I mean, we all know it.

I tell this to my LBS, and he says 'You're not a poser, you know bikes, you know the difference between bikes, you pick gear for its performance. Posers are the guys that come in here and they want a particular brand just because they think it's cool and they don't even ride much. At least you ride a lot and you're sort of fast.'

Pcad: 'Maybe, but I did like the Cervelo because it looked cool.'

Bike shop: 'It does look cool. What's your point?'

Pcad: 'When do I ever have a point? This entire sport is pointless. You know they're trashing Cervelo on the Internet, but they're not doing that to Cannondale (the Cannondale rep was right there listening to all this). Go figure. Besides you told me the S2 would make me faster and it didn't.'

Bike shop: 'Do you like the S2?'

Pcad: 'Love it.'

Bike shop: 'So why aren't you happy?'

Pcad: 'I don't know. How much did you say that Di2 stuff was?'

next time I visit, just give me the money. I will spend it with far less hand-wringing.

Who thinks they are cool wearing and using cycling gear? I'd call them idiots, not posers.

The title of this thread should be changed to:

We're all idiots

i.e. posers only ride Trek

I was cool today wearing my cycling gear. Then the temperature went up and I was warm.

I am a poser, with my tight shorts and and kinda tight jersey with my beer gut hanging over, smoking a cig right before my 25 mile ride that almost kills me.

Ride and wear what you like. It won't be long before age sets in and limits you. I work in long term care, I have been warned. Granted, some of our residents are 106 years old, but I have people in their 70s who took care of themselves but their genetics got the best of them.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't feel a little strange riding, say, a $14k bike (ie. Giant with electronic DA) and not being a professional, but that is why I will limit my bikes to $5k or under which is still more than enough bike for me or anyone here. Even the pseudo-racer boys.

Can we PLEASE cool it with the "poseur," "cycling is a real sport and (insert sport here) isn't," and "I need to vent my insecurities about people thinking I'm gay because I wear lycra" threads? I know that won't leave much, but it would be fun to try.

Bottom Line = If you race, you're not posing.

That's it.

... Brad

I'm with you, but my limit is $2,500 - everyone should be happy with a $2,500 bike. No need to ever spend more.

[tongue in cheek]

Although I can't spend $10k for a bike, I don't want to stop someone else who has a $10 k budget on a bike from buying it, and I don't think you need to disparage anyone who does. Sure they could give me the money, so I could buy that $2,500 bike, and they could still buy a $7,500 bike - but its not for me or you to tell them what to do with their money.

I think that it's a necessary part of the self-loathing mentality.

Besides, nothing makes one's desire to train hard, ride hard and get faster than "inching one's way out of poseur-dom" in one's own mind.

I think that this is a some what healthy mentality for all but the best in the world, and by the best I mean #1 the best.

Even the two-other podium finishers of the TDF can use some self-loathing, because they're posing that they're the top dogs in the world just like we are, albiet to a much smaller degree.

Personally I'll be a poser until I win the TDF.

The Di2 will succeed where the S2 failed. Maybe. Remember faster is relative as you get older, the S2 kept you from getting slower. It succeeded in keeping you at the same speed, so hence it did make you faster. The Di2 will make you faster depending on how much time has gone by since you got the S2. You should have gotten the S2 and the Di2 at the same time. It may be to late to be effective.

I commend you for your excellent multivariable analysis

Here is the priority list:

"Control tower"
"Engine"
Bicycle

The only one that you can upgrade just by writing a check or "swiping" a card is the last one and it is the least important.

Yeah, but what if you roll up with a $14k Giant with DI2 and come in last each weekend? LOL

If you ride a Cervelo to be seen on a Cervelo, you may be a poser..
If weather dictates if you will ride, not just your clothes, you may be a poser..
If you ridicule other cyclists that are not in your "elite" peleton, you are a poser.

Keep it real!

I think many of you have forgotten that it's all about just getting on your bike and riding. Poser, Fred, roadie, blah blah blah..... This is road cycling. Get on your bike and ride. Try and have fun while doing so, it's even better.

blasphemy!

Totally disagree.

It's not self-loathing--it's the "I work hard and nobody respects me so I'll call everyone else gay" mentality. If you need that much affirmation for riding your bike, it's really kinda sad.

Really--how the hell does calling another rider a poseur for having enough money to buy a nice bike change anything? It's clearly just self-ego massage for whoever's saying that another rider isn't worthy of his/her bike.

You had $14K to spend on a bike and happen to also race.

some people make $14k a day, and more.

Yeah, money means different things to different people. Bill Gates could roll up to a 100 person crit field, give them all brand new $10k race bikes, and not even bat an eyelash.

except they would all require constant upgrades to keep them working.

what's wrong with posing? if you will never be fast, at least look fast.