I have a 2004 Novara Trionfo, which is a dang expensive bike (for me anyway).

I don't get it: how are they any worse than any other reasonably priced alu bike?

this one's $3299!! US


https://www.rei.com/online/store/Sear...000&noheader=1


surely they're no worse than Norco, GT, Diamnodback, Merida, and stuff like that

no brand name stickers, duh!

Only thing obviously wrong with that bike is the dork disk.

Surely, one appropriate reply to the brains trust encountered by the OP must be:

.......Its not about the bike.......


I thank you !

you could have asked him to let you pick up his bike to feel how light it is and then throw it out into oncoming traffic!!!

Right on! Even people who are really good have raced against people who are stronger. Cycling should be humbling.

Mebbe that guy was riding one of those Chinese fake carbon-fiber bikes...

this always happens. just like we have bikers with cheap bikes make fun of people with expensive bikes when they are faster,

Yow! I paid nowhere near that price for my Novara. Granted, it's a year old model but still brand new at less than a 1/3 of that. The dude's bike must have been at least $3K.

This stuff irritates me on a number of levels. First of all that guy with the Italian bling bought that bike, he didn't build it so why so much cockiness in possession of an object that anyone willing to spend the money for can possess? These are consumer products given in exchange for $, they are not earned through merit. It's safe to say a guy riding a bike earned thru merit (a pro) wouldn't have dissed you like that b/c he probably started out riding the best bike he could afford.

If we all handbuilt our bikes then I could see a little snootiness if I were real good at it and somebody else obviously wasn't. Still wouldn't be right but then at least the bikes would be clear proof I was more skillful than the other person. But since few if any of us ride bikes of our own making this whole idea of inflating egos b/c we spent a couple thousand more than someone else is just silly or worse.

You could have said-gee, how many European bikes have won the tour de france in this century?

You might want to read "Kings of the Mountains" a book about cycling in Colombia. It tells the tale of a boy who rides up to a group of cyclists on expensive bikes. He is riding a beat up 50 pound milk delivery (his job) bike and starts riding with them. The snobs shout some insults at the poor (literaly) kid, who shouts back some colorful expletive and keeps riding past them. The kid grows up to be one of the greatest cyclists in Colombia and rides in the Tour de France and other European events. Goes to show, it really isn't about the bike.

Is it a true story?


And aside from my earlier comment about making fun of his components, you should have picked up his bike and beat him with it. And then you should have said something catchy, like "How's that for a club ride?", and rode off into the sunset.

I find European bikes in the trash all the time. I refurbed one for $50 and now its my commuter bike. Those European bikes are great! Even a better bargain than Chinese.

I didn't write the book, so I have to trust the author. However, most of the top world class cyclists in Colombia come from poor families and had to ride whatever they could get. Riding a 50 pound delivery bike all day every day will make anyone into a world class athlete, more so than riding a $5,000 custom bike for two hours on weekends.

Just say, " I may not have carbon fiber, but at least I've got manners."

I hate that some people feel the need to constantly reaffirm themselves by tearing down other people. That being said however, all you guys posting your "witty" retorts after the fact remind me of George Costanza:

"Oh yeah? Well the jerk store called, and they're out of you!"

Probably better just to let it go, knowing that his punishment in the afterlife will be riding a rusted Wal-Mart bike with no saddle, a creaky headset, a loose bottom bracket, spiked toe clips, and derailleurs that can never be properly adjusted to stop skipping.

That experience was kind of unfortunate. For many years I rode the best bike that I could afford which wasn't much when the supposed club racers on their admittedly very nice bikes would come by me. Yes, better bikes do then to work better but I have always been amazed to see people on 20 year old bikes with friction down tube shifters and non clipless pedals, wearing a white cotton tee-shirt who just hang with us and even take some very stout pulls. I would at some point ride up next to them and say, "awsome engine you have! Great work!" vs. "gee, if you had a nice bike we would take you seriously..." I think that guys who turn this sport into a pissing contest are just one ride away from having their lunch handed to them by some one else. No matter how fit I might feel, I am always amazed at how others can just ride away from me, regardless of how nice my bike is. Nice designer bikes make of unobtanium in no way should diminish the integrity of your tig welded aluminum frame. People who have gotten to the point in life where they can own and maintain an exotic Italian sports car, such as Masseratti or what ever will compair those cars with similar cars of similar value, not to an MG Midget for example. They will look at the MG and appreciate it for what it is, particularly if it is a good example of that model that is well kept. I think that your reaction to mister blow hard was correct. See, he has now really shown you who he is, a poser.

That is hilarious!!

That's funny. As I was reading the original thread I thought "What a ******". Then I read your reply.

From one shiznit to another shiznit let me give you some advice. Whenever someone spends a lot of money on something they have to justify in their own mind why they bought it.

I don't think you'll be any faster on a $5000 bike than you will on a $2000 bike, so the reverse argument he has probably heard is why did you buy a $5,000 bike?

It doesn't matter why he bought it, but their are reverse *******s out there that will question him.

I like under-rated parts, but that is just a personal thing.

Just ignore such fools.

I've had the good fortune to know people at the top of two different sports (swimming/water polo and rugby). I've also met a couple of high level cyclists and have heard about others from people I ride with. BTW by top level I mean Olympic finalists or national team members. The cyclists ranged from top 10 in hte us to guys who rode in the TDF. One thing in common for ALL I have met or heard about is that they were nice and never talked down to anyone with an interest in their sport.

It is the want to bes that need to put others down. The guys who have made it seem to have a far different attitude.

Respond, in your well practiced Italian accent, that in Italy, such bikes are reserved for Americans with too much money. Follow up with an espresso with anisette, and a relaxed attitude. He'll go home and have to rethink things.

Me: "So are Italian bikes really good"?
He: "Yeah, they really are the best".
Me: "Well, stick it up your A$$, a good thing never hurt anybody"