The vast majority of the people I see riding on Saturdays and Sundays on their $4K bikes dressed out like they're leading the charge for the Tour de France tend to do distances where there really is no difference in what you wear. My own trips max out at about 100k / day and I'm far more worried about sunburn, flats, insect swarms or getting caught in bad weather than I am about skin abrasion, absorption or cooling.

If you do go for competition cycling then maybe it is worth it to you to spend the extra $ but for the most part it seems to me that people just love to have an excuse to spend their $ to look like they are professional athletes.

Their bellies usually tell a different story, but fortunately for them lycra seems to stretch really well ;)

You ride 100KM in jeans without chafing?

Yes, absolutely no problem. Did it this Sunday, and many others besides.

The only time I've had chafing issues was when doing a circle around the 'IJsselmeer' in one day. That was bad. But I was also peeing green and out for the count for the next day so enough time to heal up :)

Learn from MTB riders - padded lycra pants and some shorts on top :) Doesn't look completely ridiculous and still comfortable after 3h.

I'm a pot-bellied Fred who wears full spandex and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I applaud you, I just don't like it, so I'll compromise - I'm only judging my own looks :)

I don't doubt that it looks ridiculous, merely because the opinion is so widely held and expressed, but function dictates form in this instance.

Well, you've got my vote. I merely wanted to point out that an expensive outfit is not a requirement to starting out cycling and that you can do some pretty good rides without. If it works for you then that's great, and I'm happy to see you cycling, whatever you're wearing. The activity is what matters. If you ever make it to my neck of the woods consider yourself invited for a trip.

Who said anything about jeans? Try the Nike store.