Over the past decade, Lance Armstrong did more than inspire tens of thousands of Americans to take up cycling. He inspired them to look like him.

Snap-on shoes. Shaved legs. Bright-colored jersey over Lycra bibs. Any deviation from that look could subject a cyclist to howls. He even might be called a "Fred"—cycling lingo for loser. Getting it all right would still elicit snickers if he called the outfit a uniform. It's a kit. Got it, Fred?

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