Geeks

Wikipedia defines a Geek as: a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast" to "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to be overly intellectual." I am not a computer expert, nor do I perform in carnivals, and I hope I am not a dislikable person...so I searched further...

• A derogatory reference to a person obsessed with intellectual pursuits for their own sake, who is also deficient in most other human attributes so as to impair the person's smooth operation within society.

• A person with a devotion to something in a way that places him or her outside the mainstream. This could be due to the intensity, depth, or subject of their interest. This definition is very broad but because many of these interests have mainstream endorsement and acceptance, the inclusion of some genres as "geeky" is heavily debated.

I think those pretty much sum it up. Essentially, a person whose passion for something exceeds what would be considered "normal" and who often does not heed social norms when talking about the subject or participating in it.

That said, I think we are all Geeks in some for or another. Some of us have many Geek hats. Now, a Geek is not to be confused with a Nerd, who is defined as intelligent but socially and physically awkward. A Nerd seems to be more of a character. A Geek seems to be more relevant to subject matter. Okay, enough on that.

I have to say that I am a Bike Geek. I have enjoyed seeing the changes that have happened over the last few decades. I love the smell of solvents because it means something is clean. If they made a cologne called "Tri Flow" I would probably wear it.

I love seeing shorts with more than 6 panels.
Just the word Assos gives me a chill.
6 speed brings back memories of the great cyclists of the 80s.
Retrofriction I still hope makes a comeback.
A 42 chainring should ALWAYS be the smallest on a road bike.
A straightblock tells me it's time trial time.
Benotto ribbon wrapped well, was sleek...but Cinelli cork was plush.
A two button Avocet is still all you really need.
Deep drop has nothing to do with women.
A-Head, quill,...they both do the same, yet define an era.
Lugs did once exist on frames.
28 hole wheels were light weight TT wheels.
Bladed spokes meant you had to drill a hub.
Aero rims were 4 cm max.
Hairnets were not what food service women wore.
Leather chamois were commonplace.
Oakley Factory Pilot...all the others can thank them for creating the market.
LOOK was primarily a ski binding company.
You used to actually grease bearings.
25 pounds was pretty light.
Aluminum meant "big tubes."
Frame pumps were not for airing up frames, and there was a difference in the heads.
Clips and straps had nothing to do with bondage.
High flange we will probably never say again away from a track.
36 hole wheels were standard, and 32 meant race ready.
Rim cement was just that...cement. And when applying it, if you did not ruin what you were wearing in the process, you probably did not use enough.
Solar anything on a road bike? Ya right.
If you could still use your waterbottle after 1 month, it meant you rarely used it, or are drinking mold, or you have a mom that bleaches bottles. The tops did not lend themselves to cleaning.
V1 Pro? Nice try at a hairnet Bell...but a big miss.
If the word WINNING means more than 1st place, that meant you ran to the mailbox once a month...and the only running a cyclist would ever do.
Results were found in the paper, or rare weekend CBS Sports coverage, which left a week's worth of hypothesizing who the winners would be and how the races would unfold in Europe.
There is so much more that can be said, but I will end with two last words... Detto Pietro.
**Sad thing, I typed this list in about 5 minutes**

The point here, the machines are magnificent. If you walk into a bike shop and immediately assess the mechanic's aptitude by the crispness of the return of a brake lever...you are probably a Bike Geek. If you can admire a new bike that is $500 for what it is, and the budgeted quality it possesses, you are a Geek. If you walk in a shop and you can immediately locate the most expensive bike there, and not because it's on display, you are a bike Geeks. Bike Geeks like all types of bikes and respect what they represent.