What percentage of cyclists in your area wear spandex?
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What percentage of cyclists in your area wear spandex?
I've seen it mentioned several times that spandex wearing cyclists make other people think they have to wear spandex too.
So I'm curious. Where you commute, what percentage of adult cyclists wear spandex?
I see more during the summer but even then I'd say it's under 30%. Well under 10% are in full kit.
Away from the city or on weekends when people are out cycling for exercise or training, there's a lot more spandex but still plenty of people in shorts and T-shirts, -and just about anything else you can think of.
So I'm curious. Where you commute, what percentage of adult cyclists wear spandex?
I see more during the summer but even then I'd say it's under 30%. Well under 10% are in full kit.
Away from the city or on weekends when people are out cycling for exercise or training, there's a lot more spandex but still plenty of people in shorts and T-shirts, -and just about anything else you can think of.
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Racers: 100%
Non-racers: 0%
Non-racers: 0%
#4
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Depends upon what type of commute one engages in. Across a small size town. Probably 0. A 18 mile commmute to work, probably 75%. Of recreational cyclists in our area, I'd say in the range of 85% wear lycra.
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100% of me wears the spandex. Bib shorts are the answer to a lot of comfort issues, and some jerseys are just too cool not to wear.
#7
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The resistance and fear that people express on this forum for cycling-specific clothes boggles my mind. There must be a lot of physically insecure commuters on here. No one cares what you look like when you ride but yourself. Just get over it already. Cycling specific clothes are what they are for a reason. You don't have to wear the stuff, but if you want to maximize comfort and efficiency, nothing is better.
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Nearly 100% of commuters around here wear cycling-specific clothing. The weather can be a bit extreme, so it is generally needed. Also, we have showers at our office, so almost everyone changes clothes here at work.
But can you explain your first point- that "spandex wearing cyclists make other people think they have to wear spandex too?" How can anyone "make" you feel a certain way.
BTW, when I lived in the US, if I ever rode anywhere in civilian clothing and without a helmet, cars passed me much more closely. I felt as if I had less respect from motorists and other cyclists alike. It was freaky.
When I lived in Mpls, I commuted 20 miles each way. There is no way I would do that in jeans and a T-shirt.
But can you explain your first point- that "spandex wearing cyclists make other people think they have to wear spandex too?" How can anyone "make" you feel a certain way.
BTW, when I lived in the US, if I ever rode anywhere in civilian clothing and without a helmet, cars passed me much more closely. I felt as if I had less respect from motorists and other cyclists alike. It was freaky.
When I lived in Mpls, I commuted 20 miles each way. There is no way I would do that in jeans and a T-shirt.
I've seen it mentioned several times that spandex wearing cyclists make other people think they have to wear spandex too.
So I'm curious. Where you commute, what percentage of adult cyclists wear spandex?
I see more during the summer but even then I'd say it's under 30%. Well under 10% are in full kit.
Away from the city or on weekends when people are out cycling for exercise or training, there's a lot more spandex but still plenty of people in shorts and T-shirts, -and just about anything else you can think of.
So I'm curious. Where you commute, what percentage of adult cyclists wear spandex?
I see more during the summer but even then I'd say it's under 30%. Well under 10% are in full kit.
Away from the city or on weekends when people are out cycling for exercise or training, there's a lot more spandex but still plenty of people in shorts and T-shirts, -and just about anything else you can think of.
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I wear spandex/lycra/cycling-specific clothes 100% of the time. I don't understand the angst on this forum regarding lycra. I've been wearing cycling-specific clothes since the early 1980s. First time I tried chamois shorts (wool back then), I was hooked. First time I tried a synthetic cycling jersey, I never looked back.
My commute is 22 miles round trip on hilly roads. If I had to ride that far every day wearing regular street clothes, I would be miserable and probably suffer from a chronic case of saddle sores. My jerseys are all in very bright colors, so that makes me more visible and safer riding in traffic as well.
My commute is 22 miles round trip on hilly roads. If I had to ride that far every day wearing regular street clothes, I would be miserable and probably suffer from a chronic case of saddle sores. My jerseys are all in very bright colors, so that makes me more visible and safer riding in traffic as well.
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100% of 8 cyclists wore the shorts 7/8 wore the jerseys. The 1 wore a cotton t-shirt.
Me 9 miles. No way I would do it in jean and a t-shirt. I ride in winter and just add a wool jacket and regular pants over the spandex shorts/jersey. I guess I look "Normal" in winter, except for riding in winter.
Me 9 miles. No way I would do it in jean and a t-shirt. I ride in winter and just add a wool jacket and regular pants over the spandex shorts/jersey. I guess I look "Normal" in winter, except for riding in winter.
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I only commute 7 miles each way. Once I 'bit the bullet' and bought a pair of spandex cycling shorts, I never looked back.
When I leave my lab (I park inside) I do put a pair of 'basketball shorts' on so as not to scare anyone. I also usualy just put on a cheap technical fibre T-shirt instead of a 'real' cycle jersey.
But really WHO CARES?? I stopped thinking about it. Do or do not, there is no care. NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU WEAR. I think that will be my new tag line!!!
When I leave my lab (I park inside) I do put a pair of 'basketball shorts' on so as not to scare anyone. I also usualy just put on a cheap technical fibre T-shirt instead of a 'real' cycle jersey.
But really WHO CARES?? I stopped thinking about it. Do or do not, there is no care. NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU WEAR. I think that will be my new tag line!!!
#12
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I've seen it mentioned several times that spandex wearing cyclists make other people think they have to wear spandex too.
So I'm curious. Where you commute, what percentage of adult cyclists wear spandex?
I see more during the summer but even then I'd say it's under 30%. Well under 10% are in full kit.
Away from the city or on weekends when people are out cycling for exercise or training, there's a lot more spandex but still plenty of people in shorts and T-shirts, -and just about anything else you can think of.
So I'm curious. Where you commute, what percentage of adult cyclists wear spandex?
I see more during the summer but even then I'd say it's under 30%. Well under 10% are in full kit.
Away from the city or on weekends when people are out cycling for exercise or training, there's a lot more spandex but still plenty of people in shorts and T-shirts, -and just about anything else you can think of.
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Honestly I have no idea. Before this year I saw nothing but roadies, and probably didn't see 10 other riders all year. This year I'm seeing other cyclists nearly daily, but I don't really pay any attention to what they're wearing.
As soon as the population of hot chicks riding just in front of me that I can possibly keep up with (there goes my heart rate) increases (to at least one), I'll let you know what they're wearing.
As soon as the population of hot chicks riding just in front of me that I can possibly keep up with (there goes my heart rate) increases (to at least one), I'll let you know what they're wearing.
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I wear it on my 15 mile commute becasue it is cofortable and I sweat a lot.
riding up to store or out with my kids I ride with whatever I have on at the moment.
I agree why is this such a problem with people. Ride with what keeps you comfortable.
riding up to store or out with my kids I ride with whatever I have on at the moment.
I agree why is this such a problem with people. Ride with what keeps you comfortable.
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Here is a simple rule of thumb: If you weight more than 180 pounds, you should not wear spandex...ever. Obviously, this number is lower if you are female.
I wear compression shorts under normal shorts when I ride. It's the only way my boys are comfortable and I don't chaffe. If my ride is short, then I don't worry about it.
I'm assuming the OP is referring to the full body spandex outfits. I agree with the person who said only racers should be wearing this costume.
I wear compression shorts under normal shorts when I ride. It's the only way my boys are comfortable and I don't chaffe. If my ride is short, then I don't worry about it.
I'm assuming the OP is referring to the full body spandex outfits. I agree with the person who said only racers should be wearing this costume.
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I wear lycra bike shorts if I am going more than a few miles. I'd guess about 1/2 the riders I see wear at least shorts.
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i see no point in it as a commuter.
it's just silly to put on an outfit to ride, get sweaty anyway, put on another outfit for work ect.
I'm not sure why people are so scared to sweat.... it keeps your ass cool.
Nothing is better than being sweaty and stopping at a light and letting it run down you, then take off and let the wind run through it. That's staying cool.
Where I work I can wear what I want though so I just come in with shorts and a t-shirt.
No probs.
it's just silly to put on an outfit to ride, get sweaty anyway, put on another outfit for work ect.
I'm not sure why people are so scared to sweat.... it keeps your ass cool.
Nothing is better than being sweaty and stopping at a light and letting it run down you, then take off and let the wind run through it. That's staying cool.
Where I work I can wear what I want though so I just come in with shorts and a t-shirt.
No probs.
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i see no point in it as a commuter.
it's just silly to put on an outfit to ride, get sweaty anyway, put on another outfit for work ect.
I'm not sure why people are so scared to sweat.... it keeps your ass cool.
Nothing is better than being sweaty and stopping at a light and letting it run down you, then take off and let the wind run through it. That's staying cool.
it's just silly to put on an outfit to ride, get sweaty anyway, put on another outfit for work ect.
I'm not sure why people are so scared to sweat.... it keeps your ass cool.
Nothing is better than being sweaty and stopping at a light and letting it run down you, then take off and let the wind run through it. That's staying cool.
If you want to be soaked, maybe you should be showering instead of cycling?
#20
Senior Member
The resistance and fear that people express on this forum for cycling-specific clothes boggles my mind. There must be a lot of physically insecure commuters on here. No one cares what you look like when you ride but yourself. Just get over it already. Cycling specific clothes are what they are for a reason. You don't have to wear the stuff, but if you want to maximize comfort and efficiency, nothing is better.
Gotta say, I wear spandex because it's comfortable, actually I wear skinsuits I purchase from ebay, usually they are new, and for 20 to 30 dollars, I have a simple one step outfit to put on and ride in. And I have never, ever found a pair of bibs, shorts, or anything to be as comfortable as my trusty onzies I love em!
Joe
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I wear mesh basketball shorts and a cotton t-shirt. It is what I am comfortable in. I might add some compression shorts underneath, but that is about it. Around me, mostly the roadies wear the gear-the commuters that I see are a mix: some in street clothes that must have short commute, some in cargo shorts and short sleeve type stuff, and most like me, with workout/sports clothes, but not biking gear.
#22
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The resistance and fear that people express on this forum for cycling-specific clothes boggles my mind. There must be a lot of physically insecure commuters on here. No one cares what you look like when you ride but yourself. Just get over it already. Cycling specific clothes are what they are for a reason. You don't have to wear the stuff, but if you want to maximize comfort and efficiency, nothing is better.
As far as jerseys vs shirts? Not as much of an issue, I guess - for safety reasons I prefer bright colors. Having those pockets in the back is really handy though, and a normal shirt doesn't have that.
For anyone who feels too modest to ride in normal bike shorts, mountain bike shorts may be the solution. From the outside they look like a pair of boxers, but they have a snug liner with padding just like regular bike shorts.
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At first I thought it was a bunch of BS, but I kept hearing the same sentiment from different posters so I started to wonder if there was something to it. Now where I live there are countless examples of people who don't wear spandex. In fact, most of the cycling population doesn't.
I was camping out of town few weeks ago at a park reserve that was popular with cyclists because of the trails. It was a different world. It seemed like the majority of people I saw were wearing spandex. These people weren't commuting or making a quick trip to the store, they were doing it for the exercise. They probably drove there.
So this got me to wondering how much of this is regional, 'cause based on what I see day to day, it makes no sense at all that someone would feel they'd have to wear spandex. No one around here does. But if the only cyclists one saw wore spandex, I'm sure one would be more likely to feel that they should wear it to. I kind of get it, I just wonder how many places there are like that, hence my question.
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The point of cycling clothes is not to prevent sweating, but rather to help the sweat evaporate as quickly as possible. Of course you still need to shower after you ride, but you're much more comfortable while riding. Cool and dry.
If you want to be soaked, maybe you should be showering instead of cycling?
If you want to be soaked, maybe you should be showering instead of cycling?
Yeah, that's a dumb comment so I won't even reply.
I can see it if you're going long distance but 10-15 miles one way isn't a big deal. I think it's just an excuse for people to wear tight clothing.
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Just a quick note.
I'm not so interested in what you as individuals wear as what you see cyclists around you wear. How many people live in places where spandex is the thing to wear whether commuting or not?
I'm not so interested in what you as individuals wear as what you see cyclists around you wear. How many people live in places where spandex is the thing to wear whether commuting or not?