View Full Version : Lamborghinis vs. coke habits vs. $10,000 bikes
54ny77
11-15-2013, 05:46 PM
Nothing like a good cliche!
On the bright & cheery side, it keeps the LBS doors open and folks employed, so more power to 'em. The LBS referenced in the article is a great place, terrific service, big supporters of the local cycling community and they have fair prices for a lot of necessities (other than $20k pinarellos....). Got me a pair of road shoes there for not much more than typical US mail order pricing. Imagine that: inventory to try on and purchase on site!
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-15/in-the-land-of-the-mamils-where-men-are-men-and-bikes-are-a-semester-at-yale.html
christian
11-15-2013, 05:56 PM
Just so we're clear, "sträva" is Swedish for to strive. "Stava" is Swedish for to spell. I think it follows that "strava" must be Swedish for striving to learn how to spell.
"Yeah, there's my KOM on 'Coelacanth,' b*tch!" Saturday afternoon PMs on Strava.
mike p
11-15-2013, 06:05 PM
Nice article. Not sure that I'd fit in with that crowd but I do like the idea of a bunch of rich dudes on bikes rather than in sports cars mowing me over on my bike!
Mike
christian
11-15-2013, 06:08 PM
Those dudes all have Carreras too.
crownjewelwl
11-15-2013, 07:02 PM
Typical Bloomberg hack reporting
But that's why I like to ride in the woods by myself
aramis
11-15-2013, 07:02 PM
I've found that even though there are a lot of people I ride with on really expensive bikes, they pretty much never talk about a persons bike or how expensive it is but are more concerned with how good they are.
Now I do hear a lot about how awesome certain wheels are, and I think every week a new person shows up with an "aero" helmet but I've never run into someone bragging about how their expensive bike helped them do better.
I know one guy always shows up on his 90's trek bike he bought of craigslist and climbs better than 95% of the people that show up (myself included). Funny thing is he has a super fancy bike too, but I think more people are impressed if you go faster on a cheap bike fwiw.
BobbyJones
11-15-2013, 07:26 PM
I don't know whats worse..the lead photo that is clearly a stock photo or the sh**ty "content" passed off as journalism.
ahhh yes. The " high-end retailers like Specialized, Rapha and Giro".
If Jennifer Parker is more than a 22 yo intern who sleeps with an older guy who "races a bike" on Strava she should be embarrassed to wake up in the morning.
akelman
11-15-2013, 07:52 PM
Every time someone publishes a lifestyle article -- neither the subject nor the venue matter; all lifestyle reporting is equally toxic -- an angel gets black lung.
Ahneida Ride
11-15-2013, 08:15 PM
uh What wrap are these guys riding ?
jlwdm
11-15-2013, 08:23 PM
I see a lot more Lamborghinis than expensive bikes around here.
Jeff
choke
11-15-2013, 09:08 PM
If Jennifer Parker is more than a 22 yo intern who sleeps with an older guy who "races a bike" on Strava she should be embarrassed to wake up in the morning.That is the line of the month. :beer:
bcroslin
11-15-2013, 09:14 PM
This reads to me like a crappy story that some hack editor punched up. I don't doubt that there's douchebags like those described on wall street but the whole thing sounds very contrived.
mike p
11-15-2013, 09:22 PM
True but they're tuned into cyclists. I, as do most all of us here give cyclist and runners a wide berth when we're in cars. That's all I'm looking for :-)
Mike
Those dudes all have Carreras too.
cachagua
11-15-2013, 09:58 PM
And I give douchebags in $100,000.00 cars a wide berth when I'm on my bike.
summilux
11-15-2013, 11:44 PM
$10K Pinarello??? Proof that money makes you dumb.
eBAUMANN
11-15-2013, 11:52 PM
holy sh*t that is a terribly written article. wow.
moose8
11-16-2013, 12:03 AM
The quotes kind of sound made up. Or at least I hope people don't really talk like that.
Louis
11-16-2013, 12:39 AM
You guys are all just jealous that their times are better than yours.
crownjewelwl
11-16-2013, 05:07 AM
The quotes kind of sound made up. Or at least I hope people don't really talk like that.
Nope...wall street goons do talk like that
Fishbike
11-16-2013, 05:52 AM
If the toys make them happy -- great. If they are compensating for a lack of soul. . .welll. . .
jlwdm
11-16-2013, 07:17 AM
$10K Pinarello??? Proof that money makes you dumb.
New bikes with top components and wheels priced at $10,000 are not rare.
Jeff
fuzzalow
11-16-2013, 08:06 AM
The quotes kind of sound made up. Or at least I hope people don't really talk like that.
Nope...wall street goons do talk like that
Partly truth, partly caricature, partly the embellishment of a journalist playing the stereotype of the trader mentality to make a sensational story. Makes the trading desk look like a frat house. Embarrassing.
The journos usually don't know what they are writing about and if they do actually know, they might have to dumb it down depending on the publication's readership.
54ny77
11-16-2013, 08:13 AM
surely no other profession and no other part of the country has "goons" and "douchebags" who come across the way those portrayed in that article do....:rolleyes:
CDollarsign
11-16-2013, 08:15 AM
Don't lots of people around these parts ride close to 10k bikes?
Vientomas
11-16-2013, 08:45 AM
As a cyclist, I hope that the general public does not associate me with the type of person quoted in the article.
lukasz
11-16-2013, 09:28 AM
As a cyclist, I hope that the general public does not associate me with the type of person quoted in the article.
It seems to me that if they did then we might actually get more respect. Sure, Wall Street isn't exactly popular right now, but a lot of people think that you're on a bicycle because you can't afford to drive a car.
josephr
11-16-2013, 09:38 AM
Specialized and Giro are high end???? Wow...where's my G6?
Joe
Repack Rider
11-16-2013, 09:44 AM
I'm sure the writer had a point to make, but he quit before he got there.
Vientomas
11-16-2013, 09:45 AM
It seems to me that if they did then we might actually get more respect. Sure, Wall Street isn't exactly popular right now, but a lot of people think that you're on a bicycle because you can't afford to drive a car.
I would rather be thought of as a poor schlep than a rich a##hole any day. But that's just me.
William
11-16-2013, 09:57 AM
surely no other profession and no other part of the country has "goons" and "douchebags" who come across the way those portrayed in that article do....:rolleyes:
Don't belittle the real "Goons" who break skin to get the job done! Unless the so called "goon" is wading out onto the trading floor to bust up a competing trader ,they're just wannabes. :p
;););)
William
Nope...wall street goons do talk like that
Um..yup. Wall street employs many incredibly bright, nice people. Unfortunately, for every one of the former there are two insufferable douchholes who got a job because they were good at lacrosse. I thank God for electronic trading platforms so I don't have to talk to these clowns anymore. The dialogue in that (terrible) story is entirely believable. I don't recommend having dinner or going to a Knicks game with a group of sell-side traders.
cachagua
11-16-2013, 11:09 AM
Don't belittle the real "Goons" who break skin to get the job done! Unless the so called "goon" is wading out onto the trading floor to bust up a competing trader, they're just wannabes...
Million-dollar idea right there. Add gladiatorial combat to stock trading, televise it, and watch the revenue roll in. . .
William
11-16-2013, 11:17 AM
Million-dollar idea right there. Add gladiatorial combat to stock trading, televise it, and watch the revenue roll in. . .
Already done...;)
http://tv.esquire.com/shows/white-collar-brawlers
William
cachagua
11-16-2013, 11:30 AM
There I am, late to the payoff again! Did I ever mention I invented clipless pedals back in the 70s?
bewheels
11-16-2013, 01:23 PM
Keep in mind that these types of articles get written all the time about many different sports/subjects. And they always have the same level of incompetence when read by a group that really knows the subject. This could have been just as easily been written about climbing, skiing, sailing, bowling, or collecting baseball cards for that matter. In any of those cases the the climber/skier/sailer/bowler/collector would be picking apart the article. I would not take it too personally.
1centaur
11-16-2013, 02:04 PM
Nope...wall street goons do talk like that
Half the 25 year old guys on RoadBikeReview forums talk about ripping peoples legs off and dropping people with a chest puffing cluelessness that one hopes will disappear with age. The big difference is that they can't afford really expensive bikes. The next biggest difference is that the boys club mentality dominates the trading part of Wall Street regardless of the age of the participants. Trading may not be the biggest part of Wall Street but it is the loudest and most annoying.
summilux
11-16-2013, 02:40 PM
New bikes with top components and wheels priced at $10,000 are not rare.
It's not the money. It's the choice. If an off the rack suit cost the same or more than bespoke, you should buy Saville Row. Pinarello?? Why pay a premium for mass produced ugly.
e-RICHIE
11-16-2013, 03:22 PM
It's not the money. It's the choice. If an off the rack suit cost the same or more than bespoke, you should buy Saville Row. Pinarello?? Why pay a premium for mass produced ugly.
It's not the money or the choice. It's the association atmo. These cats buy what the best, fastest, most highly paid ride.
And for many years now, that item comes off an assembly line, not from a framebuilder's bench. They may wear su misura
apparel, but they pedal industrial made.
charliedid
11-16-2013, 04:21 PM
Same as it ever was.
binxnyrwarrsoul
11-16-2013, 04:26 PM
"Why pay a premium for mass produced ugly."
Potd!
bcroslin
11-16-2013, 04:42 PM
I wonder if these douchenozzles realize you can buy a pinarello for $500 (http://chinarello.blogspot.com)?
jlwdm
11-16-2013, 06:12 PM
It's not the money. It's the choice. If an off the rack suit cost the same or more than bespoke, you should buy Saville Row. Pinarello?? Why pay a premium for mass produced ugly.
Apples and oranges. Most riders can get a good fit on a stock bike and the top production frames are great bikes. Bespoke suit will be a better fit.
Jeff
summilux
11-16-2013, 06:27 PM
It's not the money or the choice. It's the association atmo. These cats buy what the best, fastest, most highly paid ride.
Yah, that I know. My wife used to be a broker (AKA Financial Advisor) back in the day. We burnt unbelievable amounts of $$ on stupid things. Things that didn't matter. Funny thing was, it never made us happy: Had a Range Rover, wanted a Porsche; smoked Diplomatico, wanted Cohiba, etc etc. Its better on this side of sanity.
And speaking of sanity, somebody reading this thread should buy that Crumpton in the classifieds.
Louis
11-16-2013, 10:21 PM
A related story in the NYT here (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/business/in-a-north-face-jacket-a-reversible-appeal.html?smid=pl-share) about North Face, and how the company walks a "tightrope between exclusivity and the mass market."
Those pinarellos are truly ugly. Who'd pay for a fork that looks backwards anyway?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
1centaur
11-17-2013, 01:07 PM
A related story in the NYT here (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/business/in-a-north-face-jacket-a-reversible-appeal.html?smid=pl-share) about North Face, and how the company walks a "tightrope between exclusivity and the mass market."
I noticed that North Face jackets were everywhere a few years ago. That defines "not-exclusive." Patagonia and North Face used to be in the same niche; not anymore.
Mr Cabletwitch
11-17-2013, 01:34 PM
I'm sorry but if you can afford a 10k bike, plus the finer things in life, plus actually be able to drop real riders consistently. You are aren't working hard enough to keep your job or at least you shouldn't be able to keep your job. All the people I know that make that kind of money don't have the time to train to actually be any good at anything outside your job.
jlwdm
11-17-2013, 01:34 PM
I noticed that North Face jackets were everywhere a few years ago. That defines "not-exclusive." Patagonia and North Face used to be in the same niche; not anymore.
It seems to me that both companies products have been everywhere for years and years. Maybe that is because I used to live in Western Washington and lots of people where this kind of clothing.
Jeff
fuzzalow
11-17-2013, 01:54 PM
You are aren't working hard enough to keep your job or at least you shouldn't be able to keep your job. All the people I know that make that kind of money don't have the time to train to actually be any good at anything outside your job.
People can get crazy-driven, at least for a little while - while they are enraptured in the novelty & experience of it. Typical NYC type-A personality traits. There is a misconception surrounding the lack of time - there is always to ability to find time if the drive and the desire is there. How long this lasts is another matter.
Not every specialty on The Street is the stuff of investment banker 20-hour days as can happen when either chasing or completing a deal. For example, Fixed Income traders have a fairly regular schedule in responsibility of a domestic book - if they are habitually frenzied working late-day cash then they won't be at that job for long.
Louis
11-17-2013, 02:00 PM
Evie Stevens did it until she decided to go pro full-time. I have no clue how much time she spent training while still working on Wall Street.
crownjewelwl
11-17-2013, 02:12 PM
I'm sorry but if you can afford a 10k bike, plus the finer things in life, plus actually be able to drop real riders consistently. You are aren't working hard enough to keep your job or at least you shouldn't be able to keep your job. All the people I know that make that kind of money don't have the time to train to actually be any good at anything outside your job.
That's a pretty stupid generalization
shovelhd
11-17-2013, 03:19 PM
+1
Joachim
11-17-2013, 03:36 PM
I'm sorry but if you can afford a 10k bike, plus the finer things in life, plus actually be able to drop real riders consistently. You are aren't working hard enough to keep your job or at least you shouldn't be able to keep your job. All the people I know that make that kind of money don't have the time to train to actually be any good at anything outside your job.
Joke of the day! If it's not, you need to meet some other successful cyclists.
Mr Cabletwitch
11-17-2013, 04:09 PM
I'm saying that if you are a wall street guy that makes the kind of money to afford the 10k bike, the Manhattan apt., the high end german auto, the expensive suits etc.. etc.. I can guarantee you aren't training enough to be so fast that there aren't plenty of people able to drop you like a bad habit. Not saying if you have all that you can't be a competent cyclist, but the way that article reads these guys think they are the hottest thing on two wheels and can't get dropped. Seems to me they are probably more like the same guys that go out with their 10k bikes and brag about dropping the guy that wasn't even trying.
rereading what I wrote, makes me realize it was horribly worded.
And if they are training enough to be the fastest guy in the NYC they probably either shouldn't still have their job or never earned it in the first place.
I'm just saying they probably aren't near as fast as they think they are. :rolleyes:
Germany_chris
11-17-2013, 04:53 PM
All three please.
I'm saying that if you are a wall street guy that makes the kind of money to afford the 10k bike, the Manhattan apt., the high end german auto, the expensive suits etc.. etc.. I can guarantee you aren't training enough to be so fast that there aren't plenty of people able to drop you like a bad habit. Not saying if you have all that you can't be a competent cyclist, but the way that article reads these guys think they are the hottest thing on two wheels and can't get dropped. Seems to me they are probably more like the same guys that go out with their 10k bikes and brag about dropping the guy that wasn't even trying.
rereading what I wrote, makes me realize it was horribly worded.
And if they are training enough to be the fastest guy in the NYC they probably either shouldn't still have their job or never earned it in the first place.
I'm just saying they probably aren't near as fast as they think they are. :rolleyes:
This is certainly very likely (above in bold), but honestly, a trader doesn't work that hard (take my word for it, I am one). The bond market closes at three, I'm home by four.
shovelhd
11-17-2013, 05:20 PM
Do you have any idea the kind of guys I race against every week?
r_mutt
11-17-2013, 05:31 PM
I'm saying that if you are a wall street guy that makes the kind of money to afford the 10k bike, the Manhattan apt., the high end german auto, the expensive suits etc.. etc.. I can guarantee you aren't training enough to be so fast that there aren't plenty of people able to drop you like a bad habit. Not saying if you have all that you can't be a competent cyclist, but the way that article reads these guys think they are the hottest thing on two wheels and can't get dropped. Seems to me they are probably more like the same guys that go out with their 10k bikes and brag about dropping the guy that wasn't even trying.
rereading what I wrote, makes me realize it was horribly worded.
And if they are training enough to be the fastest guy in the NYC they probably either shouldn't still have their job or never earned it in the first place.
I'm just saying they probably aren't near as fast as they think they are. :rolleyes:
you're right- they aren't as fit as they think they are. those guys are bragging about dropping freds who ride 3 times a month. having said that, there are plenty of those "bankers" who are racing in NYC atm. they make $700,000+ (usually much more), race, train, have kids, etc. most of them don't talk like the characters in the article. it's usually the guys that don't race who have a chip on their shoulder about how "fast" they are.
Mr Cabletwitch
11-17-2013, 05:48 PM
Do you have any idea the kind of guys I race against every week?
Obviously you aren't that fast either...
J/K, you really opened yourself up for that one. :bike: ;)
I learned something a long time ago... There is always somebody faster. 9 times out of 10 the guy bragging about how fast he is, isn't.
I ride the same roads as Floyd Landis grew up on and you haven't seen fast until you put some amish kid on a real bike and turn him loose. I took a kid at 12 and started training him, now he is 18 all I have to do is point him the right direction of a segment on strava and he gets another KOM. Now if only I could get him to give up DH mountain biking and get him on his roadie again.
In my mind there are too many self indulgent weenies in the sport of cycling that think in order to enjoy it they have to be faster than somebody else. These same people usually only stick with it long enough to realize they aren't that fast. Riding for me is about being able to get from one place to another completely self sufficiently and enjoy the journey along the way. Riding fast is fun, but only a small part of the equation.
shovelhd
11-17-2013, 06:26 PM
Obviously you aren't that fast either...
J/K, you really opened yourself up for that one. :bike: ;)
I learned something a long time ago... There is always somebody faster. 9 times out of 10 the guy bragging about how fast he is, isn't.
It's true, there is always somebody faster. That's why they have the jersey and I don't. This is especially true when you race in the older age groups, I have to deal with the retirees who have 20-25 hours/wk to train.
Mr. Pink
11-17-2013, 06:33 PM
race, train, have kids, etc.
Well, maybe. The last two, "have kids" and, "etc.", I'm afraid, are real sore points, I'll bet. The guy who runs my division is a serious Tri athlete, amazingly in shape for his age, and even teaches a spin class at dawn these days. Pretty stunning since he has a decent budget and well over a hundred people under him. But, you know, I wonder what kind of relationship he has with his kids and family, like other tri athletes I have known. I would put serious bike racers in the same category, Like, once you're done with business and the never ending training, how in the world do you find time and energy for most else? Isn't it more important to teach your kid to catch a football? Or help him or her with their homework?
And, yeah, I agree with the argument that, if you are in a position that makes you enough money to afford expensive bikes, cars, houses, and wives, you shouldn't have enough time or energy to train and race.There aren't enough hours in the day, especially in October and April. I really doubt that their boss would tolerate their absence from work, either physically or mentally, for long, if a lot of money was at stake. Unless, of course, their boss is dad or grandad. Even then..........
There's a lot of kids who are really really hungry today with a lot of student debt. I wouldn't be surprised if a manager would prefer one of them locked into their cube for 60 hours a week instead of the 40 year old guy out on his Thursday ride at 4:30.
Mr Cabletwitch
11-17-2013, 06:48 PM
Don't get me started on triatheletes. I am currently raising my 4 year old son almost on my own thanks to my wifes tri addiction. I choose everyday to be there for my son instead of riding or running that extra mile. And when I put him to bed and he tells me he loves me I know I made the right choice. Right now I know enough pissed off ex and current spouses of tri atheletes that we could start a support group.
It's not just athletics that get spouses and exes working too much at the expense of family time.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
nm87710
11-17-2013, 09:14 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if a manager would prefer one of them locked into their cube for 60 hours a week instead of the 40 year old guy out on his Thursday ride at 4:30.
Life is too short. Make time to enjoy the things you love.
r_mutt
11-17-2013, 09:15 PM
And, yeah, I agree with the argument that, if you are in a position that makes you enough money to afford expensive bikes, cars, houses, and wives, you shouldn't have enough time or energy to train and race.There aren't enough hours in the day, especially in October and April. I really doubt that their boss would tolerate their absence from work, either physically or mentally, for long, if a lot of money was at stake. Unless, of course, their boss is dad or grandad. Even then..........
There's a lot of kids who are really really hungry today with a lot of student debt. I wouldn't be surprised if a manager would prefer one of them locked into their cube for 60 hours a week instead of the 40 year old guy out on his Thursday ride at 4:30.
The 40 year old guy you speak of is the manager's boss. They aren't going to be replaced by a 24 year old kid anytime soon. These guys are not entry-level. This is the 1% we're talking about.
Mr. Pink
11-17-2013, 09:19 PM
Oh,sir. Everyone is replaceable. Or, my favorite saying on the subject: the cemeteries are filled with irreplaceable men.
wildboar
11-17-2013, 11:41 PM
if you are in a position that makes you enough money to afford expensive bikes, cars, houses, and wives, you shouldn't have enough time or energy to train and race.
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