I wouldn't say that everything has to be snobby - but there is a WORLD of difference between a $250 walmart "mountain bike" and something like a basic hardtail mountain bike you might be able to buy for $950-1200. I realize that maybe not everyone can afford that.
If a person has sufficient finances to allow for the purchase of a better bike, they will have a much more enjoyable overall experience of cycling on something like this, which although towards the lower end of the "real" bike spectrum, is still worlds better than a department store bike.
One of the reasons for the disdain towards walmart bikes among the cycling community is that many people have seen issues with them that are fundamental to safety - brakes that aren't set up right or don't work properly, wobbly wheels with loose spokes being sold as fit to be ridden, and so on. On the one hand you have questions about whether it's a good quality bike and will be enjoyable to ride, on the other hand there are often real and valid fundamental concerns about safety.
If a person has sufficient finances to allow for the purchase of a better bike, they will have a much more enjoyable overall experience of cycling on something like this, which although towards the lower end of the "real" bike spectrum, is still worlds better than a department store bike.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/trai...
One of the reasons for the disdain towards walmart bikes among the cycling community is that many people have seen issues with them that are fundamental to safety - brakes that aren't set up right or don't work properly, wobbly wheels with loose spokes being sold as fit to be ridden, and so on. On the one hand you have questions about whether it's a good quality bike and will be enjoyable to ride, on the other hand there are often real and valid fundamental concerns about safety.