Because the pros...

[rouxtjie]

...do it so should I?

 

Some prime examples:

 

Lycra

Cipless

29ers

Etc

 

Why do people believe that they should do something or ride something just because the pros who mostly get told what to do by their sponsors do so.

 

Sheep mentality? I say do what you want! Wear what you want! Ride what you want! As long as you are happy and you do it for yourself!

 

No probs

 

Lycra : More comfortable than baggies over longer distances. Also better for "arse maintenance" since its very hard to find a pair of baggies with a proper long mile chamois that will decrease pressure on the sitbones over multiple days in stage races, this makes the difference between riding a stage in comfort or destroying your legs because you have to stand half of it on day 6. It really has got nothing to do with weight or wind resistance. I have both and love my baggies for the spruit or social rides but won't do consecutive big mile rides in them.

 

Cipless : Easy one, typical marathon, XC and stage race events requires quite a few pedal strokes, clipless enables you to to use more than just your quads to generate power, over a long course it could mean the difference between fatigue and / or cramps and legs that feel ok for the next day. Also I feel that I can shift my weight around on the bike better if I am cleated in vs wearing skateboard shoes.

 

29ers : Sure there are some marketing hype around the concept but the fact remains that in a typical XCM or XC event in SA conditions, the 29er will have a slight advantage over the smaller wheels....why? Because alot of riding is done in groups on district road, maintaining momentum in these groups are key in terms of not getting dropped and loosing the draft advantage. They also offer some advantage in terms of comfort(lower tyre pressures are possible) in hardtails and they do keep momentum better in technical climbs.

 

Right so as you can see, its more a function over form thing with the examples you listed. Can I ask you something though

 

Why do the gravity crew insist on the following:

 

1.Fitting brakes that could stop a train when they only ride the spruit, What section justifies these bulky stoppers, is there a secret trail that nobody knows about. Yes when going to the alps these become a necessity and they are doing what they are meant to be doing but surely overkill and a bit poser on a such a tame ride. If it was my money I would fit the components that suite the majority of my riding, not just 5% of the time.

2.What's up with the mx and protection gear on the spruit and bike park? Are those gloves and protection gear not hellishly hot? Again I can see their function in the alps but generally are they really required on trails where you are cannot generate the speed or the air to get more than a roasty.

3.Why flat pedals, surely if you ride mostly at places that requires pedaling it makes sense to fit pedals designed for it. Sure it enables you to do great tricks in the air, but then again you must first be able to do them before they are a requirement.

[rouxtjie]

One of the coolest Pros out there in his baggies !!

 

I freakin love that guy...

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

I freakin love that guy...

 

But must also be a sheep wearing his helmet, gloves, clipless pedals, etc, etc......

Edited May 29, 2013 by sk27

[skyfreak]

Just go and ask a few cyclists on a weekend if they can name five pro cyclists that were not in the news for doping the past few years. Most cyclists out there don’t care what the pro’s do or don’t do; they walk into a shop and buy what is available.

 

I bought a pair of baggies for MTB and hated it; it was not comfortable like lycra bibs. Now I use it for spinning class because it is only 45min on a bike that does not move around. I see the new trend in the gym is tights for guys….still weird but it is something we will get used to like lycra on a MTB.

Edited May 29, 2013 by skyfreak

[RockCoach]

I wear a lycra shorts under my baggies. The baggies with built in lycra are uncomfortable for me.

 

As for whether you are a follower, I suppose we all are. Unless you invented something you are generally following, it's just how it is.

I believe this all stems from the age-old 26er vs 29er debate ultimately. On many Hub threads S.I.R Maxxis is a big advocate for staying away from a 29er otherwise you must be a sheep, following the crowd, beind led by the devil. Real men ride 26er's is the ultimate message generally.

 

Does it really matter what you ride, or what you wear while riding?? The point is to get out there and ride and in doing so we are all entitled to do it how we want to.

 

Really? When I met SIR M, he rode his 29er more than any of his other bikes and still loves it. Buying a wagon wheel bike for the wrong reasons is what he has a problem with.

 

 

 

[rouxtjie]

But must also be a sheep wearing his helmet, gloves, clipless pedals, etc, etc......

hahaha I see what you did there...

 

I would give my left nut for redbull lid and kit but alas, you have to go and ride rampage for that and I have been known to fall on flat sections frequently.

[NotSoBigBen]

Just go and ask a few cyclists on a weekend if they can name five pro cyclists that were not in the news for doping the past few years. Most cyclists out there don’t care what the pro’s do or don’t do; they walk into a shop and buy what is available.

 

I bought a pair of baggies for MTB and hated it; it was not comfortable like lycra bibs. Now I use it for spinning class because it is only 45min on a bike that does not move around. I see the new trend in the gym is tights for guys….still weird but it is something we will get used to like lycra on a MTB.

 

But but but .... the Hub is 'MOST' cyclists not so - I am shocked there are others

[rouxtjie]

Really? When I met SIR M, he rode his 29er more than any of his other bikes and still loves it. Buying a wagon wheel bike for the wrong reasons is what he has a problem with.

And what are those wrong reasons?

[Karooryder]

Some time ago someone on this forum was talking about the same kind of thing and ended off with this jewel:

 

"..but you have to excuse me now. I'm off to go spend thousands of rands on gear and tens of thousands of rands on a bike to go impress some people I've never seen before, and probably will never see again, at a cycle race which will earn me nothing more than a medal and some good endorphins...".

 

I like it.

[Surv0MTB]

And you did it all because you made up your own mind. It works for you and you are comfortable doing it.

 

Too many people blindly follow the so called pros and do everything a magazine reviewer gets paid to say or because this or that pro does it. They completely miss the fun aspect of the sport and lie to themselves so much they start believing that its fun.

 

Sad

 

Stop worrying about others and what they chose to wear, it really doesnt even effect you.. One thing is for certain, if a rider is not comfortable in what they are wearing, they will change it, whether its baggies or lycra is makes no difference.

 

By you making a thread such as this one, clearly it bothers you that people ride in anything other than what you chose to ride in.

 

Leave it alone maybe?

[jcmeyerSS]

You guys seriously trying to say you would want access to the gear pro have?

I participate in different sports and would love to have the pros kit in all of them

MTB - Sauser's kits, helmets, shoes, unlimited access to SRAM. (Not so much the bike)

Rugga- Adidas predator boots, Canterbury clothing, underarmour.

Cricket- would love a crack with Chris Gayle's bat and AB's kit.

Golf- who wouldn't want a brand new set of TaylorMades every year.

Saloman you say, yes please

 

The pros use the equipment that is at the absolute forefront of our sport. It is the best of the best for the intended use, why should we not want to use it cause they do.

Look I understand different strokes for different folks ( I haven't owned a derailer in 2years, sold my carbon spez for a piece of steal) but that's not saying that the stuff I do have is not the best I can afford, and if what I can afford is what the pros use then that's what it'll be.

We all like nice things. We all like to know that the tool we are using is the best we can get for the job at hand.

[RockCoach]

Your favourite brand only makes clown bikes now.

Your favourite pro rides one so it must suit you.

The salesman at the bikeshop told you it is the best and that the smaller wheel size is obsolete.

You think it is the fastest bike in most terrain and condtions.

You think it helps you to ride better.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

I have seen guys with Dakine bags, 661 shoes, Race Face knee pads, Fox baggies, dropper seat posts and lots of other stuff that the free-riding and downhill pro's use.

So what makes the rest of the mountain-bikers so different that these guys deserve immunity ?

[rouxtjie]

Your favourite brand only makes clown bikes now. Like Pyga?

Your favourite pro rides one so it must suit you. Like Greg Minaar, Aaron Gwin or Bearclaw?

The salesman at the bikeshop told you it is the best and that the smaller wheel size is obsolete. Unless you are a pure downhill racer(lets pretend sea otter didn't happen), trials expert or jump nut I fear they are better suited for joe public walking into a shop buying a bike.

You think it is the fastest bike in most terrain and condtions. For most SA conditions and races, I fear it is

You think it helps you to ride better. If better = getting to the finishline faster for most SA races, then yes I fear they might be better...Defining "better" might help here.

Above...

[jcmeyerSS]

 

3.Why flat pedals, surely if you ride mostly at places that requires pedaling it makes sense to fit pedals designed for it. Sure it enables you to do great tricks in the air, but then again you must first be able to do them before they are a requirement.

Even Greg, Gee and Sam wear cleats on "pedally" courses like PMB.

[Wyatt Earp]

Even Greg, Gee and Sam wear cleats on "pedally" courses like PMB.

 

I saw Minnaar at Epic the one year, the oke wore lycra ,what a fun rider.