Originally Posted by rsbob (Post 22223281)

Have to agree with a poster above, and I paraphrase, what ever you do, work or play, using the right tool makes the activity so much easier. This is especially true in construction, working on cars and virtually all sports. I remember starting snow skiing in Levis and a sweatshirt. After a few hours my pants were soaked and I was cold. Buying ski pants and a proper jacket made all day skiing a joy. Reflecting on cycling: I first started in cut offs, a T and no gloves or glasses. It went ok until I started getting bugs in my eyes and started worrying about UV exposure, so got cycling glasses. Crashed and skinned up my palms, so bought cycling gloves and had protection and added comfort. Next was tired of chafing of the seam in my cut-off crotch, especially on 30+ mile rides, so succumbed to cycling shorts. Next was flapping and sweat soaked T shirts and were to put my stuff since my pockets were gone, so a cheap REI jersey was purchased. And guess what? Just like having the right tools for the job, having the right clothing for the activity made cycling so much more enjoyable.

I know I won’t change any minds that are dead set on T-shirts, cargo pants and safety glasses. And if that works for you, that is fantastic. But I really appreciated the OP’s logic probably because it reflects my experience.

Originally Posted by AdkMtnMonster (Post 22223252)

Man, you’ve got a great point in that last sentence. I promise to stop making mocking posts about the very true fact that real bike riders wear expensive stuff made just for cycling. (Ooops. From here on.) The reality is that everyone gets mocked on BF by somebody. WD-40 chain lubers, e-bike riders, the over50 guys, the racers, the backwards fork guy, the saddle too high/low/far back riders, the rim brake riders, the disc brake riders, the GatorSkin tire crowd, the tubed, the tubeless… I’ve said many times that as long as someone is out there riding then that’s all that matters. Here’s a fresh beer. :)

Originally Posted by tomato coupe (Post 22224051)

But, if the chamois goes on the inside, then the chamois butter will end up on the inside. How will the butter keep your Brooks saddle soft and supple if you put it inside your shorts?

Originally Posted by livedarklions (Post 22224180)

You'd get away with your mockery if it were, y'know, actually funny instead of completely lame.

I don't know what a "real bike rider" is in your world, and frankly don't care. I know a good True Scotsman Fallacy example when I see it, and would bet that the way YOU tell whether someone is a "real" bike rider is by seeing what clothes and gear they use.

Originally Posted by AdkMtnMonster (Post 22224315)

Real bike riders get it. Fake bike riders, too. Casual riders, commuters, racers and headset spacers. Hard core, apple core and those with corps d’esprit, aussi! Don’t try to act so bitter all the time, ya big teddy bear! :)

Love Always,

Your Karen

Originally Posted by livedarklions (Post 22224319)

You must be a lot of fun at the bingo hall.

Originally Posted by WhyFi (Post 22224232)

Wait - I thought that you were supposed to freeball with a Brooks? :foo:

Originally Posted by AdkMtnMonster (Post 22224347)

Never been. Meet me there? You ride yet today? I just got back about 20 minutes ago. Windy! My particular selection of riding wear was most fortuitously appropriate for the conditions, as it was 60F when I left the house, but I was comfortable the entire time. Never too hot, never cold. And my feet were very pleased with their environment, too. Good times. Hope you get a great ride in today if you get the chance. :speedy:

Originally Posted by genejockey (Post 22224356)

But not the ones with the cutout.

Originally Posted by WhyFi (Post 22224384)

Especially the ones with a cutout.

Originally Posted by livedarklions (Post 22224364)

If today, it would be a very short one after work. My Saturday century is tomorrow, and lately I do a 50 miler on Sunday. Normally I take Fridays off completely, but yesterday's ride was a rain out. It's hard to go wrong on clothes at 60 degrees, you have to try hard to dress too warm, and it's not exactly nippy when you're pushing hard. I don't start feeling cold above the 40s, and 85 is about where I start feeling heat.

Originally Posted by AdkMtnMonster (Post 22224315)

Real bike riders get it. Fake bike riders too.

Originally Posted by jon c. (Post 22224797)

Every time I see the title of this thread I have to laugh. It makes me think of the local guy who used to ride around attired in nothing but a bright lime green thong. He was an older guy with what might charitably be described as a flabby physique. It was not a pretty sight.

Despite the somewhat disturbing nature of the spectacle, he seemed to me to cause no harm. Other citizens disagreed and accusations of indecent conduct were leveled. Although no evidence of this was ever actually produced, after a few run ins with the law and the courts some sort of settlement was reached that removed the gentleman from public view. He wasn't convicted of anything, but his free form riding days came to end.

So the answer is Yes, clothing does matter.

Originally Posted by jon c. (Post 22224797)

Every time I see the title of this thread I have to laugh. It makes me think of the local guy who used to ride around attired in nothing but a bright lime green thong. He was an older guy with what might charitably be described as a flabby physique. It was not a pretty sight.

Despite the somewhat disturbing nature of the spectacle, he seemed to me to cause no harm. Other citizens disagreed and accusations of indecent conduct were leveled. Although no evidence of this was ever actually produced, after a few run ins with the law and the courts some sort of settlement was reached that removed the gentleman from public view. He wasn't convicted of anything, but his free form riding days came to end.

So the answer is Yes, clothing does matter.

Originally Posted by jon c. (Post 22224797)

Every time I see the title of this thread I have to laugh. It makes me think of the local guy who used to ride around attired in nothing but a bright lime green thong. He was an older guy with what might charitably be described as a flabby physique. It was not a pretty sight.

Despite the somewhat disturbing nature of the spectacle, he seemed to me to cause no harm. Other citizens disagreed and accusations of indecent conduct were leveled. Although no evidence of this was ever actually produced, after a few run ins with the law and the courts some sort of settlement was reached that removed the gentleman from public view. He wasn't convicted of anything, but his free form riding days came to end.

So the answer is Yes, clothing does matter.

Originally Posted by Maelochs (Post 22228264)

Here's a weird idea ..... if you want to ride your bike, ride your bike.

I am not a participant in a fashion, show, nor any kind of public opinion poll, nor in any way interested in the judgments of random people, or even with the judgments of self-selected "cycling aficionados" at a site like this.

If you are mostly concerned with how you look to people who honestly aren't even looking at you, I cannot help you. If you make your life decisions based on input from random strangers and bots on the internet, no one can help you.

If you like riding your bike ..... maybe try doing that?

Originally Posted by UnCruel (Post 22214839)

I've just acquired my first legit road bike[/QUOTE]

If you intend to be a serious rider, you are best served by wearing the appropriate kit. If you don't, you soon will based on lessons learned. If you are only going to casually cruise around the neighborhood, then no big deal.

Originally Posted by Steeler_fanatic (Post 22228219)

Well, in my case, that's complete BS.


Don't know if I'm "serious", but I sure put in too many miles to be kidding.