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What new commuter most annoys you?

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View Poll Results: What kind of new commuter bugs you most?
The guy with the X-mart bike
11
5.02%
The guy with the high-end Kona will all the goodies
7
3.20%
As long as they're commuting on a bike, who cares? (And why are you stirrin' up trouble?)
201
91.78%
Voters: 219. You may not vote on this poll

What new commuter most annoys you?

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Old 07-29-09, 11:05 AM
  #1  
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What new commuter most annoys you?

What kind of new commuter bugs you more? A guy who jumps right in and gets the best of everything (i.e., better than what you've been commuting with for the last 3 years), or someone who rides a department store Huffy?

Note that when I say "bugs you", I mean this in a light-hearted vein. I think it's great when anyone starts commuting regardless of the equipment.

In my case, it's the guy who spends several thousand dollars to get started on the best of everything bike and gear. Only because...... I can't afford it!
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 07-29-09, 11:07 AM
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I'm not sure why either should bother me.
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Old 07-29-09, 11:08 AM
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Wow, you're quick!

I'm not sure either, except that I am internally judgmental and found myself reacting to two threads about new commuters- one of the column A variety and one of column B.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 07-29-09, 11:08 AM
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I'd be happy just to see another commuter.
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Old 07-29-09, 11:09 AM
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Oh... and this is a "lizard brain" poll.... let me know your first reaction, not your politically correct one.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.


Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 07-29-09, 11:16 AM
  #6  
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I like to see other bike commuters. I'll admit I will a little annoyed when one is riding on MY side of the road going the wrong direction. Sometimes I politely say something...sometimes not. Either way, I'm a big fan of bike commuting, no matter what they ride.

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Old 07-29-09, 11:17 AM
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If you held a gun to my head and asked me how many Column A and Column B commuters I saw on any given day, I couldn't tell you the answer to within an order of magnitude. I profoundly don't give a damn.
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Old 07-29-09, 11:17 AM
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Neither. I commute to and from work on a xmart Schwinn. It was what I could afford.

Now I regret it and wish I had looked at CL. :rage:
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Old 07-29-09, 11:28 AM
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As long as they're commuting.

I don't look at their bicycle often. I couldn't tell you if they're commuting on an X-Mart bike or a high end bike.
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Old 07-29-09, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by VeganForPeace
Neither. I commute to and from work on a xmart Schwinn. It was what I could afford.

Now I regret it and wish I had looked at CL. :rage:
Why the shame? You ride, be proud.
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Old 07-29-09, 11:55 AM
  #11  
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The type of new commuter that bugs me the most is the new commuter that gets on bf and starts ragging on all other commuters for running reds, jumping lights, passing him/her, listening to music, cutting through peds, cutting through traffic, blah blah blah like riding your bike to work makes you morally superior. Also, the Dutch.
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Old 07-29-09, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by VeganForPeace
Neither. I commute to and from work on a xmart Schwinn. It was what I could afford.

Now I regret it and wish I had looked at CL. :rage:
You're already a few rungs up from most already. No shame. There are some good quality bikes in the big box stores if you look carefully. Avoid the suspension bikes and there can be some jewels in the rough.
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Old 07-29-09, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by VeganForPeace
Neither. I commute to and from work on a xmart Schwinn. It was what I could afford.

Now I regret it and wish I had looked at CL. :rage:
+1,000,000

Are you sure you're not me? LOL

I agree wholeheartedly except I still really enjoy riding to work and just generally, so I'd get rid of the frowns. 14 mile RT commute five days a week and planning my first 40+ mile ride for this weekend, all on my xMart Schwinn. Could I have gotten more bang for my buck? Sure, but I still love riding!
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Old 07-29-09, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jyossarian
also, the dutch.

+1
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Old 07-29-09, 12:20 PM
  #15  
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There are only two ways a noob (or any rider) can annoy me. They are:
1) Riding in a way that threatens my safety, or the safety of other vulnerable road users.
2) Passing me and dropping my sorry ass.
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Old 07-29-09, 12:24 PM
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In my 16 mos of commuting, I've come across exactly one other commuter. We pass each other going opposite ways about a block away from my house.
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Old 07-29-09, 12:42 PM
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The commuter that bugs me is the one who bikes on the wrong side of the street going the wrong way; expecting me to make way from him...
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Old 07-29-09, 12:48 PM
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i see what you mean... i'm jealous of the kona dew deluxe with velocity wheels and nice lights, but then again i've spent just as much and i'm only a year or so into the whole commuting thing.
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Old 07-29-09, 12:57 PM
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The ones that have "Just Started", average 17 - 20mph, and then ask for advice on improving their poor performance.
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Old 07-29-09, 02:21 PM
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The 65 year old guy on a squeaky mountain bike loaded down with 40 extra pounds of "Captain Dashboard" electronics, who somehow manages to kick my butt going up Novelty Hill.

... and I double checked: A hill assist is not part of his electronics rigging.


(edit)
I doubt he's a "new" commuter, but I've only just recently seen him.
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Old 07-29-09, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
The 65 year old guy on a squeaky mountain bike loaded down with 40 extra pounds of "Captain Dashboard" electronics, who somehow manages to kick my butt going up Novelty Hill.

... and I double checked: A hill assist is not part of his electronics rigging.


(edit)
I doubt he's a "new" commuter, but I've only just recently seen him.
Wait.... how can this guy be in WA and MN at the same time?
I've SEEN him. Brown polyester pants, black half boot street shoes with that side zipper thingy, and a greasy grey fedora? He totally owns me, even with those stinkin' rusted steel rims that are older than he is.
BAAH!
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Old 07-29-09, 02:30 PM
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I would guess it is the guy with the big rasta hair, some short of funky chi pants, sandals, riding a fixie who smoothly and effortlessly passes me at about double my speed.....without a hi, or on your left
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Old 07-29-09, 02:31 PM
  #23  
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I mean this light-heartedly but the ones on X-mart bikes get to me most. I see them while I work. If you're gonna commute, get a good bike and a nice helmet and enjoy your ride. Of course that may be all they can afford so they're doing good.
As it stands I haven't seen any commuters along my route this year so I'd be glad to see anybody.
Ernest
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Old 07-29-09, 02:36 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Jtgyk
The ones that have "Just Started", average 17 - 20mph, and then ask for advice on improving their poor performance.
Advise them on how to properly set their computer.
 
Old 07-29-09, 02:54 PM
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The only commuters that bug me are one that ride the MUP blazing 1000 lummen lights and don't dim for oncoming traffic. I run 600 lummens on the street, but about 120 on the MUP in the winter.
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