Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What I haven't seen on this forum? Bike snobbery!

:thumb: Maybe a few zealous riders might be insulting if one mentions the word Schwinn or Huffy gets the job done,but I haven't seen it yet. I belong to a couple of guitar forums,and there is no worse snobbery than musicians.I guess as one gets out and rides that is what matters to us "Clydes":D.

A while back I remember reading a bike mag and the reporter was doing a story on department store bikes. This certain bike was a Murray street bike,hybrid 10 speed. Funny,because at the time I had that excact bike! He reported how the bike had inadqaqute steering,the brakes wasn't fast enough,the salesman didn't know the product,etc. The trouble was the reporter was used to riding $1500 + bikes and was comparing his to a $89 bike.:notamused:

I remember the bike company CEO wrote in the magazine and defended his product.His point was dead on,that the bike wasn't meant for racing,or going downhill at 30mph or stopping on a dime.Rather the bike was meant to go from point A to point B and back to point A again.I couldn't agree more.

So,if you see a cyclist out there on a Wal-Mart bike or similar store brand,applaud him/her and remember that we all been there before.

Don't you know, it's all about the bike?

It's part of the reason that this is really the only forum I frequent here. The people here are real and genuine. There is a certain degree of self righteousness in other forums. I see that when just searching on a topic and getting hits in those places.

My first bike was a $69 Wal Mart bike years ago -- i wanted to get back into riding but didn't want to spend hundreds and then the fad passes. If a big box store bike gets you out there and then you move to another up scale brand it served you well. At least they are out there doing it.

Especially when you are a Clyde like me it can make sense to start out with a get-by bike. If it works out and I actually get into this whole riding thing in a year I may need a different sized bike because of butt padding changes and such.. it would really annoy me to spend $1500 on a bike and a year from now it didn't fit any more, like my jeans..

The Clyde forum is great. Good advice, down to earth people, lots of encouragement and genuine well wishes.

BTW, I own a Tandem from Wal-Mart. It is great bang for the buck. Nothing wrong with any bike that gets the job done.

I have a friend who is quite the snob. He owns a number of custom built machines each costing him over $7500... he always makes fun of people riding Wal-Mart "Sledgehammers"... I remind him "but at least those people are out riding!". I can't remember the last time my friend actually rode one of his bikes - they have become his "Prec-iousssss" (and yes he has packed on the pounds lately!). Anyway, it's not the bike, it's the rider and what that rider does. I actually have alot of respect for the Sledgehammer riders; those bikes are heavy and hard to pedal up a trail. The effort is twice as hard... why would anyone make fun of that? I stand and salute that person!

I belong to some guitar forums as well and agree that they can be snobbish but I've found that almost any specialized forum has them... but guitarists are right up there at the top.

Clydes also understand that the half-ounce you can save with a carbon fiber water bottle cage doesn't make a whole lot of difference compared to the 100+ pounds I need to lose.

Good thread!! It is one of the reasons this is my favorite forum on BF. I have a road bike, not a top of the line, but a nice one and suits the type of riding I do and want to do more of. However, I have owned all types of bikes in the past, and enjoyed them all. This is by far the most encouraging forum on this site, with some great non-biased info on almost all subjects. One thing we all have in common is the pursuit of bettering ourselves and an interest in becoming and staying active. In my opinion that is far more valuable than any type or brand of bike, and we can achieve our goals and be successful on any type or brand of bike.

Clydes also understand that the half-ounce you can save with a carbon fiber water bottle cage doesn't make a whole lot of difference compared to the 100+ pounds I need to lose.

That's why I don't care about the weight of my bikes. I have so much to lose that it doesn't make a difference if my bike is 18, 25ish, 45ish lbs or that new lighter than a wet fart Cannondale.

I think we all get that it's a lot easier to loose pounds from the engine than it is to lose ounces from the bike. Cheaper too.

I think we all get that it's a lot easier to loose pounds from the engine than it is to lose ounces from the bike. Cheaper too.
+1
I dont see the point in forking out hundreds of extra dollars to get the "dura ace" model as its xGrams lighter when Im 90lbs overweight. However, I do ride a carbon bike, not because of the saved weight but because when the LBS brought it out to show me the bike was SO pretty and anything else just did not compare. I had to have it and its been an awesome bike (2010 Spec Roubaix) - yes, Im fickle ;)

My wife picked out a bike several years ago from Wal-Mart,a $30 single speed HUFFY! She didn't want one with gears or handbrakes. I've been thinking about getting a single speed cruiser myself for a grocery grabber!

Two of my bikes are mid-80s steel frames, and I rescued them from a dumpster. It's tough to be snobby when you're riding something you trash picked.

:thumb: Maybe a few zealous riders might be insulting if one mentions the word Schwinn or Huffy gets the job done,but I haven't seen it yet. I belong to a couple of guitar forums,and there is no worse snobbery than musicians.

No. The worst kind of snobbery is among photographers. Now we're having a peeing match to find the biggest snobs. :D :lol:

The good thing about X-Mart bikes is they'll teach you maintenance. The bad thing is they'll teach you maintenance.

I belong to some guitar forums as well and agree that they can be snobbish but I've found that almost any specialized forum has them... but guitarists are right up there at the top.

Agreed. I hear a lot of Fender VS Gibson,Martin VS Taylor,etc. But not a lot of love for the little guys. Inquire about a Wal-Mart First Act and they will laugh you off the forum.

Hahaha! I started on a Huffy doing 60 mile rides. That's plenty more that alot of bike snobs I know and have met.:D

There's nothing wrong with Huffys',Mongooses',low end Schwinns',etc. I see more of them out on the road then Treks',Cannodales',and Specializeds'.

I think that I may fit into the mold that frequently gets "bike-snobberied" as I am a clyde that rides a road bike that is made more for speed than fat-kid-hauling-capacity. Not to mention it's an internet bike (for shame!).

Really, I couldn't care less about what bike the other person is riding. To me what's more important is that their feet make the same circular motion as mine; more people should do it.

Hahaha, Just don't visit the road bike forum....

Hahaha, Just don't visit the road bike forum....

Good advice for so many reasons...

Perfect timing on this thread! We're thinking of buying my husband a bike (he's 5'11" 250 or so), and I was wary of being able to buy a strong, adult-sized bike at a walmart-type store. It's just for casual rail-trail riding, no racing or anything (though I suspect he'll sprint from time to time!).

Also, MLKATO, I just noticed that you're from NW Arkansas! I don't live there anymore, but it's where I call home. Enjoy all the new trails they're building!

Perfect timing on this thread! We're thinking of buying my husband a bike (he's 5'11" 250 or so), and I was wary of being able to buy a strong, adult-sized bike at a walmart-type store. It's just for casual rail-trail riding, no racing or anything (though I suspect he'll sprint from time to time!).

Also, MLKATO, I just noticed that you're from NW Arkansas! I don't live there anymore, but it's where I call home. Enjoy all the new trails they're building!

OK, but there is one thing to bear in mind: the Wally-World bikes are basically disposable. Many times, bike shops won't even touch them. And not because of any real snobbery, but because they really can be frustrating to work on.

That said, I wouldn't care what bike a friend was on, so long as he or she joined me for a ride...

IMHO it does not matter what you ride, just as long as you are riding it and enjoying yourself.

Two of my bikes are mid-80s steel frames, and I rescued them from a dumpster. It's tough to be snobby when you're riding something you trash picked.

I'm almost just as bad. Fixed up a dumpster bike for a friend of mine (Huffy), we just added cables, and it was good to go. Then I found my road bike in the middle of the highway. a little maintenance (new tyres, tubes, and a new rim) and it was good to go.


Saved from the middle of the highway:

http://imageshack.us/m/814/8818/23043222057569130385410.jpg

There is snobbery on this forum, but it tends to be indirect and/or not mean spirited. It tends to revolve around: needing "36h rims", buying a "hybrid", or "calories in vs. calories out".

The great thing about the Clyde/Athena forum is that most people who frequent it (Tom Stormcrowe, Mr. Beanz, The Historian, Cyclokitty, SayreKulp, CraigB, Jethro56, freightraininguphill, The Jeneralist, etc, etc, etc... :thumb:) are truly here to help, offer advice, or encourage.

The tone is set by many great posters and perpetuated the new members who join. Discussions are welcome and usually don't resort to name calling, the obligatory "roll eyes" :rolleyes:, or the "yeah right" type of responses.

I think "trolls" are intimated by our size and we always protect "the herd" :D.

I think "trolls" are intimated by our size and we always protect "the herd" :D.

There may be something to that. :)

Hahaha, Just don't visit the road bike forum....
Ah yes ....... the domain of the Peleton and all those legends.:lol:

I think "trolls" are intimated by our size and we always protect "the herd" :D.

I know I have been taken as a snob at times but my responses as you mention are meant in a helpful manner. More of a been there done that response.:thumb:

Funny about the size thing. I have met several riders that have mentioned the fourms but won't reveal a forum name.:eek: One guy even mentioned that he saw me at our rest stop but didn't want to approach me as he tends to be sarcastic and he could tell that I'd thrash him if he said the wrong thing!:roflmao2: I'm actually a big teddy bear!:p

There is snobbery on this forum, but it tends to be indirect and/or not mean spirited. It tends to revolve around: needing "36h rims", buying a "hybrid", or "calories in vs. calories out".

Don't bad-mouth my 24 spokes! ;) :)

I'm kinda a snob. I think the best people post here.:)

I ride 3 days a week with a lawyer that has a $3000 bike and a a top manufactures rep that rides a $3000 bike as well, my ride is a 1982 Raleigh and I keep up with both of them and they don't say a word. One of my other lawyer riding friends has 3, $3000 bike and lets me know it everytime we go out. Guess which one I ride the most with. Nothing to get snobby about riding a bike.

I agree with everything that's been said. The motivation I get from reading some of the posts here makes weight loss easier.

PS - I'm troll proof.

Perfect timing on this thread! We're thinking of buying my husband a bike (he's 5'11" 250 or so), and I was wary of being able to buy a strong, adult-sized bike at a walmart-type store. It's just for casual rail-trail riding, no racing or anything (though I suspect he'll sprint from time to time!).

Also, MLKATO, I just noticed that you're from NW Arkansas! I don't live there anymore, but it's where I call home. Enjoy all the new trails they're building!

It may make more sense to haunt Craigslist for a while. I watched it extensively when looking for a bike. I never found one that fits my unusual size but there were a lot of excellent deals out there.

Great lil post and topic here.This is my first bike since i was 14 now 46 i have not been on a bike in over 30 years,im very happy with my 150.00 Schwinn from wallmart, it gets me out and about. Already lost 7lbs my average ride is between 8-10 miles every other day.You can read my story here http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/736655-New-ridder-in-NorthEast-PA
http://i.imgur.com/GQoxTl.jpg

That's why I love this forum... I feel superior to everyone else here.

(joking smiley goes here)

The good thing about X-Mart bikes is they'll teach you maintenance. The bad thing is when they decide you need a lesson.

Fixed

[QUOTE=MLKATO;12690313].His point was dead on,that the bike wasn't meant for racing,or going downhill at 30mph or stopping on a dime.Rather the bike was meant to go from point A to point B and back to point A again.I couldn't agree more.QUOTE]

I dunno....I ride from point A to point B and back again all the time. I think every bike should be able to allow you to do that (or any other type of riding) safely. Sometimes that means being able to stop on a dime, like when that cabbie pulls out in front of you without looking.

To be fair,the bike did have good enough brakes,it just wasn't on the level as a high dollar one.

I ride 3 days a week with a lawyer that has a $3000 bike and a a top manufactures rep that rides a $3000 bike as well, my ride is a 1982 Raleigh and I keep up with both of them and they don't say a word. One of my other lawyer riding friends has 3, $3000 bike and lets me know it everytime we go out. Guess which one I ride the most with. Nothing to get snobby about riding a bike.

My guess: you ride with the guy who has three expensive bikes, because he lets you borrow one of them. How'd I do?

I ride 3 days a week with a lawyer that has a $3000 bike and a a top manufactures rep that rides a $3000 bike as well, my ride is a 1982 Raleigh and I keep up with both of them and they don't say a word. One of my other lawyer riding friends has 3, $3000 bike and lets me know it everytime we go out. Guess which one I ride the most with. Nothing to get snobby about riding a bike.

$3,000??? Lawyers ride cheap bikes??!?!?!?! :innocent:

Oh did that seem snobby????! :o

I admit, my new road bike cost close to $8000... I saved 10 years to have it designed and built. It doesn't make me a better rider than someone on a $3000 or $250 bike, it just makes me more comfortable and its pretty! Will be the last road bike I buy, if I spend any more money it will be on my mountain bike. Regardless it never the bike its always the rider and my hats are always off to those riders who do it on cheap bikes.

BTW here where I live its become a thing to ride the cheapest gnarliest bike ever, especially in the MTB community. The expert riders are bored with fully squishy, high end bikes, they now do it on beat up rigid singlespeeds. Now that is impressive!

This is still my favorite forum here. I have never had a problem with snobbery here. On the road forum I was ignored when I posted pictures of my road bike in the pictures thread where all the expensive bikes are. Same with my ride videos in the ride video thread. I guess if you're a slow climber on a sub-$1,000 bike you aren't welcome over there, especially if you don't put music over your ride videos.

I don't care what anyone rides. I'm just happy to see people out and about on bikes. The more people ride, the more motorists get used to our presence and treat us with respect and courtesy. The area I live in is full of bikes, so motorists here are usually very nice.

By the way, I spoke up for this forum here (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=576944&postcount=148) on forums.teamestrogen.com. Previous posters in that thread had mentioned BF and one Athena mentioned visiting here but being discouraged due to lack of activity (I have no idea how long ago she visited here). Like some of us, she experienced snobbery in the other subforums.

Great lil post and topic here.This is my first bike since i was 14 now 46 i have not been on a bike in over 30 years,im very happy with my 150.00 Schwinn from wallmart, it gets me out and about. Already lost 7lbs my average ride is between 8-10 miles every other day.You can read my story here http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/736655-New-ridder-in-NorthEast-PA
http://i.imgur.com/GQoxTl.jpg

Awesome! That's what its all about!

I thought the thread was going to be a sarcastic parody.

There are snobs in every activity - and it runs strong in biking. Glad you haven't seen it though.

This is probably the coolest thread on bikeforums! this is my first visit to the clyde/athe section, and after checking it out it wont be my last its a totally diff vibe here :)

now as for me i commute to work on a Walmart huffy beach cruiser. not the most ideal but dang fun. I challenge anybody to ride a beach cruiser and not smile or whistle while doing it. I bought the bike just for the weekend, get exercise and get groceries. realized most my trips to stores, dining out, taking the kid to the parks were all within 2 miles. With gas prices going up with my waist size, i found this to be a great idea but with funds very low and the cheapest LBS bike being $375 i turned to taget/kmart/sears/wally world for a bike. found that Oh my 90% have shocks or cushions everywhere and the components on them didnt seem that great. from previous bikes know how much new ones cost and labor. well i decided that my best bet was to find the bikes with least amount of moving parts and that lead me to simple coaster brake cruisers. $80 out the door and a few adjustments i was riding that day. $80 for a bike!!!!!!!

then my work pays us $20 each month if we ride 5 times a month, so i thought hey with the money i save on gas i will have a free bike 3 months! I didnt realize how much i missed riding a bike! Now i ride it to work if its not raining, i pick up my son from daycare on my bike when the weather is great and that adds 4 miles to the commute which means more exercise and more miles of fun.

the only down side is the thing is a 41lbs beast, and carrying that up and down three flights of stairs everyday can get by a pain, and one day i rode to work, the rode to lunch, rode from work to pick up the kid ride to a park then to pick up some fruit and when i got home the thought of carrying that beautiful beast up to the third floor almost had this grown man in tears.

so for fathers day i am getting a new lightweight bike for commuting, the beach cruiser will still be for groceries, taking the kid on, errand, and tooling around the hood.

the two bike i am considering are the Wallyworld Mongoose Cachet or the target schwinn tourist. I could wait and save up more and get a Bike at the LBS by the end of summer too. yes i know the cachet is SS and tourist is geared my thought process is still less moving parts the better when x-mart shopping but i already have a SS and maybe a geared will get me on longer rides?

sorry for rambling just sharing my experience.

EDIT: i found the peeps in the commute forum not to be *that snobby very helpful, i now avoid the FixedG/SS forum as if you dont ride a kilo TT you may not be welcome ;)

Just stay away from the schwinn ranger. My wife bought that one at target and finds it terribly uncomfortable and the shocks don't do anything good at all, just add weight and get in the way. Also, her shifters on it don't work right. Maybe for some people it works fine, but hers pretty much discouraged her from riding. I keep trying to get her to go on a ride with me but she hates her bike and doesn't want to spend the money on a new one if she won't enjoy it either.

This is probably the coolest thread on bikeforums! this is my first visit to the clyde/athe section, and after checking it out it wont be my last its a totally diff vibe here :)

now as for me i commute to work on a Walmart huffy beach cruiser. not the most ideal but dang fun. I challenge anybody to ride a beach cruiser and not smile or whistle while doing it. I bought the bike just for the weekend, get exercise and get groceries. realized most my trips to stores, dining out, taking the kid to the parks were all within 2 miles. With gas prices going up with my waist size, i found this to be a great idea but with funds very low and the cheapest LBS bike being $375 i turned to taget/kmart/sears/wally world for a bike. found that Oh my 90% have shocks or cushions everywhere and the components on them didnt seem that great. from previous bikes know how much new ones cost and labor. well i decided that my best bet was to find the bikes with least amount of moving parts and that lead me to simple coaster brake cruisers. $80 out the door and a few adjustments i was riding that day. $80 for a bike!!!!!!!

then my work pays us $20 each month if we ride 5 times a month, so i thought hey with the money i save on gas i will have a free bike 3 months! I didnt realize how much i missed riding a bike! Now i ride it to work if its not raining, i pick up my son from daycare on my bike when the weather is great and that adds 4 miles to the commute which means more exercise and more miles of fun.

the only down side is the thing is a 41lbs beast, and carrying that up and down three flights of stairs everyday can get by a pain, and one day i rode to work, the rode to lunch, rode from work to pick up the kid ride to a park then to pick up some fruit and when i got home the thought of carrying that beautiful beast up to the third floor almost had this grown man in tears.

so for fathers day i am getting a new lightweight bike for commuting, the beach cruiser will still be for groceries, taking the kid on, errand, and tooling around the hood.

the two bike i am considering are the Wallyworld Mongoose Cachet or the target schwinn tourist. I could wait and save up more and get a Bike at the LBS by the end of summer too. yes i know the cachet is SS and tourist is geared my thought process is still less moving parts the better when x-mart shopping but i already have a SS and maybe a geared will get me on longer rides?

sorry for rambling just sharing my experience.

EDIT: i found the peeps in the commute forum not to be *that snobby very helpful, i now avoid the FixedG/SS forum as if you dont ride a kilo TT you may not be welcome ;)

Have you considered buying a used $150-$200 bike? Cr**gslist is a great place to find "recycled" bikes, and you can buy a very decent, geared bike for under $200.

Have you considered buying a used $150-$200 bike? Cr**gslist is a great place to find "recycled" bikes, and you can buy a very decent, geared bike for under $200.

check craigslist everyday, not knowing what to look for is my downfall. Plus it seems like there are too many scammers in chicago, i will see the same background in pics of different bikes.

Himespua,
i dont like bike with shocks i had a specialized w/ fork shocks that had a few settings and a lock out and hated it sold it in 6 months.

CJ C ... how tall are you?

I have an older Trek MTB (it does have a front suspension fork however) that needs some TLC (I plan to replace it soon) and I'd be willing to part with it at a price in your budget range. I live up in the north burbs and work in the near north burbs.

I love the bike, but I'm eager to get a newer one. It would need a tuneup ... and probably some "city" tires rather than the knobbies that are on it now. Let me know if you're interested.