Freds?

[Grog]

I think you'll be okay Bethany. Don't worry about it and just go riding! You have the right gear and the right bike, now go and have fun.

[Bethany1]

No worries at all..LOL. I just didn't know some people categorized riders in such a demeaning way.

[wackyjacky1]

Ha ha, I crack up every time I see the phrase "dork disk." Something about it just makes me laugh.

I'm definitely a Fred, I guess. I have a dork disk, front and rear lights, a rear rack for carrying my stuff, and, yes, a reflective vest for when I ride to work in the mornings.

[emily_in_nc]

Signs I am a (happy) Fred:

* My bike has a rack
* My bike has fenders
* My bike is a folder with 20" wheels and not-so-narrow tires
* I ride in Keen Commuter sandals
* I have a visor on my helmet
* I use a Take-a-Look mirror on my sunglasses
* I have a handlebar-mounted "Halt" holder
* I have an airhorn on my bike (Triple bonus score!)

But...I don't have a dork disk.

[Xrayted]

I have the plastic pie plate on my road bike and I'm leaving it there. My name is...

X

thankyouverymuch and I ride a bicycle that I paid for, upkeep, adjust and I'll do what I want. Besides, if you have a bad derail, say from a stick or other object, it could break or throw your chain through your spokes and rip them all out on that side. I've seen it happen. With the disk, usually the chain just gets stuck down between. It's a pain to dig out but the alternative is much worse. My dork disk stays. I've had enough surgery in my lifetime and I can't respoke and true a wheel to save my life.

[WindingRoad]

Uh oh, I think I'm a Fred. I LOVE down tube shifters, fenders, racks, panniers, blinky lights and old steel bikes!

Oh darn then there is the blinky helmet Catrin just gave me! Dang it! I'm definitely a Fred, sigh.

[tulip]

No worries at all..LOL. I just didn't know some people categorized riders in such a demeaning way.

If it bothers you that people do that, stay away from the Road Forum on Bike Forums. Otherwise, just ride your bike and don't waste your time and energy worrying about what other people think.

[Antaresia]

No worries at all..LOL. I just didn't know some people categorized riders in such a demeaning way.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't think I'd last long in a crowd like that, but I have this weird thing about hanging out with jerks...

aw, who I'm I kidding they'd never hang out with a Fred like me anyway. I have *fun* ringing my old-fashion bike bell (with a neon pink dinosaur on it) when my local hockey team wins a game. That probably isn't cool.

[beccaB]

My favorite thing about my trek 7.3fx with it's flat handlebars is the dingy bell. I love that bell. I suppose that makes me a fred. I've done 7 centuries on that bike.

[FlyingScot]

Better Fred then dead!!!!!

[AppleTree]

Better Fred then dead!!!!!

Brilliant! LOL!!

[FlyingScot]

That should have read:

"Better Fred THAN dead"

It would truly suck to be Fred and then die.