Kindaslow

Agreed. The bikes are a joy (can be) along with the riding!

Kindaslow

I could still do that with a lot of folks on a MTB, but they always say hello....

Road bike, not too likely.... (Read as no way)....

stardognine

If I could find a safety flag, I'd fly a mariji-hoochie leaf on it. That way folks would know not to ride in front of me, and sometimes they might smoke with me.

supercycle62

I ride a mixte frame bike and I'm a guy! Imagine how I feel...

dougmon 

Um...comfortable?

(Rode a mixte frame bike yesterday and loved it...)

supercycle62

It'll be a lot more comfortable when I swap the drop handlebars for roadster style ones and the appropriate handbrake levers so I can ride in an upright posture. I have already swapped the painful racing seat for a comfy/cushioned springy roadster one. I only paid $20 for the complete bike and all I had to do was put air in the tires and adjust the seat and handlebars and start riding.

Here is the same bike I have with a few "upgrades". c. 1985 SuperCycle Medallist Series II Mixte ? FreeLander Bicycles

Right now it looks just like this but with a different seat.

dougmon 

That's really nice. And for only $20? I keep looking for bargains like this; but I live in the San Francisco area, where many people seem to think that their not so great bike is a "collectors item."

Those drop bars do look a little extreme. By "roadster style" handlebars, do you mean something like North Road style? I have Metropolis handlebars on my bike, and I can tell you that they're pretty comfy. The mixte I rode yesterday had what I think was a Sycip Wonder Bar, and it was super comfortable. I hope you post more pics when you're done setting up the bike the way you want it.

bbbean 

+1

rydabent

Doesnt snobbery actually all come down to money like most things do? Riding a $10,000 bike fully kitted means the rider has tons of money. If he wants to be a snob so be it. That is his character flaw, and I really am not impressed with his display of cubic money. Actually most people are not impressed. I can assure you that when I am on my bent or trike, I get a lot more attention, and far more comments of "cool bike" than big bucks ever will. Yet the cost of my bent and trike added together is less than $3000.

Retro Grouch 

That's what I think too.

I'm persnickety about every single detail of my personal bikes. I've come to realize that few, if any, others care or even notice.

FullGas

you have no idea what a person's financial status is simply based on the MSRP of their ride.

one of the guys I ride with is anything but wealthy and works in a LBS. his $9+K bike was purchased using sizable dealer discounts...he has nowhere near that amount invested. another was given a very expensive bike as a retirement gift from his employer.

it's ironic that you point out 'character flaws,' considering how judgmental you are...thinking you're a better person just because you have less expensive equipment is just an example of reverse snobbery.

Kindaslow

Move out to my area, you might get a different experience. For example, I ride my Venge with clip and strap pedals, and I would estimate that I have had over 20 people make some remark about what a waste it is to be riding an aero bike and not have the efficiency of clip less pedals. Or, on my commuter bike I have Reynolds Assault wheels, and I have lost track of the number of people who have said, "Why are you wasting those wheels on that bike...."

I am never upset, and I just ask them a simple question, "why do you care about my bike?"

Given that I ride in an area with a lot of folks with a tremendous amount of disposable income, there are a lot of very high end bikes being ridden, and with that snobbery.

I am a bike lover, and I have great respect for any rider and bike that is loved and ridden. The bike snobs are nothing more than humor for me, and I wish a few more folks could have joined into the fun, versus letting their inner grouch win....

Kindaslow

i posted as you were posting, and I do not mean to imply all high end bikes equal snob, just in case someone wants to read it that way.

Also, I totally agree that there is a reverse snob world out there. Lots of folks bragging about out riding people on super expensive bikes (while they are on their Walmart garage sale bike), catching and passing them (like the other person knew they were in a race). Too many plastic trophies and not enough fake races....

supercycle62

Yes, those Metropolis and Northroad bars would work for me. I have an old set of handlebars off an ancient English Dunelt coaster brake bike that may work. I may need a longer stem as well but that can be found easily at our local bike recycle shop for a few bucks. I have done these types of conversions before to old road bikes so it's not that difficult for me. Here is what I would like to have on my bike: https://www.amazon.com/SunLite-Sunlit...FCFJVG6N8HKRG4

As for getting the bike for $20...the young gentlemen who was selling it regretted his asking price after he saw how many emails he got wanting the bike. I just happened to see it a few minutes after he posted it for sale and lived within a 20 min walk to go pick it up. It's in fine shape and the wheels are straight as an arrow. All the components work perfectly. I could easily flip it for $100 as is but I needed a decent bike that wouldn't get stolen for commuting and running errands so this machine will fit the bill nicely. If I ever get a camera I'll certainly post pics of any upgrades I do to the bike for those interested.

Retro Grouch 

I wish that you hadn't posted that. That might be happening.

Kindaslow

Don't worry, just get used to having comebacks. It is kind of fun. Plus, this is a stunningly beautiful area!

Jimbo47

Only snobites I've ever run into worked in the bike shop. Seems like that's a prerequisite for employment!

Kindaslow

That is so strange, given up in this corner of the world the bike shops are full of workers that are bike lovers, well at least the ones where I spend money....

Retro Grouch 

In the early days of the Katy Trail not everybody thought that it was a good idea. Many of the rural folks, in particular, were against it.

One Saturday morning, before that section of the trail was officially open, Mrs. Grouch and I decided to explore the trail to Defiance MO. on our tandem. As we approached Defiance, Mrs. Grouch had to use the restroom. There was a bar open but we were concerned about what kind of reception we'd get. I told her we could buy something and it would be OK. As we walked in the door the 3 locals sitting on bar stools sang "Daisy, Daisy" to us. I've heard stories, but I haven't worried about anybody that I've encountered on the trail since.

Retro Grouch 

isn't it their job to sell you bike stuff?

supercycle62

I don't know of any bike "snobs" I never really paid attention to things like that. I think anyone who rides a bicycle is cool.

I learned a long time ago that I can get anywhere in my city faster than any public transit vehicle or most cars for free. I am not one to take a "Sunday ride" and use my bike as an important means of transportation and in good weather I use it for commuting and running errands. As a result I learned to maintain them myself (for the most part). A bicycle has always been an important part of my lifestyle. The health benefits have been a bonus. If some folks look down others because of what they ride or where they ride that is their problem. At may age I am just happy to be able to ride anywhere on anything.

dougmon 

I have heard stories about this, but I've never been to a bike shop where the people there weren't enthusiastic about bikes and happy to talk about them.

This goes double for my LBS, which I will support for as long as I live here or until the owners change (which I hope doesn't happen.)

Kindaslow

I have run into some shops that refuse to work on older bikes, and folks think they are being bike snobs. However, many of them are worried about liability, in more than one sense. That is, if they cannot or do not fix it correctly someone could get injured. Or, they could lose money in labor costs trying repeatedly fix the bike.

trackhub

A good point.

Luckily, my LBS loves old, vintage, and unusual stuff. In fact, they specialize (pun not intended) in it.

StanSeven

My initial impression is it a person that's a serious rider. Then I check to see if he's on a team. Most people that spend big money do it because they love cycling. Many make big sacrifices and tough spending decisions to do it.