Who is more loyal/passionate for their sport? Runners or Cyclists?

[Borg]

Kind of doing an informal poll for a business concept. So, I would like your feedback as to who you think is more passionate, or loyal to their sport - runners or cyclists?

When I say that, the context is about: buying certain products like shoes, shirts, shorts, attire of whatever, particular brands that they 'gotta have'..that kind of thing.

I've noticed that there is some similarities among the two sports: if a runner is an Asics guy, they gotta have Asics shoes. Also notice in cycling, there is an undercurrent to wear certain brands of cycling shorts, or jerseys etc.

Are they equal in that regard, and just applied to their sport? ...or, is one group more fanatical about what they wear/use?

[bluegoose]

Having one foot in both the running and the cycling worlds, I would have to say cyclists.

Runners seem to be very faithful to their shoe make and model, but beyond that there is less loyalty. Few runners care what type of shorts, shirts or hats they wear. Some may prefer a certain type of sock to race in, but are less picky while training.

Cyclists, on the whole, seem to be very brand faithful, including everything from shoes and shorts to frames and components. I've seen guys with Campy tatoos, for crying out loud.

[Pheidippides]

Having one foot in both the running and the cycling worlds, I would have to say cyclists.

Runners seem to be very faithful to their shoe make and model, but beyond that there is less loyalty. Few runners care what type of shorts, shirts or hats they wear. Some may prefer a certain type of sock to race in, but are less picky while training.

Cyclists, on the whole, seem to be very brand faithful, including everything from shoes and shorts to frames and components. I've seen guys with Campy tatoos, for crying out loud.

I'm no cyclist but I've used more brands of shoes and gear running in the past two years than Charlie Sheen has hookers.

[RC Vikings]

I've seen guys with Campy tatoos, for crying out loud.

A Trek tattoo would look kind of geeky but if you're going to ink your body what better than a campy tattoo. Cyclist, golfers and skiers are always in search of the perfect gear. From Graphite to Titanium they have tried them all and will continue to try them no matter what the cost. They are always looking for that one stroke a round or that one minute in a fifty mile race. They are obsessed. As far as clothes goes I rode a little in San Diego last year and I was amazed that everybody had the full kit (team shorts and jersey) on, even the old fat guys. With the advent of "Born to Run" their is a real push in the running world for more of a minimalist approach.

[creekster]

I would guess cyclists are more brand conscious. But if you are talking loyalty, it might depend on what factors oyu are looking at.

[Moliere]

Cyclists but they have more gear to buy and it's more expensive so that seems to be natural.

I like New Balance shoes and their gear is great to wear, but I could wear anything. I'll probably buy some Asics for my next pair.

Of course, this is coming from a guy that pretends to be a runner 3 nights a week.

[BigPiney]

Triathletes are king, they are the best of both worlds. They still get to spend way too much money on overpriced equipment and yet have an excuse to stay clad in the spandex even for the run.

Cyclists are more commited to their sport, than runners. There are a lot more casual runners out there than cyclists and I think the cost of getting into it has a lot to do with that. Low end shoes cost 30 bucks and you can sign up for some cheap race for 10 bucks. You are looking at close to $1000 to get started in low end of cycling.

[Pheidippides]

Triathletes are king, they are the best of both worlds. They still get to spend way too much money on overpriced equipment and yet have an excuse to stay clad in the spandex even for the run.

Cyclists are more commited to their sport, than runners. There are a lot more casual runners out there than cyclists and I think the cost of getting into it has a lot to do with that. Low end shoes cost 30 bucks and you can sign up for some cheap race for 10 bucks. You are looking at close to $1000 to get started in low end of cycling.

This last bit is true, I'm afraid. I'm a very serious runner now, planning vacations around races, following specific diets, doing research on form and trying to implement changes, etc. And there are more like me out there. But the cost of entry is so low that you get lots of recreational types too. And that's fine - not complaining at all - but I would think that, given the cost of equipment, cyclists would be more specific about loyalties an requirements.

[Borg]

True true all. I kind of think I fall in line with "cyclists" are a bit more style/brand conscientious.

But, which one is more likely to buy something online? Mechanical parts, you can get online, but, unless you're totally into the whole range of cycling...you would allow the local bike shop to install it, etc.

I'm wondering if the shear volume of more runners vs. cyclists might outweigh the cyclists passion for a particular cycling item.

[TripletDaddy]

Cyclists tend to be very picky about the brand of performance enhancers that they use, same with masking agents. They have to use the latest ones.

[bluegoose]

But, which one is more likely to buy something online? Mechanical parts, you can get online, but, unless you're totally into the whole range of cycling...you would allow the local bike shop to install it, etc.

I'm wondering if the shear volume of more runners vs. cyclists might outweigh the cyclists passion for a particular cycling item.

I'm not sure if I am totally behind a higher volume of runners vs cyclists, at least where I live. We have probably 10 bike shops, all of which are well established and seem to do very well, from what I can tell. This, in spite of the fact that a lot of people are buying parts, and especially clothes, online now. They seems to make their living on repairs, tune-ups, etc.

Conversely, we have one running store (Fleet Feet) and it is like a ghost town every time that I go in there. This may be because more "recreational" runners are buying their shoes at Target or Sports Authority. They have been open for about 6 or 7 years now, but I'm not totally sure how. Perhaps they are the ones supplying all of the cyclists with their PEDs.

I personally buy most of my sports stuff online. The online cycling stores offer such good prices that it is hard for an informed buyer on a budget to justify paying sometimes twice as much at the local bike shop. Most of my friends do the same.

[creekster]

Borg perhaps you could give us a better idea of why you are asking. Your first question suggested you had a product and you might be thinking of placement ideas. But your last post suggests it is just numbers you are interested in. What is it you want to know and how do you intend to use it? It might help us answer more usefully.

[mtnbiker]

He's trying to convince his wife he needs the latest carbon fiber frame with the lightest possible wheels so he can beat Lebowski up Nebo.

[Borg]

He's trying to convince his wife he needs the latest carbon fiber frame with the lightest possible wheels so he can beat Lebowski up Nebo.

<<hmmm.....they're on to me.....>>>

[Borg]

Without divulging the whole "business concept" we're developing, I am trying to ascertain who is more "passionate/loyal" to their sport...ie. utilizing their discretionary money to buy specific gear for their sport they are interested in.

Developing a web based business idea, that would target those that are health conscientious, runners, cyclists, tri-athletes....and ensure that they get the gear they want for the best possible price.

Trying to figure out which of these groups would be more likely to spend their discretionary funds for this purpose. I tend to agree, that it would be cyclists...however, with tri's becoming ever more popular...perhaps the logical path to choose, would be "both". Target both as the tri's are the cross over link.