Snobishness in Cycling. Does it exist?

[Cycleops]

I was prompted to post this thread by a response in another thread where a member in reply to a vintage bike posting commented that he liked bikes of whatever type, tubing etc and 'couldn't be arsed' with snobish attitudes.

I have never encountered a snobish attitude myself, but maybe a certain 'elitism' perhaps on the part of riders of very expensive or exotic equipment. I wonder what others think.

 

[Sandra6]

There's definitely snobbisms towards cycling, other cyclists and towards their bikes or bike shaped objects!
I am guilty of it, mostly directed towards chavs who shouldn't be allowed out and certainly not on two wheels.
The most common case is the "wouldn't be seen dead in Halfords"

 

[yello]

There's snobbishness in all walks of life.

 

[glenn forger]

Foldies are for oldies.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd rather walk than ride a De Rosa. And Campag.......eeeewwwchch, no thanks!

 

[derrick]

I look down on anything with shimano on it.
I look up to anything with Campagnolo on it, especially if it,s attached to a nice piece of carbon.

 

[TheDoctor]

I know my place!!

 

[Brandane]

I have never encountered a snobish attitude myself, but maybe a certain 'elitism' perhaps on the part of riders of very expensive or exotic equipment. I wonder what others think.

Well I don't know if I can talk to you. Are you a roadie or a MTB'er? Carbon or aluminium? Campag or Shimano? If Shimano; Tiagra or Ultegra? etc. etc....

 

[Kies]

If yours look better than mine - i'll talk to you.
If mines looks better than yours .... GO AWAY!

 

[Biker Joe]

Snobbish attitudes amongst cyclists? Oh come on.
Anyway I wouldn't be seen dead on your bike.

( It's a joke, it's a joke, really)

 

[Booyaa]

Yes there is snobbishness in cycling, very much so. As said above though, you get it in all walks of life.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Wots all these expensive plastic bikes? Mutton dressed as lamb I say. Only toy bikes should be made of plastic!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I think there's the perception of snobbishness, but in reality if there is any it's usually kept in the head of the beholder, unless the mode of discussion is a forum, in which case one should batten down ones virtual hatches.

 

[mattobrien]

I wouldn't be seen dead riding anything that didn't have a frame costing at least £25,000, plus it would have to be made of unobtainium.

Too many bloody plebs out there just riding their bicycles and enjoying themselves, shouldn't be allowed.

 

[Chescadence]

I've had the odd comment directed towards my Triban 3; however, it goes over my head because I know I can ride as well as the people projecting them can on their £4000 bits of carbon.

In my experience the ones that CAN ride a lot better than I, and own expensive bikes and ride them to a much higher level than I could tend to be the supportive, non-snobby, humble cyclist. It's the ones that have an expensive bike and automatically THINK they're the best of the best are the ones that have the attitude.

As mentioned, you get it in all walks of life. My bike can ride much harder than I can at the moment and I'm quite happy to admit that.

C