Fred?
09-24-12 | 07:44 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
√ -rides a cheap bike
x -rides an expensive bike, slowly
√ -has hairy legs
√ -wears normal clothes while riding
√ -is carrying anything with him, in panniers, backpack etc.
√ -rides to work
√ -uses fenders
√ - uses a mirror
√ - uses lights (more than one set front and rear)
√ - wears a reflective vest (not purchased at a bike shop)
x -rides an expensive bike, slowly
√ -has hairy legs
√ -wears normal clothes while riding
√ -is carrying anything with him, in panniers, backpack etc.
√ -rides to work
√ -uses fenders
√ - uses a mirror
√ - uses lights (more than one set front and rear)
√ - wears a reflective vest (not purchased at a bike shop)
Last edited by FenderTL5; 09-24-12 at 07:48 AM.
09-24-12 | 10:53 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Mystic Rat, Nashbar CX
You know you're a Fred if.....
Your bike sports a bigger mirror than the Hubble Space Telescope....
You have modified a pair of loafers/pumps for an SPD cleat....
There is more room to park your bike in your cubicle, than room to sit....(office fred application...)
Your bike sports a bigger mirror than the Hubble Space Telescope....
You have modified a pair of loafers/pumps for an SPD cleat....
There is more room to park your bike in your cubicle, than room to sit....(office fred application...)
Last edited by silmarillion; 09-24-12 at 10:56 AM.
09-24-12 | 12:09 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas, CA
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc; Trek 7.5 FX
My father, and his father were both named Fred. I was doomed before I was even born.
I believe I meet all of the qualifications...but I have a few questions
What are the definitions of a cheap bike, and that of an expensive bike?
What about riding a couple of moderately-priced bikes?
What is the definition of "riding slowly"?
Is a 15mph average 'slow' for a 265lb clyde?
Do Freds need to know then answers to these, and similar questions? Or does that make them unFredly?
I believe I meet all of the qualifications...but I have a few questions
What are the definitions of a cheap bike, and that of an expensive bike?
What about riding a couple of moderately-priced bikes?
What is the definition of "riding slowly"?
Is a 15mph average 'slow' for a 265lb clyde?
Do Freds need to know then answers to these, and similar questions? Or does that make them unFredly?
09-24-12 | 12:52 PM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Mystic Rat, Nashbar CX
09-24-12 | 12:58 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Le Tour (x2), '83 Bianchi, '96 Trek 820, '96 Trek 470, '99 Xmart Squishy Bike, '03 Giant Cypress
09-24-12 | 01:19 PM
#38
Rider of the Storm
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1986 Trek 850
Fred is someone who meets at least one of these criteria:
-rides a cheap bike (if you mean used vintage CL find)
-rides an expensive bike, slowly (if you mean used CL find)
-has hairy legs (my nickname is Sasquatch)
-wears normal clothes while riding (REI Cycling Underwear FTW!)
-is carrying anything with him, in panniers, backpack etc. (I do this even when I am not on a bike)
-rides to work (my bike is my car)
-uses fenders (Hell yes)
In short, any man riding a bike for any _practical_ purpose is a Fred.
-rides a cheap bike (if you mean used vintage CL find)
-rides an expensive bike, slowly (if you mean used CL find)
-has hairy legs (my nickname is Sasquatch)
-wears normal clothes while riding (REI Cycling Underwear FTW!)
-is carrying anything with him, in panniers, backpack etc. (I do this even when I am not on a bike)
-rides to work (my bike is my car)
-uses fenders (Hell yes)
In short, any man riding a bike for any _practical_ purpose is a Fred.
09-24-12 | 01:54 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
According to this definition I'm a "FRED" because I refused to dress up in a costume to take my bycycle for a ride. What's the term for the guy who thinks he is racing in the Tour De France. Most of the guys I see in there bicycle costumes look like there doing an imitation of 10LBs of bolonga in a 5LB bag. I've never called anyone a name because of the way they were dresses and I've never been called a name for what I was wearing. I did not know I was a "Fred". I just want to get out of the house, and exercise.
09-24-12 | 03:41 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Central Illinois
Just call me Fredicus Magnus.
As for where the term came from, there are two schools of thought.
There's a guy who's a legend among bicyclists. (I don't even know if he really existed or not, to tell the truth) In the early 1900s he went on a cross country bicycle trip and had all sorts of adventures. I'll bet he was one tough cookie. I've heard that his first name was Fred and that 'utility' type bicyclists are referred to as such out of a sort of deference to this guy.
But, really, I don't believe this.
I think that the term probably came from the roadies and it was meant as an insult. They're accusing us of being a sort-of "Ward Cleaver" clueless dork who doesnt' have any idea what he's doing.
We, knowing a lot more about what really counts than they think, have appropriated the name as a badge of honor.
As for where the term came from, there are two schools of thought.
There's a guy who's a legend among bicyclists. (I don't even know if he really existed or not, to tell the truth) In the early 1900s he went on a cross country bicycle trip and had all sorts of adventures. I'll bet he was one tough cookie. I've heard that his first name was Fred and that 'utility' type bicyclists are referred to as such out of a sort of deference to this guy.
But, really, I don't believe this.
I think that the term probably came from the roadies and it was meant as an insult. They're accusing us of being a sort-of "Ward Cleaver" clueless dork who doesnt' have any idea what he's doing.
We, knowing a lot more about what really counts than they think, have appropriated the name as a badge of honor.
09-24-12 | 03:54 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 05 Trek 5200, 07 Trek 520, 99 GT Karakoram, 08 Surly 1X1
Just call me Fredicus Magnus.
As for where the term came from, there are two schools of thought.
There's a guy who's a legend among bicyclists. (I don't even know if he really existed or not, to tell the truth) In the early 1900s he went on a cross country bicycle trip and had all sorts of adventures. I'll bet he was one tough cookie. I've heard that his first name was Fred and that 'utility' type bicyclists are referred to as such out of a sort of deference to this guy.
But, really, I don't believe this.
I think that the term probably came from the roadies and it was meant as an insult. They're accusing us of being a sort-of "Ward Cleaver" clueless dork who doesnt' have any idea what he's doing.
We, knowing a lot more about what really counts than they think, have appropriated the name as a badge of honor.
As for where the term came from, there are two schools of thought.
There's a guy who's a legend among bicyclists. (I don't even know if he really existed or not, to tell the truth) In the early 1900s he went on a cross country bicycle trip and had all sorts of adventures. I'll bet he was one tough cookie. I've heard that his first name was Fred and that 'utility' type bicyclists are referred to as such out of a sort of deference to this guy.
But, really, I don't believe this.
I think that the term probably came from the roadies and it was meant as an insult. They're accusing us of being a sort-of "Ward Cleaver" clueless dork who doesnt' have any idea what he's doing.
We, knowing a lot more about what really counts than they think, have appropriated the name as a badge of honor.
He was in Arizona heading toward the bay area to finish his coast to coast trip.
Old department store bike / Brown polyester long pants / street shoes (the kind of half-boot that zipped up the side) / button down dress shirt.
He looked like he couldn't make it 10 miles in one day. In reality, he could ride me into the dirt. I admire him.
So yes, there are multiple definitions of "fred." Some with admiration, and some not so nice. I think it originated from riders who have great skills and knowledge but don't LOOK like thay have a clue. Apparently, that pisses some people off.
09-24-12 | 04:13 PM
#43
Middle-Aged Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito CV 2014, TREK HIFI 2011, Argon18 E-116 2013
According to this definition I'm a "FRED" because I refused to dress up in a costume to take my bycycle for a ride. What's the term for the guy who thinks he is racing in the Tour De France. Most of the guys I see in there bicycle costumes look like there doing an imitation of 10LBs of bolonga in a 5LB bag. I've never called anyone a name because of the way they were dresses and I've never been called a name for what I was wearing. I did not know I was a "Fred". I just want to get out of the house, and exercise.
09-24-12 | 04:40 PM
#44
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 5
From: Calgary
Bike Snob NYC subscribes to the opposing definition; that of the "spend way too much money chasing the latest technology" variety of Fred.
https://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2012/03/sacrifice-high-cost-of-fred-dom.html
https://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2012/03/sacrifice-high-cost-of-fred-dom.html
09-24-12 | 08:21 PM
#47
Bicikli Huszár
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
Bikes: '95 Novara Randonee
According to this definition I'm a "FRED" because I refused to dress up in a costume to take my bycycle for a ride. What's the term for the guy who thinks he is racing in the Tour De France. Most of the guys I see in there bicycle costumes look like there doing an imitation of 10LBs of bolonga in a 5LB bag. I've never called anyone a name because of the way they were dresses and I've never been called a name for what I was wearing. I did not know I was a "Fred". I just want to get out of the house, and exercise.
09-24-12 | 09:28 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Central Illinois
MNBikeguy,
"great skills and knowledge, but don't LOOK like they've got a clue" is actually a pretty good definition of a fred.
Well said.
I think I, and other freds probably, fit that description. And that's pretty satisfying.
"great skills and knowledge, but don't LOOK like they've got a clue" is actually a pretty good definition of a fred.
Well said.
I think I, and other freds probably, fit that description. And that's pretty satisfying.
09-25-12 | 12:43 AM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
If you go by the definition of "outrageous amount of safety gear" I was a Fred even as wee tot. I should check to see if we have any photos of me on my first bicycle. My dad said he'd paint it any color I wanted. I chose hi viz green and put reflective yellow star stickers all over it.