[Closed] Why do people wear baggy shorts?

do you wear a pair of pants and then some trousers?

that's lycra+baggies.

if I wanted to just wear me pants I'd get speedos and spectate at the TdF.

[Edit] lycra and knee pads just looks wrong too.

Its because I don't want to look like a sex offender whilst in public.

I feel a bit exposed when riding in just lycra, reckon the baggies give me a some padding if I fall off, plus it looks better imo

You think that's weird you should see wakeboarders. Boardshorts over a wetsuit. Bizarre!

daveyboywonder +1

The public think you look weird regardless, baggies make no difference! If it makes one feel better then so be it. Personally, I'm not fat 🙂

Also, I can ride slowly in baggies and feel alright.

Wearign lycra always made me think I had to be riding fast all the time. Bimbling and lycra don't go well together.

Oh and for the record I agree with the OP. Lycra on it own does the job perfectly well.

as you still have to wear lycra shorts or liner underneath anyway

[img] [/img]

If you're fat and/or uncomfortable in your own skin then they make sense.

I just wear lycra shorts, comfier and I get to look like a sex offender!

Why do people wear baggy shorts?

So I don't look like an utter ****!

Anyone who leaves the house only in lycra needs a crash course in self-awareness! What do you think you look like? A finely tuned athlete?

Wrong! You look like a burst cushion! Buy a mirror and get a grip!

Don't want to put the regulars down my pub off their food when I stop in for my post ride pint.

Weird idea but maybe they like them!

I just wear lycra shorts, comfier and [s]I get to look like[/s] people realise that I am a sex offender!

🙂

says who? no you don't.

You don't [i]have[/i] to, but if you want any sort of decent padding then you kinda do...

Right

[img] [/img]

Wrong

[img] [/img]

you still have to wear lycra shorts or liner underneath anyway.

Why?
Can't I just wear a normal pair of shorts, that aren't made of lycra? Or is there some law against it?

Lycra and baggies for me. Always has been (on the MTB anyway).

Used to be lycra only in my road days years ago, but I'll go with L&B when I pick it back up one day too.

1, to protect lycra shorts from crash damage, and brambles.
2, pockets are handy for rides including beer stops
3, not to look like a sex offender
4, I seem to have grown accustomed to riding more relaxed wearing baggies, I wear lycra for training rides and races.

Anyone who leaves the house only in lycra needs a crash course in self-awareness! What do you think you look like? A finely tuned athlete?

Wrong! You look like a burst cushion! Buy a mirror and get a grip!

Whilst the public think you look like you've just stepped off the catwalk in your flapping baggy shorts, massive rucksack, bulbous helmet and daft sunglasses. You get a grip FFS!

I've gone back to just lycra for 90% of my mtbing (which is pretty placid) and reserve the baggies to be worn when there is a real chance of falling off or pushing through lots of brambles. When road riding I have always worn an undervest of some type as the rub of one layer of fabric over another saves some road rash in a spill - I figure it works the same with baggies over lycra.

Agreed though - anything xc-a-like is better done sans baggies as long as you are not too sensitive about what the image obsessed think of you. Baggies seem to be an british thing - the europeans and even the kiwis and yanks don't seem to feel the need when riding xc like rides.

Baggy shorts came in as mountain biking became more mainstream with the resultant influx of, shall we say, 'stout' riders. When I started out all cyclists wore lycra, all this were fields, etc, etc.

[img] [/img] /p>

She still looks like she's wearing incontinence pads though.

I just wear lycra shorts, comfier and [s]I get to look like[/s] people realise that I am a sex offender!

Its made worse by the fact I have to stuff a couple of pairs of socks down the front of my shorts aswell.

Bare Lycra should never be worn by men. It's horrible. Maybe we all look daft, baggy shorts allow us to look far less so.

anything xc-a-like is better done sans baggies

You mean what 99% of people ride?

Its made worse by the fact I have to stuff a couple of pairs of socks down the front of my shorts aswell.

😆

Whilst the public think you look like you've just stepped off the catwalk in your flapping baggy shorts, massive rucksack, bulbous helmet and daft sunglasses. You get a grip FFS!

I cant keep my sarnies in lycra shorts

What do you think you look like? A finely tuned athlete?

I know I look quite the opposite but cycling round in baggy shorts that flap around just seems rather stupid when on a bike.

Very very right.

[img] [/img]

Lycra for winners, baggies for losers.

cheer up luv ^^

😉

GW - Member

cheer up luv ^^

She probably realised that photo would be slobbered over whilst fat IT Managers in baggies spaffed themselves dry.

Whilst on a skills course a few months ago with about 8 others I asked "why do people wear baggy shorts instead of just lycra shorts nowadays, when they can tend to get caught on the nose of your saddle, etc" to be told by the couurse leader that it was because "Lycra shorts are gay". I hope he meant in the "lame" sense of the word! Personally, I always thought that decent lycra shorts did a good enough job on their own. I guess that baggy shorts are de riguer because everyone else wears them - the old circle of fashion phenomenon

Whilst the public think you look like you've just stepped off the catwalk in your flapping baggy shorts, massive rucksack, bulbous helmet and daft sunglasses. You get a grip FFS!

Erm... I look like a * all the time, but at least I realise it. Its called self-awareness. Getting dressed tends to be an exercise in damage limitation, so why the * would i wear clothing that made out of the same material sported by gymnasts and 80's heavy metal bands? Oh... and sex offenders

Anyone who thinks they look buff/cool/athletic in lycra needs to up their medication a bit. The words 'badly stuffed sausage spring to mind

@ uplink and the Poles... If you've got it, flaunt it.

i choose depending on the bike:

road bike - lycra
hardtail - lycra or baggies (normally depending on whether a pub is involved)
full suss - baggies

could also be seen as decided based on what i'm carrying:
road bike - bottles on frame, stuff in jersey pockets
hardtail - bottles and jersey pockets (for a whippet ride) or a camelback for day rides, or when i'll need a jacket (night ride to pub)
full suss - camelback (no bottle cages on full suss).

camelback and lycra feels wrong.

Baggies for me, unless it's very, very hot and I'm riding in a sparsely populated area.

Although I'm not out of shape by any means, I'd rather spare the general public the sight of me in lycra unless it's absolutely necessary.

[ninja edit] although baggies and an MX top make for harder going on a windy day.

Anyone who thinks they look buff/cool/athletic in [s]lycra[/s] cycling kit needs to up their medication a bit. The words 'badly stuffed sausage spring to mind

FTFY.

I know exactly how I look, but I'll continue to wear the most appropriate kit for what I'm doing!

Cycling isn't a 'cool' sport - there's even an article on the BBC today about it.

As I said before though, I'm not fat. Perhaps if I was I'd feel more embarassed and wear baggies.

For the pockets.

Anyone who thinks they look buff/cool/athletic in lycra needs to up their medication a bit. The words 'badly stuffed sausage spring to mind

Not all of us have (or need to have) body image issues though. Some of us choose clothing by function. If I am paddling a kayak in a rough sea I'll choose one set of clothes, if riding a bike I choose clothes that'll do the job in those conditions and if trying to attract the ladeeez I'll dig out a different set again.

So it would seem;

Lycra wearers - it's about comfort and efficiency on the bike.

Baggy wearers - it's about image and lack of self confidence.

scruff - the pics of the lovely ladies in lycra...aye carramba!!
women in lycra are a good thing, but blokes in lycra can look so very wrong...just look at those dudes in the pic posted by uplink...that is so wrong on so many levels....

Pockets.

And there's usually a lengthy spell in the pub at the end of the night.

Lycra only on the road bike.

[i]women in lycra are a good thing, but blokes in lycra can look so very wrong[/i]

I think it just depends on the person, not their gender...

[img] [/img]

So it would seem;

Lycra wearers - it's about being able to expose your genitalia legally

Baggy wearers - it's about wearing some shorts

if riding a bike I choose clothes that'll do the job in those conditions

In what way do baggies not 'do the job'. Personally I don't usually wear lycra or a liner underneath anyway, just regular boxers. In fact sometimes I just wear my normal cargo shorts that I wear for non-biking too. :gasp:

Do you not find if you put anything in your pockets it knocks your thighs and weighs you down though? Far rather put things in a jersey pocket.

Pockets.

And there's usually a lengthy spell in the pub at the end of the night.

Why the need for pockets, surely most baggy wearers also have enough pockets in there 40 litre camel hump?

So all the "I need my pocketsies" people presumably don't ride with a rucksack as well then 😆

I like baggies, they let you distinguish between who's worth racing up the next hill and who's just dust eating fodder 😉

i look good in lycra, but i don't want everyone else to feel inadequate. And i wouldn't describe my shorts as 'baggy' - they're just shorts.

(quite a skinny fit really - they're just not lycra)

as for my bloody great rucksack, where else am i going to put all these conkers/damsons/cherries/blackberrys/sloes/interesting stones?

just look at those dudes in the pic posted by uplink...that is so wrong on so many levels....

That pic gets trawled out all the time - and always misses the point that they were taking the piss and "dug around" to drag up max sausage action for the camera.

Do you not find if you put anything in your pockets it knocks your thighs and weighs you down though?

It weighs you down in your shorts but not your jersey? 😕

Lycra wearers - it's about comfort and efficiency on the bike.

Baggy wearers - it's about image and lack of self confidence.

Summed up! FWIW

Lycra wearers - Proper/decent cylists

Baggy wearers - Weekend warriors who dont have a clue, not true cyclists really, they just enjoy spending thousands on a hobby that they think will enhance their image/personality.

wwaswas - that leopard dumpling has the left arm of a tyrannosaurus rex 😛

njee20 - Member
... Far rather put things in a jersey pocket

I think the typical girth of a bagger makes reaching a jersey pocket pretty impractical 😆

Baggy wearers - it's about image and lack of self confidence.

Dear god! How delusional are you? Every bloke, without a single exception, looks like a complete nob in lycra. FACT!

I wouldn't go out in lycra for the same reason i wouldn't go out in lederhosen. The end result is exactly the same. People will point at you and laugh. You can keep thinking they don't, but they do

I suspect it's an 8 year old girl and thus that arm is the only part of her body that's age appropriately' sized.

wwaswas - thanks for correcting me...i can feel my weetabix at the back of my throat... 🙂
convert...still looks wrong... 😯

Baggy wearers don't have jersey pockets though, they wear DH tops to hide the girth.

Some top trolling going on here.

*applauds*

davidtaylforth - Member

Summed up! FWIW

Lycra wearers - Proper/decent cylists

Baggy wearers - Weekend warriors who dont have a clue, not true cyclists really, they just enjoy spending thousands on a hobby that they think will enhance their image/personality

You don't half talk some shit. So people who wear baggies aren't serious cyclists then? What a mong.

Dear god! How delusional are you? Every bloke, without a single exception, looks like a complete nob in lycra. FACT!

I look great in Lycra due to my legs of steel and my massive package. The ladies love it. FACT 😛

In what way do baggies not 'do the job'. Personally [b]I don't usually wear lycra or a liner underneath anyway, just regular boxers[/b]. In fact sometimes I just wear my normal cargo shorts that I wear for non-biking too. :gasp:

What sort of riding do you do grum - i.e. hours/miles in the saddle a day? If you can handle 6+ hrs cycling (cycling mind, not propping up a gate post or a pub bench) in wet boxers you must have an undercarriage made of cow hid!

Do you not find if you put anything in your pockets it knocks your thighs and weighs you down though? Far rather put things in a jersey pocket.

I ride in a t-shirt, shorts and trainers. Some do out in skin tight suits with team logos (most don't belong to the team), small genitals on display, Oakley radars, clippy shoes and gel packs for a two hour rip around their local trail centre proper cyclists? ATGNI more like.

Anyone who thinks they look buff/cool/athletic in lycra cycling kit needs to up their medication a bit. The words 'badly stuffed sausage spring to mind

Here's why people wear lycra:

Alright Lads

I have recently taken up road bike trainning and have purchased my lovely Lycra short! When out trainning I have noticed an alarming amount of men looking in the general direction of my crotch. Beleive me I am not claiming any %&*$# star qualities here but I would say at least 80% of men looked in comparison to 20% of women.

I found this really weird but on thinking about it later I suppose I would look at another mans speedos in the pool and just yesterday looked at a cyclist shorts. I would like to point out that I am a happily married man.

Anyway - do you think all men have a little gay in them or is this checking out a comparison / alpha male thing?

Your honest thoughts please.

Cheers

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/community/forums/thread/497488

I'll bet most of you really don't need to carry half the stuff you "seem to" on rides.

as opposed to tugging the neck of your jersey and knocking against your lower back? WTFs your point?

A good fitting XC (or road)jersey won't have this problem.

I wear as much clothing as possible whilst biking (this includes baggies)- it gives me the non-sensical reassurance that if I fall off I won't hurt myself as much. Thus I must wear my fluorescent rain jacket whilst attempting any jump because it feels like extra body armour 😕

I look great in Lycra due to my legs of steel and my massive package. The lad[s]ie[/s]s I meet in the woods love it. FACT

There you go, it says what you really meant now.

You don't half talk some shit. So people who wear baggies aren't serious cyclists then?

Pretty much. Obviously there are some exceptions i.e. downhill riders.

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.

A good fitting XC (or road)jersey won't have this problem.

GTF! of course it will!

🙄

As and when I notice I'd say it's a 50/50 split between men and women ogling my crotch when I'm in Lycra.

However women are totally bemused by my cycling shoes for some reason*.

*proper ones with buckles and carbon soles, not the silly trainer types that baggy wearers wear.

Any less than 100 per week and I'd say your not a serious cyclist

You do 100 miles per week off road? I seem to remember seeing you say you barely ride your mtb these days. No wonder you love lycra so much. 😛

GW - Member

A good fitting XC (or road)jersey won't have this problem.

Hmmm.. magical lycra?

GTF! of course it will!

No it doesn't.

Why the need for pockets, surely most baggy wearers also have enough pockets in there 40 litre camel hump?

Wallet, keys, phone. The rest spread between jersey pocket and saddle bag.

I rarely use the "40 litre camel hump" 😀

david, I've happily done a 100+ mile ride on the roadbike in trousers.
I wasn't racing so why would I need to don lycra?

I wear Lycra on the road bike, but then again, I never get off it during rides

I suppose Speedo 'budgie smugglers' are the optimum attire for swimming but I suspect most wouldn't wear them at the local pool**

Why not?

**unless some silly French rule compels it