Spinningtabletop's definitions
A brand of cheapo bikes sold in department stores such as Walmart. They usually are supposed to look like mountain bikes, but are not strong or light enough to actually tolerate such use, and are rarely ridden off street. They are usually extremely heavy. I do not know of one under 35 pounds.
Some of them do have decent components and function ok. The shifting is usually good. They tend to be more reliable than other department store brands. They are definitely not serious bikes, though. If you have one that you ride to work, class, etc., then you will think cycling is slow and laborious and will give it up. Spend the same amount you bought the Huffy for new and buy a used road bike on craigslist. It will make a world of difference.
They do make good presents for kids. They are nice-looking and have lots of fancy stuff on them and more gears than you can use. Not for anyone over the age of 12, though.
Some of them do have decent components and function ok. The shifting is usually good. They tend to be more reliable than other department store brands. They are definitely not serious bikes, though. If you have one that you ride to work, class, etc., then you will think cycling is slow and laborious and will give it up. Spend the same amount you bought the Huffy for new and buy a used road bike on craigslist. It will make a world of difference.
They do make good presents for kids. They are nice-looking and have lots of fancy stuff on them and more gears than you can use. Not for anyone over the age of 12, though.
Soccer mom: "I got our son a bike for his birthday. It was a huffy and it's so cool!"
Dad: "It's a good thing he hasn't acquired a taste for real bikes yet."
Dad: "It's a good thing he hasn't acquired a taste for real bikes yet."
by spinningtabletop February 1, 2009
Get the huffy mug.A brand of bicycle intended for off-road use on dirt or gravel trails. There is no limit to how much you can spend on them. Some of the best ones are amazingly beautiful works of high-performance technology that are also tougher than nails.
Most mountain bikes, though, are bought for fairly cheap, sometimes under $100, at department stores under brands such as Mongoose, Schwinn, or Magna. These "mountain bikes" are covered with fancy graphics, lots of gears, and suspension, but actually work very poorly:
1) The components are all bottom-of-the line, even if they have good names such as Shimano. They are heavy, poorly machined, and wear out or break quickly. The gears will usually grind and skip no matter how well you adjust them. Rims are often steel, which quickly rusts and bends out of round, is very heavy, and is never seen on decent wheels.
2) They are no fun to ride. Most of them weight at least 31-35 pounds, and the full-suspension models weigh around 45! Try riding up a hill on one of these. Most people just ride them around the streets, and the knobby tires soak up so much energy you can actually hear it. Full suspension will completely absorb any power you put out. It feels like riding through mud.
Mountain bikes are extremely popular, though, accounting for over 90% of all bikes on the average college campus. They are easier to ride than road bikes, but will prevent you from ever enjoying bike riding. If they are used for off-road use, they simply become a toy like dirt bikes that you can't use for everyday transportation. Overall, I think they are a backwards development in cycling technology.
Most mountain bikes, though, are bought for fairly cheap, sometimes under $100, at department stores under brands such as Mongoose, Schwinn, or Magna. These "mountain bikes" are covered with fancy graphics, lots of gears, and suspension, but actually work very poorly:
1) The components are all bottom-of-the line, even if they have good names such as Shimano. They are heavy, poorly machined, and wear out or break quickly. The gears will usually grind and skip no matter how well you adjust them. Rims are often steel, which quickly rusts and bends out of round, is very heavy, and is never seen on decent wheels.
2) They are no fun to ride. Most of them weight at least 31-35 pounds, and the full-suspension models weigh around 45! Try riding up a hill on one of these. Most people just ride them around the streets, and the knobby tires soak up so much energy you can actually hear it. Full suspension will completely absorb any power you put out. It feels like riding through mud.
Mountain bikes are extremely popular, though, accounting for over 90% of all bikes on the average college campus. They are easier to ride than road bikes, but will prevent you from ever enjoying bike riding. If they are used for off-road use, they simply become a toy like dirt bikes that you can't use for everyday transportation. Overall, I think they are a backwards development in cycling technology.
"Did you see my new mountain bike? It's loaded! It has full suspension, 24 gears, chrome rims..."
"Dude-do yourself a service and buy a road bike like mine. Then see if you can keep up with me on the road."
"Dude-do yourself a service and buy a road bike like mine. Then see if you can keep up with me on the road."
by spinningtabletop February 1, 2009
Get the mountain bike mug.What cyclists say by convention as they pass each other on the road, or occasionally as they ride near pedestrians. It is infinitely more cool than mounting a dorky little horn or bell on your handlebars and squeezing it at every opportunity. It may not be always be strictly necessary, but it is a little courtesy that will get you cred and make you look experienced.
<College student races to class and overtakes a pack of spandex cyclists, but remains silent.>
"On your left! On your leeeeeft!" You gotta let us know! Where are your manners?"
<sound of metal crunching and muffled screams. this guy will not have to say this for a while.>
"On your left! On your leeeeeft!" You gotta let us know! Where are your manners?"
<sound of metal crunching and muffled screams. this guy will not have to say this for a while.>
by spinningtabletop January 31, 2009
Get the on your left mug.1. A jacked-up pickup truck or SUV just begging to be pushed over. It would be a service to all other drivers on the road to humble one of these these top-heavy, oversized Urban Assault Vehicles.
2. What happens when a very pathetic, wimpy chick allows herself to be picked up by any guy mildly interested in her. Typically the guy becomes bored or dissatisfied after a short time and a breakup ensues.
2. What happens when a very pathetic, wimpy chick allows herself to be picked up by any guy mildly interested in her. Typically the guy becomes bored or dissatisfied after a short time and a breakup ensues.
1. See that pushover pickup that's tailgating me? I can't see anyone else on the road! At least in these Santa Ana winds here in the 909 should knock his truck over before my subcompact.
2. "Did you hear about Jason and Courtney? They like, totally broke up yesterday over the phone!"
"Yeah, seriously; I knew it was just another one of these pushover pickups that always fails after a month."
2. "Did you hear about Jason and Courtney? They like, totally broke up yesterday over the phone!"
"Yeah, seriously; I knew it was just another one of these pushover pickups that always fails after a month."
by spinningtabletop January 31, 2009
Get the pushover pickup mug.Music teacher: Your playing is technically good, but it lacks eMOtion. Glush it up!
Student: Isn't Rachmaninoff glushy enough already?
Student: Isn't Rachmaninoff glushy enough already?
by spinningtabletop January 31, 2009
Get the glushy mug.Someone who is technically a vegetarian in that they abstain from meat, but who negates all the potential health benefits by eating mostly junk food. Many teenagers fall into this category. It makes being a "vegetarian" really easy, since you still get to eat crap all the time, and still get the cool hippie status that comes with vegetarianism.
"Hey, I've become a vegetarian, and I LOVE IT! I never thought it would be so easy!"
"Wow, I could never live on whole wheat bread, cabbage soup and beans."
"No, it's easy-potato chips and twinkies have no meat in them!"
"Dude, you're just another junkitarian."
"Wow, I could never live on whole wheat bread, cabbage soup and beans."
"No, it's easy-potato chips and twinkies have no meat in them!"
"Dude, you're just another junkitarian."
by spinningtabletop January 30, 2009
Get the junkitarian mug.I'm going 10 mph faster after finally getting a real road wheelset. The slick tires and lightweight wheels make a world of difference.
by spinningtabletop January 29, 2009
Get the wheelset mug.