Originally Posted by
iain.dalton
Hi, I'm a young man of 19 who recently got into cycling (been planning on a long tour this summer). I recently moved, and decided to ride with the local cycling club. Not one of them but has a carbon or aluminum-and-carbon road bike, while I have a steel touring bike with fenders, a rear rack, and a Brooks saddle. Before we even started riding, I got the feeling that I was "not wanted." Sure, I've just moved with a 5000ft elevation increase, and I've slacked off in the winter so I'm not in shape yet, but if I were, wouldn't I be able to keep up with the rest of them? It's not a race after all. So what's to be hostile about?
And just in case it will help--how much of a speed difference would it make to remove my fenders and rear rack? I like my fenders because it keeps grit out of my drive train, and it would be a real drag to remove that stuff every week end, so I'd only do so if it were to make a difference.
you miss the point.
it's not elitism, nor is it hostility. it's self preservation.
it's also not about your gear, it's about the possibility of getting taken down by an out of shape squirly rider.
if you're capable of riding smoothly within a group, then you'll get your welcome soon enough. in the mean time, HTFU.