What is a Fred?
01-04-17, 05:13 PM
#1
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What is a Fred?
Last edited by James_Smith; 01-04-17 at 06:59 PM.
01-04-17, 05:16 PM
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Freds are fine. What you want to avoid becoming is a poseur.
01-04-17, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
Freds are fine.
Ok, that's good to know, but what is a fred? I've noticed the term being used disparagingly, but I don't know why.
Originally Posted by caloso
What you want to avoid becoming is a poseur.
Thanks for the heads up. I don't think that's ever been a problem for me. If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably someone who has an expensive bike but doesn't use it(?). Or maybe someone who wears his gear everywhere.
I'm not even sure how to be a poseur vis-à-vis bike culture/lifestyle.
I've been seen riding a bike dressed like Junior Samples, so I think that shouldn't be a problem for me
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01-04-17, 05:39 PM
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A Fred is anyone that posts on a bike forum. Too late for you.
01-04-17, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by brianmcg123
A Fred is anyone that posts on a bike forum. Too late for you.
Dang it!
01-04-17, 05:55 PM
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01-04-17, 06:14 PM
#7
Non omnino gravis
I identify as a Fred. My bike has a bell and my legs are gloriously unshaven.
IMO, the one sure identifier of a poseur is if your annual BF post count exceeds your annual mileage count. I'm sure there's at least a few of them on here somewhere.
IMO, the one sure identifier of a poseur is if your annual BF post count exceeds your annual mileage count. I'm sure there's at least a few of them on here somewhere.
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01-04-17, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by brianmcg123
A Fred is anyone that posts on a bike forum. Too late for you.
You lose points, however, if you only achieve Fred-ness by anagramming your name. I might qualify with the "ph" subbing for the "f" but still lack a "d."
"Fred" is a derisive term used by "serious" road cyclists to describe other cyclists who do not conform to serious road cyclists' norms with regard to dress and equipment, and appear amateurish to them. The term is generally reserved for men, while the rare female Fred is sometimes called a "Doris."
Last edited by thumpism; 01-04-17 at 06:21 PM.
01-04-17, 06:24 PM
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01-04-17, 06:25 PM
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There was a wikipedia article, but the thought-police deleted it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipe...ed_(bicycling)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipe...ed_(bicycling)
01-04-17, 06:25 PM
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Traditionally, a Fred was a rider who didn't care about having the latest equipment or looking pro. Fred was self-reliant and utilitarian. Commuters, tourers, and car-free folks tend to Fredness. Signs of Fredness include racks, frame pumps, fenders, lights and blinkies, unshaven legs. But because Fred rides year round and in all kinds of weather, Fred can ride you off his wheel.
The poseur, on the other hand, is all bike and no legs.
The poseur, on the other hand, is all bike and no legs.
01-04-17, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by James_Smith
What is a fred?
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
01-04-17, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
Traditionally, a Fred was a rider who didn't care about having the latest equipment or looking pro. Fred was self-reliant and utilitarian. Commuters, tourers, and car-free folks tend to Fredness. Signs of Fredness include racks, frame pumps, fenders, lights and blinkies, unshaven legs. But because Fred rides year round and in all kinds of weather, Fred can ride you off his wheel.
The poseur, on the other hand, is all bike and no legs.
The poseur, on the other hand, is all bike and no legs.
01-04-17, 06:47 PM
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was probably channeling my inner Fred Monday. ditching the non cycling gear would have been a step in the right direction. in the woods it didn't matter, but in the city it was a bit dorky
01-04-17, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by James_Smith
I guess I am a fred, then. And you know what? I'm ok with that—now that I know what it means.
01-04-17, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by travbikeman
Welcome to the club!
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01-04-17, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
IMO, the one sure identifier of a poseur is if your annual BF post count exceeds your annual mileage count. I'm sure there's at least a few of them on here somewhere.
01-04-17, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by James_Smith
Maybe there should be a fred sub-forum on this forum.
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I'd be a charter member... but I'd have to get a mirror.
01-04-17, 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
Traditionally, a Fred was a rider who didn't care about having the latest equipment or looking pro. Fred was self-reliant and utilitarian. Commuters, tourers, and car-free folks tend to Fredness. Signs of Fredness include racks, frame pumps, fenders, lights and blinkies, unshaven legs. But because Fred rides year round and in all kinds of weather, Fred can ride you off his wheel.
The poseur, on the other hand, is all bike and no legs.
The poseur, on the other hand, is all bike and no legs.
-Snuts-
01-04-17, 07:49 PM
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You know this is going to morph into a Fred photo contest now.
-Snuts-
-Snuts-
01-04-17, 07:51 PM
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You can have the best of both worlds: Be a Fred when you do your errands on your single speed.., wear a boonie hat and even the tell-tale sandals. Even old ladies will snicker. Then, go home and get suited up and head out your door with your customized Scott Foil to the adulation of crowds of paparazzi. They'll never believe you are the same rider who was on the J.C Higgins with flies and dogs chasing him. You can have it all.
01-04-17, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
I identify as a Fred. My bike has a bell and my legs are gloriously unshaven.
IMO, the one sure identifier of a poseur is if your annual BF post count exceeds your annual mileage count. I'm sure there's at least a few of them on here somewhere.
IMO, the one sure identifier of a poseur is if your annual BF post count exceeds your annual mileage count. I'm sure there's at least a few of them on here somewhere.
01-04-17, 08:12 PM
#24
Non omnino gravis
Originally Posted by Milton Keynes
Seems like a lot of hobbies or interests have "those people." I've seen them in a lot of different groups. They talk the talk and look the part but don't walk the walk.
Originally Posted by Snuts
You know this is going to morph into a Fred photo contest now.
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01-04-17, 08:21 PM
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Most people posting on BF are Freds when you scratch the surface, so you can interpolate it from there. Some of us take it a step or two further.
