Do you guys feel insecure wearing spandex and jersey.
04-20-15, 07:10 AM
#26
I got 99 problems....
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I started cycling to spend more time away from my ex-wife.
Spandex helped me stay out on the road longer.
I am a better person because of spandex.
You will be too.
Spandex helped me stay out on the road longer.
I am a better person because of spandex.
You will be too.
04-20-15, 07:11 AM
#27
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So true. I swim a lot and most pools have people sharing lanes. You pass by multiple times. So far I haven't run into the wall yet glancing at women but it definately will happen soon.
04-20-15, 08:32 AM
#28
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I always thought the spandex/lycra race kits were kinda silly looking for non-racers. But body shape has nothing to do with it.
04-20-15, 08:42 AM
#29
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04-20-15, 09:00 AM
#30
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There's no greater feeling of confidence, than when you're yelling at a rude motorists while wearing lycra and no underwear.
04-20-15, 09:20 AM
#31
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Worry more about loved ones than yourself. You'll be healthier for it.
04-20-15, 09:34 AM
#33
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04-20-15, 10:00 AM
#34
Zip tie Karen
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Riding with my then teenaged daughter no a bread buying errand. Paved trails weaving back and forth through a small creekbed, with cement spillway crossings. Well, she wipes out and scrapes her knee and is drenched, so I offer her my shirt and towel her off as best we can.
On to the bakery, where I'm now dressed in only bib shorts, and she in an oversized jersey.
I say, "it's okay, we're with Cirque Du Soleil." It was an oddly uncomfortable moment, made worse by my dumb joke.
Wear what you want. Ride how you want. As long as you don't have one of those flashy "CANNONDALEs" with the NASCAR logos all over it.
On to the bakery, where I'm now dressed in only bib shorts, and she in an oversized jersey.
I say, "it's okay, we're with Cirque Du Soleil." It was an oddly uncomfortable moment, made worse by my dumb joke.Wear what you want. Ride how you want. As long as you don't have one of those flashy "CANNONDALEs" with the NASCAR logos all over it.
04-20-15, 10:04 AM
#35
Senior Member
After 25 years of wearing spandex on a bike and after growing up as a Speedo-wearing serious competitive swimmer, spandex is just clothing to me. I will say that I believe that the clothes are a major reason why many drivers can't tolerate cyclists. It makes us look weird and poseurish (to people clueless about cycling) which in turn encourages denegration and depersonalization.
04-20-15, 10:28 AM
#37
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My answer to the original question: only when being passed while I'm riding a bike with disc brakes and a sloping top tube.
04-20-15, 10:40 AM
#39
I'm doing it wrong.
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My insecurity level does not change because I'm wearing spandex.
04-20-15, 01:36 PM
#41
aka Phil Jungels
I'm a clyde, and it never bothers me. Why, because I don't have to look at it.
It sure does make riding a lot more comfortable, though!
It sure does make riding a lot more comfortable, though!
04-20-15, 02:05 PM
#42
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I have no problem riding with the outfit but I do not walk around with it on. As soon as I get home, I do not walk the dog in the kit. I put on regular shorts and a regular shirt.
I run with Under Armour shirts but I never wear those around either.
I do not swim laps but if I did, I do not think that I could wear the Speedo. I just have to draw the line somewhere.
04-20-15, 02:35 PM
#43
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When I am within 10 feet of a bike, I have no problem wearing spandex. The only time you will find me in Spandex is because I am leaving the 10 ft circle around my bike to go get changed or because I am heading towards my bike to go for a ride.
As for riding in spandex, I like it. I am overweight with a gut and I like how it gives me a glimpse of what the future could bring if I lose a bit more. I like how it holds everything a bit tighter and wicks perspiration. I sweat at the drop of a hat and Cycling kit helps me stay dry. If I didn't wear it, I would be chafed something severe and probably wouldn't ride at all.
Baggy clothes just makes me feel frumpy and not great about myself. Nothing athletic about me. in cycling clothes, I aspire for better and as such feel better about myself. this just adds to the enjoyment.
Not sure anyone's opinion on how I look in cycling clothing is going to take that away from me. Now I may either fall off my bike or laugh my butt off if I saw myself in a store window until I realized it was me
. Then again, it is better than the baggy shorts, oversized shirt and their underwear sticking out wearing shoes that scrunch their toes all up (Many of the customers wore clothes like this coming into the sporting goods store I use to work at and like to buy shoes where their toes were crammed in the toebox deforming them. - At least I am not parading around a mall in my bike clothes!!)
The only person's whose opinion about how you look is YOU. That is the only one that counts. Of course if one day a lady would give my a second look as I rode by i bike-wear and it was a smile instead of a laugh, I think I would feel pretty good. Any other, I could care less.
Wear it with pride. You are in popular company within the cycling community!!!!
Frank
As for riding in spandex, I like it. I am overweight with a gut and I like how it gives me a glimpse of what the future could bring if I lose a bit more. I like how it holds everything a bit tighter and wicks perspiration. I sweat at the drop of a hat and Cycling kit helps me stay dry. If I didn't wear it, I would be chafed something severe and probably wouldn't ride at all.
Baggy clothes just makes me feel frumpy and not great about myself. Nothing athletic about me. in cycling clothes, I aspire for better and as such feel better about myself. this just adds to the enjoyment.
Not sure anyone's opinion on how I look in cycling clothing is going to take that away from me. Now I may either fall off my bike or laugh my butt off if I saw myself in a store window until I realized it was me
. Then again, it is better than the baggy shorts, oversized shirt and their underwear sticking out wearing shoes that scrunch their toes all up (Many of the customers wore clothes like this coming into the sporting goods store I use to work at and like to buy shoes where their toes were crammed in the toebox deforming them. - At least I am not parading around a mall in my bike clothes!!) The only person's whose opinion about how you look is YOU. That is the only one that counts. Of course if one day a lady would give my a second look as I rode by i bike-wear and it was a smile instead of a laugh, I think I would feel pretty good. Any other, I could care less.
Wear it with pride. You are in popular company within the cycling community!!!!
Frank
04-20-15, 02:36 PM
#44
Senior Member
Indeed. Nothing makes a fat guy look more fat than baggy clothing, especially a fat guy on a bike.
I speak as a fat guy, I know this stuff.
I speak as a fat guy, I know this stuff.
04-20-15, 02:41 PM
#45
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Whenever I have thoughts like this I ask if Einstein would ask himself the same question or just do an equation to figure out that he's being silly. Personally I find the "pro" cycling outfits somewhat silly. I wear the spandex with the padded crotch and I'm a little over 6' and 240lbs. I'm not fat but built like a running back. When I'm walking around I'm sure people think I'm getting ready to tackle someone but I don't care. I never care and neither should you.
I wear somewhat tight Underarmor type shirts but never any of those silly "I'm a professional cyclist" shirts...I find them ostentatious.
I wear somewhat tight Underarmor type shirts but never any of those silly "I'm a professional cyclist" shirts...I find them ostentatious.
04-20-15, 02:48 PM
#46
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My gf tells me I look fantastic in mine. I'm built like a strong sprinter. Muscly legs and wide shoulders. Ironically, I am a terrible sprinter.
Even if I wasn't, I like to think I wouldn't care.
Even if I wasn't, I like to think I wouldn't care.
04-20-15, 02:50 PM
#47
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"I wear somewhat tight Underarmor type shirts but never any of those silly "I'm a professional cyclist" shirts...I find them ostentatious."
The only thing the jerseys have going for them is the many pockets in the back. I wish UA made their shirts with those. As it is, I wear only the plainest kit I can find. Black shorts, jerseys that are as close to one color, no logos, etc. That's mostly to placate drivers who otherwise might want to f**k with someone for looking like "A Lance Wannabe".
The only thing the jerseys have going for them is the many pockets in the back. I wish UA made their shirts with those. As it is, I wear only the plainest kit I can find. Black shorts, jerseys that are as close to one color, no logos, etc. That's mostly to placate drivers who otherwise might want to f**k with someone for looking like "A Lance Wannabe".
04-20-15, 02:53 PM
#49
Senior Member
Always remember that those "sports team from my area is superior to sports team from your area" types are cheering for hulking muscle bound freaks wearing nothing but spandex with large numbers on them.
04-20-15, 03:19 PM
#50
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