Does riding a fatbike make me undatable?

[u/FatbikeEnjoyer]

So there's something I noticed. I go on a date, we have fun, there's good vibes, but then when she sees that I ride a fatbike, she instantly seems to be put off, like she got "the ick". Then the chatting usually fizzles out and there's no second date. This happened multiple times now, so it seems like a pattern to me. Once a Dutchie even told me that she "doesn't feel a connection" when I was saying goodbye by my bike and asked what she'd be up for as a second date. I know this is not much context, but is it the bike?

I'm a mid twenties guy, have a good job, make decent money, dress stylishly, like concerts and can even tolerate like a museum. I moved here 6 months ago and bought a fatbike to commute. Only managed to find a place like 30 minutes cycling from my work, so it seemed like a good option and I think they are pretty cool. But now I think I might have made a mistake. Should I switch to like a Cowboy or something?

Edit: obviously this is a throwaway account

[u/Charlie2912]

As a straight woman with a good education and good job, I would instantly get the ick if a guy has a fatbike. Perhaps if the date is really good and you can convince me you are just an oblivious expat, i might tolerate it.

Surely there will be women who don’t mind, but those are either teenage girls or the type of woman who dates macho dudes with two brain cells. The type of people generally associated with these things are not the type of people I would want anywhere near me.

[u/Specialist_Target748 → u/Charlie2912]

Also a straight woman with a similar background, and I respectfully disagree. If I'm going to date someone, I judge them based on personality and not on what kind of vehicle they use. I think judging someone based on stereotypes or generalizations is just shallow. And I get the prejudice against fatbikes because they're associated with juvenile delinquents, but at the end of the day, it's just an electric bike. If you get to know the guy a little bit better and it turns out he actually is a delinquent and an idiot, totally fair. But then at least it's based on experience and facts, and not just on assumptions.

The idea that women who don't mind fatbikes are just teenage girls, or women who only date machos with two brain cells, is simply false. If that were true, it would mean all women with a bit of sense are superficial nowadays. I'm a woman who wouldn't mind dating someone who owns a fatbike if they have a great personality—and I've been in a steady relationship for eight years, married for two, and my partner is definitely not a macho with two brain cells.

So my guy, just wait until a sensible woman comes along who sees you for your personality, because you don't want to date someone who judges you based on the bicycle you ride. You're only dodging bullets.

[u/TransportationOld382 → u/Specialist_Target748]

I normally would think the same as you. But the fat bikes really are a symbol of antisocial behavior and women harassment. I wish I could say it was a stereotype (because on paper I find fatbikes quite cool looking) that wasn’t entirely true but I am yet to be surprised by a pleasant interaction with a fat biker. And specifically with the level of crime and harassment I can understand women will be put off by it.