I have been riding a mountain bike the past few years, but recently decided to get into road biking. Since it takes me about 40 minutes round trip to get to the spot I like to mountain bike and I figure I could get a pretty good work out if I just road from my house a few days a week for about an hour, I am saving 40 minutes per ride.

So I got what I think is a decent bike, 2012 Raleigh Revenio which is probably overkill for a newbie but it seemed like something I might want when I get better, so I don't think that is too uncool.

I am 8 weeks in and have been riding almost 100 miles a week (3x15 mile + 1x42 mile+ 1x10 mile mountain bike ride), and I am thinking of maybe trying to join a group ride at some point before winter sets in here in the US northeast.

I am wondering how much ridicule I should expect from the following items that, from what I have read are, uncool.

1) a friend recommended that I replace my reflectors with a light for the back and front, which I did ... not really to see in the dark, but bright enough that some one might see me before pulling out across my path, and I do sometimes get back near dusk so at least some of the sections of the roads I ride one the cars have their lights on.

2) "take-a-look" mirror that I mount to my glasses - again this was recommend by a friend, now I am used to it and it feels weird if I ever forget it.

3) mountain bike pedals and shoes - I had these and they seem to work fine

4) wired bike computer with cadence Sigma BC 1609 - I think I did an OK job of hiding the wires , wrapping excess around the brake cables, etc. And I really regret the wireless one I purchased for my mountain bike - I never remember to turn it back on after a stop.

oh and up until now I have been using my mountain bike shorts and a bright colored synthetic running shirt, but I plan on getting some decent shorts and a jersey in the near future.

Depends on the company you keep and the group you are trying to please or impress. If you are a one man wolfack, you wouldn't care.

if you can hold your own with them i doubt most people would care. and no problem with the mountain bike shoes/pedals. in fact when you guys stop for a break (IF you stop for a break) you'll be the only one walking normal.

You're enjoying yourself on a bike, so you're automatically cool.

The only thing that is uncool is obsessing over being cool. Cool people don't care what other people think.

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This can't be nearly as profound as it sounds.

Very true

Not true

your having a good time on your bike. who cares what other people think. as long as you like what you have then thats all that counts\m/\m/

Was on an early season group ride. Came with my rain bike (fenders, lights). They may have looked twice, once when i rolled up, and the other time when i beat them at the sprint point.

I love hanging with the fast roadies on race pace group rides when I leave my rack mounted, wear a camelbak, and mtb shoes and pedals. They always say I shouldn't use a camelbak because it isn't cool, or have a rack, and I need road shoes for maximum efficiency. Then I beat them up the hills and... they stop talking.

Ride with weird people and you will be OK.

best advice in the 41 in a year or so....................

I wouldn't mind being on a ride with someone who has a nice rack.

Perhaps they aren't really fast roadies.

You're not cool.

Once you accept that, you'll be cool.

Signed, Scott Peck

If you care, then read and obey: https://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

If you don't care, just ride your bike.

I used to try really hard to care what other people thought about me, my clothes and my bike, but I realized it doesn't matter and I gave it up. Do what works for you.

i've seen people use all that stuff. All serious riders have lights, especially here in Louisiana were there is a lack of shoulders.
I think you will find most people are pretty cool. If they are a*holes they are going to find faults w/everybody anyway, so F'em. Enjoy riding, don't over think it.

You are almost there. You already have the mirror, just be sure to lube your chain with WD-40 and wear nothing but cotton.

What people think only matters if they sign your paycheck or sleep with you.

OK here's the straight skinny. My road bike is a Carbon fibre Fuji Professional with 16 spoke aero wheels. A mountain bike crankset, mountain bike pedals and shoes. Ultegra rear running gear. Dura Ace bar ends and chain. Cannondale brakes and a bunch of older Bontraeger parts. It rides great, handles like a dream. And I don't give a tinker's damn what people think of me or my machine. It fits my needs perfectly. And it is more bike than I thought I could afford for the forseeable future.

Take you're bike and gear and hit the roads and enjoy.

Mark Shuman

The only way to be really uncool is to sit in a car.

Cycling shirts are really good to use because of the pockets in the back. You can hold a whole lot of stuff in there. One time I was passing by a farm stand and decided to grab a bushel of peaches. I got them all in the back. Of course, you probably won't be going shopping for farm produce much on your bike, but if you do...

Echoing the above that although we pretend to care about all this crap online, just being a nice and considerate rider is all that really matters on the bike. I will say that wearing lycra shorts/bibs is a huge step up, mostly because of comfort and easy placement of your manhood so it's not getting caught in dire circumstances on your saddle.

Thanks all, lots of good advice

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