3 ms·

It's insane how common they are in Seattle. They look super sleek but their specs aren't actually all that good. I ended up going with juiced instead for less

It's insane how common they are in Seattle. They look super sleek but their specs aren't actually all that good. I ended up going with juiced instead for less than half the price because it's pretty much all easily maintainable parts you can source yourself if need be. Lectric is great for that too.

mcv 3y ago
I also occasionally encounter one in Amsterdam (most Amsterdammers wouldn't want to be caught dead on a VanMoof), and I find them confusing and annoying. They make weird, confusing sounds, have some sort of whistle instead of a bell, and the riders seem to think they always have right of way and always go faster than other bikes. Or maybe I interpret their behaviour more aggressively than with other bikes because of the weird sounds they produce. (I don't think they're actually more aggressive than other cyclists in Amsterdam. I mean, that's a very high bar. They might even be more polite. And yet, they seem to have acquired that reputation.)
- em500 3y ago
  I think that reputation is undeserved, ard there's a bit of resentment at play. They're seen as toys for the wealthy, as mMost Amsterdammers probably ride a 3rd or 4th hand beater bike worth less than €100. But it seems that the resentment is nowadays more a directed at fat-bikes (Rad Powerbike lookalikes).
  - mcv 3y ago
    Ah, but we're proud of our ratty 4th hand beater bikes. People do some creative stuff with them sometimes, and certainly when I was a student, you didn't want to be seen on some shiny new bike fresh from the shop. > But it seems that the resentment is nowadays more a directed at fat-bikes (Rad Powerbike lookalikes). Weirdly, I don't actually mind them that much. They're awful of course, but I don't see them as replacements for bikes, but as replacements for scooters/mopeds. And those are a lot more awful. So I rather see people on a fat e-bike than on a dirty fume spewing scooter.
- Cthulhu_ 3y ago
  Classism will be a thing; they're premium, design bikes, and the people riding them are aware of it.

mcv 3y ago

I also occasionally encounter one in Amsterdam (most Amsterdammers wouldn't want to be caught dead on a VanMoof), and I find them confusing and annoying. They make weird, confusing sounds, have some sort of whistle instead of a bell, and the riders seem to think they always have right of way and always go faster than other bikes. Or maybe I interpret their behaviour more aggressively than with other bikes because of the weird sounds they produce. (I don't think they're actually more aggressive than other cyclists in Amsterdam. I mean, that's a very high bar. They might even be more polite. And yet, they seem to have acquired that reputation.)

em500 3y ago
I think that reputation is undeserved, ard there's a bit of resentment at play. They're seen as toys for the wealthy, as mMost Amsterdammers probably ride a 3rd or 4th hand beater bike worth less than €100. But it seems that the resentment is nowadays more a directed at fat-bikes (Rad Powerbike lookalikes).
- mcv 3y ago
  Ah, but we're proud of our ratty 4th hand beater bikes. People do some creative stuff with them sometimes, and certainly when I was a student, you didn't want to be seen on some shiny new bike fresh from the shop. > But it seems that the resentment is nowadays more a directed at fat-bikes (Rad Powerbike lookalikes). Weirdly, I don't actually mind them that much. They're awful of course, but I don't see them as replacements for bikes, but as replacements for scooters/mopeds. And those are a lot more awful. So I rather see people on a fat e-bike than on a dirty fume spewing scooter.
Cthulhu_ 3y ago
Classism will be a thing; they're premium, design bikes, and the people riding them are aware of it.