Pretty sure 3 big pockets on the jersey are enough. Can't think of anything worse than trying to ride a bike with some keys and a phone/wallet in my pants pocket.

I've worn lycra since my climbing/trail running days in the 1980's. Still wear them cycling as well as micro fleece long underwear for drysuit diving. The people I hang with are pretty into outdoor pursuits so living in the gear we use is what we do. People can try to say we look ridiculous but first they have to keep up with us. If they try they wind up appreciating the gear.

Meh, I've ridden metric centuries in MTB shorts, no chamois goo necessary. As [MENTION=413312]WNCGoater[/MENTION] alluded to, all mine have a padded compression layer on the inside. I don't generally find them any warmer in the heat, and I am generally heat adverse. Its just nice to have pockets not on my back when off the bike.

But again, the only reason I mention them is for the folks that insist you shouldn't wear things that offends. I would suggest they stick to MTB shorts, instead of trying to justify why their choice of offense is OK, if they are to be taken seriously.

+1. The constant jingling as it flops up and down, hitting my thigh would drive me nuts.

Soooo true!

people have toured in normal clothing for years. day in day out. but there is a huge difference in pedaling between 10 mph averages and 20 mph averages.

the distance one rides without proper bike shorts doesn't impress me.

I've had mtb shorts that chafe, I'd had walmart shorts that chafe, I've had mtb that dont chafe, and I've had walmart shorts that don't chafe. I've ridden centuries in cotton undies. Seams are your worst enemy.

If we're talking about how or why (tighter-fitting) cycling-specific clothing is superior to loose-fitting (cycling or non-cycling specific clothing), it's not because it's become the norm. It's become the norm because it's superior. Close to your skin means that any sweat will come to the surface and evaporate, keeping you cool (or warm) under any condition. There's a slight aerodynamic advantage to be gained. The constant flap-flap-flapping of loose clothing, even if it wasn't an aero drag, is a nuisance.

But wear what you want. You don't need anyone else's approval to do it. Who cares what some small-minded stranger on the internet thinks?!

It is the uniform of the road cyclist. I don't think any of us invented the thing. Besides, I'm sure most here would agree that making a side trip in athletic gear isn't unique to just cyclist.

it is fun to troll club rides in street clothes riding 40c gravel tires humming along. :thumb:

^^ more fun to do that, than it is to troll town in cycling cloths when not cycling. LOL

Nigel Tufnel: We've got Armadillos in our trousers. It's really quite frightening.

If you prefer wearing loose shorts, that's fine. As Judge John Hodgman says, "People like what they like." I don't care for loose shorts on the bike because they flap in the wind, which is annoying; they ride up, which is annoying; and they can get caught on the nose of the saddle when sitting back down after standing on the pedals, which is annoying.

No matter what you wear, someone that sees you is going think you look stupid.

That's why I walk around naked. :D

My brother once had the misfortune of pulling into Toronto just as the Naked Bike Day parade was going through the intersection in front of him. He did not enjoy it (well, the overwhelming majority of it...) :roflmao2:

That could be because....


^^He was there.


Perhaps you should try some different shorts. I usually wear typical Lycra shorts, but occasionally I wear loose mtn bike shorts. (Zoic Ether) Never experienced any of those problems you mention. (I did however, have a bee fly up that baggy leg once on a downhill. He was tearing me up before I could get stopped and get him shaken out!)

My buddy's daughter got married at the Constitution Center. As everyone was filing out onto the open air deck for cocktails after the ceremony, as if on cue, the Philly naked bike ride started to roll by. He told me a lot of the older guests were aghast. Sort of wish I had been there, but the wedding was the same day as our club's annual ride to Brooklyn.

At the wedding, or at the naked bike ride? :thumb:

I was gonna say - I think we can all agree that it's ok for a guy to wear tights when he finds it necessary to venture into a Walmart, right? :D

Some locals gave us funny looks when we stopped at a certain rural convenience store, but they are used to it now and don't give us a second look anymore.

Stopped at a supermarket to get a banana and Snapple, so i walked in along with my bike (so I didn't look too out of place). I walked past two women (my age) and then turned to get a second look. They were looking at me and got embarrassed that I saw them. ;)

Tights d make things looks tighter and firmer, but women already know that.

Regular riding shorts feel like skimpy hot pants in nearly all circumstances, so I generally spare the public of those. Cold weather leggings are a different matter-- if I have a long ride in the middle of the day and am too lazy to shower, I have been known to rock those around town for a bit. Fits in with the yoga pant aesthetic.

ya can't fight sexy! :thumb:

I know it's more pratical, but I can't do the bike tights thing. Just can't.

Attitudes do change. In the little town I grew up in in the 50s if you wore a leotard with a padded butt in public you'd probably be arrested.

I'll admit that I have sometimes carried some thin gym shorts rolled up in my pocket, when I was planning on stopping for fast food. But I'm not very concerned about bike shorts in public either. I'm not going to be stylish regardless, and there's a lot more ridiculous things to gawk at than me.

It all depends on the venue. I mean even a bathing suit is acceptable in public so long as you're around or near water i.e. beach resort, cabana, pool side bar, etc. But to be fair, cycling is the only outdoor activity that's done both outdoors and in public. Well maybe running?Does that mean you can't (or won't) wear biking apparel during cycling or can't wear it to enter public venues?