Originally Posted by
grumpus
What do you not understand about "you have no bona fide statistical evidence to support that claim"?
Your initial claim was not "better than a big box bike", it was that the majority of people using the Bicycle Mechanics forum ride bikes costing $2-5k. Now I don't deny that some of us do, but I would not claim a majority because I have no basis for that claim and neither does anyone else, despite your enthusiasm for the idea. Likewise I make no claim for the disposable income of participants in the forum, something of which you spuriously claim knowledge.
We do not* dismiss things as "not worth the effort, just throw cash at it" although that's an option for some readers. Some people need a bike to get to work, or to a store or pharmacy, and may not have much cash until the end of the month - these users should not be told "that bike's junk, you should have spent at least $1k" and it's unhelpful to cultivate the notion that this forum is for enthusiasts with elite equipment.
* except for veganbikes the notorious bike snob
Did I call you out or attack you specifically? Did I make any reference to you? I looked back and I didn't so if you have something to say, PM me and explain to me in this thread where I was wrong? Please I welcome it but just random shots fired are unneeded and uncalled for and against the rules.
I know you dislike that I am honest and direct in my assessments but don't just assume that honesty is just being a snob. I do enjoy nicer bikes and understand why nicer bikes exist and also understand heavily the service side and why to suggest something nicer or suggest someone not put money towards something that is not worth it. In this case the labor to patch a tube is higher and will not always hold and work so for a tiny bit more money and a lot less time and a guarantee that you won't have a failure (unless improperly installed or a warranty tube which are few and far between unless you buy the cheaper tubes). That is not snobbery that is simply saving time and effort. As I said above time is money.