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Random contributions that everyone will probably ignore but I'll feel better for typing:
I tried the 'freeride' look. Big freeride Shimano MP66 shoes (the stormtrooper ones) and baggies. Hot and uncomfortable was the abiding memory.
For 'really' riding singletrack, i.e. not slowing down as soon as it gets flat or uphill, non flappy, non snaggy, non extra-useless-weighty lycra wins hands down. In the wet/mud, even more so.
People who don't understand it or think its stupid maybe just started the sport too late, I started when lycra was the norm so it was much more obvious to me when I started wearing baggies that they were basically dumb.
Juan: lycra does not automatically mean bibs. And even if it does, peeing is easy just looks funny, and pooing? Who seriously stops mid-ride for a poo?! (anyone suffering a medical condition excepted).
I couldn't imagine riding with things in my pockets, surely every pedal stroke they swing around and bang against your leg? Would drive me mad after 5 minutes...
bob?
😉
Who seriously stops mid-ride for a poo?!
It happened to me a couple of time.
When I started lycra was the norm too, I still have a few bib in my wardrobe each time i try then I found them to be so uncomfy.
Any bagyy design to ride will have the pocket put in such way that the map or the bars inside won't drive you mad.
It happened to me a couple of time.
On the same ride?
Baggies are annoying to ride in if you have heavy stuff in the pockets. I tried a few days where I carried a tube, levers and other tools in the pockets and it was too annoying (and kept pulling my shorts down).
And because it makes me look fabulous
But from that photo RealMan, lycra [i][b]is[/b][/i] baggy.
Who seriously stops mid-ride for a poo?!
Hora!
No I can't, however it's funny how you cling on that. Although I am nowhere as good as you (I mean if you can feel the difference you're too awesome for me) it make no difference to me.
You did though you moron, that was the point. My sole contribution in my first post (and I've not said much else since except in answer to direct comments) was that the OP said Lycra is no faster and that is not true. You disputed that. You're wrong. If I were carrying all the items you list I would far rather have them in a bag. As I said somewhere I've worn overshorts with pockets and would never use them.
I have not passed comment on what others wear, as I said, I just pointed out the OPs error. And your maths is wrong.
Any bagyy design to ride will have the pocket put in such way that the map or the bars inside won't drive you mad.
Rubbish. I have several pairs of baggies designed for cycling and when I ride anywhere with stuff in my pockets it's as annoying as hell. How could it not be with something bouncing around on your legs or next to them. Unless you happen to have skin-tight baggies... you know... like lycra. Anyway Camelbak or jersey pockets for me.
Wunundred! 😀
Got to be really though in't it?
Loving the argument between Juan and Njee20. You pair of Silly Billies! 😆
Having rided with the both of you, I'd say Juan is yer freeridey jumpy expert with skilz dem, while Njee20 is a fast whippety bugger. Both evenly matched in terms of individual ability I'd say though. Njee20 loses points for resorting to personal abuse though I'm sorry. 😐
As for what you wear; up to you, innit? I worse lycra shorts (yes it's true) for a 50-mile road ride through some bumpy stuff in North Wales the other day, and for that sort of thing, lycra shorts are more comfy. But I wore baggy shorts on the London to Brighton Offroader Wunundred a couple of months ago. With all kinds of paraphernalia in me pokkits. 🙂
As for aerodynamics; only ever going to come into play over speeds of 30mph, surely? Can't see there being any advantage for bimbling around in't woods or oop on't moors or at a trail centre really.
Let me get this right, falling off your bike wearing lycra will be worse than falling wearing baggies with pockets full of keys and multitool?
I lose points for a light hearted insult?! That saddens me 🙂
Aerodynamics will come into affect at any speed, but yes you're quite right that it'll be far more noticeable at higher speeds.
Druidh raises an excellent point!
A late joiner to this thread, but have I misunderstood or do some people [b][i]intentionally[/b][/i] go on bike rides of any description (road, mtb etc) without having a chamois pad between them and their saddle?
Jesus, they must have nether regions resembling the soles of Gandhi's feet. Callouses on your perineum (sp?) or nut-sack can never be good.
with pockets full of keys and multitool?
No worse than falling on jersey pockets, you want to put your stuff in a nice, safe camelbak.
...which are in the small of your back. I've landed on my back occasionally, but not nearly as often as on my side/hips/legs, where pockets generally are.No worse than falling on jersey pockets
Anyway, I understand why people would want to wear baggies, I really do, but to doubt those wearing Lycra, which is a better choice for riding in every respect except modesty and (perhaps) abrasion resistance, is daft.
So are white lycra bib shorts out then? (sorry Nick)
Those demanding an additional level of abrasion resistance should consider the Endura MT500
is daft
Like this entire thread then!
I really do, but to doubt those wearing Lycra, which is a better choice for riding in every respect except modesty and (perhaps) abrasion resistance, is daft.
Please why, no really why?
Aerodynamics will come into affect at any speed, but yes you're quite right that it'll be far more noticeable at higher speeds.
There will be no noticeable aerodynamic benefit below speeds of 30mph or so. You're talking tiny percentages of aero improvement, and quite frankly at the 'normal' speeds most mtbers travel at, loads of other things will have a far greater effect on speed/performance than aerodynamics; stuff like tyre rolling resistance, power to weight ratio, fitness, etc. A podgy MAMIL will not have any real advantage over someone in baggies, he'll just look more repulsive.
The most significant benefit of lycra type clothing is in keeping you cool/sweat wicking/drying, stuff like that really. If it feels comfier, than go for it.
A late joiner to this thread, but have I misunderstood or do some people intentionally go on bike rides of any description (road, mtb etc) without having a chamois pad between them and their saddle?
I mostly ride in just normal pants and unpadded shorts/trousers, without issue. TBH, I find such a combo cooler in hot weather, than wearing padded baggies. Only use padded shorts on really long rides, but done the odd inadvertent 50+ miler without padding. Might be a little 'tender' the next day, but nowt too serious. I'm very careful and fussy about saddle choice though, which is a point many people overlook, thinking it's the padding in shorts that helps. Big mistake.
Sorry, was I being a bit too rational on an otherwise totally pointless thread?Please why, no really why?
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I wear lycra on the road bike, baggies on the mtb unless I'm racing.
My baggies are basically lycra shorts with a pair of normal (ish) shorts sewn on top. The normal shorts do NOTHING AT ALL except make me look a bit more casual on the MTB. So it's pure vanity, and anyone who argues otherwise is w r o n g.
I realise that the fact I wear baggies on the mtb is heavily influenced by what others wear. I wore lycra on the MTB for years after most people were wearing baggies.
@kimbers, why not ask them? next time you spot them wearing lycra shorts, just ask!
I've been riding a "Gravity Enduro" today. In the pissing wet. Because it was a "Gravity Enduro" I wore baggy shorts, although I couldn't stretch to a piss-pot and goggles, which are de rigeu in "Gravity Enduro" circles.
Anyway, it was quite wet. 3/4 length bib-tights, jersey, arm-warmer and a gilet would have been much comfier I think. But I wouldn't have looked very "Gravity Enduro", so it would've been stupid.
I'm 33 tomorrow, and I'm starting to develop a belly. Because I generally wear lycra this (a) is getting rather obvious and (b) will have to be dealt with.
I don't care what anybody wears. Unless they're doing a "Gravity Enduro", when I really need to see goggles and a pisspot. 😉
Lolz @ stupid sexy Flanders.
Happy birthday for tomorrow Jon.
There will be no noticeable aerodynamic benefit below speeds of 30mph or so. You're talking tiny percentages of aero improvement, and quite frankly at the 'normal' speeds most mtbers travel at, loads of other things will have a far greater effect on speed/performance than aerodynamics; stuff like tyre rolling resistance, power to weight ratio, fitness, etc. A podgy MAMIL will not have any real advantage over someone in baggies, he'll just look more repulsive.There will be no noticeable aerodynamic benefit below speeds of 30mph or so. You're talking tiny percentages of aero improvement, and quite frankly at the 'normal' speeds most mtbers travel at, loads of other things will have a far greater effect on speed/performance than aerodynamics; stuff like tyre rolling resistance, power to weight ratio, fitness, etc. A podgy MAMIL will not have any real advantage over someone in baggies, he'll just look more repulsive.
Agreed, but my point was just that Lycra is faster. Agreed it is not noticeable on an MTB unless you're hooning down fireroads (how dull), but I didn't quantify it, just disputed the OP's point that Lycra is no faster. Which is wrong. It's not appreciably faster to the masses, but that's not the same! I suspect it's hundreds of a mile per hour quicker, but it is quicker 🙂
Tell you what; you do what no-one else has ever done, and do a study on how much faster Lycra is for MTBing, then come back with the results. 😉
Lycra's 'better' for racing in I spose, but then; I'm a regular top ten finisher in international mountain bike races, and I wear baggies with normal pants underneath to race in. 🙂
S'all down to image really though in't it? Most of us don't want to look spoddy when we're out for a bimble, as we might need to stop at the pub without the locals jeering and pointing and laughing in a cruel and unkind manner.
One thing is true though; Lycra looks disgusting on 99% of STWers. Fact.
Tell you what; you do what no-one else has ever done, and do a study on how much faster Lycra is for MTBing, then come back with the results.
Be biased though as the quicker riders already wear Lycra 🙂
No they don't. I beat loads of people who were wearing Lycra.
Tell you what; you do what no-one else has ever done, and do a study on how much faster Lycra is for MTBing, then come back with the results
You don't set the toughest challenges. I did a proper academic study of the fastest riders in the world at the highest profile mountain bike event in the world and 100% of the riders on the podium at every single running of the event were wearing lycra.
Yeah, but only cos it's comfier, faster drying/wicking and that, not cos of it's aerodynamic properties ffs! 😆
But we're talking about 'normal' mtbers here, not mentalists. Most of us don't want to look like spods out on the trails, frightening sheep, dogs, children and old ladies. 😐
Most of us don't want to look like spods out on the trails
So stay at home - problem solved. Do sheep, children and old ladies pay the least bit of attention to what you're wearing? More to the point, why are you so worried about what the sheep, [s]children and old ladies[/s] think of you.
Do sheep, children and old ladies pay the least bit of attention to what you're wearing?
Yes they do. And although I myself am [i]well buff[/i], I think others need to be responsible and considerate of others.
So stay at home
No [i]you[/i] stay at home.
No you stay at home
But that won't solve the problem of you looking like a spod out on the trails 😉
I don't look like a spod on the trails though. Whatever I wear.
You do though.
Be biased though as the quicker riders already wear Lycra
Well the second wasn't, shame I can't remember what was the first wearing.
Be biased though as the [s]quicker riders[/s] social inadequate wannabees already wear Lycra
FTFY 😀
Are we supposed to just know what you're talking about?! Presumably the National Baggy Wearing Championships?
You two still at it? 😆
You two still at it?
Yup it amuses me