Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
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Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby RonK » Sun Jan 13, 2013 10:58 pm
It would be interesting to know how many members consider this type of garb to be their normal cycling attire.
BTW - I always wear lycra.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby Lukeyboy » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:05 pm
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby GeoffInBrisbane » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:15 pm
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby stinhambo » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:16 pm
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby Redbull » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:19 pm
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby il padrone » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:21 pm
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby ozstriker » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:31 pm
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby human909 » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:32 pm
Is it? Where I live, ride and commute probably only 1 in 20 cyclists are wearing Lycra. For long distance and enthusiast cycling, Lycra and dedicated cycle wear are the obvious and sensible garb of choice for almost everybody else it is not sensible. Unfortunately for many people, in many parts of Australia cycling is either a enthusiast activity or not at all.Redbull wrote:Probably quicker an easier to ask who doesn't.
I voted NEVER because "sometimes" over represents the ~2% of the time I wear my Lycra.
What makes somebody a "roadie" if it isn't the lycra? A road bike? Well are you counting the 1000s of hipsters, poor uni students, and my 65 yo father riding 20 year old road bikes?ozstriker wrote:When it comes to roadies I very rarely see someone that isn't wearing lycra
***Explanation: I do have a bone to pick with the Lycra culture. Not that Lycra is a problem, nor are having enthusiasts a problem. However I see that there is a problem in this country with the lack of non-enthusiast cycling culture. This lack of non-enthusiast cycling culture affects us enthusiasts significantly. It makes it more unsafe on the roads and leads to poorer cycling infrastructure. I would like to see more enthusiasts recognise this and support and encourage cycling no matter what people wear.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby elantra » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:38 pm
But some cheaper brands of Lycra pants do not breath well and are not suitable for summer use.
I got caught in a rainstorm once wearing baggy shorts and had to ride 80km wishing i had chosen lycra.
Usually Lycra top but not always.
Occasionally i will ride to work wearing the intended work-shirt.
Sometimes in summer here it is so dam hot and humid that sports T shirt type tops are more comfortable than Lycra jerseys.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby il padrone » Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:48 pm
An interesting point. Most people seem unaware that all the road jerseys they see cyclists wearing are not lycra! Your tops are in all likelihood not lycra.elantra wrote:For any significant distance it is Lycra shorts.....
.....Usually Lycra top but not always.
Lycra/spandex/elastane is a polyurethane fibre. Check your labels - most road jerseys are made of various types of polyester fabrics. Coolmax is one that had some adverse effects and is less common now. Lycra is generally only used by cyclists for their shorts (also used by swimmers, skiers, rowers, netballers, dancers, yada, yada - but no-one complains about them ).
Back in the 80s there were lycra road jerseys, and if you ever used them you'll know why they are no longer sold - awful clammy, sticky garments. For some reason this is less of an issue with shorts (and I believe the lycra fabrics have been improved).
So really the troglodite public should be bitching about all the rogue cyclists riding about in polyester
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby LM324 » Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:04 am
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby RonK » Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:24 am
OK then...Philipthelam wrote:There should be a "saving up for a bike so no money for Lycra but would like to (maybe) wear in the future" option .That would be where I fit in. So at the moment I voted never, but that's because I have no choice/ don't have Lycra!
Hmmm bugger - didn't realise adding an option would zero all the previous votes. Are you able to reset mods?
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby DentedHead » Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:43 am
Dent.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby Mrfenejeans » Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:51 am
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby WestcoastPete » Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:11 am
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby hiflange » Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:46 am
1. weather
2. destination (will ride to a meeting but not in bike kit )
3. distance (never bother changing for a ride to the shop)
4. which bike I'm on and who I'm riding with (again bike kit not that appropriate for a low speed PSP outing with the family)
Personally I reckon the "always" and "never" crowds are just limiting their opportunities. For fun. And comfort.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby bychosis » Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:38 am
I don't fit the roadie category either. Would ride MTB by choice, but have an old steel roadie for commuter duties because it's quicker and I don't wear out my good MTB.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:41 am
*goons = hoons , the joys of auto correct. Thought I'd leave it though. Possibly more accurate in my case.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby sblack » Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:13 am
My jerseys are merino. Lycra for knicks though.il padrone wrote:An interesting point. Most people seem unaware that all the road jerseys they see cyclists wearing are not lycra! Your tops are in all likelihood not lycra.
What are the issues with Coolmax? It still seams to have prolific use in both sports and work wear.Lycra/spandex/elastane is a polyurethane fibre. Check your labels - most road jerseys are made of various types of polyester fabrics. Coolmax is one that had some adverse effects and is less common now.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby il padrone » Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:19 am
Yes, merino is even better for a jersey, with the new finer knits. Ground Effect are now doing their knicks out of a lycra-merino blend as well.sblack wrote:My jerseys are merino. Lycra for knicks though.il padrone wrote:An interesting point. Most people seem unaware that all the road jerseys they see cyclists wearing are not lycra! Your tops are in all likelihood not lycra.
Also known as 'Stinkmax'. Don't ever try to wear it for a second day without washing. Other polyesters are a good deal better for wearability, but merino is the best. Touring in the outback (think - no water for clothes washing) we wore merino thermals for days on end and they did not develop a pong.sblack wrote:What are the issues with Coolmax? It still seams to have prolific use in both sports and work wear.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby Aushiker » Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:23 am
I am pretty much with Rob and others who have said similar. Really depends on the ride and/or bike.RobertFrith wrote:Depends... on
1. weather
2. destination (will ride to a meeting but not in bike kit )
3. distance (never bother changing for a ride to the shop)
4. which bike I'm on and who I'm riding with (again bike kit not that appropriate for a low speed PSP outing with the family)
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby Nobody » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:29 am
I can't vote because I wear a polyester jersey most days and plain polyester/cotton shorts. I don't wear any Lycra/spandex but I'm sure when cycling I look a lot like a lycra clad lone wolf to the average ped.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby sblack » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:32 am
Good to know, I may have to check them out when in the market for knicks next. I did try Route 7 knicks with some merino in them but the chaimois was the wrong cut for me making them unsuitable.il padrone wrote:Ground Effect are now doing their knicks out of a lycra-merino blend as well.
Ahh, ok. I was thinking there may be some more serious issue present that I hadn't heard of. Not suitable for multiday touring but not an issue for many users that wash after each use anyway.Also known as 'Stinkmax'. Don't ever try to wear it for a second day without washing. Other polyesters are a good deal better for wearability, but merino is the best. Touring in the outback (think - no water for clothes washing) we wore merino thermals for days on end and they did not develop a pong.sblack wrote:What are the issues with Coolmax? It still seams to have prolific use in both sports and work wear.
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:34 am
It's not.Mrfenejeans wrote:I never considered "Not wearing" lycra as an option
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Re: Show of hands - who cycles in lycra?
Postby Nobody » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:38 am
It is.warthog1 wrote:It's not.Mrfenejeans wrote:I never considered "Not wearing" lycra as an option
Plenty of people wear plain clothing that don't have to be the fastest.
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