Hi all, so I'm new to cycling and I've seen Fred used as a derogatory term around these forums. So, who's Fred and what did he do to deserve the ire of cyclists everywhere?

I'm Fred; Glad to meet you!

Some people are proud to be Fred, and not irate by accusations thereof.

It partly depends on whom you ask.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_%28bicycling%29

I don't believe it's always derogatory. Some Fred's refer to themselves as such proudly.

Just a way for the "ELITE" to look down on the rest of us .

To become more fred, you must dig deep into your inner fred.

Confucius? Please cite references and give credit with quotation marks. Plagerism will not be tolerated!

I am Fred

Fred is someone who meets at least one of these criteria:

-rides a cheap bike
-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

In short, any man riding a bike for any _practical_ purpose is a Fred.

Anyone who does not accept Assos` division of the seasons and buys the necessary gear is a Fred. (Maybe not if you only wear Rapha )
https://www.abovecategorycycling.com/...layer-479.html

What Mr Hairy Legs said. I think within the commuting/transportation subculture of cycling 'Fred' is an invalid term. We are all Fred by definition.

We may all be Fred, but some Freds are more Fred than others

Well, I guess I'll just go change my name to Fred then cause I meet all but the second and last criteria! Oh well, I don't mind.

I do all that,...except the fenders - I'm still looking. Yup! I'm Fred also,...nice to meet y'all.

I am pretty sure someone has said "I am Fred" before. Please cite references and give credit with quotation marks.

Say it loud, I'm Fred and I'm proud!

... d?

edit: Dang! Missed the edit above! ... It's what happens when you load a page, and come back later to read it.

I am Fred. Always will be!

Well, I must say if I'm all those things, plus a mirror....I'm Fred-o-lisious!!!

<tony_curtis_accent>
No, *I'm* Fred!
</tony_curtis_accent>

watch out ...

A third use of the term exists. In this usage, a "Fred" is a cyclist who has a ton of cycling gear, especially of the utilitarian "uncool" kind, like mirrors, powerful lights, fenders, bells/horns, heavy leather seats, racks, reflective gear, bags, baskets, etc.

Well I use 6 of those so I guess that make me a fred. I like my light. If someone thinks riding like a ninja is cool then they are just plan ******** and most likely not going to survive long on the roads at night.

So many rules in cycling. So many are so critical of others. What they ride. How they ride. How they dress.

Of course. That's part of the fun. But at least for me it's all in jest unless someone who dresses a certain way and only rides certain kinds of bike looks down upon others that aren't like themselves. Then it's purely derogatory!

Sadly, all the subgroups of cyclist have too many of those members in them.

<<<<I've got all you wannabe Freds beat hands down.VVVVVV

-has hairy legs
-is carrying anything with him, in panniers, backpack etc.
-rides to work

Well I 've got three requirements down that I refuse to change (shaving legs for me is like shaving a cat, not a pretty site)
Glad somebody gave me an identity!