Rdot84

@VtVolk: Too soon...too soon

@blackthorne: Uhm. Why are you so mad? I actually agreed with you that it shouldn't be about race. But it still is. I commented not for Eliot's representation in cycling but also my own. My comments were sparked by someone else who said that his video on instagram (earlier posted) was in itself racist. I'm sorry you're triggered by my comments. I'm not scraping up some narrative of my life nor do I feel a need to speak up to feel better about myself. But when do you speak up? I feel great about myself but other people don't. When people read comments here or anywhere else those comments can hurt on a level that you can't comprehend. You haven't lived it so how can you. By speaking out about it I'm not making myself feel better. I'm hopefully bringing some insight and making a community better.

@mick06: I can definitely appreciate your point of view. I may have ranted a little. I think your last sentence sums it up. Take a look at Chappelles snl monologue on youtube. I think he nailed it with how everyone in the world is feeling right now. https://youtu.be/Un_VvR_WqNs

@mick06: Racism is plentiful on that we can agree. And yes anyone can be racist. You may well have been mistreated by being in the minority where you grew up. And that is a sad thing. It really is. I happened to grow up in an area that is pretty diverse. And my parents never taught me that I was hated just because. Rather they taught me to look for the good in all people regardless of how I'm treated. But guess what. I was looked down on and hated on for being black. That isn't something you can prepare any growing mind for. What I'm talking about and what Eliot was talking about are life experiences as a whole. Do you still have people being racist towards you? Maybe, maybe not. Statistically I would say not. And I'm not just talking about personal experiences even though I'm sure many can relate to them. As a white person you will get a job before a black person even if the back person has the better skill set. As a white person you can feel safe when getting pulled over by a cop and not nervous. As a white person you are accepted by society because you are white, good or bad. Black people don't have that same privilege.

@blackjack88: But this is the problem isn't it. Race has everything to do with it and it shouldn't. We can't, nor should we, bury that very point. Eliot is a great rider and spokesman for the cycling community. Everyone should be happy for him but they aren't. This has been happening for years it's just that in this great time of modern technology it's being pushed more into the open. I'm usually quiet about this stuff but something about this thread just sparked something inside. I'm sorry but I shouldn't be. My hope is that one day people will understand.

@mick06: As a black person I live in a world where people try to ignore racism. Not trying to be rude but it seems you are the one who is struggling and if you see his video as condescending then you are missing the point or...maybe you didnt. You see, you may feel like he was being condescending because he was talking about white people or more specifically a society where white people are the leaders. I didn't feel he was lumping all people together but my perception will be different than someone who isn't a person of color. It's difficult to explain because life experiences are so different for a white person and a black person. When people choose to say "people are just bad people" they minimize or ignore the fact that racism is something that still exists. And when it's something you deal with personally on a daily basis these types of statements take on an entirely different meaning. If racism doesn't exist and people are just bad people. Then am I a bad person to be judged so quickly. This was all pointed out in his video and something that is relatable to myself and I'm sure plenty of other black people in the cycling community.

@Slabrung: This guy gets it. Props

@mick06: I can't tell if you are serious or literally that ignorant. If you actually listened to the post no one said anything about the entire community being racist. What he pointed out is that society as a whole tries to ignore racism and act like it isn't a real thing simply because they choose not to see it or haven't experienced it themselves. And the cycling community isn't excluded from that. As a black person I almost see racism more within the cycling community. Walking into a shop and watching everyone stare at you and not say a word but instead watch your every move. And at the very same moment a white person walks in to greetings and smiles. Or being the lead tech and trying to help a customer but he would rather talk to the white tech who can't even answer his questions.(just happened yesterday) These are life experiences for a black person. Some of us just don't go shouting it across the roof tops. Does it make you feel awkward or uncomfortable. It should. It's real. It exists. It makes people upset, hurt, and yes angry to be treated different for no other reason than the color of your skin.

@philmtb99: I believe that's a bit of misinformation. It's not that carbon bars are soft and compliant but rather they absorb vibration better. Try smacking a carbon bar against a pole and then do the same with an aluminum bar. The aluminum will vibrate more than carbon. Typically though the carbon bar is stiffer than Aluminum. But I'm with you. Aluminum bars for me. Renthal to be specific.

No Chromag Trailmaster? Nothing beats supple genuine leather.