Bike Lovers vs Bike Snobs...
#102
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Those are the people who feel threatened when someone makes a statement, stands out, shows diversity, goes their own way,,, does not follow the masses...
I think your bike is really cool
But then again I ride a mountain bike,
In the woods,
On true single tracks,
In Lycra,
With shaved legs,
And I ride a Recumbent
I think your bike is really cool
But then again I ride a mountain bike,
In the woods,
On true single tracks,
In Lycra,
With shaved legs,
And I ride a Recumbent
FWIW, when you post a pic in a forum, people can make the reasonable assumption you would like to get responses to that picture. Given the fact that aesthetics are a subjective measure, and the further fact that we all come from different perspectives, it is not unreasonable to assume that what is beautiful to you m,ight be unattractive to others.
Of course, someone who merely notes that yellow tires are unusual may or may not be voicing a criticism, but may simply be commenting that that is an unusual choice. Since you have told us you wear traditional road bike wear while mountain biking, you are presumably familiar with the notion that doing unusual or unexpected things can provoke a variety of responses.
No need to speculate as to the psychological motivations of someone who simply notes a variance from the norm.
Have a great day,
BB
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#103
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I got beat up pretty good for mentioning bike snobs. I don't really care what people think of my bike or riding gear, but it is annoying to have someone tell me I need to "upgrade" to some self-conceived idea of "proper cycling"...
#104
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Ask them why they care so much about your bike? Then, if they do not get it, tell them to bug off!
#105
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In decades of being around bikes, I have never, ever, even once had such a thing occur. I do, however, regularly read threads about what a jerk I must be for riding an up to date aero road bike in full kit while simultaneously failing to compete in the TdF. If you own an expensive bike, it's apparently not necessary for you to actually do anything to offend anyone - simply existing is enough to do the job.
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Last edited by bbbean; 04-11-16 at 10:46 AM.
#106
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In decades of being around bikes, I have never, ever, even once had such a thing occur. I do, however, regularly read threads about what a jerk I must be for riding an up to date aero road bike in full kit while simultaneously failing to compete in the TdF. If you own an expensive bike, it's apparently not necessary for you to actually do anything to offend anyone - simply existing is enough to do the job.
Or you are stupid for falling victim to marketing because all bikes are the same - a $350 bike is just as fast or handles as well as a $10,000 one.
#107
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I don't think it matters if it's a dept. store bike or one of those $10,000 holy grail bikes. If you enjoy what you ride who should care?
#108
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In decades of being around bikes, I have never, ever, even once had such a thing occur. I do, however, regularly read threads about what a jerk I must be for riding an up to date aero road bike in full kit while simultaneously failing to compete in the TdF. If you own an expensive bike, it's apparently not necessary for you to actually do anything to offend anyone - simply existing is enough to do the job.
#109
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I love collecting quality vintage racing bikes. Just because I may own a Colnago doesnt mean I'm a bike snob. There are those but they are few except posting on the internet.
#110
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In decades of being around bikes, I have never, ever, even once had such a thing occur. I do, however, regularly read threads about what a jerk I must be for riding an up to date aero road bike in full kit while simultaneously failing to compete in the TdF. If you own an expensive bike, it's apparently not necessary for you to actually do anything to offend anyone - simply existing is enough to do the job.
#111
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I rode 500mi. on bike trails last summer with my new cheap Schwinn hybrid and loved every minute of it. I got dropped by guys in full kit on nice bikes constantly and I think it was my own brain telling me these guys were snobs. In reality they could probably care less about me and my Schwinn and passing me gave them no more joy than passing a little kid on a trike. I'm sure there are "snobs" out there but I wouldn't let them ruin my day. For the most part everyone at least nods when you meet them going the other way unless you are going downhill and they are going uphill working hard. I had enough snobs in my profession to last a lifetime and pay them no attention.
Last edited by DBrown9383; 04-11-16 at 04:44 PM.
#112
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Bike snobs can be either a bicyclist or even a bicycle shop owner.
A fellow who owned a bicycle shop here in town told a fellow who walked in with a 7 speed twist grip shifter and asked how much to put a new cable in it, "I don't work on cheap crap like that!" The potential customer told the owner that the bike was bought for him by his mother shortly before she died.
Another time that same shop owner told another fellow whilst a number of people were browsing that he wished they'd just pick up what they wanted, pay for it and get out. This owner did NOT like people coming into the store and talking about bikes unless they were spending big bucks.
Surprisingly enough that shop closed. Hm, I wonder why?
The point of the above is that even a very cheap department store bicycle, or any bicycle, can have immense sentimental value to someone that transcends the value of a much more expensive machine.
I get a number of put downs because I bought a Dura Ace AX groupset to put onto a vintage frame. This groupset still looks very aerodynamic and has no cable housing on it for the deraillers. I really like it and I was extremely sorry that in the mid-1980's I sold the Velo Sport bicycle that had the complete Dura Ace AX groupset on it. I like the looks and I like the functioning of it. Yet a lot of bicyclists disparage it as being out of date.
BTW, I have 4 extra pairs of brake blocks for it as well as a number of Uniglide cassettes for it including a few NOS ones and even some NOS shimano cleats for the pedals. Thus, I don't have to worry abot the "consumeables" on it.
Cheers
A fellow who owned a bicycle shop here in town told a fellow who walked in with a 7 speed twist grip shifter and asked how much to put a new cable in it, "I don't work on cheap crap like that!" The potential customer told the owner that the bike was bought for him by his mother shortly before she died.
Another time that same shop owner told another fellow whilst a number of people were browsing that he wished they'd just pick up what they wanted, pay for it and get out. This owner did NOT like people coming into the store and talking about bikes unless they were spending big bucks.
Surprisingly enough that shop closed. Hm, I wonder why?
The point of the above is that even a very cheap department store bicycle, or any bicycle, can have immense sentimental value to someone that transcends the value of a much more expensive machine.
I get a number of put downs because I bought a Dura Ace AX groupset to put onto a vintage frame. This groupset still looks very aerodynamic and has no cable housing on it for the deraillers. I really like it and I was extremely sorry that in the mid-1980's I sold the Velo Sport bicycle that had the complete Dura Ace AX groupset on it. I like the looks and I like the functioning of it. Yet a lot of bicyclists disparage it as being out of date.
BTW, I have 4 extra pairs of brake blocks for it as well as a number of Uniglide cassettes for it including a few NOS ones and even some NOS shimano cleats for the pedals. Thus, I don't have to worry abot the "consumeables" on it.
Cheers
#114
Senior Member
What hardware someone else uses and how they are costumed while operating it is of no interest whatever to experienced cyclists out doing what they do. This is the more or less mature BF sub-forum where setting a hook for divisive twaddle suitable for the 41 sinks to the bottom where it belongs.
-Bandera
-Bandera
#115
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Oh.....OK. It has a yellow headbadge so I keyed off of that for the tires and the bag.. As I said before, some dig it, but I have had a few "YELLOW TIRES?" from people. Since these pictures were taken I added a Pletscher rack that I lightened up and took off the spring loaded part and painted it black.
#117
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Some of them are pretty much un serviceable, and the better fix is a new shifter. Even bottom tier Shimano, are functional, serviceable, and cheap.
#118
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Let's remember the lighthearted intent of this, and return to whether or not you get ice cream with your pie.... Clearly not a bike snob, given the Lycra issues....
No ice cream with cake, that is just silly!
No ice cream with cake, that is just silly!
#119
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Sorry, I just can't buy into this statement.
Maybe the bike industry should just build 1 bike (in a range of sizes) in 1 component configuration for all of us.
All cars are the same, all houses are the same, all people are the same..... sheeesh.
Maybe the bike industry should just build 1 bike (in a range of sizes) in 1 component configuration for all of us.
All cars are the same, all houses are the same, all people are the same..... sheeesh.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#120
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While the bike shop guy lacked tact in this situation, I can empathize with his sentiment concerning cheap off brand twist shifters.
Some of them are pretty much un serviceable, and the better fix is a new shifter. Even bottom tier Shimano, are functional, serviceable, and cheap.
Some of them are pretty much un serviceable, and the better fix is a new shifter. Even bottom tier Shimano, are functional, serviceable, and cheap.
Cheers
#121
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I don't know how many times it has to be said, it's all about the rider. Just look at Peter Sagan after his effort to avoid Fabian Cancellara's fallen bike on the Paris-Roubaix last the weekend.
#122
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Put Sagan on a 60lb, fat bike loaded with snow touring gear and he can't avoid (or jump over) Cancellara's Trek. Fact.
All bikes are not the same. Except as a means of enjoying human-powered 2-wheeling, which every person should embrace.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 04-13-16 at 06:47 AM.
#123
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No argument that the rider is the engine and the pilot and the most important part. But anyone who knows bicycles knows they are not all the same, unless we dumb down 'bike riding' to mean simply getting from point A to point B. Given that assumption my cheap beat-up old Saturn auto is the same as a $300,000 Maserati or luxury Bentley. Sorry, but the Forum participants are more discerning than that - if not, please call me a 'bicycle elitist'.
Put Sagan on a 60lb, fat bike loaded with snow touring gear and he can't avoid (or jump over) Cancellara's Trek. Fact.
All bikes are not the same. Except as a means of enjoying human-powered 2-wheeling, which every person should embrace.
Put Sagan on a 60lb, fat bike loaded with snow touring gear and he can't avoid (or jump over) Cancellara's Trek. Fact.
All bikes are not the same. Except as a means of enjoying human-powered 2-wheeling, which every person should embrace.
#124
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Any pro racer I have met has also been friendly and even helpful.
#125
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I put bikes, ice cream, pizza and sex in the same category ... even the worst is pretty damn good.
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