Confessions of a Fred: Why I Shoot Pro Sports but Ride a 30-Year-Old Trek

Jan 14

Earlier this week, I made a rookie mistake. I posted a photo of my bike on Reddit. Within ten minutes, the verdict was in. I had committed the cardinal sin of cycling photography: I posted the non-drive side.

"Show us the gears, Fred." "I can hear this photo squeaking."

And you know what? They were absolutely right.

The Fred

"Fred" is a derisive term used by "serious" road cyclists to describe other cyclists who do not conform to serious road cyclists' norms with regard to dress and equipment, and appear amateurish to them. The term is generally reserved for men, while the rare female Fred is sometimes called a "Doris."

The culprit. A Trek 2100 ZX Series. A relic from the era when we thought gluing carbon tubes to aluminum lugs was a great idea.

The Spec Sheet of Shame

In my day job, I create automotive content, and on the side I photograph high-performance athletes. I am typically surrounded by $80,000 automobiles. I also document the human performance.

Then, I ride home on this.

*Shimano RSX. The patina isn't aesthetic choice; it’s geological.*

This is a 1995 Trek 2100. It features a classic double chainring (no compact gearing here to save you on the climbs), exposed cables, and a rear derailleur that has seen more mud than a cyclocross pro.

And yes, before you ask about the pedals...

*Look away, weight weenies. Yes, those are Wellgo flat pedals. No, I don't have watts to waste.*

The "Death Glue" Factor

The most thrilling part of riding this bike isn't the speed; it's the structural suspense. This frame comes from the "bonded" era of bicycle manufacturing. It is essentially three carbon tubes glued into purple aluminum lugs.

Every ride is a trust fall with 30-year-old industrial adhesive.

*The famous Trek 'ZX Series' bond. Is it structural? Is it decorative? Only time will tell.*

The Philosophy: The Engine vs. The Chassis

So why do I ride it? Why does a commercial sports photographer, who obsesses over image quality and technical perfection, ride a bike that belongs in a museum (or a dumpster)?

Because it keeps me honest and I love old bikes.

There is a trap in photography, just like in cycling, where you start believing the gear creates the result. You think the $50,000 PhaseOne camera takes the award-winning shot, or the sub 30-pound bike climbs the mountain for you.

*Made in the USA. Back when 'Carbon' was a buzzword, not a standard.*

Everything on this bike is outdated, but I love the character. When I saw it on Facebook marketplace I had to have it. And in a world of clinically perfect, matte-black carbon fiber, I’ll take the purple lugs and the flat pedals any day.