I'm over-qualified for this forum and thought it best to be judged by my peers. I'm already marginal Fred-wise riding a bike equipped with both a triple and disc brakes. Here's my dilemma:

I'm not real fond of stuffing my jersey pockets on longer rides. I keep my under-seat bag for tube, CO2, patches, mini-tool so I often use a small fanny back for wallet, cell phone, Clif bars, tums and such. Right away this puts me further into Fred territory, but given I sometimes need a Camelbak for 50-60 mile unsupported rides I can live with the further shame.

The problem comes with what we Californians refer to as winter. It can actually be cold in the morning, sometimes near 40 (it actually gets colder really early am, but I won't ride below 40). It would be fine if it stayed that cold, but it will generally warm up to 60 which is jersey-only weather . I'm considering putting my rear rack on the Volagi with a small trunk to I've got a place for my wool arm warmers, wool leg warmers, full-finger gloves, wind breaker, cell phone, etc. FWIW, I'm near 200 lbs and really wouldn't care that much about the extra 5 lbs or so.

On a relative scale does this put me into unrecoverable, age relative Fred territory? do I need to wear a grocery bag over my head? Or is this sort of behavior permitted between Halloween and, say, Presidents day?

Lets see - triple crankset, disc brakes, fanny pack, Camelback. I don't think you need worry about how much farther into fred-dom a rear rack and trunk bag will take you.

Go Fred or go home.

Not to mention that grocery bags have been banned throughout the state by Moonbeam...

To keep from falling into the unrecoverable abyss of Fred-dom, why don't you just layer? Maybe go with a wool undershirt (unless you're itchy, in which case use a Craft or whatever brand undie that wicks), then a wool/wool blend jersey w/ or w/o long sleeves, and if you go short sleeves you can go with arm warmers, and knee warmers, and possibly a light jacket or windbreaker, like the PI ones. When it all gets too hot, take whatever off, roll it securely into your jacket, and tuck it under your jersey. Yeah, OK, you'll look like a freakazoid hunchback, but what would you rather be, a hunchback or a Fred?

I think you should get a chainring tattoo put on your right calf

Fred-Bobs get big British style saddle bags , even those that need a rear rack under them.

+ riders putting a broad stern on the saddle , the aerodynamics are still fine..

handle bar bags are also, convenient, so you dont get 'peckish' enroute,.. and 'bonk'.

I believe you're Fred-lite rather than full Freddie. But if you become a full fledged Fred, you'll have to Do The Freddie.


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As it is getting chillier, I'm actually going to put my handlebar bag on so I can keep my light wind jacket in there. I realize, that if I get into a situation, like fixing a flat, in the cold, I should have this as an extra layer to help with warmth while not generating heat by cycling. Also, if I start out in chilly weather and it gets too warm, I can stow the items in the bag rather than trying to stuff them in a jacket/jersey.

I feel your pain. I too am of the opinion that it makes more sense to carry stuff on the bike than it does on the person. And I'm a complete wimp when it comes to riding cold first thing in the AM before I warm up. I dunno ... call it a 50+ "I'm too old to put up with that crap anymore" thing.

Commuting, it's not an issue. I've done both the backpack and trunk rack thing, cuz I gotta carry clothes to wear to work that day anywho, and the distance is short. But for weekend rides in the mountains with friends, what to do? For me, the answer is to use a big-arsed seatbag like this:



That will fit a few Clif Bars, a spare tube, a patch kit, a mutli-tool, a jacket (the Showers Pass double century is very packable), and leg warmers. Gloves and armwarmers I throw in the jersey pocket. If I find myself heading into really nasty weather, I add a handlebar bag. Freddish, maybe ... but being cold is a ...

I knew this forum would come through with a fair judgement and excellent advice. As an aside I've pretty well got this layered thing dialed in and don't need much at 40 degrees - Craft/deFeet base, short sleeve jersey and PI windbreaker plus arm/leg warmers. On some warmer rides I do use my jersey pockets, but I'm not going hunchback no way, no how. My rack is easy on/easy off so I can let the circumstance dictate my level of fredliness.

Many of my recreational rides end up being combined with a grocery run, so I look like a certified Fred almost all the time. Fenders, swept back bars, lights, rack, handlebar bag, grocery panniers. Yup, I don't have to ask if I'm a Fred.

Whether I use my recumbent or my beater bike I'm only a pair of plaid shorts away.

and then it gets down to it......WHO THE HECK CARES! I don't mean that in the sense that we don't care. I mean it in the sense that it just doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. If it works for you and you're still riding, then do it! I have 2 broken collar bones that healed crooked (One has a plate) and back packs don't work for me to carry my stuff to work. I pull my BOB almost daily for my stuff. I'M RIDING! I guess that's what counts. Riding with function I call it.

Hard to be beat my fuel mileage. I get about 20 miles per cookie! My commute is open highway 12 miles one way.

Do I look like a Fred? Nope. I look like a Dan!

In my opinion you can't be a real Fred without a dorky bell. I've got one and I love it.

Charlie

A Fred NEVER knows he is a Fred. Repeat: A Fred NEVER knows he is a Fred

You have no worries and, by the way, try a very small folding backpack.

Why worry what any one else thinks. They probably dont anyway. Ride for your convenience!

So it was you in this documentary short film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coi86g8bxE8

I would submit this to a vote of a group of 20-25 year old women. I'm sure they'll be lenient.

Yep, he is a goner already.

I just stuff extra clothes in the bungee on top of my trunk ........ or in my grocery panniers if I have a lot.....

Fred power. Get a carbon fiber rack to go with the bike. Here's my water bottle of choice.

I have two questions: 1) where can I buy "Fred" and 2) will the bottle fit in my CF Arundel sideloaders which I'm going to move over from our tandem on the basis on this thread.

Oh, wait - never make a decision based on the information called on BF

How about musette bag . I put leg/arm warmer , full finger gloves , shoe cover in it .

Once you hit age 50, you don't have to concern yourself with how you look.