burnthesheep

To me, I actually notice a lot of wannabe racers post catchy and braggy Strava posts and rides.

Then, when it's time for the A or A+ ride to leave the parking lot, they're back in the B group. Or go out to the really flat A+ ride and sit in the wind for 2 hours and brag about hanging on.

I notice that much more than the whole steel vs. ti vs. carbon thing. That's still out there, but it's getting more rare now that the horse has been beaten dead for over a decade.

wphamilton

A guy I work with called my bike crap and it did kind of offend me. A general know-it-all type though (who usually doesn't really know) so I let it pass.

Divad

I would not be offended . . . I would see it as an opportunity to start a conversation.

I actually do have two bikes that many would consider "pieces of crap" - and they look the part, but that is intentional and they have a purpose. To be brief, they are not "theft magnets". They are dependable cheap bikes that can be left locked up in high risk areas and not attract attention; and if one does get stolen . . oh well . . . .

That said . . . I do think that anyone who would seriously insult someone else's property probably has some issues . . .

On the other hand, my riding buddies relentlessly insult my good bikes, my gear, choice of music, choice of beer, etc

KraneXL

I think most people that claim otherwise are being disingenuous. Although the device does matter as well as the person who's making the insult. My bike however, is mostly stock so it doesn't have much of an impact on my personality -- other than my choosing it.

Also, the design and color are all generic. So someone that insults it would be equivalent to someone insulting my wearing a white t-shirt. Pretty meaningless. Now if my bike was result of personal touches, then the insults would have a lot more resonance.

caloso

I've never had anyone put down one of my bikes, other than a Europhile teammate who gave me some joking crap about putting Ultegra pedals on an otherwise all-Campy bike. I hear sniping about not pulling through and people get yelled at for being a squirrel, but I don't I've ever heard anyone say "your bike sucks." In fact, if you show up to the A ride on a steel classic, you're more likely to hear a lot of compliments.

wphamilton

Built personally, from the frame up in this case, and every piece of it selected from an analytical basis. Not top end components, but then the guy in question wouldn't know top end if I showed him. It's just annoying because it's a slight. But since the guy is that same way about a lot of things, badmouthing the bike is nothing particularly special. But no question, somewhat offensive.

wphamilton

I get random compliments from roadies on my $170 Dawes single speed. Seriously.

livedarklions

Yeah, it has to be situational context--if someone insults my ugly but rideably rusty garage sale find, I'm going to laugh with them. If it's a bike I put some time/money into, I'm going to figure they intended to piss me off and act accordingly, if possible by riding circles around them.

cyclebycle13

Never had my bike insulted but one time riding coming out of the winter as I went by 3 kids (teenagers) - one yelled out "You're fat." I'm 5'7" and 148 lbs. Maybe coming out of the winter I was 152/153, maybe it was the winter clothes and the position on the bike. As a high school teacher who puts up with teens all the time I wasn't taking that - I slowed down and said, "yeah, but you're ugly and I can lose weight."

dylandewandel

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Oldbikeride

The only person to insult one of my bikes was my wife. She likes to tease me about my circa 2004 silver Murray cruiser that my kids bought for me from a big box store. She says it is nerdy and I think its funny when she pokes fun at it. I put a wide Schwinn seat on it and 11 inch high rise handlebars on it. I keep telling her that I want to put one of those big rubber bulb horns on it. It may be nerdy but it is a dream to ride around town.

backonblack

Yes dems fightin words no but seriously who cares? If the mood is light come back with a quick witty takes a crap to spot a crap, or "is not now why don't you make like a tree and get the heck out of here, quit landing on my crap bike mcFly go find your own piece of crap buddy

Now say that to the right 1% and he might be inclined to pull your head off and squeeze a crap down your neck. Then you can point and laugh, and get to say I told you so to the offensive head on the ground. Never insult a guys bike sucka'

backonblack

Ah well don't feel too bad. Mine insults everything of mine and we ain't even reached the marital stage yet.

shrtdstncrdr

I guess I would ask that person why do they care? I mean, I don't care about their bike.

livedarklions

Truth be told, if it's a random person on the street, I might not even be curious enough about why they cared to ask them.

jack002

I'm offended by the word offended

backonblack

Some owners might take it as a compliment, rightfully so...rust finish looks badass on some bikes.

'Thank'ya kindly crap was what I was aiming for'
Id do something about the grips and seat though.

52telecaster

When i commute i hope people think my bike is crap.

BlazingPedals

I suppose I would be somewhat affronted for a minute. Then I'd realize that it doesn't matter what they think. Further thought would determine that the commenter didn't know ****e and was thus doubly-irrelevant.

backonblack

Same, although I just parted with the fixie. Its eye candy darkish pink camelien with bright white pizza cutters. It stood out like a sore thumb in the sun but in a good way. I found it abandoned in a wooded lot. Looked like it was sitting there a while and the chain was seized so badly I had to change it. I called it in and no officer even bothered to show lol I think I have a picture or two on this lappy so you can see what I mean. I kinda wish I hadn't passed it on but then. I cant ride bikes now since falling off one

KraneXL

It has an organic theme, don't you think?

Metieval

Crap = stuff not taken care of

Junk = stuff that will never work regardless of how well it is maintained.

grayEZrider

I have just memorized those definitions!
And I love the Organic Rat Rod!

Metieval

they are probably 'crap' definitions, I just made them up. lol or junk too, /shrugs

I just bought the neighbor kid some junk, but it is less crappy than what he currently rides.
$35, cheaper than fixing his other bike.
he can ride it until it quits shifting and then I'll find him his gear and he can ride it as a single speed.

the thing is a boat Ship anchor!

wolfchild

All of my bikes have a personal touch added, I still don't care what anybody thinks about them... example: I use old inner tubes and hockey tape for my handle bar wrap and grips and all of my frames have decals/brands removed.