I figure this is the PERFECT group to ask
- My bike is a Motobecane Fantom CX cyclocross (from BD, price: $570). My only upgrades have been the saddle and some KoolStop brake pads. I don't expect to upgrade anything else unless it breaks.
- To the frame, I've attached a pump and water bottle cage.
- To the seatpost, I've attached a pack and lock
- To the frame, I've also attached a blinky light. Unless I'm riding where it will be 100% (or almost) bright and sunny, the blinky light will be on. I'd rather you think me a Fred than get run over in a shady section of road.
- To the handlebars, I've attached a MirrCycle STI mirror. It's not pretty, but I like to know when a big ass Hummer is coming up behind me.
- To the handlebars, I've also attached a computer (and accordingly, the speed sensor to the fork and magnet to a spoke)
- I wear spandex, mostly pro team stuff (not the real stuff, but Chinese sweatshop knock-offs).
- My helmet is an Atmos. It was a Giro Transfer until recently; I found a brand-new Atmos on craigslist for $50.
- My sustainable flat speed is 18.3 mph (based on 27 minutes for an 8.25 mile loop I do laps on - check my math, please).
- I spin up hills at 6-9 mph
- Regarding my speeds, note that I'm 45 years old and am not trying to prove anything to anyone. I passed someone on the flat last night on the way to a couple of fairly steep hills. We talked for a few seconds. He was obviously younger than me. When we hit the hills, I could see him catching up to me via my mirror; it didn't bother me at all.
- I acknowledge most other cyclists. I ignore those riding in jeans, without helmets, etc., unless I'm forced to say something (in which case I do it politely): "you're riding on the wrong side of the road, my friend" came up just last night.
- I ride in a rural area, so I sometimes blow through stop signs (if no vehicles are around, it's obvious, so I don't stop). Otherwise, I obey the rules of the road. I stop, signal my intentions, give vehicles room when it's safe for me, take the lane when it's safe for me, etc.
So, I figure my doo-dads and pro cycling outfits are more likely to brand me as a Fred then my cycling behavior. Your opinion? FRED or NO FRED? Kind of like "am i hot or not", I guess
