There’s a massive problem in the industry which is hyper-fixated on the consumerist angle.
This subreddit is no exception.
There seems more enjoyment and posting of bicycles themselves rather than any actual riding.
Now, a lot of that could be marketing teams trying to pump engagement, but it’s just as likely that the industry and hobby itself is more centered around the purchases. But no purchase on Earth will make you as happy as a relaxed ride.
Heinrich-der-Vogler on
Meh, agree and disagree. I ride a couple of bikes for different purposes. One of those purposes is sports.
On the one hand, it’s true that most of the equipment that is highly marketed is over the top. You can make all the food yourself at home, no need for expensive individually packaged doses. A Triban with good tires is enough bike for most people. Cheap jerseys are fine (although I would spend good money on nice bibs and shoes).
On the other hand, what he is saying is just wrong for people who use their bikes for sport, and there are a lot of us. By corollary, lot of guys around here play football. They do this on enormously expensive, manicured fields (usually paid with taxes) while wearing expensive gear (seriously good soccer shoes are like €100). Nobody accuses them of illusions of grandeur. Why the hate for people using activity-appropriate equipment and clothing for other sports?
A good drop bar bike (steel, alloy, or carbon) is comfortable. A light bike is easier to ride. Lycra is comfortable and jerseys have pockets where you need them. For a lot of people, a bike computer is useful for navigation and modulating effort on long rides. With just a little experience, clipless pedals are safer and easier to use. If you are on the bike for hours, nutrition and hydration are important. Gel seat covers are shit for everyone.
As an aside, I don’t get the helmet hate. Unless you’re going 10 kph on a city bike, they are an obvious safety improvement.
Accurate_Advice1605 on
As a former bike mechanic (mid 80s, hello index shifting, bio-pace, and rim crushers) this is accurate. However, I disagree with the stance on the brain bucket (price of $200 I cringe at though). If a car slams into you at 40 mph it will probably not help. However, if you hit part of a 2X4 in the road at 20 mph it will help protect the head when gravity says “Your ass is mine bitch.” Personal experience applied here.
TurtlesAreEvil on
I think his point about helmet use is more that if you’re going to spend $200 use that money to make sure your bike is functioning well first. There’s a lot of ways you can hurt yourself cycling and having a well maintained bike protects your whole body not just your head.
5 Comments
Gotta say I agree.
There’s a massive problem in the industry which is hyper-fixated on the consumerist angle.
This subreddit is no exception.
There seems more enjoyment and posting of bicycles themselves rather than any actual riding.
Now, a lot of that could be marketing teams trying to pump engagement, but it’s just as likely that the industry and hobby itself is more centered around the purchases. But no purchase on Earth will make you as happy as a relaxed ride.
Meh, agree and disagree. I ride a couple of bikes for different purposes. One of those purposes is sports.
On the one hand, it’s true that most of the equipment that is highly marketed is over the top. You can make all the food yourself at home, no need for expensive individually packaged doses. A Triban with good tires is enough bike for most people. Cheap jerseys are fine (although I would spend good money on nice bibs and shoes).
On the other hand, what he is saying is just wrong for people who use their bikes for sport, and there are a lot of us. By corollary, lot of guys around here play football. They do this on enormously expensive, manicured fields (usually paid with taxes) while wearing expensive gear (seriously good soccer shoes are like €100). Nobody accuses them of illusions of grandeur. Why the hate for people using activity-appropriate equipment and clothing for other sports?
A good drop bar bike (steel, alloy, or carbon) is comfortable. A light bike is easier to ride. Lycra is comfortable and jerseys have pockets where you need them. For a lot of people, a bike computer is useful for navigation and modulating effort on long rides. With just a little experience, clipless pedals are safer and easier to use. If you are on the bike for hours, nutrition and hydration are important. Gel seat covers are shit for everyone.
As an aside, I don’t get the helmet hate. Unless you’re going 10 kph on a city bike, they are an obvious safety improvement.
As a former bike mechanic (mid 80s, hello index shifting, bio-pace, and rim crushers) this is accurate. However, I disagree with the stance on the brain bucket (price of $200 I cringe at though). If a car slams into you at 40 mph it will probably not help. However, if you hit part of a 2X4 in the road at 20 mph it will help protect the head when gravity says “Your ass is mine bitch.” Personal experience applied here.
I think his point about helmet use is more that if you’re going to spend $200 use that money to make sure your bike is functioning well first. There’s a lot of ways you can hurt yourself cycling and having a well maintained bike protects your whole body not just your head.
This guy is so annoying.