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Should I get cycling shoes and a jersey (and why)?

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Should I get cycling shoes and a jersey (and why)?

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Old 06-06-16, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Emperor Ryker
This is ridiculous. Several people said no, and several mentioned the benefits. So how am I in the wrong forum? Just because YOU need to have them doesn't mean everyone else does. And your analogies are bad, because in all of those cases the things you mention are much more crucial to the performance there than cycling shoes and jersey. If I ask whether I need to buy lifting shoes on a bodybuilding forum, no one is going to tell me I'm at the wrong place like you are here.
Actually, in some cases, they're probably LESS critical. How often does a doctor actually use a stethoscope? Not very. And when was the last time you figure a top chef actually used a knife to do his job? In the case of someone like Daniel Boulud, it may have been several years ago. The point is, when they're "tools of the trade," you don't waste your time questioning whether they're necessary. The only time you dismiss them is when you've found, AFTER years of using them, that you no longer need them - because you aren't the one chopping the onions anymore. To question them without even trying them isn't skepticism, it's lack of commitment. Perhaps that sounds rude, or harsh, or snobbish, but there's no animus intended. What I was getting at regarding being in the wrong forum is that if you aren't prepared to accept certain practices of a community as a matter of faith, you have to be prepared to be an outcast to the same extent, that's all. There are plenty of cyclists who never wear cycling jerseys or ride with clipless pedals, but they generally don't find themselves at home in this church, they go to the one down the street - and they're going to hell.
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Old 06-06-16, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by blart
If you already know that you don't want to buy a jersey, then why did you post a thread asking if should get one?
I know now, but when I posted the thread, I didn't. I was leaning towards no, but still wanted to hear whether there were any compelling arguments for it. As it turns out, there aren't, at least for now.

Originally Posted by 69chevy
Then you must have your seat very low, which could also cause numbness.
It's actually very high already, almost at the maximum.

Originally Posted by kbarch
Actually, in some cases, they're probably LESS critical. How often does a doctor actually use a stethoscope? Not very. And when was the last time you figure a top chef actually used a knife to do his job? In the case of someone like Daniel Boulud, it may have been several years ago. The point is, when they're "tools of the trade," you don't waste your time questioning whether they're necessary. The only time you dismiss them is when you've found, AFTER years of using them, that you no longer need them - because you aren't the one chopping the onions anymore. To question them without even trying them isn't skepticism, it's lack of commitment. Perhaps that sounds rude, or harsh, or snobbish, but there's no animus intended. What I was getting at regarding being in the wrong forum is that if you aren't prepared to accept certain practices of a community as a matter of faith, you have to be prepared to be an outcast to the same extent, that's all. There are plenty of cyclists who never wear cycling jerseys or ride with clipless pedals, but they generally don't find themselves at home in this church, they go to the one down the street - and they're going to hell.
That's OK, I ride solo anyway. And I'm just glad there are still some people on these boards that actually try to help people, rather than troll them with their elitist I'm-better-than-you attitude. Also, I'm hoping that I actually do get these items in the future, because that will mean I fell in love with cycling. But if that happens, I'll make sure not to become an ******* to people just because I wear different clothing.
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Old 06-06-16, 10:49 PM
  #103  
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Originally Posted by Emperor Ryker
I'm just glad there are still some people on these boards that actually try to help people, rather than troll them with their elitist I'm-better-than-you attitude.
Wait, who's trolling?
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Old 06-06-16, 11:58 PM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by Emperor Ryker
. . . I pump my tires at a local bike shop for free and without any extra hassle.
Yeah, you're not trolling
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Old 06-07-16, 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Nachoman
Yeah, you're not trolling
Haha, how would I be trolling with this? I literally have three local bike shops on the way to campus, I don't even have to take a different street, but just stop and step in. They all welcome me with open arms and a pump.
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Old 06-07-16, 03:51 AM
  #106  
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Originally Posted by Emperor Ryker
That's OK, I ride solo anyway. And I'm just glad there are still some people on these boards that actually try to help people, rather than troll them with their elitist I'm-better-than-you attitude. Also, I'm hoping that I actually do get these items in the future, because that will mean I fell in love with cycling. But if that happens, I'll make sure not to become an ******* to people just because I wear different clothing.
It's not merely attitude, it's fact-based conviction. OK, maybe I was a bit sophomoric there, but after you've "fallen in love" with cycling, there's a good chance you'll take your turn at having a little fun with a novice, or ridiculing heathens, too, even if you don't come across as such an ******* (sorry about that). There's no more fierce defender than the newly converted.
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Old 06-07-16, 04:02 AM
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that not enogh man ? i have the shiped
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Old 06-07-16, 04:48 AM
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Originally Posted by kbarch
While that may have been written in jest, it's pretty much spot on.
If you have to ask, then no, you should not bother getting cycling shoes and jersey, and to put it bluntly, you are in the wrong forum. You might as well participate in a forum of physicians and ask whether you should get a stethoscope, a forum of chefs and ask if you should have sharp knives, or a forum of swimmers and ask if you should bother with goggles. That's not to say you don't know when to take an aspirin, how to cook a steak, or can't splash around in your back yard pool or swim a few laps at your gym or country club. There's nothing wrong with being a dabbler, but it's not superior to being a committed amateur, either.
A committed amateur?
I am 51 years old and began riding again only one year ago.
I mainly ride my entry level aluminum road bike with platform pedals.
I wear gym shorts and no shirt in warm weather and I average 18-19 mph on rides up to 30 miles.
Based upon the stats I see on Strava and Mapmyride and based upon what I have read here I am a stronger rider than your average spandex clad 'committed amateur' and that's pretty sad imo.
What's your point again?
Other than the fact that you quite hilariously seem to believe that accessories make you committed.
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Old 06-07-16, 05:47 AM
  #109  
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I'm 78 years old, wear nothing but underwear, bare feet with rat trap pedals, and I average 32 mph for 100 miles.
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Old 06-07-16, 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
I'm 78 years old, wear nothing but underwear, bare feet with rat trap pedals, and I average 32 mph for 100 miles.
Now THAT'S committed. Only an hour and 40 minutes out riding without a shirt is nothing; @bakes1 needs to HTFU.
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Old 06-07-16, 09:04 AM
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Perhaps its time to review the rules of cycling:
Velominati ? The Rules
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Old 06-07-16, 09:30 AM
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I wear no shorts at all and I don't even use a saddle. #HTFU
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Old 06-07-16, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by kbarch
Now THAT'S committed. Only an hour and 40 minutes out riding without a shirt is nothing; @bakes1 needs to HTFU.
I stick my energy bars in a fanny pack.
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Old 06-07-16, 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by fondanburg
that not enogh man ? i have the shiped
Tell us more! This is an exciting offer, because none of us have enogh man and could use the shiped.
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Old 06-07-16, 11:19 AM
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If a person is going to cycle shirtless, I hope they have some way of putting sunscreen on their back. It may be more comfortable, but all that exposure can be deadly. It makes one think about the aero position.
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Old 06-07-16, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by seypat
If a person is going to cycle shirtless, I hope they have some way of putting sunscreen on their back. It may be more comfortable, but all that exposure can be deadly. It makes one think about the aero position.
Don't ask.
The dude serves no purpose here other than to criticize and demean.
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Old 06-07-16, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by bakes1
I am 51 years old and began riding again only one year ago.
I mainly ride my entry level aluminum road bike with platform pedals.
I wear gym shorts and no shirt in warm weather and I average 18-19 mph on rides up to 30 miles.
Based upon the stats I see on Strava and Mapmyride and based upon what I have read here I am a stronger rider than your average spandex clad 'committed amateur' and that's pretty sad imo.
As Strava says, "Prove it".
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Old 06-07-16, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bakes1
I am 51 years old and began riding again only one year ago. I mainly ride my entry level aluminum road bike with platform pedals.
I wear gym shorts and no shirt in warm weather and I average 18-19 mph on rides up to 30 miles. Based upon the stats I see on Strava and Mapmyride and based upon what I have read here I am a stronger rider than your average spandex clad 'committed amateur'...
cool story.
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Old 06-07-16, 03:32 PM
  #119  
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Originally Posted by Emperor Ryker
Haha, how would I be trolling with this? I literally have three local bike shops on the way to campus, I don't even have to take a different street, but just stop and step in. They all welcome me with open arms and a pump.
Appreciate if you'd weigh in on this thread.
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Old 06-07-16, 04:02 PM
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I take my bike in to the shop to lube the chain and reset my computer, they do it for free.
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Old 06-07-16, 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
I take my bike in to the shop to lube the chain and reset my computer, they do it for free.
Damn, the saltiness is strong in this one.
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Old 06-07-16, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
I stick my energy bars in a fanny pack.
Helmet vents are more accessible when on a bike. Most of them taper so you can get a nice snug fit.
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Old 06-07-16, 05:10 PM
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Forget nash bar much better sites are Merlin and other England sites it takes about a week for delivery but so much cheaper for things u can get a good quality jersey and bib shorts for about 60 bucks also if u plan on doing rides of 40 miles at a time so much worth spending the money on a few bike outfits also consider a good road seat can find them on sale under a hundred bucks but when u don't have a sore ass anymore so much worth it
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Old 06-07-16, 05:12 PM
  #124  
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Originally Posted by Lazyass
I stick my energy bars in my fanny.
FIFY.
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Old 06-07-16, 05:17 PM
  #125  
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Originally Posted by mercator
Appreciate if you'd weigh in on this thread.
Yes! Best 41 zombie thread evah! I look forward to its latest resurrection.

BTW, Anyone else wonder what Emperor Ryker is Emperor of?
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