Pannier Help!

[teawoman]

I've seen folks ride plenty speedy with a(n empty) rack on the back of their bike. Looks Fred to those who care, but....well...there it is.

What's Fred?

[KnottedYet]

What's Fred?

Unfashionable utilitarian cyclist. Generally able to ride the pants off the fashionable racer-wannabee cyclists.

Curmudgeons with legs of steel (and generally older bikes of steel, too).


Flybye - a SURLY! oooohhhoOOOHHH! [get it, you know you want to] I am incredibly happy with my Surly Cross Check.

[Harley]

Similar problem with not wanting to stuff stuff into back pockets and hating fanny packs and live in the mountains with changeable weather...

I just bought a small handlebar bag, attaches with 2 velcro straps; big enough for granola bars, glove liners, leg warmers, earband, phone, journal and binocs. (i like to stop and look at birds, wildlife, flowers) My windbreaker has zip sleeves, but rolls small in the back pocket if not in use. If it's really chilly a Wool Ibex rolls very small also, but this time of year is usually under my jersey... The bag is soft, nothing fancy, is black (although it did come in pink), not heavy and fits nicely on the Bianchi's C2C's handlebars. My seat bag holds spare tube, pump, small first aid kit, tools, ID & $$ for after/during ride coffee. I'm good for all day 20 or 100 miles.

keep it simple, don't put a rack on that beautiful bike.

[Skierchickie]

Unfashionable utilitarian cyclist. Generally able to ride the pants off the fashionable racer-wannabee cyclists.

Curmudgeons with legs of steel (and generally older bikes of steel, too).


Flybye - a SURLY! oooohhhoOOOHHH! [get it, you know you want to] I am incredibly happy with my Surly Cross Check.

Well now I'm all confused. For some reason I thought the Fred was the fashionable racer-wannabee. Like DH & me, on our Trek 5200s with the USPS paint jobs. Especially DH on that bike with his Discovery jersey & shorts. Worse yet, on his Trek Team Time Trial! How could I have gone so wrong? Turns out it's my Dad! Who is probably out riding in blue jeans at this very moment.

[KnottedYet]

i think it's being used both ways these days. "Fred" (so the urban legend goes) was an old guy in a bike club who rode old stuff, a curmudgeon, etc.

The original Freds probably started calling the poseurs Freds in retaliation for them being called Freds.

Around here I hear "Freds" (curmudgeons) and "Poseurs" (wannabes). I've read "Fred" to mean the all-dolled-up poseur types a couple times, but haven't heard a real-live person say it that way yet.

Now I wanna find out if it's a regional thing. Off to wikipedia I go!

Glossary links: this one has both usages http://www.bicyclesource.com/bicycling_glossary
And here's what I found at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_%28bicycling%29 Wikipedia has a ton of info, and even talks about how the meaning of the term "Fred" has changed over time and the regional distribution.

Cool!

[7rider]

"Fred" - any cyclist who is not like you to make yourself feel better about your cycling.

If you are on a carbon race machine, a Fred could be an unfashionable utilitarian cyclist in street clothes with a rubber band around his pant legs. Or, a Fred could be someone in a full pro kit on a carbon race machine who rides a bike path at 10 mph.
If are on a lugged steel touring bike, a Fred could be anyone else on a bike.

Generally....a Fred could be anyone you'd say "Omigawd...I'd never be caught wearing/doing/riding THAT!"

[KnottedYet]

If are on a lugged steel touring bike, a Fred could be anyone else on a bike.

When I'm on my lugged steel bikes, I consider *myself* the Fred.

Knot-is-definitely-a-curmudgeon-cyclist-and-not-ashamed-to-admit-it

[Skierchickie]

Thanks for the explanation! Wow - I can be a Fred, while at the same time holding others in disdain for being Freds? COOL! Yes, I know the disdain thing isn't good, but it seems like the whole Fred concept is designed just for that purpose. Okay, I'm a Fred (although I don't ride bike paths - we only have one, and it isn't near me - and I try my darnedest not to ride 10mph unless it's a steep hill).

I think I'm gonna go hike my pants up under my armpits (picture Fred Mertz) and lie down to ease my muddled brain......