Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - lycra hatred

I was sitting around the house yesterday, watching the tour, wearing my Lance jersey from the first tour win, and i slipped out on the street on the fixie to grab a pack of smokes. As soon as i hit the street, i remembered what i was wearing and was instantly repulsed by myself.

Which leads me to the question; Why do we hate the spandex so much? aren't many of us hiding a chamois under our cutoff deisels? Why am I ashamed of myself in a cycling jersey? Too much self loathing makes jack a crazy boy.

I'm sure many of you will say that most of us don't, its only the posengers looking down on the carbon roadies...but there's a large anti-lycra faction out there, as expressed in other threads. And i'm sure whenever they see a chrome or baileys bag, the roadies laugh as well. I'm just trying to understand the culture here.

The bigger question here is: Why were you wearing a cycling jersey while sitting around the house?

The bigger question here is: Why were you wearing a cycling jersey while sitting around the house?


Supporting lance my man, supporting lance. I'm from buckeye football country, you can't watch sporting events without a jersey around here and call yourself a fan.

I like tech gear personally - though I adapt running/hiking/climbing gear for biking. Has most of the same properties - wicking, synthetic fabrics, etc. However, I'm a practical rider so I wear what's comfortable. In summer, it's cargo shorts, though for longer rides I throw on some lycra underneath with some crotch-saving chamois. In winter, I throw on some long running tights under my manpri's or cuffed jeans/pants.

I like the jersey/cargo shorts combo aesthetically. It makes sense - fitting tops and loose bottoms, easy to move, not easy to catch on. I need to find a jersey I actually like and at a price that's actually decent - the only branded jersey I'm fond of is the Gerolsteiner (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/image_zoom.cfm?img=product_images/400/10_4912.jpg).

I don't hate the spandex monkeys too much, I've seen quite a few that deserve to wear it.

In the end it's about us liking our "toys" - the things that make us feel alive.

As for clothing - it's function and form working together.

[QUOTE=absntr]I like tech gear personally - though I adapt running/hiking/climbing gear for biking.

what kind of climbing gear do you adapt for biking? i bought a bmx helmet to be able to use for both riding and climbing, though i usually don't wear it climbing unless i'm leading, which isn't often.

the only aversion i have to lycra or spandex is that i look and feel goofy. but i may reconsider after a recent long ride in boxers that became uncomfortable. :o

i think he uses his piton hammer for self defense

People hate it because it's tight and shiny and looks gay I guess.

I feel self conscious when wearing it and usually wear some shorts on top.

For a top I use a wicking T-shirt from bikenashbar.

FXjohn

People hate it because it's tight and shiny and looks gay I guess.

I feel self conscious when wearing it and usually wear some shorts on top.



ahh the subtle homophobia and gay-bashing of our modern vernacular ;) (threadjacking my own thread)

I don't wear biking clothes for my short commute to work but it sure is nice when u go for a 10 mile or more ride in 100 degree temps. I don't hate it, frankly dont care what anyone thinks about me, but i dont bother to wear it much.

Registered: Feb 2004
Location: columbus, OH Originally Posted by FXjohnPeople hate it because it's tight and shiny and looks gay I guess.

I feel self conscious when wearing it and usually wear some shorts on top.




ahh the subtle homophobia and gay-bashing of our modern vernacular

It's not my fault, heck I like wearing it, I prefer to just wear it when pedaling though, not walking around or in stores and stuff. I would say I'm more of a victim of the "gay-bashers" than I am a gay basher if that makes any sense.

']i think he uses his piton hammer for self defense

I use my size 0 slcd to jam into door slits of cars so I can pick up a tow.

lycra just doesn't leave much to the imagination.

whenever they see a chrome or baileys bag, the roadies laugh as well. I'm just trying to understand the culture here.

Group A fears that Group B might be better. Group B fears Group A is better. And so begins the war.

I wear what's comfy and appropriate for what I'm doing. Sometime's it's bike shorts, sometimes it's a three piece suit. I say get over it already.

I wear MtBorah SwitchBack jersey and training (i.e. black soccer) shorts on my commute. Shorts aren't as naff as the longer lycra versions, and I don't need the chamois. Jersey is just cool - fitted but not shiny. Look it up on pricepoint.com - only $20.

']i think he uses his piton hammer for self defense

Damn straight. Actually I use the ropes to 'lasso' unsuspecting trixies - cowboy style baby.

In all seriousness, it's mostly just the clothes/apparel, however, I've often thought that climbing shoes would make decent bike shoes for clips in a pinch due to their low profile. I've seen people use those for that.

I wear MtBorah SwitchBack jersey and training (i.e. black soccer) shorts on my commute. Shorts aren't as naff as the longer lycra versions, and I don't need the chamois. Jersey is just cool - fitted but not shiny. Look it up on pricepoint.com - only $20.

Yeah, the shiny is not good. What i would like to find is a long muscle shirt that somewhat covers the butt and has standard jersey rear pockets, made out of wicking fabric. I don't need the short little sleeves
and the tank top cut makes it easier to remove which you need to if you wear bibshorts.


FXjohn

Clothing? CLOTHING?!?!? What kind of sissy-boy are you? Ride nude, my friend! Nothing wicks better than nothing!

Clothing? CLOTHING?!?!? What kind of sissy-boy are you? Ride nude, my friend! Nothing wicks better than nothing!

I'd hate to the see the skid marks left on the shiny silver pista seat...

I wear lycra to bed, my wife digs it...

Phil

I remember my buddies making fun of me for wearing my old cycling shoes for flying. My stated excuse was that the stiff soles helped in applying more direct pressure to the rudder pedals and especially the toe-brakes. My other excuse was that they're just so much more comfortable. And in case some of you were wondering, no, these shoes did not have cleats mounted to them.

As far as clothing goes... wear what's comfortable. I personally wouldn't wear lycra for just sitting around the house watching the TdF because to me, that's not comfortable. Riding shorts work well when you're sitting on a saddle but lounging about on the couch is a different story. As far as for being self-conscious... I couldn't care less. I was telling my wife that when I go out of town for our annual meeting and company picnic, that I'm going to hook up with a coworker who'll lend me his bike and we're going to ride from the office to the picnic area (20 miles each way). She asked me if I was going to wear my clown outfit and I told her yes. She said that might not be a good idea since my coworkers and boss will be there. I responded by telling her that it's mainly a social gathering and it's at a waterpark where some people will be in swimsuits. At anyrate, I'm not about to show up with saddle-sores and a drenched in sweat shirt just because my riding outfit is a little flashy.

Which leads me to the question; Why do we hate the spandex so much?

It's what it represents, not lyrca itself.


aren't many of us hiding a chamois under our cutoff deisels?

You can afford Deisel jeans?



What is there really to understand, all of these "groups" are mere fictions.

Clothing? CLOTHING?!?!? What kind of sissy-boy are you? Ride nude, my friend! Nothing wicks better than nothing!


Tru, but the flapping, or flopping, it depends on the speed, gets old after five miles. Additionally motorists get weird when you wave at them when both hands are in the drops.

[QUOTE=MKRG]Tru, but the flapping, or flopping, it depends on the speed, gets old after five miles. Additionally motorists get weird when you wave at them when both hands are in the drops.[/QUOTE=MKRG/]



Insert keyword: MOST motorists. Ahem, uh.........I mean, "Hi MKRG, how ya doin'?" Phew, is it hot in this air conditioned room or what? (attempt to practice self control, Jess...)

Did any of you take part in Naked Bike Day last month?

[QUOTE=MKRG]Tru, but the flapping, or flopping, it depends on the speed, gets old after five miles. Additionally motorists get weird when you wave at them when both hands are in the drops.[/QUOTE=MKRG/]

Insert keyword: MOST motorists. Ahem, uh.........I mean, "Hi MKRG, how ya doin'?" Phew, is it hot in this air conditioned room or what? (attempt to practice self control, Jess...)

You know, this is truly what every board needs - more sex. And I'm not kidding.

You can afford Deisel jeans?


afford? no. But that's never stopped me from buying anything. My "fancy" jeans are all secondhand.


personally wouldn't wear lycra for just sitting around the house watching the TdF because to me, that's not comfortable.

Comfort comes second to rooting for Lance. That's why i refuse to take off my little yellow rubber bracelet.

On a related note, a devilish LBS that carries Giant had a big stack of Ullrich posters. I stole the whole stack and am going to set fire to them now, whilst doing a ritualistic dance.

It's what it represents, not lyrca itself.


What would that be? ...Aside from "more comfortable than baggies or jeans"...

I've got a pair of Reebok cycling shorts with a gel-like chamois that I sport under a pair of camo or cut off cargo pants. Pair that off with a wicking shirt of some kind purchased from Marshalls or TJ Maxx and I'm set. I have nothing against lycra-clad road warriors (unless they're of the full team outfit with matching bike who stand around talking **** about their last big ride) but I don't think anyone wants to see all of me stuffed into some type of sausage skin, overweight Tron-looking person riding a fixed gear around town. I definitely wouldn't want to see that!! Go Lance Go! I've gotta get me a USPS (or Discovery for next year) jersey. BTW my whole family is sporting the yellow bands. Good cause but to see the $1 bands on sale on ebay is a bit disturbing. I guess that's capitalism at work eh?

Clothing? CLOTHING?!?!? What kind of sissy-boy are you? Ride nude, my friend! Nothing wicks better than nothing!

Actually, nothing doesn't wick. :D

I have nothing against lycra-clad road warriors (unless they're of the full team outfit with matching bike who stand around talking **** about their last big ride)... Why do you feel this way? The only folks I know who wear team kit and matching bike are real pros. Around here it's usually Webcor or Sierra Nevada. They usually don't stand round talking about their ride, unless it's with each other.

I have to confess that I am a lycra-clad road warrior in full team kit, but my bike certainly isn't team-issue. I have felt some hostility from other cyclists, who appear to be "casual" riders, when I have reminded them of their obligation to obey traffic regulations as if they were a motor vehicle.

SteveE

Why do you feel this way? The only folks I know who wear team kit and matching bike are real pros. Around here it's usually Webcor or Sierra Nevada. They usually don't stand round talking about their ride, unless it's with each other.

I have to confess that I am a lycra-clad road warrior in full team kit, but my bike certainly isn't team-issue. I have felt some hostility from other cyclists, who appear to be "casual" riders, when I have reminded them of their obligation to obey traffic regulations as if they were a motor vehicle.

SteveE

Perhaps I'm speaking of my mtb experience of riders spending vast amounts of money on high end bikes and lycra and whatnot and standing around the trailhead talking crap about their most expensive chi chi part they just bought. Now if you're sporting the full team lycra and can kick ass then the more power to you but from my experience, it's usually the opposite. Didn't mean to offend.

People in general don't like to be told what to do or that they are doing something wrong. They may also have that "just cuz you wear full team lycra doesn't make you better than me" syndrome.

Supporting lance my man, supporting lance. I'm from buckeye football country, you can't watch sporting events without a jersey around here and call yourself a fan.

I can attest to that..I grew up in dublin...must be the sports jersey (and SUV) capital of the world

I can attest to that..I grew up in dublin...must be the sports jersey (and SUV) capital of the world

I struggled with the whole shirt thing, often times with concert shirts. In high school they became a badge of honor or something equally ridiculous. Now I see it more as an extension of our stupid materialistic tendency to think that we are what we buy. As if some spiritual quality became ours through the extension of our pocket books. The dialogue in Fight Club riffs off this really well at points. It's more complex than that but I don't know how to put it in simpler terms without sounding like Lacan or Derrida or something equally convoluted and obnoxious. But basically we are slaves to this system, chained by our desires. Not that I don't fall victim often enough but I would just assume go naked from now on.

What would that be? ...Aside from "more comfortable than baggies or jeans"...

People with lots of money and ride expensive bikes and are a lot less gritty and a lot more shiek and also rip out their nice expensive bikes clothes as if they were some weird fetished suit that says "i ride bikes, they make me athletic and superlative to those who don't." At least this is sort of what it means to me right now as I write in a tired state of mind.

Perhaps I'm speaking of my mtb experience of riders spending vast amounts of money on high end bikes and lycra and whatnot and standing around the trailhead talking crap about their most expensive chi chi part they just bought.Of course, I wouldn't be caught dead consorting with MTB folks! j/k

Now if you're sporting the full team lycra and can kick ass then the more power to you but from my experience, it's usually the opposite. Didn't mean to offend.No offense taken. There's some whose asses I can kick, but I've certainly ridden with many who've kicked the heck out of mine. All in friendly competition. 'Guess that's what makes riding in a club so much fun. You're just competing against your mates. End of the day, you're still good friends.


People in general don't like to be told what to do or that they are doing something wrong. They may also have that "just cuz you wear full team lycra doesn't make you better than me" syndrome.The thing is I spend a lot more time on the road dodging cars than they do. I don't like the fact that their disregard for the rules of the road jeopardizes my safety as well as the safety of others who ride frequently. Their actions just increase the hostility of drivers toward those of us who do try to obey traffic regulations.

I was sitting around the house yesterday, watching the tour, wearing my Lance jersey from the first tour win, and i slipped out on the street on the fixie to grab a pack of smokes. As soon as i hit the street, i remembered what i was wearing and was instantly repulsed by myself.

Which leads me to the question; Why do we hate the spandex so much? aren't many of us hiding a chamois under our cutoff deisels? Why am I ashamed of myself in a cycling jersey? Too much self loathing makes jack a crazy boy.

I'm sure many of you will say that most of us don't, its only the posengers looking down on the carbon roadies...but there's a large anti-lycra faction out there, as expressed in other threads. And i'm sure whenever they see a chrome or baileys bag, the roadies laugh as well. I'm just trying to understand the culture here.

Generally loud lycra is worn by IT-engineering weekend roadie types... the ones that try to race me on friday afternoons when I am exhausted. Most days I wear chamois lycra under work shorts, though, and a sleeveless craft jersey under a T-shirt

It really has a lot to do with where you are too. Commute on a fixt to work or the grocery store in a team kit and you’re a total dork. Show up to USCF sanctioned road race in your black and white cammy cut offs and Black Flag tee shirt and your even dorkier.

I where these cheap bike under shorts from Trek under my cutoffs for commuting mostly cause whity tighties suck after about 20 ft of riding and they tend to hold the package in. Any old shirt will do. Usually what ever is on the floor and relatively clean. When I train and race crits in cat 4 I wear simple either two tone or plain solid colors with no advertisements. If I get good enough I'd love to wear the advert of my sponsor but as for now I aint gonna wear a team kit that I am not a member of and I sure aint gonna advertise for free.

Wow, and here's me thinking I was weird sitting here in my Petzl harness watching the rock climbing. You ****ing weirdos. Geez.

Lycra is practical. If you ride any serious distance, I'm sorry, you can't do it in cutoff jeans. Lycra is also not for wearing around the house, sitting on your arse, smoking ciggies and watching the telly. Not unless your life represents 'Married with Children' meets 'Queer Eye' anyway.

FYI it's "Diesel", not "Deisel" :rolleyes:

I have one lycra shirt I occasionaly wear, for alleycats or reallllllly hot days for example. looks great with my shredded cutoffs with the studs on em :-P

Here in chicago tho, a good deal of the ones with full team outfits cant ride for ****e

lycra just doesn't leave much to the imagination.

Neither does riding nekkid. I always say "If you've got it, flaunt it."!





Clothing? CLOTHING?!?!? What kind of sissy-boy are you? Ride nude, my friend! Nothing wicks better than nothing!

Sounds good to me! :D





Tru, but the flapping, or flopping, it depends on the speed, gets old after five miles. Additionally motorists get weird when you wave at them when both hands are in the drops.

Are you talking from personal experience? ;)




Did any of you take part in Naked Bike Day last month?

Me, me! Anyone get any pictures for RonH?

Wow, and here's me thinking I was weird sitting here in my Petzl harness watching the rock climbing. You ****ing weirdos. Geez.

Lycra is practical. If you ride any serious distance, I'm sorry, you can't do it in cutoff jeans. Lycra is also not for wearing around the house, sitting on your arse, smoking ciggies and watching the telly. Not unless your life represents 'Married with Children' meets 'Queer Eye' anyway.

FYI it's "Diesel", not "Deisel" :rolleyes:

Thanks for the "professional" opinion. I should add that I so own a pair of lyrca Pearl Izumi shorts because I think they are practical. Yet, I still feel that they don't cure all comfort problems.

Thanks for the update on the spelling, Mr. Fashion. :rolleyes:

Wow, and here's me thinking I was weird sitting here in my Petzl harness watching the rock climbing. You ****ing weirdos. Geez.

Lycra is practical. If you ride any serious distance, I'm sorry, you can't do it in cutoff jeans. Lycra is also not for wearing around the house, sitting on your arse, smoking ciggies and watching the telly. Not unless your life represents 'Married with Children' meets 'Queer Eye' anyway.

FYI it's "Diesel", not "Deisel" :rolleyes:

getting my stones busted by the aussie. nonsense. Watch a sporting event on "the telly," particularly an american one. Fans wear jerseys. I just happen to be a cycling fan. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to France this summer. So I wore it in my house, on my arse, watching the Tour. I even had a "ciggie." Apologies.

The comment about cutoff Diesels was more about the scenster fixie scene here in Columbus. Apparently most of my apparel experiences are Unique to Ohio. Or i just don't know how to get a point across. I was just reflecting on how many of us on the forum bag on the roadies for their lycra, and laughing at how i felt about wearing it.

And we all know that the harnesses at your house aren't for climbing at all. :p

Wow, and here's me thinking I was weird sitting here in my Petzl harness watching the rock climbing.
Poseur...Metolius is where it's at! w00t!

People with lots of money and ride expensive bikes and are a lot less gritty and a lot more shiek and also rip out their nice expensive bikes clothes as if they were some weird fetished suit that says "i ride bikes, they make me athletic and superlative to those who don't." At least this is sort of what it means to me right now as I write in a tired state of mind.

Being that I'm a 40 year old IT/engineering white guy from the burbs with an expensive frame on order, I guess I'm the poster child for everything wrong in the cycling world. (I have a cheap touring bike and two others I built out of cast-off parts.)

I gave up "gritty" over a decade ago b/c ramen noodles and paying rent suck when you're pushing 30. I still have my Honor Roll and Husker Du vinyl though.

As far as chic is concerned, I'm a friggen' nerd for goshsakes! And athletic? I live down to my moniker.

Can't we all just get along? :)

If you ride any serious distance, I'm sorry, you can't do it in cutoff jeans.
I beg to differ. I did the LifeCycle ride (600 miles in 7 days) in a pair of regular plain old shorts.

I was riding the fixie to school today, and I passed a road geek wearing the postal service outfit and riding the usps trek. I didn't think twice about it because I see him all the time. He lives up the street, and has about the same commute as me. As I ride by, I hear 'click-click-click' as he shifts. After a few seconds, I still hear him behind me. I look back, and he's pounding away, face twisted into a grimace, trying to draft me. I said to him, "Aww, aren't you cute?" then blasted away. I don't know why it feels so good to dust those neon-colored-organ-donors, but I love it.

RIDE FIXED

I beg to differ. I did the LifeCycle ride (600 miles in 7 days) in a pair of regular plain old shorts.

There's also another of our own BikeForums members who went from LA to NYC by way of Canada in regular street clothes and an old 10-speed loaded with gear. You can read about Inoplanetyanin's trip in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=32082).

I like my lycra. It works good when I ride and I don't feel self conscious in it.
I think many of you are too 'normal' day to day and when you get in lycra, you suddenly become the odd man out and it feels weird to be weird. When you're in a group of people wearing lycra you're suddenly normal again and it's cool.
They're just clothes, they have their place just as a a suit or or heavy winter gear or nothing at all does.
I think that's one of the weird things about lycra monikes in general, if I went grocery shopping in team kit they'd laugh at me because I was wearing it in WalMart. And if I wore street clothes to a group ride I'd get the same looks. No only do roadies (and all of society for that matter) try to tell me what to wear, but when to wear it as well. It's annoying. Really annoying sometimes. Lots of times I wish it was as simple for adults as it is for my 2 year old. If she wants to wear purple pants and striped orange shirt and her khaki hat and big honking blue sunglasses then that's cool, I let her, and she's happy as can be in her 'cool' clothes. If only fashion and life in general were so care free for adults.

I dunno - I just bought two more pairs of Apollo shorts from Nashbar... I think I might kind of like lycra...

But I have yet to ride with the first pair of shorts that I bought and nothing else covering my legs. I probably won't wear these any different. The main reason that I bought them was for the chamois :) That new 165g carbon fiber saddle I bought really isn't all that comfortable.

I think that the reason a lot of SS & Fixers hate lycra isn't lycra - it's the people wearing the lycra. It's the people who have impeccable bikes but probably couldn't change a flat. It's people fully decked out in every concivable thing that you could get to be a 'serious biker' that you pass like they're standing still.

I've been looking into a new solution lately, but haven't had much luck searching the net - horse riding shorts. I remember when I was younger, I had a couple of pairs of couderoy shorts that were for horse riding that we got from GoodWill or who the hell knows where. They had a reinforced saddle area, plus regular and cargo pockets. They also had a button strap under the knee to hold them (cut off before I wore them). So far most of what I've found is for show riding, though - but I have found out that you can get a chamois PLUS a leather seat and inner thigh :)