General Cycling Discussion - Local Animosity

There is some severe issues occurring locally and I wonder if it is just a local problem or a national issue as well.

Here, there seems to be a large amount of animosity between pure cyclists and triathletes. The local club has decided to ban trial bikes from the group rides which means six of my favorite riding partners will not be joining the rides anymore.

This all stems from ONE person on a tri bike which has some issues shifting while riding in a pace line. Recently this same cyclist CRASHED while riding a road bike.

The cycling club decided to ban TT/Tri bikes despite the local triathletes asking them to handle things on an individual basis.

I just wonder, is this kind of bitterness a universal thing or purely local? I am a little new to the world of cycling. Please tell me how things work at your local cycling club.

This is a huge generality, but... Tri- athletes don't generally work out in pacelines, and so their pacelining skills tend to be sloppy at best. I think it should be decided on an individual basis, but it's entirely reasonable to bar squirrely riders from a paceline. I know I wouldn't want one two bikes up in front of me.

Don't some clubs ban tri bikes because the aero bars can cause problems when riders are close together?

Don't some clubs ban tri bikes because the aero bars can cause problems when riders are close together?

I don't see how they could assuming the rider stays off the aerobars while in the paceline.

Pacelines are a crutch for weak riders to lean on... tri riders don't need them.

it's entirely reasonable to bar squirrely riders from a paceline. I know I wouldn't want one two bikes up in front of me.

I agree completely with the banning on an individual basis, but the local cycling purest are being quite adamant about banning all triathlon bikes. I ride with the triathletes every Sunday. I have never seen them wreck.

Unfortunately, the cycling club has had frequent and devastating wrecks (none which have been related to people on triathlon bikes). Locally most of the triathletes seem to be the most stable riders, yet they are being singled out despite the fact none of the wrecks have been their fault.

Pacelines are a crutch for weak riders to lean on... tri riders don't need them.

That is true, but locally the triathletes are seeking out camaraderie, but time after time they are being insulted and treated like dirt by the local cycling club. They are only really wanting to socialize, but they are being kept out.

Damn triathletes!!! Get off my lawn!

Damn triathletes!!! Get off my lawn!

haha Isn't that a tri bike in you avatar pic?

Pacelines are a crutch for weak riders to lean on... tri riders don't need them.

:roflmao2:

That is true, but locally the triathletes are seeking out camaraderie, but time after time they are being insulted and treated like dirt by the local cycling club. They are only really wanting to socialize, but they are being kept out.

I hear what you're saying. Why don't the tri riders join, or start up, a tri club?

That is true, but locally the triathletes are seeking out camaraderie, but time after time they are being insulted and treated like dirt by the local cycling club. They are only really wanting to socialize, but they are being kept out.

Finally! A news story of such importance to knock the Michael Jackson death/memorial circus out of the top spot.

haha Isn't that a tri bike in you avatar pic?

Holy ****! It is! What is that doing there?!?! Some o' dem damn triath-uh-letes m,usta snuck it up to my house!

At the local non-drop ride that I ride on, two of the organizers are triathletes. They also ride in a Sunday ride which is faster. So I assume it's not a big deal around here.

They don't have aerobars- not sure if they use different bikes for the triathlons or what.

If the local cyclists are having problems with devastating crashes without triathletes involved, are you sure that's really the group you WANT to ride with? Maybe you should be banning them, instead of the other way around.

I ride all week outta our shop, well mostly mon-sat, anyway, we have some serious racers that ride and some triathelets too. They normall are only out on the sat ride and a couple hae made me nervous, but they usually get dropped when I do, or just before (I still getting some miles on my legs) and I have found myself pulling them back in or getting seperated all together. It might be no drop, but I gotta get back to work.

I hear what you're saying. Why don't the tri riders join, or start up, a tri club?

Well, the local running club has enough triathletes to ride on Sunday, but during the week there are never enough people due to diverse work schedules.

If the local cyclists are having problems with devastating crashes without triathletes involved, are you sure that's really the group you WANT to ride with? Maybe you should be banning them, instead of the other way around.

:roflmao2: I had not even thought of that.

FWIW this is what our bike club uses for guidelines for pace lines http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/bikingsafety.pdf

BTW...

If my easedropping is right, there is a problem between the runner's club and tri's, I think something having to deal with insurance and liability of possible sponserships or something like that.

I think they were helping to do clinics for riding and maintenance (ie. flat fixing etc.), but I could have misheard.

Tri cyclists are welcome to join recumbent group rides

Haha we're all cyclist. It's really funny to me that animosity exists like that in some areas.

There is some severe issues occurring locally and I wonder if it is just a local problem or a national issue as well.

Here, there seems to be a large amount of animosity between pure cyclists and triathletes. The local club has decided to ban trial bikes from the group rides which means six of my favorite riding partners will not be joining the rides anymore.

This all stems from ONE person on a tri bike which has some issues shifting while riding in a pace line. Recently this same cyclist CRASHED while riding a road bike.

The cycling club decided to ban TT/Tri bikes despite the local triathletes asking them to handle things on an individual basis.

I just wonder, is this kind of bitterness a universal thing or purely local? I am a little new to the world of cycling. Please tell me how things work at your local cycling club.

And your favorite riding partners won't join the ride on road bikes... why?

If my easedropping is right, there is a problem between the runner's club and tri's, I think something having to deal with insurance and liability of possible sponserships or something like that.

I think they were helping to do clinics for riding and maintenance (ie. flat fixing etc.), but I could have misheard.

Locally, the problem here is the cycling club and the tris. The runner's club LOVES the tris (several of them are triathletes).

The cycling club does not deal with insurance, liability or sponsorships. They are a loosely run club through the college with a lot of adhoc members from the local town.

Haha we're all cyclist. It's really funny to me that animosity exists like that in some areas.

Exactly. I don't get it. Around here the cycling purest are so stuck up. I'm glad this appears not to be a national issue.

And your favorite riding partners won't join the ride on road bikes... why?

They don't own road bikes anymore. Well two of them do, but since their son and daughter-in-law can't ride, they won't join in.

They don't own road bikes anymore. Well two of them do, but since their son and daughter-in-law can't ride, they won't join in.

Oh there is definitely a thin mist of elitism in my area. However, it has more to do with fixed gear riders. They receive criticism and hate and in turn they do the same to non-fixed gear riders. It's not a huge issue, but it's still silly and disturbing. I really can careless what people ride as long as they don't endanger me or other riders.

Oh there is definitely a thin mist of elitism in my area. However, it has more to do with fixed gear riders. They receive criticism and hate and in turn they do the same to non-fixed gear riders. It's not a huge issue, but it's still silly and disturbing. I really can careless what people ride as long as they don't endanger me or other riders.

The entire area here has a giant elitism when it comes to cyclist who ride Wal-Mart or Target bikes. The local bike shops refuse to even work on them. The other day I saw this girl come into the bike shop while I was picking up some stuff. She said, "Do ya'll do bike repair here even if I purchased my bike elsewhere?" and the owner told her, "I don't care where a bike comes from. I'll work on anything... unless it comes from Wal-Mart," the girl said, "oh..." and left.

The entire area here has a giant elitism when it comes to cyclist who ride Wal-Mart or Target bikes. The local bike shops refuse to even work on them. The other day I saw this girl come into the bike shop while I was picking up some stuff. She said, "Do ya'll do bike repair here even if I purchased my bike elsewhere?" and the owner told her, "I don't care where a bike comes from. I'll work on anything... unless it comes from Wal-Mart," the girl said, "oh..." and left.

Actually, there is a good reason for that. Many Wally World and Targe' bikes are of such poor design/construction that it takes more effort and time to tune them right and/or fix them than the bike is worth, and the bike shops know that they won't be able to charge enough to get reimbursed for their time and effort.

That said, that policy does discourage new cyclists from getting into the sport.

Actually, there is a good reason for that. Many Wally World and Targe' bikes are of such poor design/construction that it takes more effort and time to tune them right and/or fix them than the bike is worth, and the bike shops know that they won't be able to charge enough to get reimbursed for their time and effort.


To me, that seems like an excellent opportunity. If they explain up front to the customer that it will be more expensive due to the poor design and components Wal-Mart bikes possesses then the customer will be able to make an educated decision if it is worth the cost. If yes the bike will be fixed, the shop will make more money and the customer will realize that a 'cheap bike' may not be worth the continued hassle of constant expensive repairs.

In addition to that, the customer will remember the bike shop helped them and in the future they will have return clientele when they decide to buy a bike with good components.



That said, that policy does discourage new cyclists from getting into the sport.

I wish people would think more about the sport than their own damn agendas.

I'm not saying it is a good policy, I'm just giving a reason. Personally, I agree with you, it is a missed opportunity, but hey, I'm not in the LBS business.

I'm not a bike shop but a neighbor asked me to fix their kids wally bike, I told them parts alone would probably cost as much as the bike did, they said it did not matter that they would reimburse me. When they saw that the parts did indeed cost $60 (they paid less then $100 for the bike) they refused to pay that much to fix it. So even without labor charges most wally bike owners would probably be better off getting a new bike then trying to fix the one they got.

Anyway I too will refuse to fix any wally bike as you can't replace hardly anything without it seeming absorbingly high for a $100 bike.

Anyway I too will refuse to fix any wally bike as you can't replace hardly anything without it seeming absorbingly high for a $100 bike.

Well, don't forget... not all Wal-Mart bikes are 100. A lot are $200-400.

Then there is this: $1,499.00 - $1,550.00
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048

Full carbon frame, 105/ultegra mix components.

I'd still prefer my Specialized Allez Elite which cost about the same except without the full carbon or ultegra components.

Heh.

This is one of those problems which is solved by bringing beer and making nice.

NOTE to Self /;;STAY on yer bumpy old woods road so you dont get afoul of this pile of nuts/Kenneth

Heh.

This is one of those problems which is solved by bringing beer and making nice.

Cyclist drink beer?

Apparently one bike-shop cashed in on this situation. They opened up down the road from the WalMart. I have no doubt other shops helped herd the Wally-drivers to this shop as it advertised - "We Work On WalMart Bikes." No doubt either that their rates reflected the actual costs of working on these lawn-ornaments.

Apparently one bike-shop cashed in on this situation. They opened up down the road from the WalMart. I have no doubt other shops helped herd the Wally-drivers to this shop as it advertised - "We Work On WalMart Bikes." No doubt either that their rates reflected the actual costs of working on these lawn-ornaments.

I have just realized that prejudice against Wal-Mart bikes is a national issue while prejudice against triathletes is a local issue.

I find this fascinating.

I wanna know who the 'pure cyclists' are?

Well, don't forget... there is this: $1,499.00 - $1,550.00
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5751048

Full carbon frame, 105/ultegra mix components.

Why is it that the small is the most expensive?
I guess its like lingerie, the less there is the more it costs?

I wanna know who the 'pure cyclists' are?

The cycling purest are those who only ride road bikes and don't permit other types of bikes into the group. They don't run, they don't swim, they simply ride/race road bikes.

The cycling purest have been down right rude to the triathletes who try to join in riding their triathlon bikes. I witnessed one incident where they got into an ugly yelling match.

Actually, there is a good reason for that. Many Wally World and Targe' bikes are of such poor design/construction that it takes more effort and time to tune them right and/or fix them than the bike is worth, and the bike shops know that they won't be able to charge enough to get reimbursed for their time and effort.

That said, that policy does discourage new cyclists from getting into the sport.

The LBS I go to will work on them but gives an up-front estimate of the cost. I have seen owners of such bikes make the decision that the bike was not worth the repair cost.

As for the dislike and prejudice I have not witnessed such but am not a local club member. As far as I am concerned we are all riders together.

I have just realized that prejudice against Wal-Mart bikes is a national issue while prejudice against triathletes is a local issue.

I find this fascinating.

I do not think that it is prejudice against WalMart bikes but prejudice against junk that tries to masqureade as bicycles. Low end WalMart bikes may be the worst but Target and other mass merchandisers sell junk masquerading as bicycles too. IIRC Huffy and Murray bikes received similar treatment at bike shops long before WalMart, and their "bikes", became ubiquitous.

Many bike shops have always preferred to not get involved with mass merchandiser bikes due to their lack of quality and the inability of their bottom end components to stay in adjustment for any reasonable time. Working on them is like trying to polish a tu-d and has only gotten worse with dual suspension so called "Mountain Bikes" from these merchants.

Pacelines are a crutch for weak riders to lean on... tri riders don't need them. Then why are they agitated about being banned from them?

I think a club can have pretty much any kind of rule, no matter how silly. They can ban all bikes except red, for example. Then it's up to the riders to decide if they want to be part of a club like that.

I think banning tri bikes per se is pretty dumb. But then some roady types (including triathletes) seem to enjoy playing some rather childish petty games with one another.

So even without labor charges most wally bike owners would probably be better off getting a new bike then trying to fix the one they got. +1. When I was a poor student just getting into cycling and not knowing the difference between a Huffy and a Trek Madone, I bought a used department store bike from a friend for fifty bucks. When another friend, the one who eventually got me hooked on cycling, suggested that I should take it for a tune-up, I said it didn't make any sense to me to pay as much for the tune-up as I paid for the whole bike. I am sure many (probably most) owners of bike-shaped objects feel the same way.

As someone who's seen and did work on a fair number of bikes, I certainly know that in many cases cheap department store bikes are often simply unrepairable. I absolutely can understand bike shop mechanics who don't want to work on them. It would take more time and effort, the result often won't be that great no matter how hard you try, and the customer, who thinks bikes are toys and should be cheap, will not like the price tag.

This is why I don't club ride. Too much BS.

correct me if i'm wrong but aren't triathletes prohibited from drafting in competitions?

and the shifters on the aero/ brake on the wings and agressive aero posture have got to make true tri bikes a biatch to dance around in the paceline....

i think the triatheletes should police themselves, show some common sense restraint and leave the tri bikes at home on the group rides!

I do not think that it is prejudice against WalMart bikes but prejudice against junk that tries to masqureade as bicycles.


Could be, but at the heart of it, the snobs are not really prejudice against junk masquerading as bicycle. They are prejudice against poor people who can't afford an $800-$1500 decent bike. The people I know locally who ride Wal-Mart bikes tend to all below the poverty line or young children who are still growing.

My current bikes cost $1,700 and $3,200. As a child, my bikes were $60-$80 each. My family was poor AND I was still growing.

Then why are they agitated about being banned from them?

They aren't. *I* am. I like these people and I want to see them. They are basically being banned for no reason. They haven't caused any wrecks. The one person who they claim is the reason for this ban recently had a wreck ON A ROAD BIKE.

I'm pissed off because the people I like got treated like crap. Four of them just walked away without any word. Two of them put up a fuss then decided it wasn't worth being where they weren't wanted.... (but *I* wanted them there!)


I think banning tri bikes per se is pretty dumb. But then some roady types (including triathletes) seem to enjoy playing some rather childish petty games with one another.

People who play silly childish games should be shot.

correct me if i'm wrong but aren't triathletes prohibited from drafting in competitions?

You are correct.



and the shifters on the aero/ brake on the wings and agressive aero posture have got to make true tri bikes a biatch to dance around in the paceline....

That is why the they never rode in aerobars while in the paceline.



i think the triatheletes should police themselves, show some common sense restraint and leave the tri bikes at home on the group rides!

A lot of them don't have road bikes anymore. I do agree with policing themselves though. Out of the people on tri bikes, ONE is very unstable. He should not be riding a tri bike in a paceline until his skills have improved.

This is why I don't club ride. Too much BS.

Since the banning of tri bikes I like only a small handful of people in that club. Everyone else tends to make it so miserable I am probably going to stop going on group rides.