It also should not have included the word Fred. A Fred is a person who rides a tip-shop bicycle with a handlebar bag and trunk bag, while wearing a T-shirt, baggy shorts, and mid-calf socks with sandals ... but who logs more kilometers than you'll ever imagine or who has enough strength to pass you on a climb.

What you're describing here ... "His point is that non-competitive riders, which includes me, have no business spending thousands and thousands on upscale bikes" ... is a Poseur.

Your facade is falling apart.

Expensive stuff is about ego. Bicycle is about freedom. Looking at the world through the eyes of a child makes you see a red/blue/whatever bike, not a carbon frame Dura Ace equipped bike.


What works well and lasts long, at least when it comes to Shimano is middle of the range. Acera and above MTB and Sora and above road equipment.


BTW, my motorcycle is a 14 year old 600cc Yamaha and as far as NEEDs go - it is more than I really need - but no 400cc bikes in good condition were available in my country at the time I was looking for a 2nd hand motorcycle.

Forget the bikes... I am drooling over the Campellone. Sight unseen.

A poseur is someone who is trying hard to hide his fredliness...but who can't quite pull it off.

A fred makes no pretensions. We're proud to be freds; and glad not to be poseurs!

Nope. Real Freds simply don't care. Poseur Freds do.

I wonder what's the label for those whose character compels them to invent or use demeaning categories in which to place others with whom they share a hobby, so that they can feel superior.

No idea. Why did you use the term 'Fred' in you title? Was that a term of endearment?

I ride heavy gaspipe Huffy bicycles. Ride what you like.

A poseur fred? Dude, you're freaking me out! I mean, think about what that would mean! It's like one of those philosophical oxymorons that will drive you insane if try and figure it out!

And you could probably kick everyone else's gluteous maximus on the road, too!

Ride whatever you want. It's fun to have nice things--no matter what your ability level.
But, don't show up to the next group ride and be all giddy and mouthy about. Enjoy your nice ride, but don't be a d!ck. If you are, you'll deserve what you get! If you do, optimally you'll be left a destitute puddle of tears at the end of the ride.

Aerodynamic safety flag & clipless flip flops ?

What about them? Are mine the "wrong" colors?

"Fred Syndrome" endearment?

You must not know that the word "syndrome" (which I first wrote incorrectly as "Syndrom") is mostly used to indicate a sort of disease.

All good advice. I take exception to the video because it suggests that unless you ride what "Funnzie" (the video author) thinks is sensible you are either squandering resources or a sucker being fleeced by bike manufacturers. It's yet another form of derogating people, so he can feel smarter. Not much different from the gentlemen who like to call other bikers names like Fred or poseur, or what have you. You would think that sharing the same hobby would mean solidarity not discrimination, but some people aren't happy unless they put someone else down. Be people of another color, another country, another state, or people who ride certain bikes in a certain way. I consistently avoid such people, but they are everywhere, bike forums, guitar forums, you name it.

Why does it bother you? Why does it matter?

Just ride!

Go now ... ride!

Ironic.

The guy is just telling the truth about bikes; and not making any derogatory assumptions about people who know that truith and yet choose to ride light bikes, for whatever reason. I ride fancy, light bikes, but I didn't get all butt-hurt/offended by the truths which the video author stated, because I acknowledge those truths. What do you want the guy to do, lie, and say "You can't enjoy cycling nor go at a reasonably fast speed unless you spend several thousand dollars on a bike, and it weighs less than 18.5 lbs."? Generally speaking, if the truth offends somebody, it is because they are/were deceived by the lies, and don't want to acknowledge the truth.

I could go just as fast on my former $300 Bikesdirect bike as I can on my Venge. I had just as much fun 25 years ago on a POS resurrected BSO I found in the garbage, as I do today on high-end bikes. I enjoy owning the nice bikes now, but if I weren't able to afford them, I could still enjoy cycling just as much on cheaper bikes- Funnzie is merely pointing-out that fact. You don't NEED a fancy expensive bike. He's not saying there's anything wrong with having one if you want one.

He's just stating the facts: If you can't afford to spend $10K or $5K or even $2.5K on a bike, you can still enjoy the cycling hobby, and not be at a disadvantage.