DrIsotope

I wait for the other guy to initiate the waving process, and when he doesn't, I just rightfully assume he's a prick. I can also only assume that the other guy assumes the same about me. It's a wild, swirling haze of (usually) waveless assumptions.

Dan333SP

That's a good strategy.

CliffordK

I usually wave or say "hello" when I pass a cyclist or pedestrian.

If coming from the rear, I consider a greeting a way to help them become aware of my presence.

I have had a couple of people in cars yell a greeting out of the window, then speed off, and I've wondered if perhaps they were pedestrians that I passed at 20 MPH with a greeting without allowing time for them to respond. Is that equally rude?

I don't worry when people don't respond. There are much more important things in the world to worry about.

PepeM

Something I've wondered:

When people mention 'those riders in their fancy crabon bikes,' how do you determine, on the few seconds you have to look, that a bike is made of crabon and not some other less assplossive material like aluminum or even steel? I sure as hell can't tell with just a glimpse but if there are some telltale signs then I would like to know so that I can make my aluminum bike appear crabon.

shoota 

You guys never fail to deliver lol

cthenn

Wanna really confuse someone? As you approach the other rider, sit up and salute them. And not just a regular salute, the kind where you finish with a snap of the hand as you fling your arm away from your head. Some will get a kick out of it, some will laugh, others will just think you are a creep. I'm ok with any of these responses.

CliffordK

Look for visible welds. There really is no reason these have to be bumpy.

Carbon Fiber waterslide decals?

cthenn

For the OP, I think it's a package deal. Young guys wearing "those cute little matching outfits" of pink and lime green, with tall socks. And we all know "you people" ride nothing but carbon bikes as they snobbishly look down their noses when they pass.

He did say "cute" right?

Nachoman

I've been on Bike Forums too long to waive to anyone.
The most you'll get out of me is a head nod.

cthenn

Nah, lot of the alu bikes these days have smoothed welds, some to the point where it does actually look like monocoque construction.

PepeM

So do you think that when I am wearing my flashy full lycra outfit and tall socks, there are some people out there who think I am riding some crabon superbike? I might have just saved myself thousands.

EDIT: Hard to look at welds when passing someone in the opposite direction, or even in the same one tbh. Will give it a try next time though.

Dan333SP

No. They see your clown shoes and your trailer full of kittens and realize you're an alloy man. Not only would they expect you to wave, they'd expect you to yell out your Zwift 20 minute power PB.

PepeM

Even if I am wearing my AirAttack with visor?

wphamilton

You know that may explain the obsession some of "those riders" have with detailing their bike after every ride. Which I've never really understood until now. If it's gleaming in the sunlight with that freshly-waxed look with sparkling derailleurs and pristine wheels and tires, I always assume that it's a high-dollar crabon bike. And on that assumption I don't bother waving of course. Maybe a finger twitch, if I feel like I can make it subtle enough.

JMH714

Really, it's depends on who are they...

I have rode on three local trails, I noticed they all are different characters of people. I rode on Santiago Creek trail in Orange (California), they're all friendly - they would say "good morning" or nodding. Then I rode on Santa Ana River trail, most cyclists are friendly, but joggers or walkers are more snobby. And San Diego Creek trail, I would say 10% of cyclists would say good morning and 90% of them would ignore you - joggers/walkers are snobby.

That was my observation.

It really doesn't matter if they won't acknowledge you or not. Just keep saying hello or good morning whether they would say back to you. They will know you're friendly.

Dan333SP

It's really unfriendly of OP to abandon this thread without responding to each of our responses. We went out of our way to provide thoughtful insight on the wave/not wave dilemma, and he just ignores us.

CliffordK

I wonder if I have the opposite problem, with my Carbon Fiber Wonderbike looking more like an old steel frame bike.



Of course, a few carbon fiber bits and pieces on it helps with the all important "image".

Or, does the frame have to not only look like Carbon Fiber, but also look like it is brand new, with mine being over the hill?

I don't worry too much about those people in fancy outfits. I'm not real fast myself, but at times it feels good to leave them in a cloud of dust.

C Law

They are doing intervals, in too much pain for waving.

indyfabz

I can tell by looking at the person. If he or she looks like a certain kind of stupid I know they are riding a CF bike.

mcours2006

If I'm waved at I always wave back. Not a hand-high-in-the-air-waving kind of wave, but a subtle fingers-up-slightly-off-the-bar kind of wave. I'll even initiate a wave sometimes. But then again, I'm not young, nor do I normally ride a carbon bike, nor is it expensive, or outfit cute, or little...

Do you wave when you pass another rider? Feels awkward. Maybe a 'good morning' as I pass. But what if it's in the PM? 'Good afternoon' seems a bit much. I'm asking seriously.

Juan Foote

I am one dumb looking sumz a booch....

Leadrunner

Ok, last incident, I am just finishing a climb and the two guys going the other way are coming off a flat and starting down the hill. No one is pushing hard, except for the old guy (me), so, yeah, unlike all you perfect people, I was offended.

PepeM

Just read Rapha will be selling a frameset. Who is getting one?

Dan333SP

Is it compatible with Assos glasses?

PepeM

Lol Fred.