“It’s All About Performance” – Differences Between Cyclist Communities

I often have this discussion with non-cyclist friends about the different subcultures of cycling. Most of these friends don’t really understand the nuances and usually (as they have for years) lump cyclists all into the same enthusiast group or category. Mostly I’ve had to explain the rivalry between triathletes vs. road cyclists (btw, I am both). They think it’s odd there is such a rivalry and difference between the two racing communities.

To get them to understand, I most commonly draw a parallel with the snowboarders vs. skiers rivalry. It’s not perfectly synonymous, but the light bulb finally goes on in their head. Just because both groups enjoy similar means of forward progress, it doesn’t mean they’re the same types of people sharing the same interests, views, attitudes, behaviors, products, etc. Other cycling subcultures including mountain biking and cyclocross are common although their bond is greater to the roadie racing communities than triathletes.

Then there’s fixed gear cyclists (aka “fixies”). Here in SF and other metros like NY, they’re often associated with the bike messenger crowd and cyclists that participate in “Critical Mass”. (Think Puck from “The Real World” San Francisco years ago). Anyone that has been in cycling for a while knows there’s a pretty obvious difference in attitude, behavior, philosophy, and overall community feel than any other. The gap between roadies and fixies is so wide rarely do the communities or riders integrate or cross over into each other. I have yet to know any roadies that have done Critical Mass. In fact they cring when non-cyclists ask if that’s something they do. They take it as an insult and it goes against everything they stand for. Of course some people will never get this. I can see how this would be kinda silly to a non-cyclist. Maybe you have to be a true veteran of a cycling community to understand.

And so the payoff to this post… one of the funniest cycling-related music videos I’ve seen – a satire on roadies vs. fixies produced by a couple of Portland based cyclists is not only hilarious but spot on. Having over 10,000 hours under your belt is not necessary to understand where roadies and fixies differ, but it will certainly make it funnier to you knowing all the subtleties (at least if you’re a roadie!).

I’m waiting for a rebuttal video from a fixie perspective – although I think they make fun of the roadie as well. Please write me or comment post if you know of or see one out there.