Originally Posted by
DRietz
Now, as far as you calling the shop "freds" for make "unnecessarily" (I believe I just proved the contrary) expensive bikes, I don't really think you know what a fred is. Being called a fred is a compliment, in all actuality. A fred is a person with no care or knowledge for his or her equipment, but rides faster than anybody in the A/B group mashfests.
Actually, what is and is not Fred is rather complex, as countless Fred threads in the road forum have proven over time. Why there's overt Fred, and stealth Fred. Dangerous and benign Fred. Idiot savant of all things cycling Fred (Sheldon Brown, RIP), and staggeringly inept Fred. Blazing fast Fred, and slowpoke magoke Fred. And every day someone out there redefines one of the Fred classifications by their actions and behavior on the bike and creates his or her own Fred sub-classification. It's a fascinating study.