They look agressive, badass and techy so non cyclists think "oh that bike must be pretty expensive" when they see city faggots on mtbs.
Road bikes don't look as beefy and therefore not as expensive to normies, although they are often more pricey. Bad choice to show off.
Lots of parallels to SUVs.
It gets really sticky when you go to certain prestiegeous cities. Whole families on expensive MTBs in full gear. Dirt free bikes + beer bellies of course.
and also this:
>>1386360+ easy handling for normies compared to drop bar roadies.
Boomers ride ebikes in my area though. E-mtbs.
