Will I look like a fred?
03-14-16, 06:49 PM
#1
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Will I look like a fred?
Is it a bad idea I wear a sort of aero helmet like the Bontrager Ballista in just regular road riding? I don't see a ton of people doing it so please reply with your opinion. Thanks
03-14-16, 06:52 PM
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Maybe a Fredly poseur.
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03-14-16, 07:04 PM
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Yes.
Edit: just read Trek's marketing pitch for this one. Highly recommended (the blurb); a classic of its kind.
Edit: just read Trek's marketing pitch for this one. Highly recommended (the blurb); a classic of its kind.
Last edited by badger1; 03-14-16 at 07:25 PM.
03-14-16, 07:15 PM
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I wasn't familiar with that particular helmet, and googled it. Gotta say if I saw someone wearing one it wouldn't stand out in any way. looks like countless other helmets to me.
03-14-16, 07:17 PM
#5
Fred For Life
Do you really care? If so, why?
Edit: I just googled the helmet. I'm not sure if it would make you look like a Fred, but it does make the wearer look like an alien is popping out the back of their head.
Edit: I just googled the helmet. I'm not sure if it would make you look like a Fred, but it does make the wearer look like an alien is popping out the back of their head.
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Training? For Racing? Not me, man -- I'm having fun.
Training? For Racing? Not me, man -- I'm having fun.
Last edited by dougmon; 03-14-16 at 07:18 PM. Reason: more content
03-14-16, 08:02 PM
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Yes, yes it will. Not that that is a bad thing. 
Last edited by mr geeker; 03-14-16 at 08:07 PM.
03-14-16, 08:27 PM
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Like a Fred? Probably. But who cares? Not me. Probably would never own one myself either - it would shred my rain cover in a season or so. I look for a helmet with no pointy bits.
I think it would be hilarious to mount red LEDs in the exhaust vents so look like you've got some boost going on there though - maybe with sound fx to go with it ...
I think it would be hilarious to mount red LEDs in the exhaust vents so look like you've got some boost going on there though - maybe with sound fx to go with it ...
03-14-16, 09:11 PM
#9
Non omnino gravis
No worse than any of those Catlike helmets like the Whisper which just look insane to me-- real tryphophobia triggers, those. That Bontrager is pretty low-key. I see aero helmets all the time, usually the Giro Attack Shield. I doubt most people will even notice.
Now if you want to go all in, grab a Giro Advantage and just rock out.
Now if you want to go all in, grab a Giro Advantage and just rock out.
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03-14-16, 09:28 PM
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Any helmet will help protect your noggin.
Cracked a couple helmets in 40+ years of pedaling.
Cracked a couple helmets in 40+ years of pedaling.
03-15-16, 03:01 AM
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They look just fine to me. I don't know why anyone would care what other people think if you want to buy that helmet go ahead.
03-15-16, 04:48 AM
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There are more quasi aero helmets in the market and more riders are adopting them. Around here, Ballistas, Evades, Air Attacks, etc. are no longer noteworthy.
And no. A Fred is one that is out of sync with cycling style (e.g Ballista with a mirror and baggy shorts). A poseur is one that adopts all the latest style and is acutely aware of his appearance despite not being an accomplished rider.
And no. A Fred is one that is out of sync with cycling style (e.g Ballista with a mirror and baggy shorts). A poseur is one that adopts all the latest style and is acutely aware of his appearance despite not being an accomplished rider.
Last edited by Looigi; 03-15-16 at 04:51 AM.
03-15-16, 04:53 AM
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It doesn't stand out to me, but it doesn't look like there's a lot of ventilation, and on that point alone, I probably wouldn't buy one.
03-15-16, 05:36 AM
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Make sure to get the one that says "Trek Factory Racing" on the side. Way cooler...
03-15-16, 05:57 AM
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No one will notice. Looks like any other helmet to me.
03-15-16, 06:26 AM
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I always thought a "Fred" was somebody who dressed and used components that weren't quite 'up to road bike standards' (i.e.; wearing tube socks and flannel shirt while riding), and somebody who used things 'way above what was needed' was, instead, a "poseur" or a "dooshe".
03-15-16, 07:43 AM
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03-15-16, 07:46 AM
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Freds are underrated. Buy two of them so your riding partner can look cool, too. Have your own cycling team.
03-15-16, 07:49 AM
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If you are riding a bike - any bike - wearing any manner of clothes whatsoever (baggy shorts and barefoot, Gore-Tex Xenon bib and jacket) at any speed there is an extremely small group of people that will give a rat's rear end about what model helmet you are wearing. Like almost no one.
And the people that do care are poseurs. Ignore 'em. Don't worry about how your helmet looks. Put it on correctly, and enjoy a ride.