Elitism and Snobbery

[woosey]

I wouldn't say just because people have what looks to be expensive equipment, that makes them a snob It's the attitude!

My bike might look 'fancy' (it really isn't!) Immaculate bar tape / Ultregra groupset / Garmin power meter / Fancy GPS computer - am I a snob? Hell no! I just like having data and take care of my bikes - would gladly ride with anyone

 

[Reynard]

Remember what it felt like at school when some girls in the class had all the latest and greatest (gadgetry, clothes etc) and I had whatever the parentals could afford. I never went without, but while I had it drilled into me that fancy and schmancy wasn't necessary, you do get marginalised if you don't have certain things - sometimes it's intentional, sometimes not. Teenaged girls can be so bloody cruel, though.

As an adult, I don't deny myself anything if I can justify the purchase, but I do like sticking to a budget, and I do like value for money. Buying a big brand for the sake of the "cachet" is something I find rather unnecessary.

Sometimes though, value for money does mean buying the best, as you know it's going to last / wear well / do the job it was meant to do. On other occasions, there are brilliant buys to be had if you avoid the big / fashionable brands.

FWIW my bike is a Wiggins and most of my kit is Decathlon.

I ride on my own, but I'd quite happily ride with anyone. It's the ride and the company that matters, not how expensive or not someone's bike or kit is.

 

[pawl]

Be yourself and be proud of that.
Regarding the Rapha gear, just tell them that you can’t justify that spend and you have other things to spend your money on and you are quite happy with the gear you’ve got.
I wouldn’t fall out with them.

Agree with that.£100 plus,shorts thousand pound wheels.Stuff that

 

[Serge]

Golf? I say, steady on old chap.

Don't mock, there's nothing like getting your balls out in the fresh air.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Agree with that.£100 plus,shorts thousand pound wheels.Stuff that

900 quid shoes?

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Ma...VU5kbCh3kLAfLEAQYASABEgK_v_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[pawl]

I paid £1000 pounds for my carbon Planet X.What attracted me to it bwas the old school gear and brake cables.

Bearings in the wheels and bottom bracket that don’t need special tolls to remove the other than the Shimano BB tool.The price puts the bike in what the bike magazines as entry level
Perhaps I should buy a pair of wheels that cost as much as the bike. Can’t do with these bike snobs

 

[MontyVeda]

Haha, in the context of gear and tech, maybe not! But I can have a laugh with them all and they are quite helpful when we’re out so it’s not all bad, but I just don’t feel like I should be obliged to play keepy-uppey in order to pander to their elitist notions. I have on occasion expressed objections to some of their suggestions on the group chat only to get frozen out for a while. Primary school stuff really!

They do say that boy's never grow up, only their toys get more expensive.

 

[jefmcg]

The latest one is all matching Rapha clobber for next year’s trip to Spain,

You're going to Spain with a bunch of mates, and they want you to all dress identically? Who gets to wear the sash and tiara?


Seriously, there is one thing buying high end kit that you have chosen and like, and another thing when somebody else picks it for you.

Commentary: first I was comparing it to a stag/hens do, and the second paragraph sounds like I felt when I had to pay for my ugly bridesmaid dress. Why don't you just call the person suggesting the identical kit "bridezilla"?

Postscript caveat: This feels pretty sexist, but believe me, it isn't. I only said "sash and tiara" because I don't know what the stag equivalent of the sash and tiara. The bridesmaid dress has to be the bridesmaid dress, because I don't think men make other men spend hundreds of pounds on clothing for their wedding.

Commentary on my postscript caveat: now my posts have more footnotes than actual text.

 

[derrick]

Ok, so I’m a recreational cyclist like I would imagine close to 100% of us are on here, and for a long time I’ve always ridden solo be it on trails or road. I cycle purely for enjoyment-it’s my escape from life’s ups and downs, if only for a short time.

Some lads at work who follow my strava and mates of theirs added me in to their group chat and invited me on a few weekly socials which I happily accepted (and still do). They’re a fantastic bunch of lads every single one of them. A little cliquey, maybe, but they’ve ridden together for a while so I don’t let that bother me.

But a couple of chaps in the group like to have the best of everything be it clothing or tech or whatever and it’s becoming like a “Keep Up With The Joneses” with all the others following suit and then they scoff and sneer at me because I don’t. They’re quite passive aggressive with it I find at times as well. The latest one is all matching Rapha clobber for next year’s trip to Spain, once I expressed doubt on this (for no other reason than cost as I have other bits to fork out for) it’s like I’ve been an afterthought in the group, feeling a little shut out.

The way I look at it is I enjoy riding my bike-pure and simple. Should it matter that I only wear certain branded attire or don’t have the latest gadget?

I really enjoy riding with these fellas as it’s benefited me no end and we have a good laugh but the elitism and snobbery is driving me crazy!

What experiences (if any) have you had with elitist snobs in cycling and how did you deal with it?

Love to hear the feedback.

Man up and tell them they are a bunch of tossers. Or go ride with someone else.

 

[snorri]

@Chris Doyle does this mean I have to stop wearing my Yorkshire jersey?

To wear a freebie is OK, we support inverted snobbery

 

[Noodle Legs]

To wear a freebie is OK, we support inverted snobbery
View attachment 414639

A Yorkshire Tea jersey? I have a very dear friend who happens to work for Taylors of Harrogate who make said product. I’m on the case......

 

[Reynard]

The issue for me personally is not whether I can afford the gear it’s whether I actually need it, which right now I just do not. My priority is to invest in a bike case as I have other rides on the continent in the pipeline, not a £200 pair of bib shorts, £140 jersey etc etc. when I have plenty already.

That's exactly it - if you can't justify it, then why waste the money. Especially if it can be better spent elsewhere. (Or saved, or whatever...)

 

[pawl]

900 quid shoes?

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Ma...VU5kbCh3kLAfLEAQYASABEgK_v_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Hells teeth.0% finance. Bargain

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Haha no not quite like that, but apparently the socks have to match the jersey! Thought they were taking the proverbial. Turns out they’re quite serious about it!

Told them I’m wearing what I want and that I’m good for togs but the silence was deafening on the group chat straight after!!

Ride topless and without socks.

 

[Tim Hall]

Ride topless and without socks.

Ride topless in sandals with socks. It's the only language these people understand.