Originally Posted by
charles vail
Thats the problem with tight stretchy pants for fun they allow ones junk to be paraded around quite easily since they follow every contour. There is nothing left to the imagination. This is why MTB shorts or regular clothing is better for a commuter. Its my contention that performance/comfort gains are minimal for most commuters anyway. Why do cyclists insist on dressing like pro team members anyway? Not only is it unnecessary it looks odd to the rest of the world. I often think of the line in the movie Nacho Libre.....sometimes men wear tight stretchy pants for fun, or something to that effect when I see cyclists all costumed up. To each his own.
It depends on how you commute. For me it's not just a commute, -it's training. I push it.
If I ride hard without padded bike shorts or tights, I'll be hurting in places I'd rather not hurt. I guess I could get MTB shorts but I'm not going to wear them during a triathlon so it would just be an extra expense. FWIW, I don't even own a traditional cycling jersey so it's not like I'm a poseur or something.
If it looks odd to the rest of the world, so be it. I'm sure my reflective vest isn't considered high fashion either.
One thing I will agree with though, lycra isn't strictly required for commuting. Probably most of the commuters I see aren't wearing lyra or are wearing it under something else.