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What percentage of cyclists in your area wear spandex?

Old 06-26-08, 12:56 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 01:05 AM
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Racers: 100%

Non-racers: 0%
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Old 06-26-08, 01:08 AM
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I second that. I can't imagine wearing that stuff...even IF racing, really...I honestly don't think my junk would fit...
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Old 06-26-08, 01:20 AM
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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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Old 06-26-08, 02:04 AM
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Cyclists on the road: 100%
Cyclists on the sidewalk: 0%
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Old 06-26-08, 03:09 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 03:45 AM
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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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Old 06-26-08, 03:55 AM
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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.


Originally Posted by tjspiel
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.
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Old 06-26-08, 05:50 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 05:57 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 06:01 AM
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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!!!
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Old 06-26-08, 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
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.
Historically I've worn Mountain bike shorts to look a little more "Fred" so the stupid cagers would cut me a bit more slack. However, the problem with loose shorts (Or rather shorts with a loose outer shell) is they tend to get snagged on things. (Nose of the saddlle, frame pump, etc.) and they also tend to be both warmer and retain perspiration. So I've gone back to Lycra shorts and so far I'm much happiers.
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Old 06-26-08, 06:37 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
I've seen it mentioned several times that spandex wearing cyclists make other people think they have to wear spandex too.
Maybe where you come from. Around here, people seem capable of making their own decisions. Not meant to be snarky, but really...
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Old 06-26-08, 07:01 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 07:06 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 07:10 AM
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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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Old 06-26-08, 07:19 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 07:30 AM
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Originally Posted by capolover
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.
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?
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Old 06-26-08, 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
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.
+1

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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Old 06-26-08, 07:44 AM
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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.
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Old 06-26-08, 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
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.
No kidding. Every so often I go out for a short ride in a normal pair of shorts, and I oftentimes wish I had taken the time to change into my bike shorts. Having seams in the wrong spots is one problem, but not having enough support to keep the boys from moving around too much is the major thing.

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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Old 06-26-08, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by lil brown bat
Maybe where you come from. Around here, people seem capable of making their own decisions. Not meant to be snarky, but really...
I don't disagree with you, but I've seen it suggested in these forums several times that spandex clad cyclists discourage some people from commuting. Apparently these potential cyclists feel that spandex is part of the uniform (so to speak) based on the other cyclists they see. Since they want no part of spandex, they don't cycle.

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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Old 06-26-08, 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by jrockway
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?

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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Old 06-26-08, 07:54 AM
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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?
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