why people on SSFG are mean
12-10-09 | 08:55 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Wheelnut
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Bikes: Fuji feather, Dahon Boardwalk S1
why people on SSFG are mean
I have been browsing these forums for a couple of weeks. And I noticed that the posts in the "Singlespeed & Fixed Gear" Subforums are usually meaner than the commuters, tourers, etc. And I was wondering why people who ride singlespeed and/or fixed gears have so much angst.
I can only come up with two arguments:
1. Hipster/Tarck Hate
2. People are disgruntled because if they are posting in forums, they are not riding their bikes.
I can only come up with two arguments:
1. Hipster/Tarck Hate
2. People are disgruntled because if they are posting in forums, they are not riding their bikes.
12-10-09 | 09:39 AM
#5
Nü-Fred
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: Torelli Tipo Uno (stolen), Peugeot Nice, Mercier Kilo TT
I think BSNYC summed it up nicely yesterday with his blog post when he said :
he was talking about the hipsters vs. hasidic jews in williamsburg, but I think it applies to this forum as well.
As human beings, we have a tendency to think that we are special, and that our own needs and desires are more important than the needs and desires of others. While most of us are able to keep this self-importance in perspective, some of us actually go so far as to define ourselves by this inflated sense of self-importance. Usually, we do this by dressing differently than the majority of people yet nearly identically to other people whose needs and desires are similar to ours. In so doing, the hope is that people will recognize us at a glance and afford us the sort of special treatment we think we deserve.
This behavior really isn't a problem until two such groups find themselves in close proximity to one another. When this happens, each group begins to feel as though its status as "special" is being threatened, and they begin to argue or worse.
This behavior really isn't a problem until two such groups find themselves in close proximity to one another. When this happens, each group begins to feel as though its status as "special" is being threatened, and they begin to argue or worse.
12-10-09 | 09:43 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
I have been browsing these forums for a couple of weeks. And I noticed that the posts in the "Singlespeed & Fixed Gear" Subforums are usually meaner than the commuters, tourers, etc. And I was wondering why people who ride singlespeed and/or fixed gears have so much angst.
I can only come up with two arguments:
1. Hipster/Tarck Hate
2. People are disgruntled because if they are posting in forums, they are not riding their bikes.
I can only come up with two arguments:
1. Hipster/Tarck Hate
2. People are disgruntled because if they are posting in forums, they are not riding their bikes.
You will find that almost all forums have "those guys" in them. Generally as the age of the users increase, the maturity level does as well.
12-10-09 | 09:58 AM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 145
From: Long Island, NY
12-10-09 | 10:07 AM
#11
Gentlemen.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
From: Chico, CA
Bikes: S-Works e5 Aerotech with 2009 Veloce and a Fulcrum 5s
To be fair, we do also see a LOT of "how do I skid/should I buy a KiloTT/What's the best bike/etc." threads. Fixed gear has the privilege and the curse of being very trendy, so the folks without an original thought tend to come out of the woodwork. These people tend to clash with the folks who feel threatened because their unique and individual self-expression is being threatened. You just have to learn to ride the waves of malice for great entertainment. Posting pictures of cats helps.
12-10-09 | 10:16 AM
#13
Pants are for suckaz
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 1
From: Mt. Airy, MD
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
I have a small twig'n'berries so I compensate by making fun of others.
srsly though- We [as a group] seem to struggle with the difference between facts and opinions leading to unnecessary friction.
An example of a fact would be- "Using a frame with horizontal dropouts or track ends makes building up a fixed gear a lot easier than using a frame with vertical dropouts."
An example of an opinion would be- "That vintage Colagno frame is too nice to build up as a fixed gear.'"
Facts remain constant and there is no need to bicker about them. Opinions are like colons; everybody has one and most of them are full of excrement. We as a group need to just agree to disagree on some things. Diversity of opinions is what makes the world great (except people who disagree with me; they are all d-bags).
srsly though- We [as a group] seem to struggle with the difference between facts and opinions leading to unnecessary friction.
An example of a fact would be- "Using a frame with horizontal dropouts or track ends makes building up a fixed gear a lot easier than using a frame with vertical dropouts."
An example of an opinion would be- "That vintage Colagno frame is too nice to build up as a fixed gear.'"
Facts remain constant and there is no need to bicker about them. Opinions are like colons; everybody has one and most of them are full of excrement. We as a group need to just agree to disagree on some things. Diversity of opinions is what makes the world great (except people who disagree with me; they are all d-bags).
12-10-09 | 10:50 AM
#16
:)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1
From: duluth
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Think it largely has to do with the number of people who:
a.) Decide to get a "fixie" and have no idea of what they are doing, then come here and ask lots of stupid questions instead of doing 10 seconds of research.
b.) Are more concerned about the aesthetics of their "fixie" than ride/quality.
c.) Refuse to listen to reason and do stupid stuff like remove braze-ons off of a vintage triple-butted Italian frame, with vice-grips. (Although stuff like that hasn't really happened lately)
d.) Are totally afraid to touch a wrench/fix a flat/tighten a chain/adjust seatpost/stem/etc.
e.) Are deathly afraid of scratches, dirt, grime, etc. (Threads about getting white tires dirty, or riding in a bit of rain come to mind).
Also, you have the cyclists (I am one) who believe that some bikes should just not be tarcked out/converted... and cringe every time someone comes on here with a beautiful vintage road bike/frame (maybe with some signs of use), then immediately strip all the paint off (and therefore value), powdercoat/spraypaint it some gaudy color and tarck it out.
and of course:
a.) Decide to get a "fixie" and have no idea of what they are doing, then come here and ask lots of stupid questions instead of doing 10 seconds of research.
b.) Are more concerned about the aesthetics of their "fixie" than ride/quality.
c.) Refuse to listen to reason and do stupid stuff like remove braze-ons off of a vintage triple-butted Italian frame, with vice-grips. (Although stuff like that hasn't really happened lately)
d.) Are totally afraid to touch a wrench/fix a flat/tighten a chain/adjust seatpost/stem/etc.
e.) Are deathly afraid of scratches, dirt, grime, etc. (Threads about getting white tires dirty, or riding in a bit of rain come to mind).
Also, you have the cyclists (I am one) who believe that some bikes should just not be tarcked out/converted... and cringe every time someone comes on here with a beautiful vintage road bike/frame (maybe with some signs of use), then immediately strip all the paint off (and therefore value), powdercoat/spraypaint it some gaudy color and tarck it out.
and of course:
Last edited by ianjk; 12-10-09 at 10:55 AM.
12-10-09 | 11:37 AM
#19
Thread Starter
Wheelnut
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Bikes: Fuji feather, Dahon Boardwalk S1
But after a while, I realized that you will not die if you mess something up. So I started to work on maintenance. I took a couple of classes. And I now rarely go to the bike shop to get things done. Of course, I still go there because my fave bike shop has the coolest people in the world. So helpful.
And I do agree with people asking about questions that can could have been answered if they actually took the time to help themselves. My fave site is : https://lmgtfy.com/
12-10-09 | 11:49 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,552
Likes: 135
I have been browsing these forums for a couple of weeks. And I noticed that the posts in the "Singlespeed & Fixed Gear" Subforums are usually meaner than the commuters, tourers, etc. And I was wondering why people who ride singlespeed and/or fixed gears have so much angst.
I can only come up with two arguments:
1. Hipster/Tarck Hate
2. People are disgruntled because if they are posting in forums, they are not riding their bikes.
I can only come up with two arguments:
1. Hipster/Tarck Hate
2. People are disgruntled because if they are posting in forums, they are not riding their bikes.
F*ck you.
12-10-09 | 12:05 PM
#23
Comanche Racing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of Texas
Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus
12-10-09 | 12:11 PM
#25
:)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1
From: duluth
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
I think I totally understand the apprehension with fixing stuff. I remember a few years ago, I was too afraid to even adjust my shifters because I was afraid to mess something up. Plus all those warning stickers about how things need to be installed by professionals or else you will die.
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