CyclePig

Poll: The Great Lycra Debate

Is lycra part of some underground cycling bondage fetish or does it really have some magical qualities that will propel you to cycling greatness?

What Do You Think About Lycra?

• Lycra should be made illegal (0%, 0 Votes)
• I don't wear lycra, but don't mind if other people do (31%, 17 Votes)
• I wear lycra when I am cycling (60%, 33 Votes)
• I wear lycra at every opportunity (9%, 5 Votes)

Total Voters: 55

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photo by tico24

The bottom line is that you should wear whatever you are comfortable in. If you aren’t both physically and mentally comfortable with what you are wearing you will cycle less - which is not the outcome you want. If you want to ride around to the local shop wearing your $200 lycra racing suit - then go for it. If you want to ride 100 miles wearing a t-shirt and shorts from ASDA/Walmart then that’s great too.

The decision to wear lycra should be a personal choice. But what are some of the things to consider?

The Case For Lycra

• Lycra is versatile in different weather conditions. It is still comfortable when soaked, is good at managing sweat and can regulate your temperature
• Tight fitting clothes are less likely to get stuck on the bike and cause an accident (chain and saddle are the most likely sticking points)
• Lycra cycling shorts generally have well positioned seams resulting in less chafing
• Lycra moves with your body when pedalling
• Lycra will reduce wind resistance
• Lycra shorts will provide compression for the leg muscles, arguably helping with performance
• For the men - no more crunching, mashing and twisting

The Case Against Lycra

• Cycling clothes can be expensive and you may already own exercise clothing
• You may feel self-conscious of the way you look in lycra
• The benefits of lycra are not particularly important if cycling at low speeds over short distances (e.g. commuting)

Many people expect to see lycra on a cyclist although the level of acceptance does vary between countries. It is also worth noting that the acceptance factor of lycra generally decreases the further you are away from your bike. In some cases you may feel more comfortable taking some shorts that you can wear over the top. There are also specific cycling clothes available that are lycra on the inside but on the outside look like normal shorts.

Conclusion

I am not advocating wearing lycra. You should do what makes YOU feel comfortable when you are cycling. However as a final thought, I read somewhere that life has 3 stages:

• Stage 1 - we worry what other people think about us.
• Stage 2 - we stop worrying what other people think about us
• Stage 3 - we realise that other people aren’t thinking about us

8 Responses to “Poll: The Great Lycra Debate”

1. Bryan Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm

   I wear lycra only while riding. If you had seen me on lycra you would thank me for that. I can’t believe the cost of some of these shirts/shorts/bibs. If you want a pro kit it goes even higher.

2. Jared Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 3:24 pm

   It depends on the group and on the ride for me. If I’m out for a “training” ride then I wear lycra. These are usually start from home, end at home type rides. Although if I go on some larger group rides I generally tend to sport the lycra as well. If I’m commuting, running errands or out for a ride with the wife I don’t wear lycra…if I’m out for more of a workout I wear lycra.

   On my mountain bike it really depends on the group that I’m riding with. One is a more lycra friendly group…in that 95% of the group is lycra clad. The other group is just a bunch of friends and I rarely sport the lycra when I ride with them…mainly because none of them wear it.

   I’m considerably more comfortable wearing lycra when I’m on a bike…but at the same time I realize that not everyone wants to know exactly how my lower half is constructed :) when I wear baggy shorts it’s generally more of a courtesy to others as I’m not self conscious about my body…although I probably should be!

3. Arlyn Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 4:13 pm

   I started wearing lycra when mtn biking and took a lot of crap from my friends who wore those normal looking shorts with a chamois inside. I just liked that my shorts weren’t all over the place.

   But now the real question - do you shave your legs?
   http://arlyn.teamclimbon.org/2008/03/01/shaving-your-legs-be-do-have/

4. siouxgeonz Says:
   May 22nd, 2008 at 4:07 am

   Snork. I wear lycra often… sometimes under sweats, sometimes not… the fourth stage is honestly not worrying about who is thinking about me and who isn’t unless it’s my boss.

5. siouxgeonz Says:
   May 22nd, 2008 at 4:07 am

   (so I couldn’t answer the survey ’cause it was none of the above.)

6. Ryan Says:
   May 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 am

   Lycra and Speedos should be kept under lock and key , and only be given out to athletes when they are in a serious race. You don’t need to be sporting those things all the times. Also diver have no need for speedos your not really swimming. :)

7. thePig Says:
   May 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm

   Thanks for all the comments. I always wear lycra shorts when cycling, it just depends on where I am riding whether I put some normal shorts on over the top.

   @Arlyn: I don’t shave my legs….yet. Thanks for the link to the post, I think I might need to write a follow up post about leg shaving.

8. The Pink Lane » Lycra Says:
   June 4th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

   [...] CyclePig has this poll on Lycra. My [...]

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