Do cyclists have to be slim to wear Lycra?

[Chris Hobson]

I've been looking through the old threads here and came across this one. As a triathlete I often wear tri suits which are a garment that takes the unflattering nature of lycra to a whole new level. For those not familiar with this garment, imagine a cat suit that has had the legs cut off just above the knees. The idea is to have a garment that you can swim, cycle and run in. When cycling I usually wear a cycling top over mine so I just look as though I'm wearing cycling shorts. Most of mine are dark colours but I have one that I bought cheap off the internet that is sky blue. I only use it for open water swimming when I wear a wetsuit over it because it is pretty revealing when it is wet.

 

[Dave W]

Also just spotted the thread. I'm slim - 55kg and 5'8" but don't wear lycra - I tend to wear layers that I vary according to the weather. I do wear padded pants under my shorts and they make a big difference on longer rides. Made a big error of judgement with one pair I bought as the padded area was red and looked like a baboon's bum when I was wearing them!

 

[MikeTurin]

I do MTB just for fun or to go to groceries, and I have some cycling gear aimed to MTB, so my padded pants look almost like normal shorts for hiking, I use some acrylic t-shirts, and my bike is from 2003 so is a 24" with v-brakes.
Sometimes I see some posers with an expensive racing bike and a lycra suit like one of a professional team with strong colours. Some of them have muscles and not fat, other seems they wear like this and use the bike on sundays to make a showoff.

 

[Docb]

Padded lycra shorts are the key to comfort when riding a bike, especially if you suffer from soreness in the nether regions. The padding absorbs and wicks away sweat and any rubbing that goes on is between the saddle and the lycra and not between your clothing and your skin. They only work if you wear nothing underneath them ( something that ladies don't often appreciate ) but you can wear what you like - within reason - on top. If you ride to get real exercise you don't want much if anything on top otherwise you get too sweaty. Also if you are riding in the rain it is generally more comfortable to let your legs and shorts get wet because they dry much faster than conventional clothing when it stops raining.

So padded lycra shorts are purely practical and have nothng to do with a "look". People who get upset by them should simply avert their eyes.

 

[Pine Marten]

I don't care what cyclists wear as long as they GET OFF THE PAVEMENT INTO THE ROAD, DO NOT JUMP THE RED LIGHTS, AND DO NOT SWEAR ABUSE AT PEDESTRIANS!

 

[Northerner]

My problem if I wear Lycra when running is having to hurdle all the swooning women that litter the path when they clock my magnificence 😱 😉

 

[eggyg]

When Mr Eggy was a regular cyclist he had some MAMIL gear ( middle aged man in Lycra) and the kids always pulled a face if they happened to see him in it but he didn’t care. One day I had a bit of a turn at work and went to GP who didn’t want me to drive home and suggested I called someone to come and drive me and my car home. I called Mr Eggy who had cycled to work, he duly arrived and we walked to the car park and that’s when I noticed he had his cycling shorts on inside out and back to front, obviously displaying the padded piece on the front, in his panic to pick me up he’d got changed quickly in a dark office! It still makes me giggle to this day.

 

[Robin]

When Mr Eggy was a regular cyclist he had some MAMIL gear ( middle aged man in Lycra) and the kids always pulled a face if they happened to see him in it but he didn’t care. One day I had a bit of a turn at work and went to GP who didn’t want me to drive home and suggested I called someone to come and drive me and my car home. I called Mr Eggy who had cycled to work, he duly arrived and we walked to the car park and that’s when I noticed he had his cycling shorts on inside out and back to front, obviously displaying the padded piece on the front, in his panic to pick me up he’d got changed quickly in a dark office! It still makes me giggle to this day.

I wear padded 'Dressage knickers' for riding, ie they’re designed for when you're riding with longer stirrups and need protection for the delicate bits at the front. I’m always worried I’ll fall off, have to go to A and E, and they’ll take one look and assume I’m incontinent!

 

[declan88]

Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy says Lycra can look "awful" on anyone weighing more than 8st (49kg) and that amateur cyclists don't have to pull on a pair of tight-fitting shorts to look good. Is he right?

It is a question that many amateur cyclists will have asked at some point: does my belly/legs/bum* (*delete as appropriate) look big in this?

But according to Sir Chris - the six-time Olympic gold winning cyclist - not enough people think before pulling on a pair of Lycra leggings.

"Lycra isn't the most elegant material you can wear and professional cycling gear generally looks awful on pretty much anyone heavier than 8st," he wrote in GQ magazine.

He said the desire of so-called "mamils" - the dreaded middle-aged man in Lycra - to be seen in the latest high-performance Team Sky cycling kit all too often results in a tummy-turning experience for onlookers.

"Personally, I feel sorry for mamils," he wrote. "When they walk into a cafe dressed head-to-toe in Lycra, you always spot people sniggering at them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41081756

I think this is a bit unfair of Sir Chris. Cycling should be about wearing what you want and riding whatever bike you like. I wear lycra because I think it's the best and most comfortable material for riding in but also feel good when I've got my proper gear on. Suits me sir. Yes, it may not be the most attractive look on everyone and any sort of clothing is not just about function but about how you look and feel in it but if people feel good in wearing it whatever their size then why not?

He's wrong. Men look look awful in lycra. Its just a no no. Obsession with image i find naff.

 

[Chris Hobson]

I'm not bothered about image in the slightest. I find lycra cycling gear to be comfortable and practical. You might think that it's a no no but I don't care at all about your opinion to be honest.

 

[MikeyBikey]

Most Sunday cyclists in lycra just look daft! If you haven't got it don't flaunt it!

 

[TrevA]

So what do you suggest they wear instead? Or perhaps you think that overweight people shouldn’t be riding bikes? Lycra is popular because it’s comfortable. I’m 100kg and wear Lycra. I cycle 50-60 miles at a time. There are specialist firms that make clothing in more generous proportions for us larger lads and lasses - Fat Lad at the Back is one.