Originally Posted by GravelMN

Some claim the term "Fred" refers to Fred Birchmore.



His bike, Bucephalus, is on display in the Smithsonian and he has a trail named after him. Anyone who can ride a 40# steel bike around the world and still be working out at the Y at 99 years of age, has my respect whether he had a lot of cycling fashion sense or not.

I'll admit, I don't ride top end bikes (my general purpose bike is a 21 year old steel flat-bar), wear MTB shoes on my road bike with dual sided pedals, sometimes ride in jean shorts and t-shirts, my sunglasses say Dewalt on the bow, and I'm an overweight 50-year-old. Call me Fred if you want to, I'll take it as a compliment.

RIP Fred Birchmore (died in 2012 at age 100).

Originally Posted by stephtu

Why did "Fred" start being used to describe poseurs? To me they are complete opposites, so it confuses me why some people started using "Fred" for poseurs. "Fred" once was a term applied to commuter/urban cyclists who characteristically were unconcerned about appearances, who used and attached a lot of practical things to bikes that typically aren't on road racing bikes like bells, mirrors, racks, kickstands etc., and most certainly did *not* wear "full team kit" and did not shave legs. But they ride a lot and are typically quite fit. A poseur on the other hand is all about appearances, buying expensive blingy stuff, but all for show since they aren't actually riding all that much and are often rather slow. It makes no sense to me to use "Fred" to describe two polar opposite classes of riders.

Some history:
Fred (bicycling) - BikeParts Wiki

Originally Posted by Still Pedaling

Now we got the guy sorted out. What do they call a woman? Fredette perhaps. Oh wait, we are not supposed to call women any derogatory names now. I think it comes under the category of "Political Correctness".

Originally Posted by 10 Wheels

Real Fred

Originally Posted by Retro Grouch

A fred is a bike rider who doesn't have quite the "right" clothing and gear. If, like me, you ride a recumbent, you are automatically a fred. A poseur is a bike rider whose clothing and gear matches a little too well. If your clothing has any logos that you didn't get paid to wear, you are a poseur. The line between the two is so utterly razor thin that NOBODY can do it.

In other words, we are going to laugh at you no matter what you do.

Originally Posted by modelmartin

So if you call someone a Fred it means you are a Fred?

Originally Posted by joeyduck

I consider a Fred to be someone who puts safety and practicality before fashion and coolness. Therefore the definition can vary.

I want to make it to my son's daycare safe then home safe. So this is my bike and what I wear. I feel I am everything but a flag flying Fred.

Originally Posted by bluegoatwoods

Personally, I embrace the term Fred and would not want to be thought of as a 'roadie'. But that's a matter of taste. And no one would ever mistake me for a roadie anyway.

Originally Posted by 1991BRB1

I know it's not the traditional image of helmet mirrors and elbow pads, but that's what comes to mind when I think of Fred.

Originally Posted by Corben

Anyone who doesn't spend at least a few grand on a bike.

Originally Posted by GaIslander

I am a real Fred. 2nd Generation actually. My Dad and I are both Fred. I have 3 bikes and ridden 7,000 miles this year. I kind of take exception to the whole concept of this Fred thing.

Originally Posted by krobinson103

Err... I've dropped a lot of cash on multiple bikes mostly second hand and some cost about $2000 to build. The price of the bike is dependant on how old you want it to be, just what specs you want, and where you are. In South Korea anything imported gets hit with taxes that doubles the price. I won't ride a bike long distance that doesn't have reliable components and they cost.