Are you a tart in the cycling world?

Gabbo
Gabbo Posts: 864
edited January 2013 in Road general
For example, you purchase unnecessary components for your bike because it either looks nice or colour coordinates with your frame or other components. Or a more valid example - you wear Assos.

Maybe you have deep section rims too, such as Zipp 404 or 808 :lol:

So are you a tart in this sense? Yes or no!

Before you come to the conclusion that I am bitter or jealous, I voted yes for myself. I consider myself a tart in the world of cycling and am proud of it :D
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Comments

  • LegendLust
    LegendLust Posts: 1,022
    Why is buying good, functional kit being a tart?
    Selling my Legend frame
    http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/
  • Gabbo
    Gabbo Posts: 864
    LegendLust wrote:
    Why is buying good, functional kit being a tart?

    Because quite possibly, you'll be getting diminishing returns on the huge amount of money you spend. Another good example are carbon bottle cages.
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Gabbo wrote:
    LegendLust wrote:
    Why is buying good, functional kit being a tart?

    Because quite possibly, you'll be getting diminishing returns on the huge amount of money you spend. Another good example are carbon bottle cages.

    Or:

    The parts make you happy so you buy them :)
    My London Road
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    Jealousy is an ugly colour.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I colour code bike/clothing, have some assos gear and deep (very) rims for time trials.
    Not sure I would use the term Tart but guess that counts me in :wink:

    I just want the bike to look and perform as good as poss.
    All the Assos stuff I have* is significantly better than other kit I have, so worth the money imo.
    Why would you not have deep rims if you want to go a bit faster?

    *I did have to send a pair of gloves back as they were rubbish big time, and I do feel the company are a bit 'up their own', but the gear I have is great.

    As with having anything nice or cutting edge or latest technology, I do it for me first and not to show off.
    Pi55ing off jealous people that are nasty to you is just a pleasant by product :P

    Kind of agree on the bottle cages, but whats wrong with diminishing returns?
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    Gabbo wrote:
    LegendLust wrote:
    Why is buying good, functional kit being a tart?

    Because quite possibly, you'll be getting diminishing returns on the huge amount of money you spend. Another good example are carbon bottle cages.
    Who qualifies or quantifies the value of a return? What is value to me may be meaningless to you and vice versa. I do take the aesthetic qualities of my bicycles very much into account. It is not all about performance alone. To me something that adds character or (personal ) appeal adds value.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • nolight
    nolight Posts: 261
    No. But I clicked Yes wrongly because I thought tart means retarded.
  • team47b
    team47b Posts: 6,425
    Yes Gabbo I am a bike tart and so is my wife :D

    I think there's been a humour by-pass on this thread :D

    Bike tart test...
    Do you look at your bike and say what else can I buy her?
    my isetta is a 300cc bike
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    team47b wrote:

    I think there's been a humour by-pass on this thread :D

    Not really, unless Gabbo is a Bike Tart too.
    If not its a dig and an insult.

    I am sick of jealous people telling me (and feeling its socially acceptable to do so) how to spend my money.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    I cant really afford to be a tart but if I could I'd be thee BIGGEST TART in all of cycling, but I back it up by pretty much killing myself on rides or the turbo. If youve got the disposable cash you should buy whatever you like in my opinion. Trouble with being a tart is it the shame dial is turned up to eleven whenever some dude on a Triban passes you on the road lol.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • jameses
    jameses Posts: 653
    :lol: I didn't think I was, but then started building up a bike and have now found tyres, cables, bottle cages, bottle cage bolts, front derailleur clamp and cassette lock ring in red to match the detailing on the frame. I'm even toying with cable tension adjusters, skewers and cable end caps to match.

    So I guess I would have to say yes!
  • Gabbo
    Gabbo Posts: 864
    Haha, this is not a jealousy driven thread I can assure you of that. I even voted yes for myself!

    One thing I really want is Rapha clothing. Their jerseys in Condor looked heavenly!
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    The Italians have a phrase for it - Bella in sella aka looking good in the saddle - it's a way of life not being a tart. Embrace it or stay bitter and snide ;-)
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    Carbonator wrote:
    team47b wrote:

    I think there's been a humour by-pass on this thread :D

    Not really, unless Gabbo is a Bike Tart too.
    If not its a dig and an insult.

    I am sick of jealous people telling me (and feeling its socially acceptable to do so) how to spend my money.

    Take a chill pill and then go for a ride.
  • Gabbo
    Gabbo Posts: 864
    Navrig wrote:
    Carbonator wrote:
    team47b wrote:

    I think there's been a humour by-pass on this thread :D

    Not really, unless Gabbo is a Bike Tart too.
    If not its a dig and an insult.

    I am sick of jealous people telling me (and feeling its socially acceptable to do so) how to spend my money.

    Take a chill pill and then go for a ride.

    Haha, exactly what I was thinking. I had to edit my original post so it comes across as less offending somewhat. Just stated that I am too a tart in the cycling world. Well, not as tartish as I'd like to be but still a tart nonetheless. I have no problem with people spending huge on components or whatnot that'll bring them little return in performance. If it makes them happy then it's money well spent in my opinion! :)
  • johnny25
    johnny25 Posts: 344
    No, not really.

    Although I have an orange coloured helmet and would like a blue one to go with the colour of my bike frame. Ha.
  • robertsims
    robertsims Posts: 141
    team47b wrote:
    Yes Gabbo I am a bike tart and so is my wife :D

    I think there's been a humour by-pass on this thread :D

    Bike tart test...
    Do you look at your bike and say what else can I buy her?

    Love the test - think it works perfectly. I would say I'm not a tart - then took the test and it turns out I am!!!!
    Triban 3
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Does buying a new pair of Oakleys to match the rest of my kit make me a tart? Then I guess I am! :D
  • meesterbond
    meesterbond Posts: 1,240
    I use a limited edition Cavendish Fizik saddle, which is less comfortable than the Toupe it replaced, just because it has a green stripe down the middle which matches the colour scheme on the rest of my bike.

    I shall say no more and let you draw your own conclusions.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    I ride a fixie, nuff said.
  • ju5t1n
    ju5t1n Posts: 2,028
    I am

    Style over substance is a mantra that's served me well

    Look the part and the rest will follow
  • typekitty
    typekitty Posts: 188
    I colour match, but have been barred from buying Rapha by the mister.

    I'm still sad I missed the big Aldi cyclewear sale...
  • nunowoolmez
    nunowoolmez Posts: 867
    Of course i am. The marketing around cycling actively encourages this & i lap it up goood! It makes me happy tho & i have 3 very tidy bikes & some nice kit because of it so it can't be a bad thing. As with all vices...at least it ain't crack!
  • Gazspurs
    Gazspurs Posts: 122
    100% Yes! There is no better feeling than making a purchase on the Rapha website, receiving in the post & wearing out for the 1st time.

    Bottles, cages, pedals all have to match..... I've even been known to get off my bike & carry it over a puddle as didn't want to get the bike dirty :shock:

    Just ordered the new Bont Vaypors in neon yellow & cant wait to get them!

    I'm by no means 'loaded' or have a lot of disposable income I just see it as this is my hobbie, I know I'm not brilliant & don't claim to be, just like having nice stuff & looking after it.
  • The Little Onion
    The Little Onion Posts: 99
    All frame accents, bar tape, saddle, bottle cages MUST elegantly colour-match. I spent ages trying to find bottle cages which are exactly the same shade of red as the details on my frame.Otherwise you might as well ride a Trek with a dork-disk and mountain bike shoes.

    Bella in sella all the way.
  • damov2
    damov2 Posts: 66
    I love a bit of color coordination!
    2013 Eddy Merckx Amx-1
    2010 Mongoose tyax super!
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/520456
    http://www.trainerroad.com/career/damov3
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,597
    If being a 'tart' means style over function then no. If it means buying the best you can afford and trying to make things match then yes. I can't understand people who wear mismatched kit, surely no-one goes out wearing a 'suit' where the jacket and trousers are clashing colours (other than arty types and the like)?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Looks like all the other No voters didn't go on to post a comment, so I thought I'd buck the trend. 95%* of my purchasing decisions are based on function and price. Only then, if there's a choice of colours, I'll choose the one that will look best with the stuff I already have. The rest of my family think I look like a twit whatever I wear on the bike, and I ride solo so as long as I don't startle the wildlife I'm happy.

    *the one occasion when I paid more for something just for it's appearance was on my Brooks B17 Special. I was seduced by the copper plated rails and hand beaten rivets.
  • binsted
    binsted Posts: 182
    I like to think I am doing my bit to aid the financial recovery of the country. That gives a sort of warmer feeling than being referred to as a tart.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Navrig wrote:
    Carbonator wrote:
    team47b wrote:

    I think there's been a humour by-pass on this thread :D

    Not really, unless Gabbo is a Bike Tart too.
    If not its a dig and an insult.

    I am sick of jealous people telling me (and feeling its socially acceptable to do so) how to spend my money.

    Take a chill pill and then go for a ride.

    Excellent advice, but as Gabbo has now 'come out' I can save the pill for another thread :D

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