trx1

I dont see the point(other then looking 'pro') for wearing that.

normal everyday riding vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibCcp0Y3OB0
I this way of biking...

sdold

When you're commuting short distances, it's more practical to dress for where you're going, not for the ride.

Advantages to cycling gear are comfort, visibility and safety. Wear whatever feels best to you, that's what I do. If you're just riding around town, you can wear most anything. On longer rides, the advantages of the shoes, shorts and jersey become more important. You can walk around town in a business suit, but you wouldn't go hiking in it.

knobster

Sure, if all you're using it for is transportation. The point (for me) for wearing cycling attire is when I'm doing very long recreation/fitness rides. The cycling shorts are much more comfortable and help protect my sensitive area from chaffing and the material that the shorts and jersey are made out of help with wicking sweat away from my body. Basically it's more efficient for that type of riding.

Now, for short rides or when just riding around the city, I use normal street clothes. For me, it's what's more appropriate for the riding I'm doing.

Velo Dog

I came to the same conclusion about the time Lemond won his second Tour. I'd been riding for years in black lycra and an old wool jersey, and people laughed and pointed at the funny guy in the tight shorts. Suddenly the streets around here were full of riders in full team Superhero gear. On some of my regular routes, where I might ride for two weeks without seeing another cyclist, I was suddenly seeing a dozen or two on a Saturday morning.
I welcomed the crowds on the road, if only because they alerted drivers. But so many of them acted like such a-holes (and it got MUCH worse when Lance started winning) that I gave up the clothes. I haven't worn anything but MB shorts and T-shirts for years. They're comfortable, even on long rides, and I think drivers are less antagonistic toward riders who don't look or act aggressive.

TurbineBlade

I wear my regular clothes on my daily 30 mile commute into and out of DC....no problems. 98% of what I wear is --gasp* cotton! In the summer heat I'll add some linen shorts and seersucker shirts, winter I usually layer t-shirts or twill pants, etc.

For longer rides I have padded shorts if I feel like it.

Just wear whatever you feel like - you don't have to do something just because someone else does.

Fizzaly

i wear a plain adidas jersey and lycra tights under nylon shorts on the hot days even when commuting but a trip to the store or like it naw just whatever im wearing. I think alot of people wear the logo covered attire to attract attention? im not sure but they look a liitle silly waiting in line at albertsons with arms full of groceries.
BTW just my opinion.

CbadRider

I have a 34 mile roundtrip commute with hills. I'd never make it in street clothes, too much chafing.

surfrider

The only bike-specific gear I wear is MTB shorts; more comfy than regular short pants, and the MTB shorts typically have pockets. Shirt is a cotton t-shirt (ABOSRBS sweat, which will slowly evaporate, helping to keep me cool), shoes are court shoes (somewhat stiff, with flat bottoms that'll adhere to pinned MTB pedals; I also have size 14 feet). I'll throw on a sweashirt if its too cool for just a t-shirt. Gloves are fingerless contractor gloves (warm weather) or full coverage construction gloves (cool weather), both are 1/2 the price of bike-specific gloves and look/feel the same.

I do wear a bike helmet, and a construction site-style safety vest when riding at sunset, sunrise, or after dark.

mustachiod

i'll wear a pro jersey when I get sponsored

calamarichris

I'm an ATGATT-nazi when it comes to motorcycling, but I've been lax when it comes to my commuter bicycle. I hereby resolve to always wear my helmet, even when riding my dorky-looking Dutch grampaw bike on my paltry 1.88-mile commute.

[ATGATT = All The Gear All The Time]

Edit: HAHAHA, recurring theme today. My hardcover of the Landis book just arrived today...

Keith99

When I want to suffer on a ride I'll find more hills or ride longer. No need to suffer because of poor gear. But I don't like my wallet to suffer either. I don't go with current team jerseys when I can get jerseys for defunct teams at half the price.

If you watch the TDF you saw riders taking advantage of having a full zipper. Much of the year here in Southern California a recreational rider can benefit from the same kind of zipper.

Real cycling shoes provide more support, which IF THEY FIT translates into more performance and comfort. But if they don't fit tehy can be a pain, in the most literal sense.

caloso

Here are just a few points (besides looking 'pro') for wearing the full kit, at least as it applies to me and my riding:

1) fabrics for wicking sweat (it gets pretty hot here in the summer)
2) pockets in the back so stuff doesn't fall out when in a riding position
3) longer tails so jersey covers my backside when in a riding position
4) chamois doesn't bunch or put a seam against my taint
5) kneewarmers/armwarmers/windvest allows me to be comfortable in a huge range of temperatures and they all fold up and fit into jersey pockets
6) close fitting so it doesn't flap in the breeze or get caught in the chain
7) clipless pedals and shoes are more comfortable, more efficient, and (imho) safer than platforms and normal shoes
8) the logos advertise the fine local merchants who have sponsored my little race team

Now, none of this is to say that I object to "normal" clothes on a bike, if it fits your route and riding style. I'll often wear my office clothes and shoes on my bike when I'm just riding directly to work. But if I'm going to ride more than a few miles at an easy pace, I prefer the "gear."

BarracksSi

I like that. ^^

cyclist2000

I have been riding in cycling clothes for about 30 years, I have found them more comfortable than the clothes that I rode in before. I think that I can ride comfortably ride longer and further with the cycling clothes.

Machka 

Why wear cycling "gear"?

Because ... cycling gear is comfortable and looks good.


I have some really cute jerseys which I like very much. I bought a couple of them this winter and am looking forward to wearing them when summer comes.

shouldberiding

Because, apparently, we needed yet another thread about it featuring a video of cyclists in Copenhagen.

Lamabb

The reason I wear super hero outfits on my casual rides: I sweat alot. I don't like arriving at my destination with my clothing dripping wet. I just change when I arrive and bring a pair of clothing with me. I normally cool off in a few minutes. Living in a hilly area is bad when you are trying to actually use the bike for transportation and not just "riding".

Noobtastic

I like the hot, hot weather where I live; Floridians are punished by our climate but rewarded by the landscape it lets us enjoy. I like to ride my bike hard on hot days, cold days, humid days, stormy days; and when I'm done I feel good when I can take my shirt off and change into something clean and sweat free.

KD5NRH

It's Texas; I'm going to sweat, so I'll need to change when I get to work anyway. A jersey and bike shorts take up less space in the locker and dry quicker than regular clothes.

coldfeet

I wish that my job made it possible to wear cycling clothes all day, I find them comfortable.

Jeff Wills

Like her:

travelmama

Sometimes I ride like this sans the heels. Bike gear, like any other gear is practical and creates a more comfortable ride however, it doesn't always look like it when some people look like sausages in Elmo jerseys and matching shorts.

mackerel

James Bond would.

009jim

Where does this chaffing I read about happen? I do an 8 mile ride twice a day and can't notice any chaffing. Can somebody tell me where I should look.

Joemess

Ride harder and farther and you will find it...




Why wear gear?

Its more comfortable. My commute, when I do it, is about 20 miles over rolling hills. If I am going to ride I am gong to ride hard and getting into work in sweaty clothing is not the greatest thing in the world.


I like the OP's overall tone of smugness about how he is so much better than everyone else.... its cute....