jdon

Scroll ahead to 15:20.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi42e...eature=related

Tyler Hamilton approves of street clothes

cruiserhead

I used to be of the "lycra-only" mentality because I've been racing since I was a kid. So, I'm the opposite.
I went from that lycra-cage to the freedom of wearing normal clothes and loosing the mentality of "gearing up" to ride.

It's liberating, I use my bike more and it's a lot more practical.
Lycra has it's place but so does cycling-specific clothing. There is a lot of it nowadays and it's not baggy, goofy crap.
It looks great, high tech materials and comfortable on and off the bike.

banerjek

If worry about being funny looking, you are funny looking -- mostly because that's your self perception.

Why worry about what noncycling idiots don't understand about functional attire or what cycling idiots don't understand about different types of riding? To get back to the question, I wear cycling kit if ride conditions/length make it the right choice.

starkmojo

I wear street clothes on my cannon dale CAAD 7 pretty regularly, but over 15 miles chafing can be an issue. I use poly long underwear and shorts as my "bike outfit" because it doesn't chafe, wicks sweat and costs 1/3 what bike pants cost. Also they are good for hiking, motorcycling Xcskiing and all the other stuff I like to do. Same reason I use platforms- that way I don't need another pair of shoes.

Nachoman

I watched the whole thing. It was a bit long. but interesting.

Myosmith

And if you want to look like a tool wear full road kit for a four-block errand to get a quart of milk. I've got nothing against kit and wear spandex and jerseys myself for many rides, but there are time where it is just overkill. When my daughter and I went for an evening cruise around the neighborhood, a T-shirt and jean shorts were just fine. Wearing full kit every time you get on a bike is like wearing a Nascar drivers suit every time you get in a car. Sometimes properly chosen street or athletic wear is the right tool for the job.

Excerpts from the OP

Part of the answer depends on your definition of "regular street clothes". If you mean a three-piece suit, probably not. T-shirts, cargo or jean shorts, runners and other sportswear, athletic shoes or trekking/light hiking shoes sure, no problem. I suggest getting liner style biking shorts that you wear like underwear but they have a chamois. Storm Skins makes some that you can easily wear under outdoor or athletic shorts. There are also some inbetween options like MTB shorts and shoes which look a little more mainstream than spandex and road bike shoes.

The important thing is to get out on your bike and keep pedaling, you'll find out what works for you and don't give a dang if anyone says you look Fred. Fred Birchmore was a great man and I'd be proud to share his legacy.

The roots of the term "Fred" are unclear, though some believe it originated from a touring rider named Fred Birchmore from Athens, GA. In 1934-35, Birchmore rode around the world on a bicycle he named Bucephalus. Birchmore and Bucephalus traveled approximately 25,000 miles. Bucephalus is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. In one famous incident while touring in Italy, Birchmore passed a bunch of racers during a race he had crossed paths with by chance. Despite going up hill on his loaded 50 pound non-racing bike, he passed the finish line well ahead of the racers. The cheering crowd at the finish line assumed him to be the winner of the race.

Max C.

Sure, for the odd ride here and there. I used to commute in Duluth canvas shorts which have a gusseted crotch. VERY comfortable. There are some other advertisers on this site that sell casual wear intended for cycling (with gussets and other helpful bits). You can even get cycling skinny jeans from Levi's.

If you're not totally afraid of cycling gear but don't want to be in clingy shorts, try Mountain Biking shorts. They're very comfortable and don't show off the contours of your body as much (plus some come with cargo pockets if thats your thing).

wle

i'm not racing
i don;t have enough 'bike drag' to wear every day
so i don;t
hardly ever in fact

wle

pallen

Training.Wheels

Didn't end up getting the Specialized, but I'm much happier with my current choice. I haven't bought cycling clothes, but with the kind of riding I do (extended errand runs), I don't think I'll need them just yet. If I get punched in the face during one of my rides, I will not be surprised.

starkmojo

Bike drag... I am stealing that term.

vermilionx

yeah, it depends.

i wear MTB shorts and regular shirts even on a 65 mile ride.

i think longest i've ridden in jeans is 25 miles.

AdelaaR

I found that, for me, professional cycle clothing made a huge difference in my riding.
I'm talking about being WAY more comfortable, temperature and sweat being regulated WAY better and all of this resulting in a very significant improvement in power output over time.

If you would ask me to race in pro kit on my hybrid or race in more casual clothes on my TT bike ... I would definately and without hesitation choose the former. The difference, to me, is a lot bigger than the difference between any two bikes.

marqueemoon

Other than my shoes I commute to work in exactly the clothes I work in. My commute is too short to really work up a sweat and dress is casual.

If I'm running errands or just goofing around I'll often wear "normal" clothes on a road bike but at a certain point it becomes uncomfortable.

It's much more enjoyable to ride a bike fast(er) in the appropriate clothing with a minimum of stuff.