Road Cycling - Poseur or not?

I finally got a road bike. A buddy bought this bike last spring on ebay, but it was a little too big for him. While he was deciding what he wanted to do with it, he ebayed another bike that fit him much better. He finally talked me into trying road biking, and lent me this extra bike. After the first mile I was in love with it. My years of MTB had not prepared me for the smooth, quick reeling away of the miles, or the beautiful finish work of road components and frames. This is my first road bike, and I anticipate riding this one for many years. Here's the question; it's a Colnago Dream. The thing came to me unexpectedly, I got a good deal on a beautiful bike, way more bike than my experience warrants. Would you consider me a poseur if I showed up for a shop ride? Honest opinions, please. (pics to follow if anyone wants to see it)

Originally posted by Buzzbomb
Here's the question; it's a Colnago Dream. The thing came to me unexpectedly, I got a good deal on a beautiful bike, way more bike than my experience warrants. Would you consider me a poseur if I showed up for a shop ride?
Yes because I don't have one.

Seriously, if you're strong enough and fast enough to keep up with everyone else then it doesn't matter.
Be prepared to spend some cash on a team jersey, shorts, and shoes to compliment the bike. ;)

Nope, I would call you a poser if you showed up to the shop ride talking crap and having matching everythign (including socks, helmet and gloves). It's not what you ride, I have people show up to our shop ride with early 90's Raleighs and CRUSH.

I have found that you will be judged by your equipment. Like RonH said if you can hang with the group you will be fine.

poseur? Nope, just be prepared to ride hard and safe. Your choice of equipment is just that; your choice.

Please post pics!!!! :D

As long as you don't pose as something you're not (a pro rider, King of the Mountain, etc) you should be fine. If you're humble about your bike and not spouting off crap and the people you ride with are rude, you shouldn't be riding with them anyway :)

You poser!!!!

;)

Nah... but I would probably get a chuckle if you showed up with the full clothing gear and bike- then again, I just have some generic bike myself, so the laugh wouldn't last long from me. :cry: :)

I'd love to see some pics.

Koffee

I will post some pics. As far as being all geared up, I'm tapped out from buying the bike, so I have some really old Shimano MTB clipless shoes (nice flat soles with no aggresive tread) I'm using with some Eggbeaters I had lying around. I got some Trek plain no pocket bike tee shirts (like running shirts but cut long in back) for 10 bucks apiece a while ago, and a few pair of Pearl Izumi shorts I've had forever.

Poseur?

Well, I thought a poseur was, by definition, a person pretending to be that which they are not. A poseur would be a recreational cyclist pretending to be a CAT 2. Or a CAT 2 pretending to be on a team on the Tour de France. Or a mechanically challenged person pretending to know how to fix a flat.

Just because you are riding a very nice bike, does not make you a poseur.

Of course, some people will figure you as one because your bike is "better" then your riding ability. I have wondered about this one. I mean it isn't like there is an objective standard that you have to meet at the bike shop to buy Shimano 105 and a higher standard to buy Ultegra. They will sell to anyone who has the cash.

I'm with you, Pat. I recognize quality, and in this case, was able to get a top of the line item, which is not always true for me. I'm just trying to get a feel for the reception I should anticipate at the first ride I show up for.

As long as you are humble and not cocky you should be fine. Nobody likes a cocky jerk. In fact, I put forth most of my effort just to beat someone that has that attitude. :D

Originally posted by dwatson
I have found that you will be judged by your equipment. Like RonH said if you can hang with the group you will be fine.
Judged by your equipment is crap.There's riders on mtb that could drop those guys in a group with that nicer equipment.I'd rather ride by myself anyday.

As Popeye says..." I yam what I yam" and buzz...you are what you are. Riding with the group on a regular basis will establish the kind of person and rider you are as far as the other riders are concerned...I hope you know yourself.

Originally posted by Buzzbomb
Would you consider me a poseur if I showed up for a shop ride? Honest opinions, please. (pics to follow if anyone wants to see it)

I wouldn't consider you a poser, but some will. Don't worry so much about what others think of you. Do your own thing, and have fun doing it!

BTW, post some pix - I'd love to see your machine! :)

Originally posted by Buzzbomb
I finally got a road bike. A buddy bought this bike last spring on ebay, but it was a little too big for him. While he was deciding what he wanted to do with it, he ebayed another bike that fit him much better. He finally talked me into trying road biking, and lent me this extra bike. After the first mile I was in love with it. My years of MTB had not prepared me for the smooth, quick reeling away of the miles, or the beautiful finish work of road components and frames. This is my first road bike, and I anticipate riding this one for many years. Here's the question; it's a Colnago Dream. The thing came to me unexpectedly, I got a good deal on a beautiful bike, way more bike than my experience warrants. Would you consider me a poseur if I showed up for a shop ride? Honest opinions, please. (pics to follow if anyone wants to see it)

Hey everyone steps in **** now and then. Enjoy the bike!! Screw everyone else. I mean, it's easy to see that because you're worried about it, you'll conduct yourself like the lucky guy who caught a break. If you tell the story the way you told it to us, the guys that you ride with will probably be more envious than caddy.

Enjoy yourself!

Originally posted by bac
[B]I wouldn't consider you a poser, but some will.

If you are riding with guys that have this attitude than find another group to ride with. You don't need it.

I would probably just drool on the bike. But I don't frequent club rides.

there will always be people who consider you a poser. applies to not only your ride, but your clothes--a frequent riding partner HATES pro-team kit, and i just bought a pair of postie shorts. most of those people, however, will either be incredibly fast super-riders who consider most everyone else beneath them, or folks who are just jealous of the sweet ride you've got. i've considered this factor as i'm also looking for a new bike, but i wouldn't worry about it for more than a second. just don't gloat. as soon as you do, you'll crash hard and trash that pretty frame of yours!

Not to worry. I am a person of mederate cycling abilities, who happens to have the financial ability to buy nice things, so I have a really nice bike with top of the line type stuff on it. I don't do the team clothing thing, and the only matching articles of clothing I have are, as the picture in my profile, patriotic stuff. When somebody accuses me of being a poser, make like I'm offended and inform them I am not a poseur, I am the King of all poseurs.

Originally posted by jkoman
As Popeye says..." I yam what I yam" and buzz...you are what you are. Riding with the group on a regular basis will establish the kind of person and rider you are as far as the other riders are concerned...I hope you know yourself.
Screw them.I dont care what they think and whatever it is wont make me better or worst of a rider.There xxxx smells like mine.

Buzzbomb I'm with bac on this one, he put's it just the way I say it..Be yourself and have fun doing that...Yeah there will be people who will criticize you and there will be people who will support you, what's important is what is being said by the people here, be yourself!! and enjoy that great bike!! Colonago's have some of the greatest paint jobs on this earth!!..

By the way I see you're in the suburbs of Detroit also, that's where I am also, if you don't mind me asking, where are you?? You wouldn't per chance ride with the wolverien's would you??

Enjoy and ride that great bike!!

Benjamin

Take this with a grain of salt: If you have to ask if something will make you a poseur or not it most certainly will. That said go ride.

Most definitely,
send me the colnago, I'll send you an old trek, has absolutely
no poseur value.

seriously, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks,
if you enjoy the bike, so be it.

Marty

To be quite honest, I really don't hear the term "poseur" used in the local road cycling community (hmmm, maybe because they don't want to hurt my feelings.). I have heard it plenty of times in the mountain biking crowd though.

However, if you think that the bike is too good for you, then I wouldn't get it.

Just ride baby. I also lucked into a better bike than my riding abilities. Now, I think I may have finally earned it. It's the strangest thing: the bike just goes faster and longer the more I ride it. It must be breaking in. :)

OK, just took some pics, gonna try to upload on this dialup....

I'm gonna try again.

POSEUR!!!!! ;)

Originally posted by bac
POSEUR!!!!! ;)

Of course, I'm kidding. Damn, that's one cooooooool looking frame/bike. Ride it with much pride!!!!!!

Colnagos are pieces of art. Anyone who thinks you are a poseur because you have good taste, is a moron. Congratulations on the beautiful bike. I find that I avoid alot of self imposed stress by riding alone, or with friends. Just enjoy yourself. After you get comfortable with the bike, and your speed comes up, your riding will answer all their questions.

One more

Hey, let 'em talk smack about you. Ride what you want to ride, enjoy your good taste and good luck.

Nice bike you solid poseur! :D j/k

I'm waiting for a photo of Mr. Buzzbomb before I decide.

Let the total miles accumulate on your cyclometer. Then when they say you are a poseur, you can show them how many miles youve gone.

Poseur, not! About half of the guys I ride with (including myself) just look cool & fast on our $4,000+ rigs. Screw what others think!...

George!!

Originally posted by The Fixer
Poseur, not! About half of the guys I ride with (including myself) just look cool & fast on our $4,000+ rigs. Screw what others think!...

George!!
It must hurt being that cool.

I would not call you a poseur but as others have pointed out there will be some that will either to your face or behind your back. Just ignore them. Also, you might get a little ribbing about the Shimano components on an Italian bike too... Don't let that bother you either. ;)

Nice bike porn! :beer:

As for what other club riders might think when you roll up on this beauty, just drop 'em all and they'll shut up.

If you are worried about being a poser, you probably aren't one. Posers are either completely self-aware, or oblivious to the fact that they are posers. Either way, they don't worry about it.

But, what do I know? I'm all show and no go myself.

Edit: P.S. Sweet bike!

Originally posted by shokhead
It must hurt being that cool.
Sometimes...... anyway, come ride with us in Pasadena. THE largest weekly training ride in the continental U.S.

If someone says anything, just tell the truth like you did here. You rode MTB, and your buddy convinced you to try riding road, plus gave you a great deal on a nice bike. Ask a few questions now and then, and you'll be able to tell quickly if they are a group you want to ride with or ignore.
If they do give you a hard time, I'll trade you my Trek 1000 for it.

My buddy showed up to a group ride with a TDF KOM jersey on. He got railed on pretty hard verbally (all in fun) but was really put to shame when we hit the climbs and he got dropped.

Now, just having a nice bike is not prob. Just don't be a cocky jerk like the others said. A person could have a beater bike and a big mouth and be as bad or worse. I bet you'll get into road so much you'll appreciate the nice equipment as opposed to having to spend time and money upgrading it or having to buy a new bike after 6 months.

Lastly, I bet you are pretty fit from mountain, yes? To be an official roadie, I think you have to go and shave your legs now, lol!*

*a week after I started road, I shaved--couldn't believe I'd ever do it.

Buzzbomb that is an AWESOME BIKE!!, the paint job and graphics on it are just the best!! I love conolgo's they are sooo pretty..And the tires match the frame and whole bike, very cool in my book!!..

Screw the people who call you a poser, as was said in this post, just put the miles on you'll get better and faster and you'll ride them off your wheel..Be yourself as I've said in the past and enjoy it..

Thanks for the pics, and enjoy that awesome ride!!


Benjamin

Awsome bike, Buzzbomb. Out of curiosity, what brand of rims are those?

I see a guy on a $5000 bike, I expect him to be faster than me. Otherwise, why would you own such a bike?

I was going to say i cant belive anyone would shave legs if they dont race but i wont.I'll just ride,get dropped and keep going.It would really be nice when the guys go past you to at least say,something.See ya,hi,on your left which i almost never here anymore and i also notice when i get passed,they seem to pass me a lot closer now.I guess they have to REALLY show me how cool they are.None of it really matters because i'm still riding.

Great looking bike Buzzbomb! I wouldn't worry about the poser thing. I'm new to road biking (I've been mountain biking for years) and I just picked up a brand new 2004 Trek 5200. I would be considered a poser too since I'm still new to this, but I wouldn't strut my bike around either. I had the means to get a nice bike and I knew the components that I wanted based on my MTB experience. Enjoy that sweet ride!

Teski

Originally posted by Laggard
I see a guy on a $5000 bike, I expect him to be faster than me. Otherwise, why would you own such a bike?

Maybe because they have the means and they want one? Maybe it was given to them as a gift? Maybe because... oh... as implausible as it may seem a friend of theirs offered one to them at a really great price? ;)

I see a guy on a $5000 bike, I expect him to like his bike and ride it.

Well put khoun. I hope Laggard is joking because otherwise it's a very arrogant and possibly a jealous statement.

Did I absolutely need a $2500 bike? No, but I knew what I wanted and had the means to get it, and I love my bike.

Teski