spinningtabletop's definitions
A very fashionable car that makes you look "environmentally conscious." People also think the fuel economy is unbelievably amazing.
The fact is, however, that if you are really interested in saving the environment and gas, a regular subcompact is a much better choice. Older subcompacts such as the Geo Metro, some Honda Civics, the Toyota Tercel, and so on actually got equal or better gas mileage, often above 50 mpg. There is also no electric motor or batteries to mess with, so they are cheaper and easier to fix. These reliable little cars are so cheap to buy and maintain today that it is ridiculous to claim a new Prius saves money.
They also have zero environmental impact, since the are already manufactured. In addition, hybrids' gigantic battery packs full of lead, toxic heavy metals and acid, screw the environment so badly that some people have calculated that a Hummer H3 has less environmental impact.
Also, conventional cars can be hundreds of pounds lighter without the batteries. Performance (and fuel economy) is improved. There is also more room/fewer ugly bulges/ lower aerodynamic profile without a battery pack.
However, this will not convince the liberals who only want to LOOK like they are on the right path.
The fact is, however, that if you are really interested in saving the environment and gas, a regular subcompact is a much better choice. Older subcompacts such as the Geo Metro, some Honda Civics, the Toyota Tercel, and so on actually got equal or better gas mileage, often above 50 mpg. There is also no electric motor or batteries to mess with, so they are cheaper and easier to fix. These reliable little cars are so cheap to buy and maintain today that it is ridiculous to claim a new Prius saves money.
They also have zero environmental impact, since the are already manufactured. In addition, hybrids' gigantic battery packs full of lead, toxic heavy metals and acid, screw the environment so badly that some people have calculated that a Hummer H3 has less environmental impact.
Also, conventional cars can be hundreds of pounds lighter without the batteries. Performance (and fuel economy) is improved. There is also more room/fewer ugly bulges/ lower aerodynamic profile without a battery pack.
However, this will not convince the liberals who only want to LOOK like they are on the right path.
Liberal nerd: "Everyone should own a Prius! It just makes sense! I can't believe it gets 45 mpg! I'm really just self-interested, because it will save me $$ in the long run!"
Liberal nerd who knows something about cars: Dude, my 1992 Honda Civic VX gets 60 mpg, and it looks better even though it's 17 years old. I bought it for $500 and I can do all the maintenance myself. It can also dust your battery pack on wheels.
Nerd 1: Hey, it's worth it for the status it gives me.
Liberal nerd who knows something about cars: Dude, my 1992 Honda Civic VX gets 60 mpg, and it looks better even though it's 17 years old. I bought it for $500 and I can do all the maintenance myself. It can also dust your battery pack on wheels.
Nerd 1: Hey, it's worth it for the status it gives me.
by Spinningtabletop February 3, 2009
Get the prius mug.1. A BMX bike designed for racing over dirt tracks. They are lighter than other BMX bikes. They are fairly cheap but give their owners, usually boys in their teens or younger, a sense of status and pride.
2. Any road bike of reasonably light weight. This is sometimes another use of the term "racing bike" among teenage males. Although real cyclists would laugh at this definition, any decent road bike is much better for road racing than BMX racing bikes.
2. Any road bike of reasonably light weight. This is sometimes another use of the term "racing bike" among teenage males. Although real cyclists would laugh at this definition, any decent road bike is much better for road racing than BMX racing bikes.
1. "Hey, want to race? Let's go down the dirt road a mile and back."
2. "Racing bikes are so awesome. They are so much fun to ride on the roads."
2. "Racing bikes are so awesome. They are so much fun to ride on the roads."
by spinningtabletop February 3, 2009
Get the racing bike mug.Word used all the time by ignorant people in southern ca, and maybe beyond. Incorrect pronunciation of the simple word 'height.' Immediately makes you look about 30 IQ points dumber as soon as you say it.
"What's the heighth of the highest building you've ever jumped out of?"
"I did a three story building once and only broke my ankle."
"Sick man! You should try for 4 next time!"
"I did a three story building once and only broke my ankle."
"Sick man! You should try for 4 next time!"
by spinningtabletop May 17, 2010
Get the heighth 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.A person who is always at work and accomplishes everything by brute force. Typically this refers to nerdy, square, uncool people in school.
"Did you see Robert's schedule this year? He's taking 6 AP classes!"
"Yeah, he never sleeps or goes out or does anything extracurricular."
"What a grind."
"Yeah, he never sleeps or goes out or does anything extracurricular."
"What a grind."
by spinningtabletop February 12, 2009
Get the grind mug.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.