Comments on: Sport Cycling Hegemony

By: Joyce

Joyce — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:57:30 +0000

I wouldn’t claim that fenders are necessary for everyone; my brother commutes on his bike daily and doesn’t like fenders. Okay, he’s thought it over and decided against them. What struck me as odd was the grit-striped folks we met on the trail didn’t seem to have considered and decided against fenders. It was more like fenders hadn’t really entered their thoughts as a possibility until they talked to us. To me that seems like an effect of sport cycling dominance of US cycling culture.

By: Andy Cline

Andy Cline — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:31:53 +0000

Joyce… Fenders and a chain guard seem to me to be necessary features. But, then, long-distance commuters that I know ride in sport clothing — a good choice given the distances. Fenders in those cases are not so necessary.

Lovely… I’m willing to accept that sport cycling hegemony is not playing a role here. But I’ll play wait-and-see before I admit error. I think you have made an interesting point/observation re: the French Porteur tradition.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:22:03 +0000

I haven’t looked at all the photos, just the winner (hey, I put that kickstand on my recumbent! Really helps when loading groceries) but in general I agree with the issue of the sport cycling hegemony. To me it oftens seems like the corresponding situation would be if the features of most cars were determined by the needs of NASCAR racers or monster truck drivers. My husband and I took a short bike touring trip on the Katy Trail a few weeks back. One of our days on the (chat-surfaced) trail was rainy and wet, and nearly every cyclist we met had a big grit-stripe up their back. Many times that day we were asked how we were staying so clean, and we would point out our fenders. Fenders– the technology of the future!

By: Lovely Bicycle!

Lovely Bicycle! — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:33:18 +0000

> Lovely… I don’t want “ish.” I want upright

Fair enough, but my point is that not everybody does, and that being perfectly upright is not a de-facto criteria for a transport bicycle. Most entries seem to have interpreted the “Constructor” in the French Porteur tradition, rather than in the Dutch/English transport bike tradition, and their designs reflect that. So, while I also do not particularly love the winning entry, I think your “sports hegemony” accusation is misplaced here. If anything, I think that the world of custom bikes is moving increasingly towards transport, city riding and utility…

By: Andy Cline

Andy Cline — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:30:21 +0000

Tracy… Every time I write about such issues it should be understood exactly as Steve characterized it: my prejudice.

That said, take another look at that photo. He’s not down on those handle bars with both hands. If he were he’d be in mountain bike posture.

But so what? That’s my issue. You are correct, re: “there is no one-size-fits-all in terms of style for a commuter or utility bike.” And I have said as much elsewhere on Carbon Trace.

This issue isn’t as much about the bicycles as it is about sport cycling hegemony for me. I’m all for people riding EXACTLY what they want. But when a design competition purports to be about a commuter/utility bicycle, well, I hope to see a certain separation between sport bicycles and the resulting designs. Again… my prejudice