oakback

I think it's funny too, unless the person sticks with it. A friend of mine bought a nice hybrid, so his roomie bought a nice mountain bike, then her friend bought a nice road bike. Now, literally none of them ride any of their bikes. Just sit around with flat tires gathering dust.

That is when I think it's ridiculous. It's like paying for a year at a gym, then not going after the first month.

If they stick with it though, more power to 'em.

roadfix

I turned my home gym into a clothes rack.

Sprocket Man

Translation: "I'm dirt poor and I am jealous when I see people on expensive bikes. But rather than express my jealousy, I'll make fun of the ones who are "out of shape". I have low self-esteem (probably due to the fact that I make so little money), so I bolster my perception of self-worth by laughing at them to make me feel better about myself and my pathetically low income."

Why should it matter to you what someone else rides? You tried to phrase your original post as an innocent question, but your contempt for these out-of-shape nice bike riders is so obvious. Take some time to really think about the true reasons you started this thread, and you may find that you have a serious need for some attitude adjustment.

In case you were thinking that I was bothered by your original post because I'm one of "them", think again. I've been riding for over 20 years and have raced competitively for over 10.

JanMM

Wow! That's kinda like riding a bike that weighs a hundred pounds less than when he bought it! Anti-gravity territory.
Good for him!

Mr.BoJingles

I used to make fun of people training in MMA gear who were not fighters. It seemed silly to me, to spend the money on some Tapout or Affliction fighting gear when all they were doing was training for fitness. Well, one day I hadn't done my laundry in 2 weeks and I was out of shorts to wear, I came down to my MMA board shorts. They were so comfortable for the training, I didn't feel bad for making fun of the other people, but I felt stupid for not giving it a try earlier.

Moral of the story: being more comfortable during your workouts is a good thing, and all those people wearing all that gear may be a hint.

But I still kinda laugh at all those cyclists wearing skin tight gear... at least until I get some of it and realize the difference, then I'll feel stupid again.

BarracksSi

How about this --

It's not about wearing skin-tight gear because it's skin-tight; it's about wearing the stuff that really seems to work, even if it's skin-tight.

I would have never bothered with a cycling jersey until I got a cheap one on a whim, and now I have a small bunch of 'em (some more snug than others) because I like being able to carry stuff in their pockets instead of hip pockets on regular shorts (or cargo pockets on cargo shorts) AND I appreciate how they cover up any possible plumber's crack (which is, of course, eliminated with bibs; but sometimes I wear other stuff instead).

I also took to lycra shorts because I didn't like how regular shorts get tugged around by the saddle, and I didn't like it when loose fabric rubbed against my skin. Plus, the higher cut in the rear is the second half to avoiding plumber's crack (and again, totally eliminated with bibs).

Do I end up looking like a goofball? Sometimes, yeah, I sure do. But after a few hours of riding, I'm glad that I'm wearing it.

staehpj1

Kind of OT, but...
I guess everyone is built differently, but I have a hard time imagining how your butt crack can show in properly fitting bike shorts.

seagullplayer

I agree with the posters about this being seen in just about every hobby. There are a lot of people out there with more $ than cents, they jump in whole hog on everything. On the upside it makes for great deals on Craigslist a couple of years down the line…
Several of my guitars came from people who bought them to learn on, and never learned. But they wanted to buy a guitar they could “grow into”, costly lesson, but it is their money.

Perhaps peer pressure has a little something to do with it? I look at the pictures posted of recent rides from a local bicycle club. They all seem to be riding top notch bikes and dressed in the latest cycling apparel, looks like most of the headwear may cost more than my bike… I just don’t see fitting in with the crowd without all that “stuff”. If I was really interested in joining (I’m not) I really don’t see anyway around dropping some serious cash to “fit in”…

hnsq

haha, nice try man. I have a job as a computer analyst for a fortune 250 company. I just graduated college in May and have more money than most people my age. Not that this should really be in the equation, but I am doing the same job as co-workers who are 5 years older than me. I won't tell you my salary, but I could easily afford a lot more than how I live.

I do have the money to buy a new bike every other month, if I really wanted to, but I was trying to be humble and not have that as part of the issue. Its not that I have contempt for people in spandex, or people who are out of shape. I have contempt for people who are lazy, and people who think spending money will get them back into shape, or buying a new _____ (bike, home gym, etc.) gets them out of the responsibility of actually working hard. When I was running, I was to the point where I started to lose feeling in my toes because I needed to give myself a few weeks rest, and I wouldn't do it. I am fairly stubborn like that, and I just don't have much respect for someone who substitutes gear for effort.

Garfield Cat

Its about the emotions versus the common sense. Retail buying is about that. We are conditoned as a consumer oriented society. We get mixed up between needs and wants. Our first responsibility is to our families, not the local bike shop, and certainly not to a professional bike team kit.

brokenknee

Just remember, half the people on the road are below average.

Neil_B

+1.

Neil_B

You know, kid, I lost 145 pounds through hard work and determination. I also lost contempt for people. You might try dropping contempt as well.

Neil_B

I doubt Retro would. He has class.

Raven87

If some guy, poseur or not, has a nice Cervello or otherwise but looks to be out of shape - I really do not care. Hey, it's his money and his bike and I say "More power to him!".

At least he is out riding.

I've got plenty enough stuff to worry in my OWN small sphere of influence.

I learned a long time ago to not worry about what I do NOT have any impact on and/or that will not impact me. And, I've dealt with enough people over all my years that I learned that people often have the oddest reasons why they do something; that things more likely than not are what they seem.

Like others have said, maybe that person is working on getting in shape. Maybe he has a lot of money. Maybe he just likes nice stuff. Maybe he is a Poseur or a "Fred" as some like to lable - but really, who cares?

So, whether the OP finds it humorous or otherwise, I guess that's up to him.

I'm one of the guys you would probably see on a bike that some may not think I deserve because I am not in shape YET. But I will be and having a nice bike (that I can indeed afford) will help me get there quicker because I will ride it more.

And the bottom line is I do not give one whit about what someone else cares, thinks, or otherwise. It's MY fitness, MY money, and MY bike.

If you don't like it, don't look. But at least be an adult.

hnsq

Man...lighten up people. I started this just making an observation...not giving a commentary on a segment of society. I challenge any of you to honestly tell me you don't notice other people's bikes. I don't care what they do, I would never show any sort of distaste for them (which is why I posted this online - where it doesn't really matter) and I didn't want to dig against anyone in particular (why this is in the general forum, and not a racing or road forum).

And before more of you judge me based on the 2 paragraphs of text I have written, ask yourselves if being judgemental based on a single internet thread is any better than what you are accusing me of.

Neil_B

"...it is just really amusing to see people pull their bikes off of a car to sprint back and forth on a bike path, when I am still faster than them on my POS bike after riding a couple dozen miles between work and errands. Don't want to offend anyone here, I am not sure what type of people are on this forum, but what drives someone to take out a second mortgage on their house to get all this equipment, but still not be in shape? "

No, nothing judgmental there.

Meanwhile I've violated Agate's rule about treating fools kinder as long as they take up less of your time. Bye!

Raven87

If it sounded like I was accusing you of anything, I apologize because I was not. I was simply saying that none of us are any better than anyone else and that I could not possibly care less what anyone else thinks. I do think your original post came across much worse than you thought it would and that is what upset some people.

Peace.

chipcom 

New college grad - always funny.

seagullplayer

The kid just made an observation.
Almost seems like some take it personally, not really what those of us that “don’t care what others think” would tend to do…

I use to rib my wife about driving to town to walk on a track in a circle. She said it was safer than a road with traffic; it was lighted and easy to keep track of her progress.
I said, honey what’s for supper…

staehpj1

You would do well to follow that advice yourself.

I don't think anyone accused you of anything other than saying the things that you said.

When I see an overweight man running, shirtless or otherwise I think, "good for him, he's trying to get in shape."

Also, you never explained why you feel a guy with a nice bike "better be able to back it up with ability".

Neil_B

Which is all we have to work with, incidentally. And there's nothing 'factual' in his post that couldn't be manufactured for trolling purposes.

hnsq

and while I just silently laugh to myself - never say anything out loud (the internet doesn't count as 'real' conversation), you pretty quickly go for a personal comment...



something else i find funny...and the older I get the more I find myself as this guy...

Sprocket Man

No, you weren't.

hnsq

I was trying to be humble about money. I wasn't about to say 'I could buy a $6000 bike if I wanted to'. And honestly, I haven't spent much money on a good bike yet because I don't feel I have worked hard enough to earn it. I ride a $400 bike for now, and I can't personally justify spending any more money on one until I am in the physical condition I feel someone should be in to use a $2000+ bike. That is my personal view, and yes like everyone else, my personal view shapes how I see other people...