Originally Posted by
jezmellors
"Fredliness" is a state of mind, it's utilitarian and practical. It's selfish in a good way because it doesn't care what you think. It's pure and it's about enjoying a ride without bending to anyone elses idea of how it should be done. Competative racers hate Freds because Freds are having more fun and not taking things too seriously. It's a mistake to think it's all about the bike, a bike can look like a Fred's bike but it only really becomes Fredly when the Fred gets on and rides it (at 10MPH).
FWIW, I am a competitive racer and I do not hate Freds. There are some two-wheeled folks I cannot stand, like the salmons, the ninjas, and the midtown barhoppers who ride their stupid big box store beach cruisers on the sidewalk. But not Freds.