Cycling Snobs

[Rob3rt]

I havent encountered any "snobs", Ive been grunted at once by a lycra clad guy ona high end specialized, but that was not because he was an arse, it was because I didnt filter to the front at the lights (because I was unsure of where I was going and didnt want to commit to taking position) and he took dislike to it.

When I go out, I find a lot of the serious looking roadie riders nod etc, I passed what looked like a club run in stockport the other week, at least 3-4 of them nodded. I thought it was cool, since I was riding along on my fixed in my denim shorts etc and expected to be shunned as some sort of hipster.I have no cycle specific clothing bar my cycling shoes.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

People like that just make me laugh. I wear lycra because I find it comfortable but none of it matches.

At least two guys on my commute wear race kits and they look ridiculous as they're continually p*ssing both cyclists and drivers off with their arrogant and reckless behaviour.

Cycling should be for everyone and everyone should be free to cycle how they want (obviously as long as it's safe etc) and I would like to think if I turn into that kind of person someone would tell me.

 

[eldudino]

Good question eldudino.....am i a SERIOUS cyclist? Hell no, I'm generally a happy fun seeking cyclist going to and fro minding my own business (for the most part) but I just thought I'd comment on my recent observations which may be erroneous. OMG I might even be an inverted snob . I love to see people cycling about and experiencing the highs (beautiful days, fresh air) and lows (biting cold, wind and rain) of this mode of transport but do find the snobbery aspect inherent in some cyclists' attitudes to be churlish yet at the same time amusing to behold.

That wasn't a slight against you utdrd, there used to be a regular poster on here that didn't like anybody unless he deemed them a serious cyclist. I found it somewhat strange. I'm the same as you, I say hello to other cyclists whether I'm on my MTB or my road bike, though I do tend to find that I get more responses from roadies than from people utility cycling.

 

[BentMikey]

That wasn't a slight against you utdrd, there used to be a regular poster on here that didn't like anybody unless he deemed them a serious cyclist. I found it somewhat strange. I'm the same as you, I say hello to other cyclists whether I'm on my MTB or my road bike, though I do tend to find that I get more responses from roadies than from people utility cycling.

Wasn't his name Simon something?

 

[Goldfang]

Twas' ever thus! In my cycling club days in Essex thirty odd years ago there were clubs like ours with a cross section of people, some in to racing some in to touring and sunday club runs, some just in to having a good time. There were the purist racing clubs or teams, often sponsored that used to look down on the rest of us, our suday club runs ended up at a pub or 'caff', theirs were 'fast training runs' complete with following sag wagon.
Having got that off my chest, cycle snobbery has never been much of a problem in this area, probably because hardly anyone sems to ride a bike!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Ooh need to get me one of those tops! Nice!

I had a nice red one...









in 1984

 

[Fab Foodie]

I can understand the appeal of fixies commuting in a reasonably flat area, and some of those trendy fixies are seriously pretty - but nottingham is a pretty lumpy city, fixed gear really isn't practical round here.

I'd disagree with the last statement. Fixies are pretty good in hilly environments too, in fact over rolling terrain I'd say a fixie is almost better than geared. Nottingham would be fine. It seems counter-intuitive but it's true, fixed-wheelers climb really effectively, but you'd have to try one to be convinced.

Regarding brakes, I still had both brakes on mine, seemed stupid not too... but then they weren't fashionable when I first had mine, they were just the winter training/low maintainance version of your summer bike.

 

[Fab Foodie]

When challenged it often turns out that the perpetrators are the high cost bike, got all the gear, weekends in summer when it's not too hot and it's dry mob that were mentioned above.

Yeah, but I'm still quite a nice person when you get to know me...

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have been a member of 2 clubs over the last 5 years. I can honestly state that I have not come across kit snobbery to the extent implied here. Indeed, if you turn up in a new Rapha/Assos top you are more likely to be ribbed gently than if you turn up in a new Endura top. Newcomers are encouraged and assisted and nobody expects them to have the latest bike. I also know that most have an MTB / hybrid as their commuter / town bike and people generally acknowledge that some bikes are more suitable for some tasks.

This is absolutely my club experience as well. All that matters is you put the effort in. No more, no less.

 

[BentMikey]

I'd disagree with the last statement. Fixies are pretty good in hilly environments too, in fact over rolling terrain I'd say a fixie is almost better than geared. Nottingham would be fine. It seems counter-intuitive but it's true, fixed-wheelers climb really effectively, but you'd have to try one to be convinced.

Regarding brakes, I still had both brakes on mine, seemed stupid not too... but then they weren't fashionable when I first had mine, they were just the winter training/low maintainance version of your summer bike.

+1

 

[Fab Foodie]

Can't say I've experienced or dished out snobbery of any sort.

You need to try harder...

 

[J4CKO]

Its human nature, we like to feel superior and this is exaggerated when in a group and feeling secure, conversely when an individual is presented with said group sometimes feels on the defensive and may read more into gestures and verbal exchanges than was actually implied, humans arent perfect in terms of what they say and how it sounds to others.

I am not sure of my position in the cycling heirachy, have only had a few roadies ignore me, but them so have other commuters.

Sometimes I feel under-equipped on my Cannondale Bad Boy Hybrid 700 when I see someone on asomething more expensive, when I speak to the bloke at work on a ratty Heinz 57 MTB with a knackered bottom bracket and a general air of shoot-heap about it I feel overprivileged.

I have a Specialized Allez Elite on CTW waiting for some better weather, again, will feel well pleased with myself and its sexier than most bikes, but ineviatably I will bump into the Pinarello rider at work and feel inadequate, mainly cos he is way faster, the Pinarelo rider will get looked down upon by the BMW owner, the BMW owner by the Porsche owner etc etc.

I go in our LBS and see some very expensively kitted persons, generally though they arrive by car, put the bike in the car never to be seen again on the roads of Cheshire.

Mountain Bikers are pretty bad as well, even my mate, he mentioned going to Morzine and I said I wouldnt mind going but he put me off by saying my bike wasnt up to it, I knew this being an old, rather knackered Carrerra from Halfords and I said my CTW was due up so I might buy a new MTB, apparently a thousand pounds isnt even entry level for Morzine, never mind all the rest of the kit, two grand minimum for a Downhill "Rig", its always a "Rig", never a bike and I wouldnt keep up and probably die anyway cos he is hardcore, yawn, its riding a pushbike down a hill, you go as fast as your equipment and bottle permit, you can still have fun without spending 5 grand on kit, honest.

Lycra is great, Decathlon bib tights and shorts are not any sign of elitism, not for £24 or less they arent.

Its just so complicated and so doesnt matter, just enjoy the ride

 

[joebingo]

Mountain Bikers are pretty bad as well, even my mate, he mentioned going to Morzine and I said I wouldnt mind going but he put me off by saying my bike wasnt up to it, I knew this being an old, rather knackered Carrerra from Halfords and I said my CTW was due up so I might buy a new MTB, apparently a thousand pounds isnt even entry level for Morzine, never mind all the rest of the kit, two grand minimum for a Downhill "Rig", its always a "Rig", never a bike and I wouldnt keep up and probably die anyway cos he is hardcore, yawn, its riding a pushbike down a hill, you go as fast as your equipment and bottle permit, you can still have fun without spending 5 grand on kit, honest.

The 'Rig' thing applies to hardcore PC gamers too - I always found it a funny phrase to use. It seems that a lot of people seem to relish in the exclusivity of being part of a group of people with the latest greatest gear. If you're not involved, then how dare you try and talk to them.

That's fine by me, I know I can ride, and that I ride what I'm comfortable with, in clothes I'm comfortable in and I didn't have to remortgage the house to afford it.

 

[J4CKO]

My mate confessed to me also that he had a "Trail Name", i.e. something he liked to be called by his MTB buddies when doing some gnarly, sick, radical type shoot and getting some big air on the Singletrack, kind of forgivable for those in their teens early twenties but a little tragic when knocking 40 when you should know better

Also, there seems to be some kudos expected by the MTB fraternity when they break something, its like they are telling you how committed they are by the mess they make of their expensive gear, which always has a slightly rude sounding name like "Stiffee" or "Spunk", my neighbour does it, well into his forties and tells me how he has to replace almost his entire bike after each ride as he is so hardcore and the dust mixed with chain lube is like "Grinding paste", actually he says each "Season" he replaces his drivetrain at £500 and expects me to be impressed, I just say there is no season and I like to make mine last indefinitely with careful maintenance and mechanical sympathy.

 

[irontam]

Cycling to work this morning on my old fixed, wearing scruffy shorts, beanie etc. When one of these lycra clad types on a fancy bike came sailing past me! Even had the audacity to say "hi" to me!

That snob!