Originally Posted by
sggoodri
Some American bike commuters choose to dress more for sport, choosing spandex and racing bikes, and using their commutes as workouts, partly to avoid the social status implications of dressing for basic utility.
i don't go the full spandex route for commuting (athletic shorts and a tight fitting t-shirt work fine), but i do ride a nice light weight road bike for my daily commute, not because i wish to "avoid the social status implications of dressing for basic utility", i do so because i have a long commute and i like to go real fast. i'm not a slave to fashion, i'm a slave to speed; it's highly addictive!
Originally Posted by
sggoodri
What is wrong with dressing for utility? Nothing at all. Pedaling a utility bike in casual clothing can be a practical way to get around even in the USA.
pedaling a utility bike can indeed be a practical way to get around, but if you're obsessed with speed and making good time, it's better to replace that 30+ pound tank with a sub-20 pound rocket.