[Closed] Why do people wear baggy shorts?

njee20 - Member

[b]End of the day, does anyone actually ride for the image?[/b]

Yes, vast swathes of people on this thread! [b]TBH I'm one of the worst for it[/b]

😉

People ride a bike for 'The Image'?
Jesus H Corbett.

Sadder than my mum's funeral.

best of all i dont look like a gimp!

I imagine you feel like one though!

Are you including yourself in that?

No, I know that to the general public I look absolutely ridiculous. I cycle because I love it, not because of what other people will think of me. I'm happy with how I look whilst doing it, and I wear the most appropriate kit for the job.

Hora is a law unto himself. He combines the worst of the lycra image with the worst of the baggy image, with a bit of day-glo thrown in for good measure. He looks like Fiddles the Erotic Clown, cycling to his next children's party.

Yes, vast swathes of people on this thread!

So all the roadies I see wearing full team replica kit that matches the colour of their bike, helmet and gloves - they're not riding for the image, but people who wear ordinary shorts on a bike are? 😕

So all the roadies I see wearing full team replica kit that matches the colour of their bike, helmet and gloves

To be fair, they're the worst of the lot.

I do loads of 2-5mile journeys and TBH I wouldn't even bother raising my saddle to be able to sit down for that sort of distance, let alone get changed out of my everyday clothes

So all the roadies I see wearing full team replica kit that matches the colour of their bike, helmet and gloves

Don't forget having your bike stickered up with your name and an England flag 😉

So all the roadies I see wearing full team replica kit that matches the colour of their bike,

These people are wrong too, there is even a level of wrongness amongst lycra wearers you know.

TBH I wouldn't even bother raising my saddle to be able to sit down for that sort of distance

**swoons**

🙄

As a Gentleman mountaineer, I took up MTB as another way to enjoy the mountains and procurer some magnificent clean air. A Gentleman in the mountains, no matter what his means of access, should be appropriately attired at all times, specifically in a manner which befits his modesty, public decency and upholds the good name of the British Alpine Club.

I'd go so far as to suggest, that persons who display lycra in the mountains are not actually mountain bikers and have no 'mountain' background, but road cyclists, out of their depth, inappropriately dressed for such an activity and deliberately displaying their sausages.

No, I know that to the general public I look absolutely ridiculous. I cycle because I love it, not because of what other people will think of me.

That's TJ you've described, only the first bit is true for you. 😉

**swoons**

To be fair to Hora he goes through phases. I particularly enjoyed his 'Nam veteran phase. He even developed the 1000 yard stare. I reckon he did this by recalling childhood abuse at the hands of his tennis coach. Who used to wear tight shorts. Hence he can't wear lycra. Its too painful. Literally

but people who wear ordinary shorts on a bike are?

But there not "ordinary" shorts are they, they are bike specific baggy shorts. For balance i have done 80miles in jeans in the past, a deeply unpleasant experience, hence i went out and bought some lycra shorts and they were a revelation, this was £15 Caratti specials, so nothing special in the least. No seams, no restrictions, much cooler. etc.

The only time i wear baggy shorts is waterproof overshorts and to be fair i hate them, but they do what i bought them to do. hot, flappy, and restrictive.

[i]I mean how many miles do you do per week? If your doing 150+ then you'll be wearing lycra, you wouldnt want to do it in baggy shorts. Any less than 100 per week and I'd say your not a serious cyclist really, just someone that's basically bought into a lifestyle. [/i]

😉 I ride about 150 miles a week, usually a lot more in summer. Always in baggies whether I'm on the road bike, cross bike or mountain bike. Never, ever had a problem with wearing baggies, I can spend all day in the saddle and kick out a 200 miler in baggies.

HTH.

I wear them because I've found coming off in lycra leaves you naked and I really do feel quite exposed with my genitals on show.

Road or MTB racing - padded lycra only as otherwise I get too hot and none of the reasons below come into the equation.

For more serious/technical riding I like padded lycra with baggies/overshorts as they:

1. Offer more protection if you come off and stop your lycra getting holed.

2. Offer more protection from mud and water (esp if waterproof) so I don't get as wet and uncomfortable on longer rides and also stops the pad being destroyed by grit, etc. They also stop brambles, nettles, etc from destroying my legs as much. Help keep me warmer in the cold too.

3. Hold a map and compass where they are readily to hand without getting in the way.

4. Reduce the rubbing that can occur on rougher rides. Smooth terrain is fine in lycra but baggies give an extra layer of movement that I find reduces chafing over choppier ground.

Please note that these are MY opinions of why I wear them in response to the OP. You don't have to agree but neither do you need to persecute or disparage me or others for our choices that, at the end of the day, do not affect you in any way, shape of form. Both sides need to get over themselves.

you should try it some time, you might actually find yourself having some fun on your bike for a change.

I can't even put my seat down in the first place! I have plenty of fun on my bike though, if I didn't I'd not ride it... I'm not too sure how I'd have more fun by making it harder though.

If you're not riding naked you're not doing it right..

shall we broker the subject of peaks on helmets? Or is that for another thread?

But there not "ordinary" shorts are they, they are bike specific baggy shorts.

I sometimes wear ordinary shorts on the bike :gasp:

Like these:

[img] http://scotts.scene7.com/is/image/JDSports/14367sca?wid=325&$pos=0,15&resmode=sharp&op_usm=1.1,0.5,0,0&defaultImage=JDSports/scottsImageMissing [/img]

Is that OK?

[img] [/img]

Obviously it's not OK. Call yourself a cyclist? Pah. You're just a thinner version of Ray Mears.

I'm not too sure how I'd have more fun by [s]making it harder though.[/s] [b]actually trying something different/new[/b]

But there not "ordinary" shorts are they, they are bike specific baggy shorts

Nope, sorry, riding with your saddle down (as you implied I should try) is harder. It may be a bit more controlled on the descents, but it's harder to ride, considering one has to ride up the hills too. I'm not particularly interested in making it harder for myself! If you want to, that's fine, I'm clearly not as fit as you, and find the terrain sufficiently challenging without such adaptations.

Baggy Shorts or Lycra?

well I dont care either way as its really a matter of personal taste. Just remember that its not an either/or question... you all have an alternative....

[img] [/img]

A Gentleman in the mountains ... should be appropriately attired at all times

A Gentleman in the mountains ... should be appropriately attired at all times

Maybe this is the point, most of these lycra-freaks don't actually ride their bikes in the mountains. 😉

OMG! the world according to Njee must be a ****ing scary place, but i s'pose the blinkers will help a bit 😉

Maybe this is the point, most of these lycra-freaks [s]don't[/s] actually ride their bikes in the mountains instead of standing in the car park, propping up fence posts, rummaging in their oversized Camelbaks, discussing how rad they are and then retiring to the pub after 200 yards

Spot on!

C'mon then GW, explain your point? You said that you don't put your saddle up to ride 5 miles, and that I should try it as I may have more fun. I'm not sure how you're qualified to comment on the amount of fun I'm having. Please explain this further. Also I'd like to know how I'm blinkered? Email in profile if you prefer!

Lycra and Baggies pah! tailored tweed is what everyone should be wearing.

Jeez, this thread encapsulates everything I love and hate about this forum in one place. Good work.

The question is, does it really matter?

Go on then njee20, when was the last time you rode your bike on a mountain (not just round and round a muddy field 😉 )?

The question is, does it really matter?

Of course not! It's a forum about a minority sport! But it's been very active, and kept me entertained at work!

I wear ordinary sports shorts on the bike....the same ones i wear in the gym, playing squash etc....about medium length, quick drying synthetic material and come with the netting/lining on the inside thus negating the need for lycra and/or underwear....usually cost about a fiver from any sports shop.

The idea of spending £50+ on cycling specific baggies has to be one of the biggest cons going.....seriously Alpinestars, Fox etc must be laughing all the way to the bank.

The idea of spending £50+ on cycling specific baggies has to be one of the biggest cons going.....seriously Alpinestars, Fox etc must be laughing all the way to the bank.

Agreed, don't think I've ever paid more than £20 for a pair of shorts. I saw some that cost £85 the other day!

wow, what a delightful thread.

i wear baggies cos i fall off loads and ride in the woods.

i dont wear lycra cos, unlike some people, i think of the children.

Of course not! It's a forum about a minority sport!

Pfft, minority! here in Bristol because of the new trails every man and his dog has taken up Mtbing, it's a sea of baggies, 100 litre camel humps and peaked helmets.

😆

The idea of spending £50+ on cycling specific baggies has to be one of the biggest cons going.....seriously Alpinestars, Fox etc must be laughing all the way to the bank.

Sums it up. But if image is that important to you, I guess you have to cough up. I imagine most baggy short owners probably own several fox/alpinestars/sombrio casual items of clothing aswell.

Lycra's so this morning.

I wrap myself in a layer of cling film. I'm so fast I'm giving myself a hard on.

whatnobeer ^ for the win

Go on then njee20, when was the last time you rode your bike on a mountain (not just round and round a muddy field?

*deafening silence*

5 pages!!
Lycra, black only, on the roadie, lycra and baggies when offroad. Reason? simple, brambles, thorns, ferns, thick undergrowth that thrash me and my shorts, I just want a little extra protection see. I've not ridden an XC race in a long while, but if I did I guess lycra only.

Because lycra = wrong.

The guys who race the TDF could wear fairy suits if it made them go faster and no one would care as they are hard as nails. Same with elite level xc racers, and top swimmers and athletes.

You don't see sunday swimmers going to the pool in skin suits do you?

Unless you are racing (where every second counts), then there is no excuse. If you want to look like you have just got off one of the floats at gay pride, fare enough. (Nothing against homosexuals, I have been to pride and it is great fun 😀 )

Straight men who dress up in lycra and shave their legs for a sunday ride should be ashamed of themselves 😛