Who's a Fred?

[Digital Gee]

'Fess up!

[crtreedude]

Of course I am a Fred - after all, that was the name my parents gave me!

[Big Paulie]

My father's middle name was Fred...so it's in my genes!

Then there's my favorite "Fred..."

http://frederique.com/

[Pwnt]

<----not wearing genes

[stapfam]

Not a fred. One thing I learnt many years ago is that you have to have the right gear to do any sporting activity. If that means tight fitting lycra, and cycling specific tops then that is what I use. The one time I used a cotton T to ride in- well it was hot day- I froze with the sweat that stuck to it instead of wicking away. Now as to it being colour co-ordinated- no. Most of my clothing comes out of the sale bins- but If I want a specific top for a specific reason- like a Roubaix material L/S top- then it costs money and that is in the colour and style I want.

[BluesDawg]

Not a Fred. Not a posuer. I guess I'm a moderate retrogrouch, tempered by pragmatism.

[Big Paulie]

Lycra-wearing Fred here. It's a new phylum...

[John E]

My middle name's AlFRED, so I guess I qualify. I am not shy about bicycling either in cycling shorts and jersey or in street clothes.

My favorite LBS owner is named "Fred," and he's the best, as some of my fellow north coastal San Diegans have discovered. http://www.leucadiabikes.com/index.php

[maddmaxx]

Fred.
Fred. Fred.
Fred. Fred. Fred.

There I said it. I'm so ashaimed. I'm sorry, I'll try to be better.

Anybody want to buy a carbon fibre handlebar bell?????

[DaveTaylor]

I am not a fred, nor do I take particular pride in that. I ride road bikes with drop bars because I like them, I wear cycling clothing and shoes with clipless pedals because after many decades of cycling I know what makes me comfortable when riding and I don't care what others think of "Lycra", it works. On the other hand, I like freds, I know a fred, actually he is a Brian, who has ridden across Canada twice on his mountain bike, in running shoes and teeshirt. I know the poll is tongue in cheek, intended to be fun, but, I see posts on our 50+ Forum and the Road Forum that reflect some animosity between those who think of themselves as freds and those who don't and I think it is too bad, there is room for everyone.

[Indolent58]

My Fred Affirmation


My bike has a triple, therefore I am a Fred
My legs are hairy, therefore I am a Fred
My bars are level with my seat, therefore I am a Fred
My wheels have more than six spokes, therefore I am a Fred
My clothes have no logos on them except those of the manufacturer, therefore I am a Fred
My seat bag is bigger than it needs to be to carry an ID and keys, therefore I am a Fred

[I-Like-To-Bike]

My father's middle name was Fred...so it's in my genes!

Then there's my favorite "Fred..."

http://frederique.com/
Too foreign. Go home grown.
http://www.fredericks.com/

[freeranger]

Yea, I'm a Fred. Gotta own up to it! Don't wear cycling specific shorts or any particular cycling specific clothing. Just getting around to trying "clipless" pedals on the road bike. Still riding platforms on the mtn. bike. I will wear wicking fabric t-shirts, but don't own a "cycling jersey". I will ride my road bike while using my Camelback Mule, and still wear my mtn.bike helmet on my road bike. I will wave or say hello to other road riders (seems like a no-no around here, unless the other rider has a bike worth at least 4 digits and attire worth almost as much!), I will wave to other mtn.bikers I meet on the trail, and will stop to help if needed. I don't have to have the latest, most expensive equipment to be happy, so long as what I have works. My mtn. bike has Alivio ders. front and rear and shifts flawlessly, which with the amt.of pivot slop in the front der is amazing, but it works perfectly! I don't really care how fast (or slow) I go, so long as the ride is enjoyable. Fred-yea, fits me well I guess.

[valleygirl]

I got into cycling , because of the clothes. All those pretty jerseys, tight pants and the colorful shoes.
And the socks are to die for! Shopping for jerseys to me is like other women shopping for jewelery.
I love the new shinny equipment too , it really does work better. Therefore I ride better on it.

[maddmaxx]

You can't be a Fred.

[Big Paulie]

My Fred Affirmation


My bike has a triple, therefore I am a Fred
My triple is a compact triple...


My legs are hairy, therefore I am a Fred
I wear 3/4 length leg warmers even in 100 degree heat to save money on sun screen...


My bars are level with my seat, therefore I am a Fred
I'm around +1 cm...


My wheels have more than six spokes, therefore I am a Fred
I'm at 36, and contemplating 42 after 17 broken spokes in the past fiscal year...


My clothes have no logos on them except those of the manufacturer, therefore I am a Fred
My manufacturer logos have been removed...


My seat bag is bigger than it needs to be to carry an ID and keys, therefore I am a Fred
I also carry tools and stuff in my third water bottle cage, under the down tube...


So there!!!

[valleygirl]

You can't be a Fred.

Sure there are female Freds all over the place . You can usually spot them along any shore line riding beach crusiers wearing a bikini, flipflops and a towel on thier head. However the towel, bikini and flipflops will almost always match.

[maddmaxx]

But you get to do Fred things without points.

You can shave your legs.
You can wear colorful jerseys.

I'm sure that there may be girl Freds but the rules must be at least a little different.??!!

[valleygirl]

This has got me to thinking . Has anybody really come up with the definition and characteristics of a true female Fred? Maybe this topic should be taken to the road cycling forums for discussion.

[Digital Gee]

I was out riding, and got to wondering if it's possible to be a Fred trapped in an OCP body, or vice versa?

[maddmaxx]

Sorry, whenever I get near the road forum I get a rash.

I think that my wife may be a female Fred though. She rides a single speed coaster brake beach cruser with a large wicker basket. She will not allow me to add any additional equipment. She does not care what she wears as long as it is comfortable but is quite capable of traveling 15/20 miles per ride.

[jhumason]

My Fred Affirmation
My bike has a triple, therefore I am a Fred
My legs are hairy, therefore I am a Fred
My bars are level with my seat, therefore I am a Fred
My wheels have more than six spokes, therefore I am a Fred
My clothes have no logos on them except those of the manufacturer, therefore I am a Fred
My seat bag is bigger than it needs to be to carry an ID and keys, therefore I am a Fred ^ like he said. I was going to say "not sure" until I read this post. I'm sure. :D
I'm not wearing those garish clothes, I like being able to walk without taking off my shoes, and I'm not shaving anything extra! ;)

[megaman]

I'm probably borderline Fred. I ride a bent. So I do wear bent shorts. But I have never worn a jersey. My favorite shirts advertise food and drink places. My wife says I look like a bum. I say I look casual. I carry a lunch with me on longer rides. My favorite beverage during a ride is water. Electrolytes are only used some times. I sometimes have chain marks on my legs.

[Tom Bombadil]

If I buy a Fred jersey, does that disqualify me as being a Fred?

[simplygib]

I have a couple of non-Fred items, but my guess is there is no such thing as a sliding scale of Fredness - either you're a Fred or you're 100% not. So, I'm a Fred. Cotton T's, sneakers, platform pedals, 9+ year old MTB, nothing matches (I guess?? color blind) but I do wear lycra shorts, or tights and Gortex upper in winter. Call me practical. I don't like chafing or riding with 50-lbs. of water soaked into my clothes.

I first realized my Fredness in 5th grade (the paleolithic era). I proudly rode my "new to me" Peugeot 10-speed to school, only to have it poo-pooed by the Cool Club. "It's used," they proclaimed. A defining moment. One that I'm oh-so proud of these days.

[Louis]

All of us are freds. Everyone on BikeForums is a fred. The racers who spend big bucks on the latest gear, ride fast, train hard and go to training camps in the winter are freds. The homeless guy with the plastic crate wired to the handlebar of his trashbin castoff Huffy is a fred. It doesn't matter who you are...someone thinks you are a fred.

It's all relative.

The only cyclists who are truly fredproof are top professionals.

[KenSmith]

"Fred to the bone"

[centexwoody]

Sure there are female Freds all over the place . You can usually spot them along any shore line riding beach crusiers wearing a bikini, flipflops and a towel on thier head. However the towel, bikini and flipflops will almost always match.

My wife's favorite catalogs are the bike clothes & apparel. She doesn't buy much but boy, she knows all about it. And has bought me just the perfect shorts, socks, everything which I appreciate immensely.

And I'm always delighted to see a Freddi riding in whatever outfit she chooses since I know she is going to keep it coordinated, stylish and appropriate for the weather and occasion...

[Beverly]

The only cyclists who are truly fredproof are top professionals.

George's glasses, Lance's black socks and T-Mobils pink shirts might seem a little "freddie" to some people:rolleyes:

I really do like those pink jerseys though......

[Digital Gee]

A female Fred (http://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bike/bike-sleeves-visor.jpg)

[Tom Bombadil]

You can get these t-shirts from the Fred Society

http://www.fredsociety.com/

[Tom Bombadil]

Hats and bumperstickers too!

[Big Paulie]

Not to get nit picky or anything, but isn't anyone riding a recumbant automatically a Fred?:eek:

:D :D :D

[Tom Bombadil]

Only the coolest Freds ride bents.

[Retro Grouch]

How about a "Don't know and don't care" box? I guess that might refer to the grouchy part of retro grouch.

Can someone define the difference, if any, between a fred and a retro grouch?

[Digital Gee]

How about a "Don't know and don't care" box? I guess that might refer to the grouchy part of retro grouch.

Can someone define the difference, if any, between a fred and a retro grouch?

'Tain't one.

[Tom Bombadil]

Now here are some beautiful shirts:

http://www.cafepress.com/buy/tom

[BluesDawg]

A retro-grouch makes an informed decision to use functional, good quality bikes, components and technology that may no longer be fashionable. A Fred cluelessly stumbles into whatever stuff he uses. It may be good stuff or it may be crap. It may be current tech or old tech. A Fred doesn't "get it". A retro-grouch does. A retro-grouch marches to the beat of a different drummer. A Fred is just out of step.

[Big Paulie]

This is getting ugly! Moderator!!!!

[Digital Gee]

A retro-grouch makes an informed decision to use functional, good quality bikes, components and technology that may no longer be fashionable. A Fred cluelessly stumbles into whatever stuff he uses. It may be good stuff or it may be crap. It may be current tech or old tech. A Fred doesn't "get it". A retro-grouch does. A retro-grouch marches to the beat of a different drummer. A Fred is just out of step.

I agree, despite my previous posts. I'm moving my stake.

[Tom Bombadil]

One way to identify a Fred is if they are sitting at home on Friday night, reading BikeForums.

[Big Paulie]

No, I have one of those "Post-A-Message-Later" gizmos. You can type out your messages, then the software posts them in BF hours or days later. I'm out on a date right now...

[Retro Grouch]

A retro-grouch makes an informed decision to use functional, good quality bikes, components and technology that may no longer be fashionable. A Fred cluelessly stumbles into whatever stuff he uses. It may be good stuff or it may be crap. It may be current tech or old tech. A Fred doesn't "get it". A retro-grouch does. A retro-grouch marches to the beat of a different drummer. A Fred is just out of step.

Now where are those little smile thingies right when I need them?

[Tom Bombadil]

It figures that a retro-grouch wouldn't know how to use smilies.

[Big Paulie]

It figures that a retro-grouch wouldn't know how to use smilies.
Not True! Smilies are from the 70's, and the 70's are retro!

[Retro Grouch]

Not True! Smilies are from the 70's, and the 70's are retro!

The smilie part I understand. It's all the little buttons on this computer keyboard that mystify me.

I'm pretty good with things that have chains and sprockets but this electronic stuff might just as well be magic.

[Garandman]

My Fred Affirmation
//
My clothes have no logos on them except those of the manufacturer, therefore I am a Fred
//

Just clothes?

[big john]

My Fred Affirmation


My bike has a triple, therefore I am a Fred
My legs are hairy, therefore I am a Fred
My bars are level with my seat, therefore I am a Fred
My wheels have more than six spokes, therefore I am a Fred
My clothes have no logos on them except those of the manufacturer, therefore I am a Fred
My seat bag is bigger than it needs to be to carry an ID and keys, therefore I am a Fred

+1, and I wear calf-high white socks, because I can't find cycling socks that fit. When riding, if I see another guy with high white socks, I must chase him down and pass him.
Female Freds are called "Wilmas".

[Big Paulie]

Female Freds are called "Wilmas".

I love this! :D

[fifty5]

Well I'm not a Fred, Wilma or a Betty so I must be a Barney.39081