Help me argue with myself

[Subby]

The crazy thing for me is that padded lycra bike tights/shorts are way more comfortable than anything else. So is being clipped in. And this was after about a year of blissfully riding platforms/toe cages with sweatpants. No chance I would ever go back.

That said, I will never look as good as TwoWheels or Dismal. That’s the trade off.

[Phatboing]

@dplasters 105233 wrote:

But then I would be wearing lycra and riding on platforms, which I can’t say I’ve ever witnessed before.

….

Also, has anyone seen the lycra + platform combo? In the winter some tights really would be nice for the better ankle warmth vs pants. I should just stop worrying about what other people think shouldn’t I?

Hello.

I look like an idiot. It works for me.

I’ve ridden clipless, but went back to platforms one winter (for boot purposes) and stuck with em ever since.

Nobody cares, nor should they be caring about how you like to ride.

[Powerful Pete]

Firmly in the technical clothing and clipless camp. I dress like a roadie because, until moving to DC, I was almost exclusively a roadie, so I have quite a bit of technical gear. The gear looks goofy to non-cyclists but it works – it makes me ride more efficiently and comfortably.

And no, I don’t look particularly good in lycra these days, but I’m Italian and rather more self confident than I should be and therefore everyone needs to see me in my lycra-clad glory. :rolleyes:

Do what works and feels most comfortable. Given where you are coming from the MTB-ish clothing and platform/spd pedal combo might be a good place to go.

[kingman762]

I’ll echo the benifits of a platform/SPD combo pedal, like the Shimano’s shown earlier. While clipping in on a single sided pedal is not as quick with this pedal as it is with a true dual sided SPD that trade off it worth the benifits. It’s nice to be able to use the clipless pedal on my commute and then to hop on the bike in dress shoes for a ride across the city to a meeting or for a lunch engadgement.

Also, in terms of shoes, there are quite a few that don’t scream “I’m a cycling shoe!”, like the pearl Izumi Alp X, that also perform quite well.

[dplasters]

@TwoWheelsDC 105241 wrote:

“Baggies” don’t necessarily have to be baggy. Giro, Swrve, and others all make “regular” shorts that have a relatively close fit and that are designed for the rigors of riding.

The Giro Ride Overshorts are exactly what I’m looking for. You rock. The price is staggering though. I actually saw the face my wife will make in my mind… it was great… or depressing… possibly frightening.

@cyclingfool 105239 wrote:

1. The world doesn’t want to see me in lycra. Neither does my wife, so spending money on it would earn an immediate slap on the wrist.

I have no bodily fears of wearing lycra and the DW is not against it at all. I run in tights on a regular basis. I can’t comment on what others are comfortable with seeing me in though.

I’ve not yet had a comfort issue riding without padding. I’ve never ridden more than 14 miles and have never really had an issue… my seat and I just seem to get along nicely I guess.

I love this forum, I know the platform vs clipless debate will rage on forever (both in my mind and throughout the land). I don’t expect an answer. I don’t think there is one. I do think this upcoming summer if I stumble onto some mtb shoes in a 43 or 44 and are a steal I might give it a whirl. It sounds like the real answer to this is that I need to find out for myself. Big shocker there.

[Sunyata]

It is interesting to see everyone’s preferences.

For me, it all depends on what bike I am riding and what I am riding it for.

For my commuter in the winter, I run flat pedals (so I can wear my super warm Keen boots). About 50% of the time in the Spring/Summer/Fall, I have flat pedals on it for running errands and short distance trips (like to the store or dinner/drinks with friends). The rest of the time I run clipless (MTB style).

For my road bike, I always wear clipless (granted, I ride this bike like 5 times a year). Right now, they are MTB style, but if I am going to be riding a long distance with minimal walking, I will swap and put my Speedplays on.

For my mountain bikes, about 90% of the time I wear flats. When I race, if it is super hot, I wear flats and spandex. I probably get some odd looks, but really… Who cares. The other 10% of the time, I wear clipless.

I think the moral of the story is wear what makes you want to ride your bike. Otherwise, what is the point? 😎

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Subby 105280 wrote:

That said, I will never look as good as TwoWheels or Dismal. That’s the trade off.

I look as dorky as everyone else in lycra, although I have tried to shift my “roadie” wardrobe away from graphics-heavy kit to stuff that’s really plain (but stylish, of course). For non-lycra stuff, I admittedly just do whatever Cycleboredom does, with some minor modifications.

[Bill Hole]

I’ve been wearing Lycra shorts ever since a yellow jacket flew up my loose shorts leg and stung me on the butt. YMMV.

[hozn]

@dplasters 105298 wrote:

The Giro Ride Overshorts are exactly what I’m looking for. You rock. The price is staggering though. I actually saw the face my wife will make in my mind… it was great… or depressing… possibly frightening.

There are others; as @jrenaut mentions, brands like Zoic have cheaper options. Find the brand that fits you; that’s really the ticket. I buy Oakley or Fox DH (downhill mtb) shorts when they are on clearance; I wouldn’t pay more than $50-60 for shorts. You can wear them over padded shorts/liners or not. I wear them as regular shorts in the summer; they also work great on the bike. I’ve had my Oakleys for over 5 years, worn them regularly, banged them up, and they are holding up great.

For longer distances (>2 hours, definitely when you start talking “all day” rides), you’ll probably want cycling shorts. I do/would wear lycra for anything that isn’t a casual ride (where I’m not changing) or where I’m going somewhere and need to be somewhat socially presentable to non-cyclists. Lycra is the best clothing for the job (less flapping in wind, cooler/dries faster, pockets convenient, more comfortable) so there has to be a good reason not to wear it if I’m going to be changing my clothes for the bike ride anyway.

[baiskeli]

Does everyone realize that the rest of the world thinks spandex looks dorky no matter what kind of pedals?

[KayakCyndi]

@TwoWheelsDC 105305 wrote:

…. For non-lycra stuff, I admittedly just do whatever Cycleboredom does, with some minor modifications.

Oh great. Now I want to go shopping. Blessing and curse than many of these great wardrobe options are men’s only ….

[dplasters]

@hozn 105317 wrote:

There are others; as @jrenaut mentions, brands like Zoic have cheaper options. Find the brand that fits you; that’s really the ticket. I buy Oakley or Fox DH (downhill mtb) shorts when they are on clearance; I wouldn’t pay more than $50-60 for shorts. You can wear them over padded shorts/liners or not. I wear them as regular shorts in the summer; they also work great on the bike. I’ve had my Oakleys for over 5 years, worn them regularly, banged them up, and they are holding up great.

I actually own a pair of Oakley shorts that I ride in currently (weather permitting…). They were actually designed for golf but seem no worse for wear on a bike. The issue I have is that the pant leg is very wide. I’m imagining a slim fit / tailored short leg so that I’m not dragging so much. It actually became an issue when I put an sks s-blade fender on my bike. The shorts are baggy enough that they can grab the quick-release and dump my itty bitty fender. I was lucky and it just sat on top of my rear wheel all nice as I bailed off of Lee highway but it was concerning for sure.

Also, not cotton. Cotton is the devil.

[Phatboing]

@vvill 105264 wrote:

I’ve actually been contemplating getting a nicer set of platform pedals that has removable/adjustable pins so I can really grip them properly with my shoes. For some reason I seem to gravitate towards the xpedo line-up even though I don’t do any BMX/trials/MTBing etc.

I’ve got VP-001s on the Fargo, and they’re grand.

[Steve O]

@Bill Hole 105314 wrote:

I’ve been wearing Lycra shorts ever since a yellow jacket flew up my loose shorts leg and stung me on the butt.

Coulda been worse, even.:eek:

[Steve O]

@baiskeli 105319 wrote:

Does everyone realize that the rest of the world thinks spandex looks dorky no matter what kind of pedals?

Speak for yourself.

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