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Cycling faux pas yo...
 

Cycling faux pas you break?

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[#13534766]

I have just ordered a set of ergon bar end grips to fit on my chisel fs bike with a riser bar.

 

I also ride my road bike with flat pedals and mtb gear.

 

I dont apologise for either 😋


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 2:55 am
 PJay
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Bar ends, flat pedals & 3x10 here. I also tuck my trousers into my socks as I did when I was a kid, I'm sure that that's not the done thing now!


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 7:56 am
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I also ride my road bike with flat pedals and mtb gear.

I used to proudly take this stance and then I realised that it was just slow and uncomfortable especially as most MTB flat shoes are not optimised for lengthy sessions of pedalling and lack arch support and sole stiffness.  Over 60 miles that's quite noticeable vs. even a modestly priced set of MTB clipless shoes.  


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:04 am
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my logos don't line up, and if I need to adjust something on it, I turn it over to stand it on it's bars and saddle. 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:05 am
fettlin, MoreCashThanDash, jamj1974 and 2 people reacted
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Low gears and flat pedals on my Gravel Bike

A drop bat MTB

I use Via Ferrata shoes which are as stiff as clipless shoes


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:13 am
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Whatever rule it is that says that the arms of your sunglasses should go over the helmet straps.

Nope. They go under.

 

Posted by: nickc

if I need to adjust something on it, I turn it over to stand it on it's bars and saddle. 

That "rule" I'm sure is a hangover from the days when brake cables came out the top of your drop bar levers and turning the bike upside down would snag and break those cables. Modern bikes it's not remotely an issue, it's just another 'rule" that should have died off 20 years ago but has clung on stubbornly, like much other traditionalist received wisdom in the world of cycling.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:14 am
northernsoul, ChrisL, fazzini and 1 people reacted
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My 531c 105 equipped roadbike has hidden cables, so that rule should have died off much more than 20 yrs ago.  Just need to remember to remove Garmin before flipping bike.

Glasses most definitely go under helmet straps.

Flat pedals, with reflectors, on one of my "gravel" bikes (actually a CX bike, but I'd never race it doing that).

Pump on frame and saddle bag too, on my road bike.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:31 am
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Posted by: racefaceec90

I also ride my road bike with flat pedals and mtb gear.

More fool you.

 

+1 on flipping the bike over. And occasionally jet washing them.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:35 am
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I don't own a single item of FOX gear.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:43 am
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Another vote here for sunglasses arms under helmet straps. 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:45 am
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My bikes are lavishly appointed with pumps water bottles an tools held on with tape and zip ties.

Can't see the mess when I'm riding.😎

Now I've got kids there's almost no time to clean them 😄


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 8:56 am
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Smiling, waving, and saying hi to roadies.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 9:14 am
pondo and ThePinkster reacted
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I wear lycra cycling tights as I find them.far comfier than baggy trousers. Same with shorts - lycra bibs as far comfier than baggy shorts.

Always have a wee chuckle to myself when I turn up for coaching and the kids are all in baggy stuff and I'm in lycra (admittedly I'm sure they are laughing at the look as my upper half is definitely not built for lycra, so I suspect I look like an absolute laugh!).


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 9:17 am
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Posted by: racefaceec90

I also ride my road bike with flat pedals and mtb gear.

This, but on my gravel bike.

Also sunglasses under helmet straps.

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 9:23 am
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Posted by: tall_martin

Now I've got kids there's almost no time to clean them 😄

not even a weekly bath night?

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 9:35 am
aide, silvine, Keando and 3 people reacted
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Baggies on the road. I've always mocked the MAMIL look, and frankly I dno't see the problem of having actual functional pockets and a bit more protection, albeit with lycra underneath. 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:06 am
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I sometime go for a bike ride and I neither stop and take a photo of my bike OR post my ride to social media for likes.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:14 am
jamj1974 reacted
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I cycle naked everywhere.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:16 am
nicko74 reacted
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I will occasionally take a NDS photo of my bike ... with the crankset at 1800 ... 🤪 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:20 am
tall_martin reacted
 H-B
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I wave to everyone, according to friends this includes motorbikes, presumably cyclists when I'm on my motorbike 🙄 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:28 am
nicko74 reacted
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But it's often dark at 1800. What's the point of a photo then?


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:28 am
 a11y
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I use mismatched tyre brands front and rear. I'm an animal, apparently.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:30 am
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Baggy shorts and tops on the road bike, but not too baggy as the flapping about gets annoying. The Dare2b endurance hiking shorts are a great fit and don't seem to have chafey seams.

I have some padded lycra shorts which I tried over last summer. Felt comfy to start with and it was nice to not have any material flapping about, but I soon got annoyed with them. The leg grippers pull at your leg hairs and the pad always feels like you're wearing a nappy. I don't really do long road rides (about 30 miles is my max before I get bored) and don't really find the normal shorts any less comfortable and I don't feel like I'm riding around in my pants with them.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:30 am
nicko74 reacted
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Posted by: nickc

my logos don't line up, and if I need to adjust something on it, I turn it over to stand it on it's bars and saddle

Posted by: crazy-legs

Whatever rule it is that says that the arms of your sunglasses should go over the helmet straps.

Nope. They go under

Amen to that

I did a cross race once and a guy watching was taking the piss out of my colourful socks.  Next lap round - "he's not even wearing black shorts!"  I think he was genuinely outraged (darkish green btw).  I reckon I'd be DQ if he was in charge 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:32 am
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Too many to mention.

my logos don't line up

 


Whatever rule it is that says that the arms of your sunglasses should go over the helmet straps.

Nope. They go under

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 10:33 am
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Posted by: desperatebicycle

I cycle naked everywhere.

 

You are Noel and I claim my £5

*Matlock locals niche audience comment

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:06 am
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My logos never used to line up.

In the olden days, tyres were aligned with the pressure ratings next to the valve, where they belong.

 

Also wear baggies and loose fitting jersey when on road bike.  Means more pockets for snacks.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:26 am
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Posted by: matt_outandabout

I don't own a single item of FOX gear.

 

My last ride I rode with Fox trousers, Fox tee, Fox gilet, Fox gloves, Fox helmet (have 4no). God, what have I become... 😫 

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:35 am
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Posted by: convert

I sometime go for a bike ride and I neither stop and take a photo of my bike OR post my ride to social media for likes.

 

Something about trees falling in woods and making sounds.

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 11:42 am
jamj1974 and convert reacted
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Posted by: H-B

I wave to everyone, according to friends this includes motorbikes, presumably cyclists when I'm on my motorbike 🙄 

That's quite entertaining - presumably leaves everyone wondering for the rest of the day "I must know that guy - who is he?!" 🤣 

In a similar vein, when riding on a road I actually feel bad about riding 2 abreast, and try to go line astern when there's a car behind us trying to get past

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:22 pm
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Not overly fussed about aligned logos. 

May have worn a vest once or twice. It was hot. 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:31 pm
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Posted by: H-B

I wave to everyone, according to friends this includes motorbikes, presumably cyclists when I'm on my motorbike 🙄 

Try driving a VW T4/5/6 camper. I tend to be the secondary waver though - which isn't really a wave, it's a raised finger off the steering wheel and a nod.

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:33 pm
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Despite being a somewhat dedicated road cyclist I still after 20 odd years cannot see what benefit I could possibly derive from shaving my legs. 

I don't know if it counts as a faux pax or not but I regularly cross the chain and nothing bad ever seems to have happened. 

Single Leg Pedalling Drills- totally useless waste of time IMO. Source: its just what I think. 

Have to say though, surely you avoid turning a bike upside down so as not so scuff the bar tape and saddle?

Up to the owner how much you care about that or not but I'd always just lie it on its side or hang it from a nearby fence or tree. I sense this may be an ongoing viral debate though so will make that my only comment on the matter. 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:35 pm
nicko74 reacted
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Posted by: crazy-legs

Whatever rule it is that says that the arms of your sunglasses should go over the helmet straps.

Nope. They go under.

That surely depends on the helmet.  Straps running inside the helmet, nearly always better with glasses over the top.  Straps anchored to the bottom edge of the helmet, glasses better inside. 

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:47 pm
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I don't believe stiff soles are any benefit if you are using flat pedals.

In fact, because my floppy soled shoes are able to bend around the pedal, I'm going to go out on a limb and say my Merrell barefoot shoes are better than your Five Tens for mountain biking.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 12:57 pm
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Have to say though, surely you avoid turning a bike upside down so as not so scuff the bar tape and saddle?

You take your bibshorts off and use them as padding for the saddle obvs


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:02 pm
fazzini and nicko74 reacted
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Posted by: BruceWee

I don't believe stiff soles are any benefit if you are using flat pedals.

In fact, because my floppy soled shoes are able to bend around the pedal, I'm going to go out on a limb and say my Merrell barefoot shoes are better than your Five Tens for mountain biking.

Careful how long those pedal pins are....ooft.

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:03 pm
 Haze
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Helmet straps under glasses for a good reason, don't need them getting stuck underneath and risking further injury when you stack it...at least that was always the reason from what I recall, and it looks better.

Anyway, dustcaps for me.

The leg grippers pull at your leg hairs

Easy fix for that.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:10 pm
nicko74 reacted
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Posted by: Duggan

Have to say though, surely you avoid turning a bike upside down so as not so scuff the bar tape and saddle?

There's no bar tape on my bike, and frequently riding off road in winter, my saddle ends up covered in mud anyway regardless. 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:14 pm
ads678 reacted
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Posted by: Duggan

I don't know if it counts as a faux pax or not but I regularly cross the chain and nothing bad ever seems to have happened. 

You should nip over to the Cycling UK forum and post that. 

I reckon it should be good for four pages of arguments, alongside prophecies of your imminent demise due to spontaneous drivetrain combustion.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:22 pm
fazzini reacted
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"I also ride my road bike with flat pedals and mtb gear."

I think this has come up at least once a week since before time began.  It's like Groundhog Day in here.

"Smiling, waving, and saying hi to roadies."

Although this may be even more repetitive.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:29 pm
13thfloormonk, ayjaydoubleyou, nicko74 and 1 people reacted
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Posted by: matt_outandabout

Careful how long those pedal pins are....ooft.

The dried blood provides extra adhesion.


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:29 pm
nicko74 reacted
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Posted by: BruceWee

I don't believe stiff soles are any benefit if you are using flat pedals.

In fact, because my floppy soled shoes are able to bend around the pedal, I'm going to go out on a limb and say my Merrell barefoot shoes are better than your Five Tens for mountain biking.

Theres a balance.  I definitely get more tired feet with my CrankBrothers flats that are more flexible than my other flat shoes.  And riding in running shoes with spongy soles is shit.

 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:33 pm
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Posted by: BruceWee

I'm going to go out on a limb and say my Merrell barefoot shoes are better than your Five Tens for mountain biking.

My least controversial opinion is that Five Ten are perhaps the most emperors new clothes bit of riding gear ever. Fit inconsistencies, no feedback, sweaty bulky and heavy, made from the wrong material for UK biking, cold and let water in, waay too expensive for what they are, owned by a sweat-shop mega corp, and last ten minutes 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:34 pm
ThePinkster and fazzini reacted
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Sometimes I ride in a hoody, or jumper, or just a normal t shirt. 
That being said, that seems to be the trend now based on all the kids I see hitting the jumps up the local woods. I've been doing it since 2011 when I decided paying 70 quid for a long sleeve fox jersey was stupid. I do own some jerseys but they only really get worn as base layers under something else like a jumper or endura rain jacket or if I'm expecting a really sweaty hard ride because sweaty cotton sticking to you ain't fun

Also a lot of the big logos and motorcross style branding just seems a bit naff and corny to me, and no one wants to be a full kit ****er do they  🤣 


 
Posted : 16/03/2026 1:40 pm
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