Looser fit clothing

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Longshot

Senior Member
Location
Surrey
Can anyone recommend some decent non-Lycra gear for road cycling? Ideally I'd like gear that comes in more portly sizes but isn't tent-like in its fit. Is there any looser fit but decent looking biking gear that anyone an recommend?

Also, is there any practical reason why I shouldn't wear padded bib shorts under looser outer shorts?
 

Kies

Guest
Football tops or running tops work just fine. When i first started,and to hide my posterior i would wear the padded shorts and then trackies over the top.
Don't wear overly loose clothing whilst cycling. You should quickly start to get into shape,resulting in even more wardrobe changes
 

MacB

Lover of things that come in 3's
It's a toughie and to be honest the best bet is padded stuff under regular baggies as Kies says you will either lose weight or you won't cycle enough to be worth all the new supersize kit.

Once the weight is down a bit there's a lot more selection but most of it is pricey, Swrve, Rapha, etc and they all seem to like their 'trim' fit cuts these days. If you're not going too far or your day will be pootling on and off the bike then you can get boxers with varying degree of padding. I've tried 3 or 4 types but found the Rapha ones the best by far. Then you can just wear whatever shorts or trousers take your fancy, I tend to avoid jeans but combat(minus the camouflage) are ok.

For longer/harder/training rides then my kit of choice while heavy is bib shorts with a base layer underneath(protects against nipple rub), cheap baggy shorts or longs(think Peacocks/TK Max here), a cheap micro fleece with a dropped back(Millets do some good ones) and if it's needed a wind/waterproof outer layer on the top. As the weight comes down the lower baggies can go but I use micro fleeces or cheapo cycling tops for any training rides.
 
FWIW H&M currently have some looser cycling clothing, designed with brick lane cycles. Prices are reasonable.
 
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Longshot

Longshot

Senior Member
Location
Surrey
Don't worry, I have no intention of going near a bike without padding! It's simply that I was wondering whether bib shorts would work under baggies ok rather than liners or waist high padded shorts.

I fully intend to be losing weight whereby tighter tops look ok. Having said that, there's tight and tight! It's like the form fitting rugby tops these days - the pros look ok in them but not many other people but there's the choice of a similar looking but less snug cotton version instead.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
I use Nike running tops - LS are around £15 from Sports Direct. Altura tends to be more generously cut (at least in the women's wear). As above MTB clothing (e.g. Fox) will be baggier

Avoid all Italian brands unless you are happy for an XXXXXL to feel snug :wacko:

www.cycle-clothing.co.uk go pretty big and have a sale on at the mo
 

coffeejo

Ælfrēd
Location
West Somerset
Don't worry, I have no intention of going near a bike without padding! It's simply that I was wondering whether bib shorts would work under baggies ok rather than liners or waist high padded shorts.
They do indeed. So long as you're comfortable* on the bike, wear whatever you want. ("comfortable" means different things to different people. My priority is padded shorts/bibs and breathable clothing. Wicking and/or warmth comes second.)

Last year I met a woman who cycled round the world sans any form of lycra / technical clothing, even padded shorts, preferring silk knickers.
 

Tomba

Well-Known Member
Si, wear whatever is comfortable. Bibs under baggies is ok. I do sometimes wear bibs under ron hill running torusers.

I just this morning got 'caught' by one of the guys from work on my way to meet the cycling club guys with my bib longs on so no doubt I'll be the butt of many jokes come Monday morning. F**k them I say, they're not doing a 50 miler in the pissing rain :smile:
 
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