Why are there dividing lines bet "roadies" and "mountain riders" and other hard core riders

Question

Why are there dividing lines bet "roadies" and "mountain riders" and other hard core riders

Answer 1

Most mountain bikers I know have road bikes and do a fair bit of road riding.  In fact, many top mountain bike racers do much of their conditioning on road bikes in order to save wear and tear on their bodies.  Furthermore, many top roadies, like Floyd Landis, started their careers in mountain biking.

That said, lots of roadies only have vague knowledge that mountain biking exists.  To the extent they know of mountain biking, they know that many mountain bikers:

- don't shave their legs, a severe violation of tribal custom

- drag their knuckles on the ground

- use camelbacks during road events, yet another severe violation of tribal behavior and tradition

- become road bikers and go to Europe if they want to earn a living on their bike

I along with several of my mountain biking friends like to partake in roadie tribe activities.  We join group rides and do road races for conditioning.  Fortunately, none of us actually drag our knuckles.  I, however, don't like shaving my legs, so I often get the hairy eyeball.  Plus, they figure I am a newbie and dole out much unsolicited advice.  However, as long as we use water bottles instead of camelbacks few usually figure out we are mountain bikers.  Bunny hopping railroad tracks and broken pavement can blow the gig, so we try to keep it to a minimum.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

And let's not forget the subgroup(s) of bike commuters (whether it be on a roadbike, mountain bike or something in between.

The group where the more bike lights the better.

Reflective fluro coloured jackets/ safety vests are the in-fashion.

When speed isn't everything, cause traffic handling skills are just as important.

When a beep of a car-horn, does not scare them.

Where the journey is part of the fun, not just the destination.

When passing another commuter, a nod of the head, a smile, a ring of a bell or even a spoken "morning", is their greeting.

Answer 3

Because rodies are wussies. Just kidding this is because people like to feel like they are part of a group.  And they also like to make fun of / hate on anyone not in that group.  This probably goes back to the tribal ancestry of humans.  That is why I am all about breaking down barriers, I go road and mountain biking both.  I also ski and snowboard... spread the love

Answer 4

And then there are the triathletes.   The others laugh at us and make fun of our aerobars, and questionable bike handling skills.  

The laughing usually stops a few hours into a ride when we start pulling away thanks to superior aerobic engines.

------

edit: remember that Lance began his career as a triathlete.....

Answer 5

sfr, you gave me chuckle. but here's more:

roadie sub-sets:

road racers

track racers

single day racers

stage race racers

epic riders

fixed gear riders

mountain sub-sets:

x-country

fixed gear

freeriders

downhill

trials riders

dirt jumpers

cyclo-cross

24 hr racers

epic riders

did I miss anyone?

ww

roadie, x-c rider

Answer 6

Because riding a bike these days isn't about riding the bike.  It's about the image of riding a bike.  That's why these lawyers and doctors buy $8000 serotta's, strap it on the back of their lexuses (lexii?) drive to the coffee shop in full spandex, pack up their bike, and then drive home.  That's why fixie hipster kids ride brakeless walmart bikes that are powder coated bright orange and neon green and then constantly faceplant going over train tracks or striking pedals.

The mountain/BMX kids are going for a completely different image.  They want to be more HARDKORE to the MAXX EXTREEEEEME, so they ride bikes with wheels so small and knobby that to ride to the grocery store takes about 12 hours, which they proceed to do on the sidewalk.

What you'll really see, however, is that serious cyclists in either discipline will generally cross-train in the other discipline.  Riding is riding.  Did I miss out on any other cyclist groups that use the bicycle as a fashion accessory?