You ever notice that some folks treat you different when you don't ride the so called enthusiast bike. I bought a thousand dollar bike, at a LBS. But folks act like I'm riding a Walmart bike. And then you have the bike mags. Seems they never review the so called entry-level. I'm sure there are folk out there who can drop big coin on those bikes. The only time certain bikes get reviewed, is when they are compared to other low cost bikes. MBA claims that bike companies only send them there high end, because they know they will get a good review. But when you ask at a shop, they say the lower cost bikes outsell the high end

Budget spec'd bikes dont sell ad space in magazines and online review sites... Few will read an article on a basic $1k hardtail. But the new $10k carbon wonder bike will pull in alot of hits and folks buying ad space want to sell stuff...

If someone treats you poorly because of anything aside from your personality or character they are a douche bag and you should tell them that. 

Then go ride and have fun on your bike... whatever it cost.

rob wrote on 04/27/17 at 2:25pm:

Rob's right about telling you your opinion.   and he's spot on about the rest.  Who gives a crap what you ride.  Just ride and wear a helmet.



Banjopickin wrote on 04/27/17 at 3:18pm:


Nailed it.  Especially if it's a shop owner on an E-bike.

I drive an old, beat up '05 F-150 too.

Gives me more free time and money to enjoy riding my supermodel gf also.

Hey, everybody's got their own values in life.   

yea just ride, let your skill do the talking. In terms of skill, I am a poor folk, so people definitely laugh at me. But at least I have a sh*t eating grin on my face the whole time!

Honest, I think most of those people who look down on someone because they haven't spent $5000+ on a bike just lack the skill to actually ride it properly and slowly become jealous.

Sucks for them though. Everyone else is having fun riding what they got while they're missing out on the 29" carbon high horses they ride.

PVXC wrote on 04/27/17 at 11:46pm:


That's because they're like large home builders.

There's little or no profit in selling smaller houses.

That's why when you're buying one, the salesperson always looks at you cross eyed and with a certain amount of concealed disgust (as if you're some kind of failure), and when you take delivery you had better look at the details of construction very carefully. Because the just out of college superintendent was never at your house during construction making sure the subs were doing their jobs properly. Much bigger fish to fry. And ultimately, besides the bs dog and pony show that's what it's all about.

Poor folk bike=1k
Snob folk bike=3k+
Poor folk smoking Snob folk=PRICELESS!!!

Let your riding do the talking and ride the hell out of that bike!

I've always been poor folk guy with nice bike. Started back in the 80's and always have tried to get a better ride every 4-5 years. Gone from bare bones HT to super bike FS. I couldn't have done any of my deals without a STRONG relationship with my  various LBS's over the years. I always make sure they know how much they count. Beers and tips for great efforts always part of my plan. 
That said, ride what you have between your legs and enjoy!!

Scott Genius all day. 

Impaler 58 wrote on 04/30/17 at 3:45pm:

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Haha, gotta admit. I'm guilty of the "going to Target and smirking at the bikes" crime too. Even though they seem to be getting better.
Most even have a really rudimentary form of disk break that probably only works​ half as well as a strong rim break.

dave mac wrote on 05/07/17 at 1:31pm:

I need an e-bike. I did a road ride yesterday, and couldn't believe how much trouble I with the hills. I noticed the majority of the people on the ride had Carbon fiber bikes. I think I was riding the only alloy road bike

I didn't get a ride in today! I woke up this morning with 2" of snow on the ground and it was pretty cold. I started a fire in the fireplace and kept feeding it firewood all day. It's supposed to be 26 or 28 degrees tomorrow, so no ride tomorrow either. I hope the cold weather don't kill the buds on the trees. I'm ready for leaves on the trees!

BBM

[quote author=69535F48485B6558485B4C553A0 link=1493302146/10#10 date=1493333663]Honest, I think most of those people who look down on someone because they haven't spent $5000+ on a bike just lack the skill to actually ride it properly and slowly become jealous.

Sucks for them though. Everyone else is having fun riding what they got while they're missing out on the 29" carbon high horses they ride.



Agreed 
I Recently built up a " China-rillo " 
Hardtail - about $800 total 
And pass up the clowns riding their $6 k bikes 
And I think it actually pisses them off !!  

Oh well ! 
I enjoy my riding time !!!

After 36 years of climbing the corporate ladder, I could probably afford to go large on the bike of my choice. Maybe a nice Ibis Mojo 3 Carbon X01 Eagle would be my preference. 

I have to think however that it would be more embarrassing to have all the young guys blowing by me like I was going backwards while on a bike like that than it is to have them blowing by me while on my little Trek Fuel EX7! Great price as it was on close out at Bikeline. It's aluminum so I make up for the extra weight by cutting back on the fries.
 

I was able to get my good bike deal due to the excellent relationship with my wi, er CFO.  I got a leftover Top Fuel 8 last fall for about 25% off, which was still a lot of money for a bike, in my opinion.

It is interesting the perspective though.  Some friends seem to think my bike is amazing and why I'm faster than them.  I've had others call it entry level, in disbelief I would ride something that heavy.

I love it.   

Then my son buys a used Air9 hardtail for half what I paid for my bike.  The thing is a rocket.

We both have fun, though.  A bike is a bike - ride what you like, like what you ride!

"Then my son buys a used Air9 hardtail for half what I paid for my bike.  The thing is a rocket."

After riding 26'er FS bikes since '99 I also bought a used 2014 Niner Air9 off Pinkbike for $850 including shipping...couldn't be happier.  It's a beautiful frame w/respectable components (Race Face Ride/SRAM) & rides like a...a uh...oh I don't know...something really nice!  Best $850 I ever spent!

my bike is worth more than my car!  my car is worth less than OPs bike!  YOU DO THE MATH