RedHairedScot

Ok, so school is starting. I've put the slicks and clipless pedals [1] on the MTB, 'cause I'm not leaving my roadie parked in front of campus. As I was airing up the tires I realized I was really going to miss the road-style handlebars, and that I sorta wished I could put some on my MTB just for commuting. Some of the Austin roads between here and campus are horrible during the construction, so I like the rugged MTB for campus riding.

And then I looked past the roadie to the detachable aerobars and thought, "Ya know, I really DO like stretching out on those..."

Somebody tell me I'm a moron. Hurry.

[1] For the sandals, man!

Bikemiker

Just do it. You want to, sooo.... What's up? Some people will think it looks ridiculous. Chances are some people are going to think that about something-or-other no matter what you do. So, as long as it works for you... Who cares? Just own it.

caloso

Just do it! I've got aerobars and bar ends on my MTB.
Since I use this bike to pull my kids' trailer I have absolutely no pretense of looking cool.
It looks like a hat rack! We can be in the dork club together.

RedHairedScot

They're also good for hanging the plastic bags that the local Chinese place uses to put to-go orders in. MMMmmm.

Noif666

I used to see a guy every morning who rode a mountain bike with aero bars on it. It never occurred to me that it might look funny or strange. If it's comfortable absolutely go for it!

roadfix

As long as you've got the dork disc off the bike you can do whatever you want to your bike...

MattP.

So true.

kuan

It'll certainly make your bike less appealing to thieves!

catatonic

So true

Cyclaholic

You know, I'm looking for aerobars on EBay for my commuter MTB and untill now I didn't even consider how it will look to someone else.

Come to think of it, I'm still not considering how it will look to someone else. They don't ride my bike, I do, and anyway, doesn't matter what it looks like while I'm commuting because all they see is a blur flash past them. To hell with what they think, just do it.

Anyhow, I think they look cool

Retro Grouch 

An ideal beater/commuter should be specifically designed for where and how you ride. If you think that you might like the aero bars, give 'em a try. You can always take them off later if you decide to change your mind.

Bikepacker67

Ummm... what's a dork disk?

Nicodemus

that plastic disk between your rear gears and the wheel. blech.

Paiyili

Going to college? Here's your first lesson. Not wanting to look stupid indicates a desire to be accepted by a group of people. Groups of people who require you to conform to a set of behaviors "or they won't like you" are adolescent and asinine, and don't actually like you anyway. They are a group to which you do not want to belong. You have a good, workable plan. Protect the expensive bike while maintaining your comfort. If other people do not understand or approve, scrape 'em off.

ginger green

And if all of your new friends suddenly drop you off the social calendar because you are the goof with the freaky bicycle... then you can hang out with Paiyili on the week ends - he has an extra room above the shop.

KristenGilbert

Just ride by realllllly fast. No one will see you, only a blur.

Who really cares. At least you're on a bike riding it. That's all I thought when I saw people riding. Just the jealousy that they were getting some great exercise while I was being lazy.

Paiyili

If his friends drop him off the social calendar because they don't like his bike, they are not friends, and...well, see my previous post for a suggested course of action. Superficial people are worthless for anything other than serving as a bad example.

RedHairedScot

Actually I'm going to grad school. I'm in my fourth year, actually, hoping to snatch a Ph.D. in only four more years. (heh.) I'm already fighting the lack of cool from the tan lines on my SPD sandals...

sunninho

You're a moron for starting this thread... just enjoy the ride. And good luck with the Ph.D!

Guest

Stop you before you look stupid?

Too late!



Koffee

Sawtooth

Now wait a minute.....Don't we all belong to groups just like that? Isn't that the point of being in a group? Members of political parties expect certain behaviors from each other, as do members of just about any religious group. Maybe it's not that they won't like you but, in my opinion, it is perfectly fine for a group to exclude a potential member based on his or her refusal/inability to engage in the behaviors that demonstrate and align with the values of the group. Somewhat off topic, I know.

dee-vee

How do you remove the dork disk? Just break it off? Seems like you gota remove the cassete.

genec

When you figure out how to do it, you are no longer a dork.

Kinda like being on newbie.mail... when you finally read the newbie mail and figure out how to send that message that removes you from the mail list... then you are no longer a newbie.

Tec-9

You'll look weird, but everyone from austin is anyways, so I doubt anyone will notice. Tell them you're an "artist". They will think you're a God.

RedHairedScot

You went to orientation?
Dork.