Bike
MTB
Baggies vs lycra
We tackle (or should that be tickle) the touchy debate on where to ride in what.
“I believe in the evolution of a MTBer,” says Harry Orr, product specialist at Specialized South Africa. Aside from being obsessed with their workings, Harry's ridden and raced damn near all forms of bicycles, so the man knows what he's on about.
“An evolution from left to right - if left is hardtail cross-country (XC) and right is downhill (DH).” Harry concedes that of course not everyone makes it all the way across, but most tend to move from left to right. “With that shift, so the equipment, bike and riding style changes. It generally evolved from competitive to more relaxed rides, where ultimate performance is not critical,” he says.
Marco Fontana has made racing XC in baggies cool
© Alessandro Dealberto/Red Bull Content Pool
LYCRA IS A PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT
According to Harry, lycra is designed to stretch with the body for ultimate drag-free performance, and is thus adopted by the left wing XC racing snakes. “We try convince ourselves that it looks cool, and to many it is good seeing the curves and veins of strong, fit, athletic bodies, but – out of context – lycra doesn't look good.”
“Of course not everyone follows the 'natural evolution' of a MTBer. Some decide they'll skip the lycra/competitive/xc scene and dive straight into the trail or gravity and adrenalin-fueled right wing – sporting the appropriate baggie clothing that goes with it,” he says.
Comfort, style and the fact that they’ve become more generally 'accepted' by the cycling world – the reasons why baggies are gaining popularity are many, and sometimes very personal. “I always said I'll only wear baggies when I deserve it. It's like a drivers license for trail riding - if you can't do a gap jump, stick to lycra, to show that you haven't 'got there' yet,” mentions Harry, but is quick to qualify that, that view of MTBing is not good for the sport and also discounts the practically and functionality of baggies.
Lycra or nothing for pro racer Ariane Kleinhans
© Jazz Kuschke
TRAIL ONLY?
According to Harry baggies have come a long way in terms of fit and materials, which increased their popularity. “They are now very functional and comfortable for riding...trail only? Well this is where it gets interesting.”
“There's definitely a draw to baggies for people doing XC riding who are either overweight or not confident wearing tight clothes. But otherwise people riding baggies for XC are trying to prove a point, because lycra is more functional for the competitive XC and endurance rider.”
IN SHORT
Baggies don't get destroyed when you crash. They don't squash your balls, except if you wear a tight inner underneath. “For most trail rides I prefer riding sans inner/chamois for a ventilated riding experience. And best of all, placebo or not, they make you faster down technical trailsbecause you feel more confident,” Harry says.
“A good pair of lycra bibs is a winner for long, seated, 'pedally' rides and I'll continue to wear them - usually when I put a race number board on.”
Do you ride loose or tight? Tell us why!
