I know alot of you have gotten offended at my posts so hear is another one. Can some of you explain the importance of "the coolness factor," or the vanity point and how it relates to cycling. Can some of you explain why it is important how you look when cycling. Can some of you explain why it is important how your bike looks, or how much mud is on it. I know there are some of you here that could probably care less. I have never understood this and would very much like to. Thanks!

I can't say that I understand it either Hunter. I wear the raggediest shorts I have and t-shirts with the sleeves torn off when I ride. Couldn't care less what I look like when I'm riding. But I never understood the clothing fads either. I wouldn't wear a Tommy Hilfiger shirt if you paid me.

I wash my bike every couple of rides mostly for mechanical purposes. Shifting problems, grinding brakes, etc.

But I've seen guys in the woods all decked out in the fancy silk shirts and all. Why would you wear something like that in the mud?

If you ever 'figger it out, let me know. :)

The whole coolness thing is just done by a few snobs who think it might be a way they can make themselves look like better riders than they actually are. That's not to say that everyone who dresses in that sort of gear is a tosser, it's just gives some people an excuse to think that they are better than others.

that is all.

Chris

Personally I think how you look is not important, other than wearing clothing that will catch the attention of motorists. I wear black cycling shorts and a yellow or brightly colored jersey. I've seen the "cool" cyclists with their team jerseys and matching shorts that coordinate with their bikes. I'm not interested in that at all. :thumbdn:
And the "blinky" light that is on my bike for when I'm out riding at dusk, the mtn bike pedals on a road bike, and the tool pack, pump, spare tube, etc. are not "cool" looking either. But "cool"won't get me home if I have problems.
Anyone who is more concerned about "coolness" is riding for the wrong reasons! :beer:

Ron

There are those who would say it is because they are proud of being a bicyclist and prove it by looking as good as they can and declaring it to the world. They usually maintain their bikes with that same spirit of pride. It's an ego thing.

Dirtgrinder! My man! I always swore you would never catch a thread of Tommy Hilfiger or any other designer brand on this overweight body. I mean, $65 for a plain blue oxford cloth shirt? Give me a break! However, this past January or so my wife found a pair of Hilfiger corduroys slacks on the season end odds and ends clearance rack for 8 bucks. Couldn't pass that up!
My normal cycling attire consists of baggy nylon shorts with a plain red or yellow Coolmax Alta T-shirt. I really like the Coolmax Alta fabric and I got these from sierratradingpost.com or campmor.com on clearance for about $8.95 vs $24.95 from bike catalogs. I do have a couple of inexpensive, plain Coolmax cycling jerseys and one pair of shorts. I have never worn them, but I will if I will be riding with a group where I think it is appropriate. I certainly not going to wear all the gear for daily commuting.
I don't have anything against cyclists who wear all the kit all the time, but, just from a practical standpoint if nothing else, why do it. A lot of that stuff is EXPENSIVE. Why wear it out or risk damaging it by riding in it every day? My longest ride so far has been just over 23 miles. I was perfectly comfortable without padded cycling shorts. I am sure that the benefits of the padding kick in on the long hard training rides that racers do regularly

Hey, maybe it's like the Smothers Brothers version of "The Streets of Laredo" where they say:

I can see by your outfit, that you are a cowboy;
You can see by my outfit, I'm a cowboy, too.
You can see by our outfits that we are both cowboys.
Get yourself an outfit and be a cowboy, too.

If I join one of the local racing clubs and do some racing, I will wear the team jersey, etc., with pride when it is appropriate. Otherwise, I will be my usual "cheapest thing that is comfortable" self. I would rather spend money on goodies for my bike. :)

Raymond,

You have SO much to learn! I get Hilfiger, Dockers, London Fog, you-name-it for pennies on the dollar.
My wife says, "Pete, your NOT going to wear those nice pants on the bike!?"

I always respond, "Honey, if I get grease on 'em I'll just spend another $3.25 at Goodwill."

How's $7 for a nice leather jacket grab you?

My only shame is that when I arrive to shop, I have to hide my face because I have to park my 1980 Toyota
alongside Lexus's, Mercedes and Lincolns.

I like to look good in any situation. I don’t think I’m vain, but I think looking good is an outward sign of self respect. At work, I wear a starched shirt, pressed pants, a jacket and a tie that goes with all the above. In this get-up, I think I look pretty cool.

On a bike, I like bright solid colored shirts and black cycling shorts. Tee shirts are cool in my book, and I may expand my shorts selection to dark gray. Jerseys with logos all over them look dumb. Lately, I’ve been seeing logo’d shorts, too. Double dumb.

I always wear T-shirts but sometimes wish I had a plain jersey because there would be less wind resistance.

As for logos, I've never understood why anybody would pay to advertise somebody's product; it seems to me the manufacturer ought to pay the wearer to do it.

But even then I wouldn't do it, unless the logo was in little tiny letters.

I can understand someone wearing their biking get-up when cycling with their club or on long-distance training sessions, but for the average cyclist there is no need for such garb. Granted, most bike clothing is more comfortable with the extra padding and wicking fabrics, but for a jaunt through the park it just isn't necessary. So, basically what I am trying to say is this, if you think you need the cool clothes, you probably do.

T-shirts and short pants are ok with me :thumbup:
But i don`t like to glow on my bike!, these "Bright & Shinny" teamoutfits are torturing my eyes for several years now!
But this is my remedie; a nice pair of superdark goggles to protect yourself against those dazzling colleague bikers :D

I have a couple of "cool" logo jerseys. A FOX jersey: given to me by my old LBS is Florida. A shop team jeresy: Given to me by said shop. And lastly a Kona team jersey: given to me by a friend who works for Kona. I wear them not because i want to look "cool" but because I have them and they are comfortable. So you guys need to not jump to conclusions, not everybody in Logo jerseys are wearing them to look "cool"

Mark, you've got STYLE! :)

logo jerseys and shorts: i wear my logo-ed stuff as a way to say "thank you" to sponsors. bike shop owners and bike related companies don't give you "stuff" (whether its the jersey, or parts at cost, or race fees or even a free ride) because you're "cool". they consider it "advertising" and if you keep it in the closet...well then they haven't made a very good investment. i also consider it very important to have above average trail/road manners and to try to be a good ambassador(ess?) for cyling when in team or shop colors.

jerseys: or even those new wicking t's are far superior to cotton t-shirts at managing moisture and regulating body temperature. the long zippers on bike jerseys allow further temp control and the three back pockets hold food, i.d. card, tire levers etc. note to commuters: those wicking fabrics take the "funk" with them. when you take off your jersey and change into a clean shirt you instantly smell ~99% better. to get the funk out of those wonder-fabrics add a cup of white vinegar to the water when you do laundry.

shorts: unless i'm just commuting 5 blocks to work, or running a quick errand, i'm in bike shorts. i don't have a "town bike", so all of my bikes have race saddles on them. no cushy gel seats here. a chamios is a necessity.
off road: bike shorts don't get snagged on the saddle when you need to climb or descend.

what other things were you thinking of in regards to "coolness"? helmet? protects my brain. glasses? ditto on the eyes. gloves? protects hands in crashes, ads shock absorbancy, and gives me a place to wipe my nose(how "cool" is that???). my bike shoes keep me attached to the bike.

socks...ok i'm vain about socks. i have to admit i collect Defeet socks. sure they're great socks. wicking, cooling blah blah blah. but mostly they're CUTE.

as far as the bike goes...it just has to work. i don't care what it looks like. my mountain bike is actually kind of ugly, but i love her.

Does it really matter as long as we all enjoy doing what we are doing and do not harm others.

I think Euan makes a good point...Who Cares...
If someone wants to wear cycling clothing just to look cool, that's their deal.

Like Poptart mentioned...cycling clothing such as jerseys, socks, and shorts make riding so much more comfortable. I'm a mountain biker and I tend to wear baggy style shorts but they still come with lycra and are padded underneath. Plus there is no way I would wear a cotton jersey on a long ride in the middle of summer.

poptart, and Euan--very well said. I used to wear cut-offs, and sleeveless shirts on my ten speed, and was comfortable. Then I bought my road bike. the geometry alone, not to mention the increase in mileage, informed me very quickly the need for cycling clothing.
I rank the sunglasses equal to helmets. After having a piece of unknown road debris hit my helmet, I owned a pair of glasses before my next ride.
ride long and prosper. Stan

Well guys, if your riding a Pinarello Paris Bike and your wearing a beach short or a boxer short and a T-shirt, doesn't that look stupid and a beach sandal, to go with the outfit, that is a double stupid looking dude, as for me I wear a cycling short or bib and a cycling team jersey and a matching headband and a helmet and a Cycling shoes, to go with it, I don't care what people will say with what I wear as long as I feel good wearing it nobody can stop me from doing what I want to do????and I will offer a toast for everybody who thinks otherwise:beer:

I used to say when your out and going to do something for yourself, do it good the first time so the succeeding things your going to do will just be second nature.........:dance:

Ba-Dg-Er,
I don't think you have to be ashamed, when I go ride my bike , I tried to look to be the coolest dude you can find riding a bike, and when my wife see me in my cycling outfit she falls in love with me over again

Dumb or no Dumb, I am not going to wear a beach short or a t-shirt while riding my bike

Ba-Dg-Er,
she has to understand the life of a cyclist, I mean, like me a cyclist "wannabe", when I watch this cycling tapes, I let her watch with me, and eventually she will understand your passion,

Ba-Dg-Er,
Just imaging yourself on high price bike and a beach short and a t-shirt to boot, that to me as you said it and I quote, "you Look like a Dork"

I don't have any "cyclist" clothes. I have a piece-of-crap helmet from wal-mart,vans and a pair of khaki shorts to ride in. Part of it is do to the fact I don't have very much money, but if I did have the money, I'd be a cyclist clothes wearin' fool. But it's not really about being cool, it about having the cyclist "stuff" and "look". I mean, when I kid plays baseball he expects a cool glove, batting gloves, and his favorite team jersey. Does he absolutely need this stuff? no. I've been there. But does it add to the overall "great" experience? Heck yeah man. I can't wait till my first pay check..Look out performancebike, cuz here I come!!!!

Fubar,
see there you go, I mean, if you have the means, you'll go for those stuff, right???