Originally Posted by
TimothyH
I was taught that a Fred the guy who shows up with the best gear but can't ride - $300 helmet on backwards, titanium clipless pedals but doesn't clip in the whole ride, Dura Ace but stays in one gear, etc.
At the risk of being a total a-hole... So this guy qualifies as Fred for you:
It appears both definitions are 'correct':
fred
1)
n. a person who spends a lot of money on his bike and clothing, but still can't ride. "What a fred -- too much Lycra and titanium and not enough skill." Synonym for
poser. Occasionally called a "barney".
2)
n. a person who has a mishmash of old gear, does't care at all about technology or fashion, didn't race or follow racing, etc. Often identified by chainring marks on white calf socks. Used by "serious" roadies to disparage utility cyclists and touring riders, especially after these totally unfashionable "freds" drop the "serious" roadies on hills because the "serious" guys were really posers. This term is from road touring and, according to popular myth, "Fred" was a well-known grumpy old touring rider, who really was named Fred.
Reference -
BicycleSource.com
(this pic is a screen-capture from my helmet mounted GoPro, I honestly didn't realize what I was seeing until I was well past him. If I'd hit a red light and he caught up, I would have kindly helped him with proper use of the helmet... cause I'm not 100% a d!ck)