Originally Posted by sean marcel (Post 7491130)

I've noticed the same thing in my area. Especially if I'm just out for a quick rip and I'm not wearing my helmet (I know I should always wear, but I don't) I get cold shouldered by all the commuters. Nothing but smiles and greetings in passing when I'm wearing a helmet though.

Originally Posted by Abneycat (Post 5684823)

My personal experience is that where I live, the roadies have done it to themselves when it comes to how they're treated by other cyclists. Perhaps not all of them, but so many roadies i've seen project that snobbishness about that its not surprising it gets reflected right back at them.

Originally Posted by Cyclaholic (Post 5684331)

I've noticed that the more tereotypically 'utility' I look the friendlier the greeting I get, and when I'm on my flashy road bike I get completely snobbed off by them.

Originally Posted by Abneycat (Post 5684823)

My personal experience is that where I live, the roadies have done it to themselves when it comes to how they're treated by other cyclists. Perhaps not all of them, but so many roadies i've seen project that snobbishness about that its not surprising it gets reflected right back at them.

Originally Posted by moore.sean (Post 7493312)

screw 'em. I'm not going fast enough to need a helmet when I'm hauling supplies. The point where I need a helmet to go 10mph is the point where I need a helmet to walk around too.

Originally Posted by donnamb (Post 5694038)

I don't think anyone in those pictures would do it for money.

Originally Posted by mbrickell (Post 12335610)

Based on my experience working in an ER, and having talked to the ER docs about this subject, the consensus is that helmets are fairly worthless over a certain speed. Maybe 30-40ish. At highway speeds, such as on a motorcycle, the consensus where I work is that helmets keep you alive perhaps, but your brain is mush so you are basically kept alive by machines indefinitely. Now, you get down into the 10-30 mile per hour range or so, and the consensus in our little ER world is that helmets definitely help you, and prevent significant injury. There is a definite difference in the severity of injury between helmetless and helmeted at under 20 or 30 mph when your head bounces off the pavement. Hence, I wear a helmet. To each their own, and you can quote whatever studies you want. I see it frequently at work, so while my experience is anecdotal, I've seen enough head trauma to wear a helmet myself.


15-20 mph wipeout from moving bike, definite advantage to helmet.
80 mph wipeout from sportbike, eh, you're probably meat anyway at that point.

Originally Posted by Cyclaholic (Post 5679281)

It seems to me like the utility cycing crowd don't appear to be too interested in image but are definitely more interested in function - function over form.... but sometimes I get the impression that we seem al little too disinterested in image, in fact I will come right out and say that some seem to cultivate the utility cyclist image and go out of their way to do so, to the point of casting scorn and derision on the non-utilitarians that 'don't get it'. That puts us on par with the lycra clad obsessive compulsive poseur roadies, except we're obsessive compulsive utilitarians, and even worse because of the 'holier than thou' attitude we try to project.

....feel free to discuss. Refute my observation if you like.

Originally Posted by 2manybikes (Post 12335929)

What about a roadie who is riding his utility bike and wearing street clothes?
What about a utility cyclist that is riding his road bike with bike clothes?

You think a roadie would think low of you? That's in your head not on a bike.

You can't tell what someone is thinking by looking at what they ride that day, and what they are wearing, it's absurd.
If one rider has a lots of coffee he may be happy if you don't wave. If the same rider has no coffee, and is feeling low, the same actions will seem negative.
Negative people will have one opinion, positive happy people will think differently. What about a MTB rider when he is riding his track bike? Or the opposite? I'm all of these things and many others. What about the family recreational rider on his touring bike? What about the tourist riding his slow trike with a dog in the back. Does that make him more friendly? Does that mean he does not have Two Litespeeds?

The look and the bike does not tell you what someone is thinking of you. Get a grip guys.

Flame on!!

Originally Posted by AdamDZ (Post 12335391)

...I like to project an image that says: "This is an un-cool, slow and heavy bike that will be useless to you and it belongs to a nutcase, STAY AWAY!"..

Adam

Originally Posted by jdswitters (Post 12336920)

...Biking on a big dummy has so much style it doesn't matter what you wear...

Originally Posted by skijor (Post 12336188)

Bailey don't need no steenking helmet. :D

Originally Posted by AdamDZ (Post 12336272)

Disagree. Many, if not most, roadies are just roadies. They don't ride anything else and they despise other types of cycling and anything that's heavier than 20lbs. Sure there are people that ride all sorts of bikes. But that's not the kind I was talking about.

Originally Posted by 2manybikes (Post 12337282)

There are plenty of people like that for sure. It partly depends on where you live and who you know. I know only one guy like that, and plenty of multi bike people. I do think it's good to not make up your mind until you know them.

Originally Posted by AdamDZ (Post 12336272)

Disagree. Many, if not most, roadies are just roadies. They don't ride anything else and they despise other types of cycling and anything that's heavier than 20lbs. Sure there are people that ride all sorts of bikes. But that's not the kind I was talking about.

Originally Posted by AdamDZ (Post 12335391)

That's because of this:



Majority of roadies I have ever met were snobs, weekend warriors with superiority complex, cagers-on-bikes, etc. and yes, that projects back at them. When I ride my commuter/utility bike and I see a roadie I just automatically assume he'd think low of me and I just don't bother greeting them.

EDIT: Oh, one more thing: IMHO most roadies are into cycling either as a recreational activity or a sport/exercise. I said "IMHO" and "most", I know there are roadies who are into other types of cycling as well. It hardly ever affects their lives in general (unless they're serious sportsmen). They don't commute by bike. They drive shopping. They ride indoor trainers in Winter or don't ride at all.

On the other hand, by definition, utility cycling becomes a part of your life, year round, it affects your life or is affected by your life. You don't have the time nor the need to change into fancy clothing to do a run to the supermarket or pick up your kid from school. So, when I come to think of it comparing roadies to utility cyclists is "apples to oranges" type of comparison. We're even further apart than the guys in the Ferrari and an old pickup truck.

***

I like to project an image that says: "This is an un-cool, slow and heavy bike that will be useless to you and it belongs to a nutcase, STAY AWAY!"

On a serious note, I don't shun any type of clothing as long as it serves its purpose and doesn't have too many logos. I might wear cargo pants and wool sweater one day and a bike tights and a bike jersey the other. - it depends on the weather and type of ride/job/destination. I often mix all kinds of clothing: working, hiking, beach shorts, basketball tops, with more typical bike clothing that often results in really weird look but it's comfortable.

Adam