Tuesday, October 14, 2014

BikeJames, Investigatory Journalist

James Wilson is currently losing his mind over on Bikesjames.com, trying to convince you there's a massive conspiracy and cover up at not only Trek BUT ALSO THE GREATER MTB INDUSTRY to coerce you out of buying flat pedals. It's really worth a read. I've highlighted some of the crazier quotes below for your reading enjoyment, but here's the spark notes:
  1. Dude stakes whole coaching career on the value of flat pedals
  2. Dude/coach/life guru needs constant web content
  3. Dude discovers some arcane CPSC/SNELL/CEN compliance sticker that recommends clips or toe straps.
  4. Dude loses mind and launches enormous investigative report into this non-issue, blaming and finger pointing at half the bike industry and media.
















Here are some of those instant-classic highlights:

"So what would you say if I told you that a major bike manufacturer was shipping all of their mountain bikes with a sticker that told riders not to use flat pedals?"

"What if the company had been caught in several lies and that they were actually misquoting and misrepresenting laws in defense of the sticker?"

"Despite sending several follow up emails I have never heard anything back from him."


But if I've caught them in some sort of lie and there is another reason for the stickers to be there, then what is that reason?"

"There were no checks-and-balances for this sticker being placed on their mountain bikes and there was no inter-department communication."


I like the part where he evokes the constitution itself, citing the total disregard for the institutional checks and balances that our freedoms are built upon, putting at risk not merely our bike riding, our recreation, or even our ability to travel freely, but our very way of life. I think that's what he would have said, anyway, if he'd kept going.

But all of this leaves me with one question, James. Do you understand that the world does not revolve around you and your "do whatever it takes, ruin as many people's lives, so long as you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist?"



No matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way, just so long as you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist

No matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way?

19 comments:

Adam said...

That's some watergate type shit right there!! "The clipless agenda" is working against my pedals of choice!

Bar drag bob said...

BAFAHAHAAHA

wow that guys a spode. guess 99.9% of the pro field in all disciplines are wrong.

dicky said...

This is an issue?

Anonymous said...

White people problems.

thesetbackpost said...

WAKE UP SHEEPLE

Thrilla' Gorilla said...

blatant dropper post height violator as well

Trivial said...

Rides a 575? Cannot even be trusted to shit in a toilet the right way.

derp said...

that dude probably does crossfit. he once told me that TDF racers would be faster on flat pedals, and that roadies in general would put more power to the ground on flats. Certifiable moron.

Unknown said...

People who can't ride clipped in properly need to learn how to ride with them, that's all. Every argument against clipless pedals I hear is from some dimwit who is afraid to learn how to use them or they just aren't using them the correct way. In pedaling situations they are better every time, and when not pedaling they are better most of the time.

Fat Bike Racer said...

Former Eggbeater user right there.

Unknown said...

In related news: James Wilson mania continues to sweep James Wilson's apartment.

What a bafoon. This guy has too much free time. Probably all the time he saves from never having to change shoes before hitting the trail.

Anonymous said...

let's not forget this is the same dickwad who thought it would be a good idea to use Rachel Atherton's getting hit by a car on a road ride as an excuse to promote his "exercise" program.

Anonymous said...

At least Sam Hill agrees with him, although I don't think he is worried about the stickers.

Probably just some low level assembly employee who made the decision to put the stickers on, this is a complete distraction from my kettle-bell workout.

Anonymous said...

Christ if he was able to unravel this conspiracy, I wonder what this man is truly capable of? Stopping the Ebola epidemic? Defeating ISIS? Balancing the US debt? JAMES WILSON FOR PRESIDENT...of PLANET EARTH!

Anonymous said...

@ Trivial - WTF is wrong with a 575? And yes, I know exactly how to take a dump, thank you!

Unknown said...

That BikeJames is so hot right now!

Unknown said...

So bikejames is ranting because he thinks trek is scheming to remove flat pedals from the game? Maybe they have a toe over lap issue on their bikes and they don't want to say it. The sticker is there to ease some potential lawsuits? No reason to flip out. Anyone who knows how to sell a bike will get you on the right pedals, whether it be flats or clips. Usually you recommend flats unless they already run clips, and switch to clips when they get more serious about riding.

Unknown said...

Besides, everyone knows...clip in to win

Anonymous said...

Bikejames http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMsrE-9CLFg