clothing
- Thread starter vimes
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the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
There are all kinds of clothes designed for cycling, but you don't *have* to wear cycling clothing necessarily. There is clothing out there designed for cycling and is baggy too, it's not all tight fitting lycra.
corshamjim
New Member
- Location
- Corsham
A couple of examples ..
http://www.swrve.co.uk/
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/surface/liquistretch-trousers-ec022564
I can't say I've tried either of these yet - my commute is only 4 miles so I just wear ordinary togs.
http://www.swrve.co.uk/
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/surface/liquistretch-trousers-ec022564
I can't say I've tried either of these yet - my commute is only 4 miles so I just wear ordinary togs.
Cletus Van Damme
Previously known as Cheesney Hawks
- Location
- Out in the sticks...
I would do a bit of research on here or something mate. At the moment I have my winter clothing more or less figured out but the recent weather has made me realise that I need some new gear. As recently it has been cold in the morning coming to work but much warmer going home and I have been slightly to hot. So I think that a summer short sleeve/vest base layer, short sleeved jersey, gilet and arm warmers are needed for the top half so I can remove items or put them on as required.
Like yourself I am not sure about the bottom half and I do not like the idea of wearing lycra to come to work. Also at the moment I am ok with long trousers. If you do want some long trousers the Ronhill Bikester DXB bike pants are a steal for just under £20. I also use Endura Hummvee long trousers but these were around £45 and to be honest I prefer the Bikesters although the Endura's are very good. The lack of pockets is the only downside of the Bikesters. You would also need a liner short for both of these if you are bothered about comfort, The DHB Earnley ones off Wiggle are great for £15.99 and may come in useful for under shorts too.
Just wondered what do people use for the bottom half? I was thinking of Endura Hummvee shorts and some leg warmers. I was just wondering are there any cheaper thin cycling overshorts that are available? If they were I might try out some Lycra shorts or bib shorts with the shorts over them. I cannot really afford to buy the Hummvee's or similar just to keep my dignity at work. Just wondered if there are any other baggy shorts that are thin and will not make me sweat for a reasonable price (sorry to hijack thread).
Like yourself I am not sure about the bottom half and I do not like the idea of wearing lycra to come to work. Also at the moment I am ok with long trousers. If you do want some long trousers the Ronhill Bikester DXB bike pants are a steal for just under £20. I also use Endura Hummvee long trousers but these were around £45 and to be honest I prefer the Bikesters although the Endura's are very good. The lack of pockets is the only downside of the Bikesters. You would also need a liner short for both of these if you are bothered about comfort, The DHB Earnley ones off Wiggle are great for £15.99 and may come in useful for under shorts too.
Just wondered what do people use for the bottom half? I was thinking of Endura Hummvee shorts and some leg warmers. I was just wondering are there any cheaper thin cycling overshorts that are available? If they were I might try out some Lycra shorts or bib shorts with the shorts over them. I cannot really afford to buy the Hummvee's or similar just to keep my dignity at work. Just wondered if there are any other baggy shorts that are thin and will not make me sweat for a reasonable price (sorry to hijack thread).
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Altura summer cruisers are nice and lightweight, not too tight either.
I have some Humvees baggy shorts that will be making a comeback once it gets a bit warmer, they are quite heavy though but plenty of pockets for all your gear.
Top half gilets are very good, just got a pair of armwarmers which should compliment it on the cooler mornings/evenings.
Any technical fabric/moisture wicking clothing should be OK, certainly better than cotton which is horrible once it gets wet with sweat.
I have some Humvees baggy shorts that will be making a comeback once it gets a bit warmer, they are quite heavy though but plenty of pockets for all your gear.
Top half gilets are very good, just got a pair of armwarmers which should compliment it on the cooler mornings/evenings.
Any technical fabric/moisture wicking clothing should be OK, certainly better than cotton which is horrible once it gets wet with sweat.
For a 15 mile commute I'd say it's worth getting some sports specific kit (doesn't have to be cycling specific, certainly for your top half - I use any quick drying type sports t shirts - easily dry out during the day so not all soggy for the home journey).
Bottom half for that distance I prefer some sort of padded short. If not lycra, then you can get baggy type MTB shorts with a padded lycra insert that no one will see
I've just picked up some Altura Summit MTB shorts and they're perfect - my commute is also 15 miles each way.
For your top half, just bear in mind that anything too baggy will cause more wind resistance - but then depends how fast you intend going.
Bottom half for that distance I prefer some sort of padded short. If not lycra, then you can get baggy type MTB shorts with a padded lycra insert that no one will see
For your top half, just bear in mind that anything too baggy will cause more wind resistance - but then depends how fast you intend going.
johnr
Über Member
- Location
- Grand depart 2014 county (east)
Fifteen miles is a long way. I'd try and get over your lycra-phobia. I do eight miles and found the alternatives too chafing/uncomfortable, especially in warm weather.
Take a look at Rainlegs. They're great for rain in warm weather and not too bulky to carry around on the off chance it tipples. ALDI winter tights are my standard wear at the moment when it's cold on the way home (and sometimes on the way in as well). They're not as fleecy as more expensive tights, so you don't overheat, and they have a water resistant layer on the thighs which is good enough for anything less than a downpour - probably nor=t for twice the distance though. Unfortunately, ALDI only sell them in the autumn.
Prepare yourself for the leering admiration of your female work colleagues and get those shorts on
Take a look at Rainlegs. They're great for rain in warm weather and not too bulky to carry around on the off chance it tipples. ALDI winter tights are my standard wear at the moment when it's cold on the way home (and sometimes on the way in as well). They're not as fleecy as more expensive tights, so you don't overheat, and they have a water resistant layer on the thighs which is good enough for anything less than a downpour - probably nor=t for twice the distance though. Unfortunately, ALDI only sell them in the autumn.
Prepare yourself for the leering admiration of your female work colleagues and get those shorts on
david1701
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Bude, Cornwall
bigup
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Stockport/Manchester
sorry to bump an oldish post
can you wear the Ronhill Bikester DXB pants over cycle padded shorts?
id like to wear the padded shorts but also something over it for the chilly mornings
any advice? Thanks!
Cletus Van Damme
Previously known as Cheesney Hawks
- Location
- Out in the sticks...
Yes I often wear mine over padded cycling shorts, I never feel too hot in them either. The bikesters are great value IMHO.
hotmetal
Senior Member
- Location
- Near Windsor
It is worth wearing technical clothing for that length of journey, but it doesn't have to be race-style Lycra gear. There are lots of options for commuting wear. Even then, you don't have to stick to bike-specific kit.
You can actually get padded boxer shorts (Evans do them IIRC) which fulfil part of what cycling-specific shorts are about. You can then wear whatever trousers or shorts you like. That's only part of the story because there's the warmth/waterproof side of things too. In my experience, on a 15 mile ride you'll get fairly warm (depending on weather and your speed) so you might want some Lycra but if you really feel self-concious then anything that won't get saturated if it rains (like cotton or denim) or caught in your chain will do. For 15 miles (I'm guessing about an hour), I reckon if it rains you're better off with Lycra or something that will get wet but not saturate. Wearing waterproof trousers will get you just as wet from sweat on the inside.
On the top any tech tee will do, cycling jerseys are obviously made for it but any synthetic wicking tee will do, such as the cheapo Peter Storm ones from Millets. These are cheap enough that you can buy 5 - a fresh one for each day. Then all you need is a wind or rain jacket if it's not so nice out.
If you haven't got a shower at work, just make sure you change out of your teeshirt and into the work kit as soon as. Sit there for an hour checking your email before changing and you might give rise to nasty niffs. Also recommended is these salt-type deos such as Ice Guard which you can get from Holland and Barrett. They don't leave a mess and basically stop bacteria, so you can sweat as much as you like without getting BO. Plus a stick lasts absolutely forever for your fiver.
I remember a guy who used to cycle 12 miles to work and wear his work shirt on the ride and all day. That was 25 years ago and I still remember him, the stinky old hippy. You don't want to make that kind of impression on anyone!
You can actually get padded boxer shorts (Evans do them IIRC) which fulfil part of what cycling-specific shorts are about. You can then wear whatever trousers or shorts you like. That's only part of the story because there's the warmth/waterproof side of things too. In my experience, on a 15 mile ride you'll get fairly warm (depending on weather and your speed) so you might want some Lycra but if you really feel self-concious then anything that won't get saturated if it rains (like cotton or denim) or caught in your chain will do. For 15 miles (I'm guessing about an hour), I reckon if it rains you're better off with Lycra or something that will get wet but not saturate. Wearing waterproof trousers will get you just as wet from sweat on the inside.
On the top any tech tee will do, cycling jerseys are obviously made for it but any synthetic wicking tee will do, such as the cheapo Peter Storm ones from Millets. These are cheap enough that you can buy 5 - a fresh one for each day. Then all you need is a wind or rain jacket if it's not so nice out.
If you haven't got a shower at work, just make sure you change out of your teeshirt and into the work kit as soon as. Sit there for an hour checking your email before changing and you might give rise to nasty niffs. Also recommended is these salt-type deos such as Ice Guard which you can get from Holland and Barrett. They don't leave a mess and basically stop bacteria, so you can sweat as much as you like without getting BO. Plus a stick lasts absolutely forever for your fiver.
I remember a guy who used to cycle 12 miles to work and wear his work shirt on the ride and all day. That was 25 years ago and I still remember him, the stinky old hippy. You don't want to make that kind of impression on anyone!
515mm
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Carmarthenshire
Keep a pack of baby wipes at work so you can "wash" your sweaty bits before changing into your workwear. Wait until you've cooled down - have a little stretch, can't do any harm. If you shower before your ride in you won't whiff at work. My commute is 14miles and have had no complaints from collegues - I asked them to FFS tell me if my clobber or my bod started to pong.
But does the scent of clean baby attract the ladies.............?
But does the scent of clean baby attract the ladies.............?