Bike snob vs. Bike geek
12-27-11, 11:49 PM
#1
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Bike snob vs. Bike geek
There is a distinct difference between the two.
Which are you? Which do you prefer?
How can you tell the difference?
Which are you? Which do you prefer?
How can you tell the difference?
12-28-11, 12:01 AM
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And most importantly ...
Who cares??
Now that we've established that ... go ride your bicycle!
I just got in from a lovely 48 km ride around the town we're visiting for summer/Christmas holidays. How about you?
Who cares??
Now that we've established that ... go ride your bicycle!
I just got in from a lovely 48 km ride around the town we're visiting for summer/Christmas holidays. How about you?
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12-28-11, 12:04 AM
#3
You gonna eat that?
12-28-11, 12:08 AM
#5
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I'd reckon I'm on the geek end of the spectrum (albeit slightly...)
Geekdom (geekiness? geekiositude?) in my mind pertains to the pursuit of knowledge of arcane technical specifics of various bicycle-related whathaveyou. Snobbery, in contrast, is looking down upon others machines based on said whathaveyou. To wit: A geek knows what makes Tiagra different than 105; a snob will judge you because it's not Dura-Ace (or Record or Red).
The better question: What's the difference between a Bike Geek and a Bike Dork? A far more subtle distinction, I say...
Geekdom (geekiness? geekiositude?) in my mind pertains to the pursuit of knowledge of arcane technical specifics of various bicycle-related whathaveyou. Snobbery, in contrast, is looking down upon others machines based on said whathaveyou. To wit: A geek knows what makes Tiagra different than 105; a snob will judge you because it's not Dura-Ace (or Record or Red).
The better question: What's the difference between a Bike Geek and a Bike Dork? A far more subtle distinction, I say...
12-28-11, 12:49 AM
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Oh no! I have known many the obnoxious lycra clad warrior who didn't know what type of drivetrain was on his bike.
(Not all riders in the Lycra-Clad-Warrior group are obnoxious, BTW, probably about the same number as those from the tweed-hat-and-penny-farthing group, the Radical-XXXXTreame-Downhiller group, the gunrack-equipped-truck-driver group, and the Human-Powered-Vehicle-With-a-Soy-Powered-Human-On-Board group.)
(Not all riders in the Lycra-Clad-Warrior group are obnoxious, BTW, probably about the same number as those from the tweed-hat-and-penny-farthing group, the Radical-XXXXTreame-Downhiller group, the gunrack-equipped-truck-driver group, and the Human-Powered-Vehicle-With-a-Soy-Powered-Human-On-Board group.)
12-28-11, 01:38 AM
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12-28-11, 02:20 AM
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It's a East Coast vs West Coast blog kinda thing.
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12-28-11, 02:57 AM
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I may be a geek, and I may be obnoxious, but I'm not a snob.
A snob is someone who thinks, that because they have something "better"* than what you have, that they are better than you.
*For a snob better typically means more expensive and newer.
A snob is someone who thinks, that because they have something "better"* than what you have, that they are better than you.
*For a snob better typically means more expensive and newer.
12-28-11, 06:31 AM
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A bike snob uses their bicycle as a tool to get ahead in what they care more about, their place in society.
A bike geek uses their place in society as a tool to get ahead in what they care more about, their bicycle.
A bike geek uses their place in society as a tool to get ahead in what they care more about, their bicycle.
12-28-11, 08:54 AM
#13
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Bike geek uses tools. Bike snob IS a tool. 
Well, that's what came to mind after reading Jim Kukula's post.
When I saw the thread title, I thought, bike snobs love to say how their stuff is the best and you just don't understand, while bike geeks talk about the best of ANY bike stuff and will explain why even after you totally understand.
Well, that's what came to mind after reading Jim Kukula's post.
When I saw the thread title, I thought, bike snobs love to say how their stuff is the best and you just don't understand, while bike geeks talk about the best of ANY bike stuff and will explain why even after you totally understand.
12-28-11, 12:42 PM
#14
Senior Member
Bike Snob is a Roadie.
Bike Geek pulls a Trailer.
Bike Geek pulls a Trailer.
12-28-11, 12:44 PM
#15
You gonna eat that?
Yep. Pretty much the same idea.
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12-28-11, 01:11 PM
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A Bike Snob is more concerned about how much money they've SPENT on their bike.
A Bike Geek is more concerned about how much money their bike SAVES them.
A Bike Snob "knows" they are better than you because they "choose" to ride, they don't "have to".
A Bike Geek doesn't care, as long as they are riding.
A Bike Geek is more concerned about how much money their bike SAVES them.
A Bike Snob "knows" they are better than you because they "choose" to ride, they don't "have to".
A Bike Geek doesn't care, as long as they are riding.
12-28-11, 01:37 PM
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Why can't a bike snob be a bike geek, as well?
IMHO, a bike geek has a plethora of bicycle information, knows about bike mechanics, components, types of bikes, their materials and uses. The geek is familiar with bicycle pricing and resources. He is also familiar with bicycle history.
I bicycle snob is primarily concerned with bicycle pricing, their materials, and components. He is usually obsessed with owning a brand of bicycle known for high status in terms of speed, performance, and price. He is most likely a roadie and a weight-weenie. He will be most comfortable around other roadies with the latest high-class CF road-racing bikes that cost thousands of dollars. The higher the price and the closer to race-ready the road bike, the higher the bragging rights and the higher the level of BS in the pool of poo.
Just Say'N...
- Slim
PS.
Some geeks are snobs too! There is no reason for geeks to be excluded from the pool of poo!
IMHO, a bike geek has a plethora of bicycle information, knows about bike mechanics, components, types of bikes, their materials and uses. The geek is familiar with bicycle pricing and resources. He is also familiar with bicycle history.
I bicycle snob is primarily concerned with bicycle pricing, their materials, and components. He is usually obsessed with owning a brand of bicycle known for high status in terms of speed, performance, and price. He is most likely a roadie and a weight-weenie. He will be most comfortable around other roadies with the latest high-class CF road-racing bikes that cost thousands of dollars. The higher the price and the closer to race-ready the road bike, the higher the bragging rights and the higher the level of BS in the pool of poo.
Just Say'N...
- Slim
PS.
Some geeks are snobs too! There is no reason for geeks to be excluded from the pool of poo!
Last edited by SlimRider; 12-31-11 at 12:41 PM.
12-28-11, 01:41 PM
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I guess I used to be a bikesnob, meaning I would actively try to pontificate on why Walmart bikes were trash and why the LBS is better, but in hindsight I probably turned more potential cyclists off to cycling than I encouraged, and really, until you know a little about bike mechanics all those good reasons just go in one ear and out the other to a potential cyclist only looking at a price tag. Besides, some of those "real bikes" of the past like the Schwinn Suburban were a little godawful too.
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12-28-11, 04:15 PM
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A Bike Snob is more concerned about how much money they've SPENT on their bike.
A Bike Geek is more concerned about how much money their bike SAVES them.
A Bike Snob "knows" they are better than you because they "choose" to ride, they don't "have to".
A Bike Geek doesn't care, as long as they are riding.
A Bike Geek is more concerned about how much money their bike SAVES them.
A Bike Snob "knows" they are better than you because they "choose" to ride, they don't "have to".
A Bike Geek doesn't care, as long as they are riding.
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12-28-11, 05:17 PM
#20
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I'm a tourist in my own town, even when commuting ..
though I suppose when someone asks me about my bike,
I can get geek-ie ... since you asked..
[ I have been working in Bike shops .. off and on .. for 30 years ]
mostly it's acknowledging .. "nice bike" with 'thanks'..
though I suppose when someone asks me about my bike,
I can get geek-ie ... since you asked..
[ I have been working in Bike shops .. off and on .. for 30 years ]
mostly it's acknowledging .. "nice bike" with 'thanks'..
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-06-12 at 03:30 PM.
12-28-11, 05:33 PM
#21
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Agree with most of these. Geekiness is based around extreme enthusiasm for something, while snobbery is based around an attitude. I think most of us have a bit of both inside.
12-28-11, 05:56 PM
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A bike snob won't talk to a recumbent rider.
A bike geek is a recumbent rider.
A bike geek is a recumbent rider.
12-28-11, 06:00 PM
#24
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I am a fiend.
12-28-11, 06:41 PM
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A bike geek will acknowledge you when they pass by no matter what your riding.
A bike snob might acknowledge you if they think you're one of them.
A bike snob might acknowledge you if they think you're one of them.
Last edited by vinced; 12-29-11 at 04:03 AM. Reason: spelling