First daft question

[Pikeman]

Why do cyclists wear Lycra? I can't see myself in it to be honest

 

[Eribiste]

I've been fighting a rearguard action against the Lycra fetish for ages, being a shape probably best kept remote from close fitting clothing, plus Lycra clothing and a 'sit up and beg' bike are a somewhat ridiculous combination I reckon. Having said that, I have to shamefacedly admit to buying a long sleeved cycling top from Tenn Outdoors in lurid colours made from "High Performance Technically Advanced" material. I further have to admit to it being rather good at the job. Although quite thin and form fitting (don't look Ethel!), it keeps me warm, and actually does wick the moisture away like the advertising blurb says. In other words, I have found that there are sound technical reasons for adopting those 'challenging' fashions beyond mere posing.

 

[berty bassett]

the shorts are padded so more comfy also dont flap about also dry quickly , the cycling tops also dont flap , wick the sweat away and make you stand out in the traffic - when you wear cotton once its wet with sweat it stays wet . also being nearly 50 i look so hot in skin tight clothing - honestly once you get over the hurdle of wearing it and find what a difference it makes - you wont go back to shorts and tee shirt

 

[taximan]

This is why I don't wear Lycra.

 

[Rural halfwit]

Being a bit anti social, I find Lycra coupled with my round body shape keeps people well away from me!

it's also comfy.

 

[Gaz Vickers]

I was against the wearing of Lycra, However my first ride was wearing baggy shorts and T-shirt, after 20 minutes my arse was aching and the flapping of baggy material was beginning to annoy me, So someone suggested Padded Lycra shorts, Hesitantly i bought a pair, And what a difference!! As someone has already stated, Comfy- Dry quickly- And made for the job!! its just getting over the initial hurdle of wearing it outdoors! i now wouldn't wear anything else whilst cycling.

 

[outlash]

As it happens I bought a pair of cycling trousers from Lidl a couple of weeks ago, and wore them for the first time this morning for a quick ride. Up until now I've been wearing track bottoms and they do make a difference, especially around the 'areas' that suffer from chafing . They also keep them warmer on these nippy Autumnal mornings!


Tony.

 

[ianrauk]

I wear lycra because..
It's what cyclists wear.
It's very comfy.
It keeps you cool in warm weather by dissipating sweat.
In wet weather it dries in an instance.
No baggy stuff flapping about.
It looks good.... on some people lol.
No one really cares that you wear lycra, especially other cyclists.
After wearing it for a while you will not care.

 

[Saluki]

It took me nearly a year to buy lycra padded shorts. I am not a good shape for lycra. I was a total convert to those shorts within a mile of their first ride on the bike. It made such a difference to not have pain in my seat bones and lady bits that I cycled an extra 3 miles that day.
Since then I have got a couple of cycling tops, a sort of cycling tracksuit top (not sure what its called but its warm and has big rear pockets in and its very snug), at least 3 more pairs of lycra bib shorts/shorts and some long cycling trousers which still show off all my fat bits but I don't care. Lycra is simply the most comfy fabric to cycle in. It doesn't restrict movement, it wicks the moisture off and really helps with the diet Especially when I cycle past shop windows and think 'hmm, maybe not a cream bun at the coffee shop today then'.

I have had the odd comment along the lines of "that is so not a good look" but that was off a really overweight chap at church. I pointed out that it was for exercise not for fashion. I have never had a comment about my wearing of lycra from another cyclist. I just feel wrong cycling in jeans or baggy cycling shorts, it all too 'flappy' and then you have to use cycle clips! They make me feel like my Dad.

There are plenty of non lycra bits of cycling kit out there too. Just look around and see what works for you

 

[musa]

Mainly the padding nothing worse that a stiff flat arse.

It's like saying why but AstroTurf trainers for footy when you could just wear your bog standard nikeys or what?

 

[RAYMOND]

Its about many things as stated above, its also a personal choice.
But for me it just goes with the whole package.
You look good,you go faster if thats what you want(aerodynamics)
And roadbikes usualy come with narrow saddles so you need some padding.
Lets put it this way, you don't see people going for a run in normal clothes,somehow i don't think lining up
for the 100 metres sprint would be such a spectacle in jeans and a t-shirt.

 

[kishin]

You look good

That's a matter of opinion.

 

[Methuselah]

I'm old, overweight and I don't even look good in jeans and T-shirt. How will Lycra help me?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I'm old, overweight and I don't even look good in jeans and T-shirt. How will Lycra help me?

You'll cycle faster so people won't have to look at you for as long

 

[Methuselah]

That does sound like a worthy reason. I'm on my way to the Lycra shop.