Freedom2015

I just cant cant bring myself to wear the man tights, spandex. Do they really help with riding that much. I was at a barbecue at a friends and someone walked in full riding gear. Not good

molten

Then don't do it; this be an addictive, expensive, co$tly $port.

Doctor Morbius

I wear swim trunks over my cycling shorts for the betterment of mankind. Old fat guys in spandex is just plain wrong.

jon c. 

I might have been embarrassed when I was young. But virtually no one wore bike gear in the 70s. I didn't take up riding again until a few years ago and once I started riding further I switched to bike shorts without a second thought. They're more comfortable. I suppose they might be a bit revealing for social occasions though.

(edit - I'm just old, not fat. Since I started riding I'm down to about what I was at 17.)

caloso

No, I am not embarrassed. But then again, I only wear bike kit to ride my bike, not to walk around at bbqs.

MRT2

Nope. Not embarrassed at all. I wouldn't show up at a party or BBQ wearing full kit, but I would show up for a bike ride wearing cycling shorts and jersey. It is all about wearing what works for the activity. You wouldn't golf in work boots, or play basketball in wing tips. And you probably shouldn't go for a long bike ride in boxers, denim and cotton T shirts if you value comfort.

Frankly, I find it more embarrassing when I see grown men, and some women, wearing pro football jerseys when they haven't suited up on Sunday ever.

Camilo

Same here. I ride with bib shorts and/or tights, but I really don't feel the need to subject the general public to my paunchy physique in stores or social occasions. If I'm running errands I wear a pair of baggy shorts over them. I always keep some wind pants and/or baggy shorts in my bike duffel bag so I can slip them on if I'm running errands before or after a ride. I certainly wouldn't prance around in gaudy lycra kit at a social event. That's just too dweebish.

On the other hand, I'm not really embarrassed to wear tight bib shorts or tights, I just don't think others like to look at it.

Cyclosaurus

The shame of being married to a MAMIL, a Middle Aged Man In Lycra | Daily Mail Online

Freedom2015

What's the advantage of wearing them, limiting wind resistance. If not racing, where every second counts, is it minimal difference.

JohnDThompson 

They're more comfortable than street clothes, no seams in tender places. Chamois to prevent chafing and saddle sores. Modern wicking fabric to pull sweat off your skin. Etc.

Jim from Boston

For me, cycling shorts, as well as tights in colder weather, allow maximum freedom of movement without constriction. Denim blue jeans would be at the opposite end of the spectrum. Its too bad they are associated with "serious" (read snobby) cyclists.

It's easy enough to throw on some lightweight baggy gym shorts when off the bike, in more social circumstances. Even that get-up though, IMO is a bit casual even for a barbeque, as well as being sweaty after a ride, unless with really good friends. .

cloozoe

[h=2]Anyone Else Embarrassed? ????[/h]Nope. As long as I wear my tutu over them, I feel I'm looking good.

There are baggy biking shorts available with light weight, wicking fabric, padding. Lack the aerodynamic advantage of skin-tight spandex, though, so you'll probably lose .147 mph, which, as we all know, is crucially important for recreational riders.

Machka 

I'm a woman and I have been wearing full cycling kit when I ride (and before and after cycling a little bit) for almost 25 years now. Nope. Not embarrassed.

Machka 

Comfort.

It's like when you go to the swimming pool. You wouldn't hop in wearing office attire ... you wear a bathing suit.

Or if you're going to run on the treadmill at the gym ... you probably wouldn't run in a pencil skirt and high heels.

It's all about the right tool for the job.

Phil_gretz

This is SO TRUE! I'm in my mid 50s, and have come to believe that it's not dignified for mature men (leaving women out of this) to wear sports gear other than when at a sporting event and joining the crowd to root for their team. Maybe this extends to one's living room on game day, if there's a sports party or somesuch. But out in public, or at a restaurant - not good. This also goes for "young clothes", cockeyed flat-billed NY Yankees caps, or ball caps in general, for that matter.

Men should wear clothes that reflect their age and are respectful of their surroundings. Picnic at the local park? Go ahead and wear sporting clothes or shorts. Dinner out with the wife? Wear slacks and a nice shirt, and nice shoes. C'mon...

Um, and I don't worry about wearing cycling clothes. Like others have said above, I wouldn't wear to a bbq with non-cyclists. If I'm riding to a public event, I'll wear baggy MTB shorts and a tech polo shirt. Switch shoes and presto!

Notgrownup

At first I thought it was but now I don't give a rats A$$. The chamois is more comfortable but you can use a chamois liner short and wear baggy shorts over them...I don't go anywhere else but on my ride on my tights.

milkbaby

The majority of the group rides I do end with a social gathering at a local cafe, beer joint, or restaurant, and none of us are embarrassed to wear our cycling kit. Cycling kit is sensible and practical for the rides we do.

Do you people tell unattractive or ugly people to stay home because "nobody wants to see that"?

Ky_Rider

Tight bike shorts are even worse than tight tops. The benefits of tight shorts with padded crotches matter only to racers and mega-milers. For anybody else, and for recreational rides, even vigorous ones lasting the better part of a day, a good saddle, smooth-seamed shorts, and standing up now and then are all you need.
Petersen, Grant (2012-05-08). Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike

Marcus_Ti

No? What is this high school?

JonathanGennick 

I'd give up cycling if that stuff was a requirement.

Look at mountain-biking, especially the all-mountain crowd. Pick up a pair of "baggies".

JGM411

Riding with proper cycling clothing is much more comfortable. Many non-cyclists do not understand the reason or need for cycling clothing, but in my mind that is their issue. With that said, I ride early in the morning, starting at 4;30 am so there are very few people who see me. In addition, I have some bagging bike shorts with a chamois liner. During day time rides I sometimes wear them or if I would ride with friends I would use them.

In other words, there are alternatives to the tight fitting lycra bike shorts.

obed7

that is not the advantage of wearing them...there is a difference between a regular kit and a skin suit...if you are going to make a definitive statement, it is nice to know what you are talking about.

obed7

I really have a hard time seeing manhood dissipate like it has in this thread...
wear what you want when you want...if someone else does not like it, that is their problem...
if you like bike shorts and jerseys, wear them... if not don't...what someone else does is not your problem.

gear64

Great article! I kind of have the philosophy I've seen espoused in threads about lighter bikes. Maximize the engine first. My engine is good enough for my needs. Wearing a second skin will not appreciably improve my performance or my generally good looks. I wear what I refer to as tapered mountain shorts, and various weights of merino wool active wear for shirt when riding longer distances. These shirts are multi-purpose for many activities I pursue. If just going to run short errand may hop on commuter in street clothes. That bike has platform/clipless combo. I bought my first jersey this year as I wasn't liking how my phone rode in my leg pocket. It's full cut, I just wanted the back pocket. Found a great bargain on closeout. Also I like that it's just a simple two tone grey white color scheme. More than the unseemly fit, I fail to understand the garish nature of most cycling jersey's; unless of course you want to pay me for those sponsorships. If you really want to be a trend setter how about a full body shave and a jock strap

Dave Cutter

"Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.” - Benjamin Franklin

Everyone should have a normal amount of modesty... as well as the self-confidence that promotes their own distinctive sense of style. But often times the refusal to wear the conventionally accepted fashions is just a form or reverse snobbery. Or someone trying to draw attention to themselves by standing out in unconventional outfits (hence, old Ben's quote).

There isn't anything "wrong" with cycling gear! Wearing the clothing/equipment/gear/costume (whatever you want to call it) is all part of the enjoyment of being part of a hobby/sport. Join in with the rest of us and have some fun. Plus... cycling specific gear really does have beneficial functions.

All that said/posted. Wear whatever you like! You're no less of a man, woman, or a cyclist just because you want to be different. There is a little bit of Fred in all of us.