Doesn't he know it's gauche to wear a green jersey if he didn't win it on a sprint stage???"

"Ooooh, I just got a compact crank because I need lower gearing but I can't possibly be seen with a triple."

I voted for Roadie as well. I just got a road bike this year but still don't get it. The whole culture is just too weird.

I pretty much confound myself mostly.

where the crap is the fixie option?


a bunch of young dudes with an odd sense of style that ride around on primitive type cycling gear.... how the crap can anyone be more bizarre?

Most of the "advocates" make no sense to me.

Fixies I find somewhat confusing, but at the same time intriguing. I like technology, but am intrigued by their love of simplicity.

Most of the "advocates" make no sense to me.

Good one.

I spend time on the Advocacy section and am confounded by how some "advocates" spend so much time posting misrepresentaions about dangers and risks on a bike.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

The Advocacy and Safety guys seem to be fighting relentless trench warfare over bike lanes. I find it amusing and puzzling at the same time.

The relentless pursuit of style and OCP points in the road section can be amusing (as I think it's intended to be, mostly) but after awhile all it makes me want to do is get on my bike and go for a quiet ride in the country without the slightest regard for anything but the sun the wind and the landscape.

The politics and religion forum makes my head want to explode.

from my short time on these forums lurking and posting, i would have to say the single speed and fixed gear forum is completely bewildering. that forum isn't about riding; it's about belonging and conforming to some bizarre group that still thinks drinking and being obnoxious is somehow a declaration of individuality. i guess being a cyclist doesn't mean you're more intelligent. the threads about "which xyz part looks best" also floor me. JMHO YMMV

Yeah. I failed to include fixed gear in the Poll. Maybe it is because although i have been a member here for over 2 years and posted over 2500 posts, i have never clicked on the fixed gear section. I have ZERO interest in it!

I voted for cyclocross simply because I have no clear idea what it is.

I voted for cyclocross simply because I have no clear idea what it is.

CX -Compact geometry road-type bikes that go offoad with heavier duty tires\rims.
XC -Mtn bikes that run mostly flatland offroad but not downhill as they are ridden seat up for speed.

I find fixed gear track bikes with persuit geometry running brakeless as commuters kinda wierd.
Not that there's anything wrong with wierd - or fixed.
Just sounds scary.

All of them make sense to me.

See ... that's the great thing about cycling: VERSATILITY!

There are many different types of cycling to appeal to our varied moods, or to appeal to many different types of people.

Personally, I ride a road bicycle, I ride in the winter, I ride a mountain bike, I commute, I ride recreationally, I have ridden recumbents, and I am a cycle tourist.

I am also an ultra-distance cyclist (Randonneur) which you did not mention in your list.

+1

Note to self: Add Machka to list of those who 'get it'

The one group I have the most trouble with is the mountain bike group. Most of the people over there are way to involved in riding big BMX bikes and talking about hucking, doing drops and other extreme stuff. It scares away more people than it appeals to. About 10% of all riders are interested in that stuff but it seems to take up 90% of the band width. We need more about ridin' and less about flyin'!

when will the poll be altered?

I'm thinking roadies, but I get them. Oddly, too, I'm kind of agreeing with Merton on this one - why is there no SS/Fix? We should be the ones that make the least sense to anyone. The OP even mentioned that he's never even entered the forum - does that mean he doesn't want to understand the extreme connection that we find with our bikes?

Blah, I'm not even going to vote. The only types of bikers I haven't been able to understand are people that commute on BMX bikes. There's one in my building, and I know he rides year round. WTF is up with that?

And jeff - I'm glad that you added "persuit geometry" to your post... Otherwise I'd have to explain myself ;)

you don't ride year round? daaaaaaammmmmmnnnn *shakes head*

The one group I have the most trouble with is the mountain bike group. Most of the people over there are way to involved in riding big BMX bikes and talking about hucking, doing drops and other extreme stuff. It scares away more people than it appeals to. About 10% of all riders are interested in that stuff but it seems to take up 90% of the band width. We need more about ridin' and less about flyin'!

Yeah, you see a lot of that. With the younger riders, that's what's bringing them into the sport so they ALWAYS want to talk about that. I think that the mountain bike section of forums probably has the most young guys, probably more so than the BMX section. I wouldn't let those guys scare you off, while I love droppin and huckin (I suck though), I still enjoy a nice flowy technical trail. Don't be shy, c'mon over, we'll show some love. :D

you don't ride year round? daaaaaaammmmmmnnnn *shakes head*

I ride year round too. In Minneapolis. -40F means my coworkers are late, not me. I just noticed that he rides year round because he leaves his bike in the hall and makes a puddle as the snow melts. So I know that he rides every day somewhere, probably commuting, and keeps his bike in the hall in the winter so it doesn't mess up his hardwood floors. I put down a blanket and wipe most of the snow off before entering the building.

Year round here is a little different than it is for you, Merton.

Yeah, you see a lot of that. With the younger riders, that's what's bringing them into the sport so they ALWAYS want to talk about that. I think that the mountain bike section of forums probably has the most young guys, probably more so than the BMX section. I wouldn't let those guys scare you off, while I love droppin and huckin (I suck though), I still enjoy a nice flowy technical trail. Don't be shy, c'mon over, we'll show some love. :D

Mtb is many disciplines\types of riding.

Cross country.
Freeride.
Downhill.
All mountain.
Single track.
Racing (in all cat's)
Trails.
Trials.
Rec\commuting.

Very diverse, possibly bewildering.
Eh..just get into the woods and do it wild.

I just ride a bike lots, like any type of cycling.
Have little to say to recumbent riders...'cept -anybody have some nice Carmichael cogs they don't need?
High chain tension rocks. No idlers please. :) Ya I'll be on a 'bent @ 60.

Oh and anybody have a 7spd index rear shifter not plastic Shimano body crap that your not using...please P.M me.
I'm busting 1 a year now it seems. :rolleyes:
Love ya all.
Peace.

you forgot ONE,, the Fixgear fellowship.

they will get my vote for sure...

Mtb is many disciplines\types of riding.

Cross country.
Freeride.
Downhill.
All mountain.
Single track.
Racing (in all cat's)
Trails.
Trials.
Rec\commuting.

Very diverse, possibly bewildering.
Eh..just get into the woods and do it wild.

I just ride a bike lots, like any type of cycling.
Have little to say to recumbent riders...'cept -anybody have some nice Carmichael cogs they don't need?
High chain tension rocks. No idlers please. :) Ya I'll be on a 'bent @ 60.

Oh and anybody have a 7spd index rear shifter not plastic Shimano body crap that your not using...please P.M me.
I'm busting 1 a year now it seems. :rolleyes:
Love ya all.
Peace.

Yes jeff we got it the first time.
;)

Yes jeff we got it the first time.
;)

Sorry, not sure if it's the forum or my 'puter, hiccup.

Can't we all just get along?
Not unless we can laugh at each other :D

Which group on these forums is the most bizarre to you? IOW, they really don't seem to make any sense to you. (At least their type of riding doesn't make sense.)

BMX. It's not that what they do doesn't make any sense to me, it's just that their equipment is so different from what the rest of us use. I love watching flatland freestyle stuff. Those guys do stuff that I KNOW can't be done and they make it look easy.

The one group I have the most trouble with is the mountain bike group. Most of the people over there are way to involved in riding big BMX bikes and talking about hucking, doing drops and other extreme stuff. It scares away more people than it appeals to. About 10% of all riders are interested in that stuff but it seems to take up 90% of the band width. We need more about ridin' and less about flyin'!

What!!!!!!! If you doin' it right you'll be flying about half the time anyway.Don't be scared you won't get hurt reading about it.I'm just jokin' ya know,don't get all mad. :D I just like riding but I do have trouble with the whole snob/roadie thing.

where the crap is the fixie option?


a bunch of young dudes with an odd sense of style that ride around on primitive type cycling gear.... how the crap can anyone be more bizarre?

Added. Simply because I find them the oddest. Their sense of self imposed independence and rebellion is the oddest personality I have encountered since coming here.




The one group I have the most trouble with is the mountain bike group. Most of the people over there are way to involved in riding big BMX bikes and talking about hucking, doing drops and other extreme stuff. It scares away more people than it appeals to. About 10% of all riders are interested in that stuff but it seems to take up 90% of the band width. We need more about ridin' and less about flyin'!



While I don't disagree, I never understand why it scares people. One topic (posing in roadies and hucking in mtb) shouldn't be enough to scare away people. Are people that weak that they can't post other things. Besides I think you are over exaggerating. There are only a few of us dhiller in there now. Most have retired to dh/fr specific sites.Nows its questions about which bike to buy and what kind of fork to run haha

The advocates have been added as well :)

Thanks Bro.

While I don't disagree, I never understand why it scares people. One topic (posing in roadies and hucking in mtb) shouldn't be enough to scare away people. Are people that weak that they can't post other things. Besides I think you are over exaggerating. There are only a few of us dhiller in there now. Most have retired to dh/fr specific sites.Nows its questions about which bike to buy and what kind of fork to run haha

Aint that the truth.

While I don't disagree, I never understand why it scares people. One topic (posing in roadies and hucking in mtb) shouldn't be enough to scare away people. Are people that weak that they can't post other things. Besides I think you are over exaggerating. There are only a few of us dhiller in there now. Most have retired to dh/fr specific sites.Nows its questions about which bike to buy and what kind of fork to run haha

It's not scary, it's just =tiresome=. And at least in the road forums it leads to all kinds of bad advice leading to inappropriate setup, sizing, and equipment selection.

It's not scary, it's just =tiresome=. And at least in the road forums it leads to all kinds of bad advice leading to inappropriate setup, sizing, and equipment selection.

True enough. In mountain biking we only get pics, stories and competitions. Definately not a good thing haha :D

You forgot "folders." ;)

I can identify with all of the sub-groups having participated in a lot of these activities but I really have no idea why more people don't have a folding bike on their sometimes-long list of bikes - especially when I hear issues like "theft" and "no secure storage area" come up. BRING THE THING INSIDE WITH YOU!!!

</rant>

Thank you. ;)

It's not scary, it's just =tiresome=. And at least in the road forums it leads to all kinds of bad advice leading to inappropriate setup, sizing, and equipment selection.

Mtbing -1st page.

Mountain Biking - Click here to start a new thread. Forum Tools Search this Forum
Thread Last Post Replies Views

Sticky: Best of the Mountain Biking forum. ( 1 2 )

Sticky: Please Read Before asking Question: MTB FAQ.

southeast forum ride ( 1 2 )

60km All-Mountain ride!

Where to order?

Sun Ringle vs. Alex Rims

Hayes vs. Hope

Oury grips

Rockhopper worth 500 new?

Moved: big problems.

grip removal

Is this acceptable service from my LBS?

other 29er manufacturers

Inseam - 14" = proper frame size?

New Parts finally arrived

Looking for a specific recommendation...

MTB SpeedDisc vs. Vuelta Vision XRP

could someone post something for me?

Exercises for the off season

What's the difference between all mountain and trail

freeride hardtail frame

Florida friends - I'll be riding at Alafia Sunday..

Can't Decide Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo or Montare

Polar computer

Sumbit your own mtb prototype from paint.. ( 1 2 3 )

Manitou Spring on a Rock Shox coil shock.

Talk me out of a 2005 Coiler

Chronic crank looseness

Bike Got Dunked

used carbon frame?

GT Aggressor 3.0 Worth 100 Bucks?

Kona Blast vs HardRock ( 1 2 )

Motobecane FS bike

Card Ideas

rockhopper vs rockhopper comp

SantaCruz Jackal

re-gearing up MTB for singletrack

Dual crown forks

Tires

Norco VPS Atomic

What's up with so many different axle sizes?

Has this happened to anyone? ( 1 2 )

Time Z Control pedals

Chris King Pretty and Strong Stemcap

Specialized: Enduro vs. Stumpjumper. What's the difference?

Light and Motion Arc HID first ride...

Can i put a chain guide on my bike?

Bike choices

My Bike Parts Are Coming!!! My Bike Parts Are Coming!!!

How'bout the "Real" hub?

biking in nyc

Crankpuller for Hollowtech

Not a mention of a huck or drop. Geez, we must be slacking off.

I voted for winter cyclists because we are bizarre. ;)

Can I change my vote to the 'advocates' - I swear there's aliens afoot in them thar threads.

Not a mention of a huck or drop. Geez, we must be slacking off.


We must do better, whats wrong with all of us. :p

how do you bunny hop with platforms?

While I don't disagree, I never understand why it scares people. One topic (posing in roadies and hucking in mtb) shouldn't be enough to scare away people. Are people that weak that they can't post other things. Besides I think you are over exaggerating. There are only a few of us dhiller in there now. Most have retired to dh/fr specific sites.Nows its questions about which bike to buy and what kind of fork to run haha

Look at your avatar. Most people don't like to fall off things. I ride and I ride hard but riding across suspended 2x4's just scares the willies out of me! People, normal people with calcium in their bones, are intimidated by most of what they see in the mountain bike group. Granted it's not all about free-riding, drops and BMX for big kids but it is a large component of that group. Mountain biking isn't just a young man's sport but that's the way it's perceived. There really isn't much there that would appeal to a novice. I'm not a novice and there really isn't much there that appeals to me.

For example there was a recent series of post on pictures of your favorite rides. Nearly every one of the pictures provided was of things that people with families and mortgages would probably avoid (i.e. us old folks ;)) because their wives haven't got the life insurance paid up yet! I probably wouldn't post any of my rides because I'd be laughed at for them not being "hard" enough.

I love mountain biking but I don't love it for the trails or the thrill but for the places that it takes me. I can have a wonderful day on old railbeds that thread Colorado or old dirt roads out on the Colorado plains or even on some wickedly gnarly single track but the bike is only a tool to take me to those places, not the main point.

What!!!!!!! If you doin' it right you'll be flying about half the time anyway.Don't be scared you won't get hurt reading about it.I'm just jokin' ya know,don't get all mad. :D I just like riding but I do have trouble with the whole snob/roadie thing.

I already read the forum and post in it but, and maybe this is what is bugging me, mountain biking is developing it's own brand of snobbishness. It kind of Balkanizing which I don't think is good for the sport in the long run. Just look at the list from Jeff Williams. Used to be that all of that fit under "mountain biking". Now it's just a confusing mishmash of different techniques and equipment. Look at the confusion that reigns about what is an all-mountain bike or a XC bike or a free-ride bike. The differences are slight but the confusion is large. With the possible exception of full on downhillers and XC racing, all three of those bikes could be used for the same thing without the world coming to an end.

Look at your avatar. Most people don't like to fall off things. I ride and I ride hard but riding across suspended 2x4's just scares the willies out of me! People, normal people with calcium in their bones, are intimidated by most of what they see in the mountain bike group. Granted it's not all about free-riding, drops and BMX for big kids but it is a large component of that group. Mountain biking isn't just a young man's sport but that's the way it's perceived. There really isn't much there that would appeal to a novice. I'm not a novice and there really isn't much there that appeals to me.

For example there was a recent series of post on pictures of your favorite rides. Nearly every one of the pictures provided was of things that people with families and mortgages would probably avoid (i.e. us old folks ;)) because their wives haven't got the life insurance paid up yet! I probably wouldn't post any of my rides because I'd be laughed at for them not being "hard" enough.

I love mountain biking but I don't love it for the trails or the thrill but for the places that it takes me. I can have a wonderful day on old railbeds that thread Colorado or old dirt roads out on the Colorado plains or even on some wickedly gnarly single track but the bike is only a tool to take me to those places, not the main point.

I guess thats what I love about mountain biking. It is anything and everything. Railbeds, to fireroads climbing up tall mountains, to single track burried in the backcountry. Climbing, descending. Drops, hucks and full on speed are all part of that. My riding is unique, I post the rides because I enjoy them. Some people don't and some people would never ride them. But I still love to see pics of spots around the world. Regardless of difficulty. Sometimes the view can make the ride more than the terrain.

And I guess in my world I don't see gender as a factor. My gf, my aunt in law and all of my female friends ride and 'hang' with the best of us. There just isn't an x-factor in regards to gender that I see in this area.

Aren't there people riding road bikes for sport, some for transportation, some as recreation. I just don't see how that is any different than mountain biking have trail riders, xc racers, downhillers and freeriders.

I already read the forum and post in it but, and maybe this is what is bugging me, mountain biking is developing it's own brand of snobbishness. It kind of Balkanizing which I don't think is good for the sport in the long run. Just look at the list from Jeff Williams. Used to be that all of that fit under "mountain biking". Now it's just a confusing mishmash of different techniques and equipment. Look at the confusion that reigns about what is an all-mountain bike or a XC bike or a free-ride bike. The differences are slight but the confusion is large. With the possible exception of full on downhillers and XC racing, all three of those bikes could be used for the same thing without the world coming to an end.

The confusion is definately a problem. I wish the industry would just narrow it down. I see some very distinct lines in xc race, trail, and dh/fr. The xc race, xc, trail, all mountain, fr, fr ht and downhill sub-divisions are just ridiculous and more counter productive than useful.

I already read the forum and post in it but, and maybe this is what is bugging me, mountain biking is developing it's own brand of snobbishness. It kind of Balkanizing which I don't think is good for the sport in the long run. Just look at the list from Jeff Williams. Used to be that all of that fit under "mountain biking". Now it's just a confusing mishmash of different techniques and equipment. Look at the confusion that reigns about what is an all-mountain bike or a XC bike or a free-ride bike. The differences are slight but the confusion is large. With the possible exception of full on downhillers and XC racing, all three of those bikes could be used for the same thing without the world coming to an end.
I don't see the snobbishness( is that a made up word) around here. I just ride. I love to be in the woods on a good trail with some friends. A typical group that I ride with will have a couple of freeride go big types,some XC racers and some rec type trail riders. We just go out and have fun.As far as what the different bikes do and the differences being slight,try to race XC on a freeride rig or huck a 20 pound race bike. The difference is huge. Sorry, I said huck. :p

I'm surprised car free isn't here. :)

Fixies. And yet I feel strangely compelled to make one of my own...

I already read the forum and post in it but, and maybe this is what is bugging me, mountain biking is developing it's own brand of snobbishness. It kind of Balkanizing which I don't think is good for the sport in the long run. Just look at the list from Jeff Williams. Used to be that all of that fit under "mountain biking". Now it's just a confusing mishmash of different techniques and equipment. Look at the confusion that reigns about what is an all-mountain bike or a XC bike or a free-ride bike. The differences are slight but the confusion is large. With the possible exception of full on downhillers and XC racing, all three of those bikes could be used for the same thing without the world coming to an end.


Look at the confusion that reigns about what is an all-mountain bike or a XC bike or a free-ride bike.

With the possible exception of full on downhillers and XC racing, all three of those bikes could be used for the same thing.




>-
>>^.
>>>^^ CX.
>>>>>>>>>>>>^^^Offroad.XC racing.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>^^^XC.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>^^^^All mountain






>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>^^^^^>Freeride












>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>^^^^^^Down hill.
5 and hybrid\custom.
Bring a camera.
Build a bike.
Ride a bike.
Thanks.
Jef.
^
*

Advocates

Spend to much tme arguing whether or not you should ride on the sidewalk.

Just go out and ride.

(Didn't mean to offend any advocates)