I gotta concur a bit with Bluetree. A lot of my male-dominated groups of friends (cyclists, work dept, rock climbing) tease each other, because that's how they show affection. Like in 5th grade when the boys would hit the girls they liked, because they didn't know what else to do.

Like, I get the feeling they want you to go to the velodrome because they genuinely like you. I seriously doubt they REALLY care about your pedal status.

If there's a comment that's REALLY outta line, you should step up and let them know ("Hey, not cool, man...") ("Knock it off or I'll drop you on the next hill")

Otherwise, you have the right to dish it right back at them. When made fun of for being a hick, tell 'em to bug off or you'll hogtie them. Ask them why they spend so much on those nice light pedals and then eat a giant burrito. Tell them fantasy romance stories involving yourself and Taylor (they'll stop you before long). They're making fun of you for liking hardtails? Sheesh, remind them that FSR are for sissies*

-- gnat!

* Mind you, all I have is a FSR, so I can represent. In fact, a friend of mine who does single speed MTB calls me a sissy all the time. I call him a retro-nerd. It all balances out.