dmanthree

Had one today. Someone I was riding with complained that their Topeak bag was poorly designed and when you unzipped it stuff just fell out. I kindly pointed out that she had it installed upside down. Nonsense, she says. But the logo is upside down, I point out. And mine, with the plastic connector installed by Topeak is installed the right way. She won't budge, and will keep unzipping it, and watching stuff fall out.

Brutal.

WhyFi

Why? If it's impacting my ability to concentrate on the task at hand, it's a liability. Addressing that is quite different than the manner of unsolicited advice that the OP is talking about. Talking about it doesn't need to be a big deal or combative, a simple, "man, that light is bright and I'm having a hard time seeing around it - does it have a lower setting?" is all it should take.

jamesdak 

I'll give a perfect example of how this get's you in trouble. For years I had to ride with my bars level to the saddle due to blown discs in my lower back. A couple times a year I'd have some "expert" tell me my bars were too high. See what I mean about assumptions?

colnago62

Some years ago, I was at the velodrome at a training session. There was this gal there telling Jenny Reed how she needed to do this and that. Jenny politely, but firmly the woman to focus on her won training and not worry about what she was doing. Good advice given from a world and Olympic medalist.

MyTi

I'm not talking to a fellow cyclist I don't know, unless it's some kind of safety concern, or to help out if he's got a flat, etc. While I think there should be a level of comradely among cyclists If he's doing something wrong like his saddle is too low, I'll just chuckle on the inside. I don't want to be the equivalent to these Grammar Nazis on the internet when I'm riding. Maybe if it's a group ride among people who are riding ya, point these things out before you head out. But just on a random ride no. I'm out there to enjoy myself not to coach people lol. They will eventually learn on their own or their buddies will correct them.

colnago62

Not everybody cares that they are doing something incorrect. They are having fun and it doesn’t hurt. A lot of people care only about that. Most people sing incorrectly. I don’t think that fact diminishes most people’s enjoyment of singing.

seypat

I developed a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis and had to get rid of my cycling shoes to get rid of it. I ride in clips/straps and running shoes. Every other cyclist that crosses my path has to tell me about it.

"I notice you are using clips and straps. You could really improve your cycling with clipless pedals and cycling shoes."
"Ding, ding, ding, you've won the contest!"
"What contest is that?"
"You're the 1000th cyclist to tell me I need to go clipless."
"Do I win anything?"
"Yes, you're going to get the Cinzano treatment."

popeye

I just yesterday received the unsolicited advice that I was breaking the RULE that must be obeyed that you must announce "ON YOUR LEFT" whenever passing another cyclist. My experience is that on weekends that will result in some percentage hearing left and moving in that direction. I try my best to get all my rides in on weekdays if possible.

DaveLeeNC

FWIW, I will often combine a bike ride with local errands. And when I run an errand I do NOT like to clomp around in cleats or cleats with some kind of thing on them. I have found a running shoe pattern that mates reasonably well with my clipless pedals and only rarely do my feet slide around when wearing them. I admit that out of the saddle/mashing the pedals is kind of off the table in that case.

On the rare occasion that I run into a cyclist in a situation where a conversation might come up, I just tell them what the deal is.

dave

ps. I have a pair of really cheap canvas 'deck shoes' that weigh about 100 grams per shoe less than my cycling shoes plus cleat. I guess if I was a committed weight weenie I would learn to ride in those shoes

KraneXL

Like wearing their shirts backwards or their pants saggy or their shoe laces untied?

One day I felt strange all day. Nothing really hurt or seemed to be wrong, but when I got home that evening and prepared to take a shower, I pull off my T- shirt and notice it was right-side out and forward.

That meant that I had been wearing it inside-out and backwards all day. Thing is, with all the people I met nobody mentioned it. I can't speak for how others received advice, but in this instance, I would have welcomed it.

I have the same philosophy about people giving me things I don't want or need. I accept them all and either pass it on, or dump it. I never tell them no because one day they might give me something I really do need. In case, you're wondering, its happened on more than one occasion.

Bandera

I'd have thought that was some kind of "fashion statement" on your part, and passed on w/o a comment having seen far more odd in my time.

-Bandera

dmanthree

My wife, a few years ago, bought me a cycling jersey as a gift. It's a "world champion" jersey complete with the rainbow stripes. If I wear it would you say anything? Isn't that a cycling faux pas?

...just curious...

seypat

I see laborers all the time wearing their shirts inside out. I asked one one time why they do it. At the end of the workday, they flip it right side out..........and have a clean looking shirt to wear in case they are stopping anywhere on the way home.

colnago62

I like like your approach. You asked “Why?” Sometimes there is a legitimate reason for something. I will do high cadence work where I will try to ride just below the point I start bouncing for as long as I can and not become tense. In veritably, someone will ride up and tell me that I am bouncing and I should pedal smoother.

tagaproject6

Only in high school.

seypat

I never developed a taste for beer. I'd be standing in line at a convenience store and noticed (of the people that were buying beer) some would have a 6 pack and others would have 2 40s. I'd be standing there thinking what's the difference besides a few ounces? I'm thinking a 40 is going to get warm before you finish it. So, I ask a cashier why some buy 40s and the others go for a 6 pack. Her response was, "You don't have to share a 40. If you walk into a room with a 6 pack, everyone will want a beer." Mystery solved.

noodle soup

Never, unless they are a danger to others around them.

hsuehhwa

Definitely, but only if it's related to safety.

WhyFi

"Excuse me, sir? Your saddle height is a safety hazard - it's so far off that it just might distract me enough to crash. Please raise it an inch and a half. Thanks."

jamesdak 

I wouldn't, in fact, I probably wouldn't even notice.

Heck I wear Football and Soccer Jerseys too. I don't know why some people get all worked up over a stupid shirt.

MyTi

You need a girlie drink if you drink for taste.

Doge

As you are asking here, this is not unsolicited. Here are the rules...

-If you look like you could have won it, but didn't - faux pas.
-If it looks clearly as if you couldn't - whatever.

If you did in fact win it, but were somehow luck and not worthy - depends on you. My kid proudly wore one that he knew he completely deserved and doesn't another where he feels he just squeaked in.

dmanthree

Actually, if I could turn the clock back 40 years, train like hell, take some EPO, well, then.....I still wouldn't stand a chance.

;-)

DaveLeeNC

This was a long time ago. I played regularly in a golf group of about 16 guys. We were getting started when 'Tom' drove up and my cart partner says "looks like Tom's son is in town". I asked how would you know and he said 'Look at Tom's bag. Tom's son had bought him this really high end, kind of ostentatious leather golf bag in bright colors and it had his name engraved on it". Tom would only bring out that bag when his son was visiting (and I didn't blame him).

dave

canklecat

I just remembered I did once offer unsolicited advice to another cyclist. I suggested he re-tie his shoelace. Those things can be a menace when they get caught in the chainring. He seemed grateful.

I'm gonna stop while I'm ahead and declare victory.