[Closed] Bike stuff you just don't *get*

Singlespeed
Fixed
Silly bars
Old skool steel road bikes
Anything retro for the sake of it
Giant tyres
Silly frames with too many bendy tubes

thats just pure gay! however "how funny would it be if this guy rode past you on you ride"!

CX bikes

how funny would it be if this guy rode past you on you ride

I suspect that may be at the root of my dislike of them 😆

disks on bike used on the road falls into this category for some 😉

geoffj - Member
I'd like to think I like most bike stuff, from skinny tyred road bikes to mincing down DH tracks on 40 lb bouncers, but whenever I come across or see a picture of someone on an offroad unicycle, I just think ****.

Early hours of the morning, Mountain Mayhem, I'm knackered and looking forward to a few hours sleep. Just coming into the most fun piece of track on the whole course..........................and there is a dipstick clown on a unicycle blocking the track doing his best to remount and SPOILING MY FUN!

I have an irrational hatred of them as you can see.

bigyinn - Member
CX bikes

+1 - I really don't see the appeal....

Strike me as the bike for those who *want* to ride all terrain, but can only afford (or have space for) one bike.

It's the end result of a MTB and road bike getting into bed for a romp.

I got flamed last year for having a pop at the offroad unicyclists after Mayhem. They had a real sense of humour failure.

I just pointed out that i thought they were attention whores and it was mightily annoying to get stuck behind one on the singletrack sections where it was difficult to pass them safely as they furiously pedaled downhill at 14mph.

I have no problem if they ride on a course where it is always easy to overtake them but catching one at Mayhem at the wrong place made my blood boil. You work hard on a climb so you can get the adrenaline rush on the downs. I simply don't understand the concept apart from the 'look at me on a unicyle, aren't i wacky'. Can't wait to see them again this year (with even longer ponytails).

Wow! Molgrips listed everything I was going to put down.

Tubeless tyres = a lot of faff for little benefit.

40lb 'freeride' bikes with granny rings.
White seats and grips.
Lightweight 6" travel bikes.
Skills areas.
Bar ends.
Riding around puddles.
Stopping at the top of every climb and every downhill and blocking the trail.
Riding in huge groups.
Littering.
Skidding.
I could go on indefinately......
'XC' armour.
'XC'body armour

I'm yet to be tempted to try a 29'er

+1 - I really don't see the appeal....

Strike me as the bike for those who *want* to ride all terrain, but can only afford (or have space for) one bike.

It's the end result of a MTB and road bike getting into bed for a romp.

i have 6 bikes and 2 of those are cx so that cant be right

i also have a unicycle tho 😉

Geesh, a lot of easily wound up people here. Whilst I might not agree with lots of bikes / bike bits, I can see why some people might like them - each to their own.

Out of the list so far, the only ones I really don't get at all are littering and blocking the trail needlessly. Grrrr.

£200 dropper seatposts.

Road bikes.

Not pulling skids.

Last year on the JOGLE we stopped at the YH at Loch Ness for an evening, and whilst perusing a magazine in the living room area, I came across an article about a kid aged 15 who had completed the same route on a unicycle. Four days quicker.

Tosser.

EDIT: To be fair, it wasn't the same route, it was 130 miles less. But still...

oh yeah, 'skills areas' ! There's plenty of obstacles to improve your skills on... seeing these obstacles on whatever trail your riding comes with experience..

+1 on Weird shaped bars
29ers. And other odd sized wheeled bikes. 26" works!
Those stupid looking great big fat tyres.
Riding rigid off-road (although I do it)

thats just pure gay! however "how funny would it be if this guy rode past you on you ride"!

That pic was taken on our last ride:) To a man our group went "wow, that looks like fun" Which it does, IMO, probably beyond the skills of many a weekend warrior though. The chap's a member on here, I'm sure he'll be along soon so you can call him gay to his face. He was with his wife and child tho, which makes your insult a little rediculous.

CX has appeal in certain situations. For instance here in Germany (and other places) there are miles of farm tracks that are accessible but you'd end up doing lots of road too. And in places like the Beacons you can ride up a road, through some forest fire-road traffic free and then back home again - less techie, quicker and more chilled than an MTB ride. I don't own one mind.

Bar ends are great on flat bars, which are great for mile munching.

40lb freeride bikes need granny rings - winching them up hills is better than pushing them no?

Tubeless makes a big difference to rolling resistance. Made my Patriot much quicker and hence much more XCable for riding in in the hills without compromising anything on the downs. And they do seal punctures.

29ers roll really nicely, which makes them lovely and zippy on certain kinds of terrain. You can keep up the flow on the rougher stuff in a lovely easy kind of way. It's nice. (I don't own a 29er)

I don't see the appeal of bikes for bikes sake either - how can you have more than one bike that's designed for the same kind of riding?

recumbents.

WTF?

[i]29ers roll really nicely[/i]

As opposed to 26"ers?

<pedantry>

Technically, a unicycle isn't a bike [short for bicycle] so an invalid as as 'Bike stuff you hate'

</pedantry>

but they are odd when the rider isn't even juggling

derailleurs.
daft idea, dainty mechanisms hanging off the side of a bike. Asking for trouble IMO.

How this years model is soo much better than last years.

[i]The chap's a member on here, I'm sure he'll be along soon so you can call him gay to his face[/i]

I don't think he really meant "homosexual" gay. You gotta be down wid da kidz deez daze Rich. (see, you can tell that I am)

(see, you can tell that I am)

It's your handbag collection that gives it away

So long as someone is riding a bike it's good.

Although I may have to draw the line at full body armour clad XC mincing.

Ooh, you bitch uplink.

There is one exception to the unicycles-aren't-cool rule.

Kris Holm. The guy has some serious skillz

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molgrips - Member
CX has appeal in certain situations. For instance here in Germany (and other places) there are miles of farm tracks that are accessible but you'd end up doing lots of road too. And in places like the Beacons you can ride up a road, through some forest fire-road traffic free and then back home again - less techie, quicker and more chilled than an MTB ride. I don't own one mind.

molgrips, you've obviously forgotten which forum you are on.

Farm tracks and fire roads = the need for 140mm full sus, preferably an Orange.

Ppl who look down on other types of cycling (I'm including uncycling in this) as if their own personal cycling is the best and only type that should be allowed.
I really hope this was a troll.

Surely it's all good, and you'd be happier seeing the streets (or trails) full of ****engers (or off-road unicyclists) rather than metal boxes (or 4x4/motocrossers)?

*gag* Ronhills *gag*

z1ppy - Member
PPl who look down on other type of cycling (I'm including uncycling in this) as if their own personal cycling is the best and only type that should be allowed.
I really hope this was a troll.

Surely it's all good, and you'd be happier seeing the streets (or trails) full of ****engers (or off-road unicyclists) rather than metal boxes (or 4x4/motocrossers)?

So it's not ok to look down on unicyclists, but it is ok to look down on ****engers (whoever they are?) or car drivers, or MXers?

Just so I know who it's ok to abuse......

z1ppy: "Bike stuff you just don't *get*"

Not bike stuff you look down on and don't think should be allowed 🙂

DezB...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm'ok, makes more sense... I thought it came across as more a "shouldn't be allowed".

Idlejohn, that not what I meant, I was saying all surely "all cycling" (in any format) is better than fighting for road/trail use with car/motorised vehicles. No abuse required, just more encouragement of cycling (in any format).

How fast you have to be riding to make a particular gap.

Oh sorry I mistook this for a useful thread.

In that case... biking dogma and online collectivism.

I still don't get single speed for mountain biking. Cool on flat (no hills) tracks maybe, but I suspect some kind of masochistic/something to prove psychology is going on there.

But... if it floats their boat, then there's nothing wrong with that.

Road bikes. CX bikes. Rigid bikes. Hardtails. In that order.

people who post on mtb forums......

People who will slate said bike things without trying it first*

* recent singlespeed lover

This also goes for the idave diet 😀

its not really stuff, its a concept, -

fat mountain bikers, most are (me included).

Why are mountain bikers fat when they ride alot? When you go to any trailcentre, it is scary how many fatties there are on very expensive bikes.

Not a dig at anyone, cos im in this category!

LYCRA!

That reminds me... baggy clothes.

[i]When you go to any trailcentre, it is scary how many fatties there are on very expensive bikes.[/i]

what astounds me on group rides where there's any technical sections is how long is spent hanging aroudn waiting. I probably cover a third of the territory I would if I were riding alone.

I can see that if you only rode with a group you could end up wondering why you were, errm, generously proportioned because you 'ride' for 4 hours a week but you're actually only pedaling for one and a half hours.

Orange bikes.....

single pivots....

Rockshox SIDs....

Men in Pink polo/t-shirts

I don't have a problem with anything really.

I don't get why some bikes need two top tubes though.

Also fatties trying to save 21g from some component. Who are you kidding?

thomthumb - Member
recumbents.

WTF?

Yup, I was thinking the very same. Someone was puffing along on their recumbent trike yesterday with only a wafer-thin flag above knee height, and I floated past them easily (on my CX incidentally). I really don't see the point in them, other than to say "Look at me, I'm a bit different / a knob*"

*delete as appropriate

"[s]Look at me, I'm a bit different[/s] / a knob*"

generously proportioned because you 'ride' for 4 hours a week but you're actually only pedaling for one and a half hours.

I thought it was the burger and chips as my post ride recovery supplement 🙂

Lycra shorts. OK I can see the point behind a top but not shorts they offer no protection in a fall they look stupid if you are very fit and healthy and stupider if you a a bit tubby.

Lycra below the waist should only be used when on a road bike never even in an XC race.

And if you are going to come on here and say I'm not comfortable with my body then you are right and you are also a pervert!

this is starting to sound like loosewomen

Fakenger fixies, with ridiculously narrow bars etc, and track bikes on the road.

Doesn't boil my pi$$ or anything- if people like them that's fine- but I don't get the appeal.

people who can't ride for toffee but talk as if they can.

be more self deprecating, then good riders won't think you are a muppet when they actually see you ride after spending 10 minutes describing in detail the last road gap you "nailed".*

*i'm not including myself in the good rider category btw, since i'm typing this one handed due to an inability to turn corners 😆

I don't get people who don't get seat droppers.

They are the most important invention in the history of mountain biking 8)

I still don't get single speed for mountain biking. Cool on flat (no hills) tracks maybe, but I suspect some kind of masochistic/something to prove psychology is going on there.

This was bound to end up in the great singlespeed debate. As trickydisco states above, don't knock it if you've not properly tried it.

Singlespeed off road is not cool on flat (no hills) tracks. Singlespeeds work best on up and down terrain. Granted they aren't good on true mountainous routes, but for a high proportion of the routes typically ridden by 'mountain bikers', i.e. forest trail centres, moorland or local woods, singlespeeds work remarkably well.

What's wrong with single pivot bikes?

People who shun technological advances. I wonder if these same people play golf with wooden clubs, use bamboo fishing rods and run marathons in a pair of green flash daps.

People who care about what [b]other people[/b] ride 🙂

I ride SS as it makes me better on my other bikes because it massively improves upper body and arm strength. I like not having to mess about with gears that dont work in the mud or having to spend all my money replacing chains and cassettes after the trIs have ground them to dust.

Mnd you, I've also got a granny on my 40lb freeride thing, but then whats the point in not being able to take it out for a pedal on occasion?

People who think that technological advances are always necessarily better. 😉

I like not having to mess about with gears that dont work in the mud

Not an issue for me!

I don't get why trail centres are so popular.
I can see they've got their place, but for some people, mountain biking = driving to a trail centre, doing a lap and driving home.

Singlespeed is great for trail centres, not so great for "proper" mountain biking. Trail centres are a bit rubbish though, apart from the more downhill-inclined ones which are obviously great 😀

The only thing I don't really get are weird handlebars. They look stupid and uncomfortable (but I've never tried them so not sure on the last point). That and those who take out everything but the kitchen sink, but those kind of people only seem to exist on forums!

Hammerschmit - a solution without a problem

People who will slate said bike things without trying it first*

The only thing I don't really get are weird handlebars. They look stupid and uncomfortable (but I've never tried them so not sure on the last point).

Singlespeed is great for trail centres

Only if you mince the descents...

I don't get why trail centres are so popular

Cos the whole trail has been designed to flow nicely. You get to hammer singletrack at silly speeds without any interruptions. You know that great bit of singletrack you like on your fave ride? A trail centre is/should be that but all the way round.

If you don't enjoy them may I suggest you get a bit fitter and more skillful and try riding them really fast, perhaps? 🙂

DH bikes.

For me, bikes are about going places, you know A - B - C - A

I don't get why trail centres are so popular.
I can see they've got their place, but for some people, mountain biking = driving to a trail centre, doing a lap and driving home.

I can understand why some people aren't too fussed on trail centers but to not see why people do like them is pretty myopic.

DH bikes.

For me, bikes are about going places, you know A - B - C - A

Yeah, because when you ride DH you tend to find that you tear a hole in the space time continuum and don't actually travel anywhere at all. It's just like being on a bumpy turbo trainer in your kitchen.

Mountaibiking-Trail centres.
Golf-Pitch and Putt.

...may I suggest you get a bit fitter and more skillful...

Yeah, I can see the attraction, I just don't see them as the be all and end all of mountain biking the way some people do.

Which leads me on to...

I don't get why so few people ride bridleways.
Like rkk01, I like to actually [i]go somewhere[/i] on a bike.
I've ridden just about every bridleway near my house, yet I rarely see tyre tracks and can't remember the last time I met another mountain biker.

Only if you mince the descents...

guilty 😛 Though at times I have found 32-16 too easy for descending, it's about right for the relatively short climbs like you find at cannock.

Graham the reason I don't ride bridleways is that those round here are so boring! I'd rather be on my road bike on which I can be going a lot faster. There is one great little bit of singletrack bridleway though, but it only lasts about 20-30 seconds and it's not really anywhere you can build it into an off road loop.

Nonsense. You get there much quicker, although there is not actually that far away, with a much higher risk of serious injury. It's much more fun

People who use road bar tape on mtb flat bars (eh?)

People who buy titanium frames (fair enough) ... but then go stupid and buy Ti Bars, ti seatpost, ti stem (if there's one thing you want in bar/stems it's stiffness - not flex!) Pure mis-guided vanity

I just don't see them as the be all and end all of mountain biking the way some people do

I don't know anyone that does. Are you sure you're not just making up a stereotype as a vessel for your opprobrium?

I don't get why so few people ride bridleways.

Because you won't go more than 30 meters before you're carrying you bike around here.

I don't get quick release levers.

Everyone should spend £200 on droppy seatposts.

Long cage rear mechs. Why can you, apart from Saint ones, only get rear mechs with a cage that is about a foot long and catches on stuff all the time? Many people use a double and bash now so you would think that there would be a market for short cage mechs that are out of the way, still function perfectly and don't require miles and miles of bloody chain.

Seriously, can anyone tell me why?

a cage that is about a foot long and catches on stuff all the time?

Are you riding a 20" wheel bike or something? My long cage mech never catches.

You know you can buy short cage mechs.