Comments on: ‘What are you driving, a bicycle, you little punk?’ (Roundup)

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:39:12 +0000

Hey, now I’m a car guy from WAY back. I own five of ‘em right now, including a ’92 Civic that — with the new motor my son and I put in it — puts a touch more than 200hp to the wheels. Combine that with the headers, cold air intake, competition transmission and clutch, the bypass pipe and the sticky tires and you have a “ricer” that is absolutely FEARED by the conservative, American iron out at the track. ‘Course it doesn’t get NEAR the 35mpg it got when my wife drove it!

Uh, so, does that mean y’all will lump me in with Thomas Bowden ’cause I only own FOUR bicycles?

(snicker)

By: JaimeRoberto

JaimeRoberto — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:53:44 +0000

Smart cars have ashtrays because they are made in Europe and lots of Europeans smoke.

Regarding car culture, people like to show off. If it weren’t cars, it would be carbon fiber bikes, or expensive computers, or expensive clothes.

By: Nic Nelson

Nic Nelson — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:40:17 +0000

“(Why do Smart cars have ash trays?)”
That made me chuckle aloud. An excellent question. I guess it has to do with trying to get EVERY possible person to buy the thing. Even those who suffer from the sort of cognitive dissonance you point out.

We’re all en route, I suppose, and some folks may take the outward steps first before they take more difficult inner steps.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:27:48 +0000

I’m not sure that “study” really proves anything though. Put my mother on a carbon fiber bike, and she will go no faster than she would have gone on her upright hybrid. Someone who’s used to going 12mph will probably not have much benefit from a lighter bike.

Put me on race bike though, and I will certainly be able to commute faster. I do this “study” all the time here. My commutes mostly see a cyclocross bike, but I also ride a race bike, and old Centurion from the 80s, and a mountain bike along the same route.

By: Tim Sherman

Tim Sherman — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:30:01 +0000

I gave my son that lives off campus my old Trek 750. It is well used and fits his needs. My girl is next. A bicycle for her at Christmas break is a fine idea. I spent the money to get a better commuter by getting a Trek Velencia in 2009. It is a mighty fine commuter. New tires and cables with a complete tune up was $211. An oil change and radiator flush in Seattle,WA can run $76 or more. With health insurance and college tuition at all time highs I just can’t be giving cash away when our legislature is looking for ways to increase fees and taxes on everything to plug the gap in WA states spending desires. I think I get the lyrics. I had teenagers. Grandad lived through a tough time to.(or two) I learned a lot from a guy that drove a Ford Fairlane without any options. No radio, no AC, windup windows, and vinyl seats.(Before the Ford he had Clydesdale horeses to pull a wagon.) Car culture will make you throwup from the excesive luxury options. I hope to get a simple electric road car when the price is right.(Why do Smart cars have ash trays?)For now we just ride the Schwinn Cruisers to the grocery store or to the lightrail station to go to Pike Place Public Market in Seattle. Uff dah! I’ve got a health plan. I breath better on a bicycle.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:28:35 +0000

In stead of investing in expensive, lightweight carbon racing stuff, I’d advocate investing in expensive, RELIABLE stuff for commuting. A cheap bike might be OK initially, but the bent rims, flat tires, bad shifting, etc. is going to come back to bite you.
Having said that though, to encourage a friend to get started, an old used bike or a cheap department store bike might be all it takes. Most people have or have access to a bike of some kind, so I encourage them to use that to get started and not let equipment be an excuse to not give it a try.