guncollector

Y'know, I get the distinct impression that some--not all mind you--here like nothing more than to criticize and berate those beginner/recreational cyclists who spend their hard-earned money on an expensive bike. These same folks seem also to like nothing more than to point out how they passed some dude on a $$$$ CF bike today.

What's up with that? I mean, who really gives a cr*p? What did these bike owners do to deserve such derision? Why is being a beginner/recreational cyclist with an expensive bike a treated like a crime? Is it just petty jealousy? Or, is it just immaturity?

jschen

I think part of it is some people wanting the person to be clear that having a nicer bike won't make a substantive performance difference. That's a fair point that some beginning cyclists may not realize. But hey, if you've got the money and want to spend it that way, don't let us stop you. As long as you enjoy it, it's all cool. Yeah, there's some who are jealous, some who are immature, and some who think you have to "earn" the right to a nice bike. Don't let those people bother you.

Phoible

Probably jealousy. There is nothing wrong with buying expensive bikes. I think of it as sort of a good thing - a lot of those expensive bikes end up as terrific bargains on eBay/Craigslist when the original owner upgrades.

dauphin

+1

francisb

I think it's youthful machismo. When I was in my mid 20's, riding and training in the San Jose area, we'd chuckle at the fancy Litespeed Ti bike with the middle age guy with a big gut on it...

Now, 20 years, later, I've become the middle age guy; carrying 10 lbs too much around the middle, riding a nice $3k bike, being passed by the young turks, who chuckle at me.. I just smile. Someday they'll be in my shoes :-)

guncollector

Y'know, it doesn't bother me at all. I just find it an interesting phenomenon, the more so because the critics seem to be so open about their sentiments.

Coming from a shooting sports background--can you tell by my username?--its usually quite the opposite. Firearms, be they sporting or tactical, are very pricey--often more so than a new Litespeed fitted all with Dura-Ace componenets. But, shooters tend to be supportive, and share their admiration of the firearm with their owners (even if they're beginner or novice shooters).

STEVO820

hey im a fat ass (working on getting rid of it lol) i bought a trek 820 to lose weight then in like a few months a bought a trek 1000 cause i wanted a road bike. then a few months after that i bought wheels/tires/new tape for the 1000 a few WEEKS later i bought my Sarthe. i have over 3000 dollars in bikes and parts in my garage and i just ordered a track bike from BD for 360 bucks. and im only 21. i have the money and im gonna do want i want and if someone wants to post " i dropped a fat ass riding a Sarthe last week" i wont give a *****, because we all know the 05 Sarthe is one of the most sexiest bikes in the world

PrfectHair4ever

that made me laugh.

oneradtec

Is your Sarthe orange? Yes, that is one sexy bike!

Tom Stormcrowe

Part of it is the anonymity of the 'net...people say things they'd never remotely say if you were looking them in the eye.

Then there is the

or the type, or

type who's mouth (or keyboard) is a

spiderbike

I complain because I can't afford those nice bikes...at least I have a used trek 1000,

if only I could afford a crank remover I could get ride of that damn squeak before my BB breaks

johnny99

I'm sure there is some jealousy out there, but you are also being way to sensitive. Just go ride and have fun. 95% of the other cyclists you meet on the road will be very supportive of what you are doing and the other 5% will keep quiet as long as you don't arrogantly brag about your expensive, under utilized bike.

bmclaughlin807

Hah! I don't care how much you paid for your bike, with one exception: If said bike hangs in the garage 360 days of the year, and comes out once in a blue moon for a trip around the lake... and even then, I don't care unless you're posting "I just bought a super sweet carbon fiber wisp with wheels and paid $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for it. Aren't I just the coolest?"

The people that buy bikes (or houses, or Hummers, or boats, or whatever) because it shows how high their status is get on my nerves. Seeing a spotless, lifted, big-tired 4x4 truck with off-road lights, full grill and light guards, and winch that doesn't have a spot on it, and likely has never been within 5 miles of a gravel road annoys the #$%^ out of me.

In the end... who the hell cares what others think/say?

GO OUT AND RIDE!

But... if you want to pay $8,000 for a bike you ride on the weekends... hey, it's your money. Have at it.

zowie

I don't care about beginners on expensive bikes, but for some reason it bothers me to see people who can't drive in performance cars.

FrankBattle 

because you have the bike they wished they saved up for.

But seriously, why do you care? You keep being smug. Let 'em keep being mad/jealous/upset/whatever. Why is it that important that people acknowledge that you have an expensive bike?

*starting to sound like one of those "jealous" people ..*

BillyD

Yes.

Both.

Without a doubt.

jyossarian

If you end up liking the Mercier, lemme get the Sarthe. You'll rarely be riding it.

catatonic

only time I would ever look down is if I see some guy on a $8,000+ bike, that can't even do a 15mph 20miler, yet has to smack talk prior to the ride.

Having cash is cool....enjoy it.

Acting like the next Eddy, only to get beat by me of all people...now that's just sad....I might be great at sprints and short distances, but put me on a 20mile ride, and it takes the bite out of me. The joys of being very overweight.

H1449-6

+1. Especially when they're driving 50 miles an hour in the fast lane.

laterider

I also worry about the guys with performance cars who think they can drive. A guy today was going in the opposite direction on a divided road with bike lines in some kinda souped-up mustang (yah I know mustang, no beamer or.. ), but it howled like it had a turbo or super charger in it, and he was screaming in it. I'm just glad he was going the other way. The three foot bike lane felt about 6" wide after I saw that!!

I also thought the general rule was: "buy the best bike you can afford". I guess that can get out of control with whats out there!!

patentcad

The only potential crime I can see here is a newbie being mugged by their local bike shop.

Nothing wrong with that : ).

Ritterview

I'd have thought that once. In May, however, I switched out my alum/carbon Centaur Orbea for a BMC Pro Machine. Wheels are Campy Eurus on both. On my 9.4 mile flat/rolling trip to work, a good time for me had been 32:30 min, 17.5 mph. Now it is 27:59 min, 20.26 mph. The friends who used to drop me on hills are now dropped by me. I didn't expect such a significant improvement, but it is undeniable. It appears to be about a 1.5-2 mph difference on the flats, and greater on the hills.

roccobike

YUP! The same individuals have other names to berate other riders. I don't claim to know all of them, but in the short time I've been road riding I've learned a few. Here goes:
Clydesdale: Any cyclist over 200 lbs.
Fred: Older cyclist who usually rides an older bike and (supposedly) is among the first to get dropped in a group ride.
Poser: Cyclist who has the 'correct' bike, matching jersey, helmet, shorts, sox, gloves etc. but does not quite have the cycling skill sets to match the quality of the equipment.
Some may disagree with the accuracy of these definitions and there certainly are other names I've not listed here. However, I think your other comment is also correct; most cyclists are into cycling and respect others regardless of their skill level. I just ignore the conceited jerks and don't let them spoil my fun. It pisses them off big time.

UmneyDurak

Yep, that anoyes me too. Especially when I'm stuck behind them going 20mph on a mountain road (on a bike down hill, in my car in general).

haimtoeg

It is both + low blood sugar. Just have fun riding and enjoy the fact that you can afford a top class bike.