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Do you guys feel insecure wearing spandex and jersey.

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Do you guys feel insecure wearing spandex and jersey.

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Old 04-19-15, 09:51 PM
  #1  
rbloem
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Do you guys feel insecure wearing spandex and jersey.

Hey guys I have myself a pair of spandex padded cycling shorts as well as a jersey. I always feel a little insecure because I have wide hips and narrow waste and my jersey which happens to fit gives me the feeling that I want to pull it down over my rear. I know the jersey fits and all that but I'm so used to having my street reg. shirts pulled out and not tucked in. I saw myself riding in a reflection in a window and thought "what a mutant". I'm slim but my body is weird and hippy in the waste. Don't get me wrong I see the purpose of these clothes but I just feel like a spandex mutant.
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Old 04-19-15, 09:56 PM
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You need surgery.
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Old 04-19-15, 09:57 PM
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caloso
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My advice is to change your route so as to not pass that window.
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Old 04-19-15, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
You need surgery.


Originally Posted by caloso
My advice is to change your route so as to not pass that window.
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Old 04-19-15, 10:02 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by rbloem
Hey guys I have myself a pair of spandex padded cycling shorts as well as a jersey. I always feel a little insecure because I have wide hips and narrow waste and my jersey which happens to fit gives me the feeling that I want to pull it down over my rear. I know the jersey fits and all that but I'm so used to having my street reg. shirts pulled out and not tucked in. I saw myself riding in a reflection in a window and thought "what a mutant". I'm slim but my body is weird and hippy in the waste. Don't get me wrong I see the purpose of these clothes but I just feel like a spandex mutant.
My response to something similar that was asked a while ago - might be applicable here...

"I topped caring about this stuff.

I'm already wearing a skin tight outfit with what looks like diapers between my legs hunched over an overpriced pile of carbon/metal rendered irrelevant since the advent of the combustion engine over a century ago ... me being worried about people seeing the outline of my tip is like closing the barn door to keep the wind from blowing the leftover hay out after the horses already bolted a looooooong time ago."
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Old 04-19-15, 10:04 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by rbloem
... I'm so used to having my street reg. shirts pulled out and not tucked in ...
Did you mean that you are tucking in your bike jersey?
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Old 04-19-15, 10:17 PM
  #7  
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Chris Froome seems to be ok with it (being a mutant, that is).
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Old 04-19-15, 10:24 PM
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I don't own any Spandex!!!!


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Old 04-19-15, 10:33 PM
  #9  
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3-4 days a week I'm swimming laps at the pool. Compared to that, my biking attire feels like formal wear. And I honestly don't give a rip what I look like in either.
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Old 04-19-15, 10:33 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
You need surgery.
And a dictionary.

And lycra.
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Old 04-19-15, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by nkfrench
Did you mean that you are tucking in your bike jersey?
Yes ... I'm wondering this too ...
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Old 04-19-15, 11:48 PM
  #12  
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Insecure about wearing spandex cycling clothing? Not even slightly.
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Old 04-20-15, 12:06 AM
  #13  
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Once you're on the bike the wide hips shouldn't really matter. People shouldn't be able to notice it unless you're walking around.

I used to feel insecure in lycra when I was heavier but I'm slim enough now to pull it off.
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Old 04-20-15, 12:16 AM
  #14  
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Wear bibs they help smooth the lines out and maybe decrease the taper you have. They'll also prevent you from tucking in your jersey ever again.
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Old 04-20-15, 12:36 AM
  #15  
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The spandex and all (cycling shoes, helmet, jersey, glasses)... is an outfit, a uniform. Every form of outfit, uniform, style, or type of clothing... when thought about and examined is ridiculous. Don't worry about how you look... enjoy the ride. Watch the road... not the windows.
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Old 04-20-15, 02:14 AM
  #16  
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No. And I don't have a racer's body and I'm slow. Not everyone who cycles looks like a pro, but wearing cycling specific clothing for functionality (pockets in jerseys, padded shorts) and comfort is important to many cyclists. It makes a difference on longer rides. I wear plain clothing; no fancy kit for me.
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Old 04-20-15, 04:38 AM
  #17  
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i have the body of a greek god. so no issues. wear bibs.
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Old 04-20-15, 04:55 AM
  #18  
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Come ride with the group I ride with on the weekends. Trust me, you'll feel much better about yourself after.
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Old 04-20-15, 05:59 AM
  #19  
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Do some people watching at any large gathering and imagine these people in spandex. Yeah, not a pretty image, eh? Keep on pedaling and turn those big hips into muscle. No, I don't concern myself with what others think. If it really bothers you, hit the gym.
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Old 04-20-15, 06:29 AM
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Weird body shapes are the hallmark of a true cyclist. If you want to look like the average american (assuming you live in the US) then sell the bike and eat a couple slices of pizza daily, then you'll have a wide gut to match your wide hips. Otherwise, embrace being a spandex mutant.

Last edited by yankeefan; 04-20-15 at 06:36 AM.
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Old 04-20-15, 06:31 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by yankeefan
Weird body shapes are the hallmark of a true cyclist. If you want to look like the average american (assuming you live in the US) then sell the bike and eat a couple slices of pizza daily, then you'll have a wide gut to match your wide waist. Otherwise, embrace being a spandex mutant.
Swimmers have hot bodies, especially the women. Cyclists, not so much, except the women. What is it about women?
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Originally Posted by LAJ
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Old 04-20-15, 06:53 AM
  #22  
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Thanks guys for the laugh! Love it and no I don't tuck in the jersey. Take care.
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Old 04-20-15, 06:58 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by rbloem
Thanks guys for the laugh! Love it and no I don't tuck in the jersey. Take care.
Oh good.

So ... get a picture of yourself in that window and post it here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...le-2015-a.html

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Old 04-20-15, 07:03 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by jrossbeck
3-4 days a week I'm swimming laps at the pool. Compared to that, my biking attire feels like formal wear. And I honestly don't give a rip what I look like in either.
+1

I grew up swimming for my primary sport. I learned at an early age to be OK with my body, 'cause the speedo hides NOTHING! I'm not proud of how my body looks and I'm not ashamed of how my body looks. I am kinda proud of what my body can do while riding a bike - that's what matters to me.
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Old 04-20-15, 07:10 AM
  #25  
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Given the shape most of my peers are in, no I don't. Aside from that my wife says I look good and she likes my smooth legs so theres that.
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