Practical clothing that isnt skin tight...

[InspireTheEmpathic]

Hi, I'm wanting to start cycling regularly and training up to enter in a few charity races next year, however, I will not be caught dead in normal cycling shorts and tops as they I find them a bit ermm... yeah... i just dont like them but i was wondering whats practical and not skin tight? obviously you cant wear jeans, and trackies are too warm and get messed up in the chain etc. any ideas for practical but not skintight cycling wear? cheers.

 

[Fran143]

If its a mtb you could try this kind of thing http://www.rushcycle...s370p1184&rs=gb.

 

[InspireTheEmpathic]

If its a mtb you could try this kind of thing http://www.rushcycle...s370p1184&rs=gb.

It's a road/racer :/ or it's going to be on wednesday when i acually buy it

 

[ian turner]

Baggies. I find my Hummvees are better than the zymes which being stiffer material rub against the frame
I reckon you should wear the polish cycling teams kit for casting nasterciums about lycra wearers mind

 

[InspireTheEmpathic]

Baggies. I find my Hummvees are better than the zymes which being stiffer material rub against the frame
I reckon you should wear the polish cycling teams kit for casting nasterciums about lycra wearers mind

HAHA! I wasnt casting nasterciums about lycra wearers... just I couldnt bear wearing the stuff myself... practical... yes... but just not for me!

 

[InspireTheEmpathic]

If its a mtb you could try this kind of thing http://www.rushcycle...s370p1184&rs=gb.

But i do like them quite a bit... fear of rubbing on long distances if you get me...

 

[Fran143]

But i do like them quite a bit... fear of rubbing on long distances if you get me...

Just bite the bullet and get lycra...you'll be going that fast nobody will notice what your wearing.

 

[ian turner]

under shorts

 

[InspireTheEmpathic]

under shorts

They look pretty good actually, i'll give that one a go! as long as they aint too toasty but it is coming up to winter... thanks a lot
I'll just wear em with some normal lightweight shorts i spose.

 

[youngoldbloke]

They look pretty good actually, i'll give that one a go! as long as they aint too toasty but it is coming up to winter... thanks a lot
I'll just wear em with some normal lightweight shorts i spose.

Just get the proper kit for the job - nothing looks worse (whatever you may think ) on a road bike than flapping shorts and a loose floppy top billowing in the wind (with rucksack, of course!) - it also wastes your energy and makes it harder for you of course. For the winter get some close fitting bottoms, then they won't get fithy, or caught up in the chainwheel. There's tight and then there is skin-tight, of course.

 

[iAmiAdam]

Get the proper kit, No body even looks at you because they've seen it before, I was hesitant to wear lycra but the chamois in the bottoms convinved me, so much more comfortable.

 

[surfdude]

i know what you mean .i ve just taken the the step into lycra and it s not that bad .did feel like a fat guy doing ballet but who cares it gets me from a 2 b and its comfy .

 

[tigger]

These are what you want... with a pair of padded shorts underneath. Not baggy but not skin tight. Quality bit of gear.

http://www.ronhill.com/proDetails.php?pId=157&catNId=4&bUrl=catPage

 

[helmet tester]

i'm with you on this one inspire - see one of my posts about starting again after injury+weight gain. Basically i've done the lycra thing...yes, its comfy, practical but i'm just not going to wear it anymore, even if MTB stuff does make me slower than i could be. I wear 3/4 length MTB shorts (they have detcahable inner shorts with a good pad), and generally gear you'd see on a mountin biker.

I do use arm and leg warmers for our awkward changeABLE WEATHER. and those long legged bibs are great in winter, whatever else you wear.

as for 'flapping in the wind', well the tops in particular are so light that i've never noticed much of an issue.

the folks on here who encourage 'the right gear' - well, they are technically right in their descriptions and hats off to them for being so dedicated, but cycling for me is about escape and relaxation and sanity away from all the drudgery and conventions and doing things 'the proper way' - its freedom. So i'm not joining the gang, i'm not conforming, and i'll never be thin again-can't be bothered to maintain that level of hard work - i'll live with the 'disadvantages' of looser clothing - its all bike specific and comfortable anyway.

I hope i dont sound confrontational - as I say I respect the 'proper', dedicated and superfit cyclists, i really do, but I didnt get into this to get into another variation on 'keeping up with the jones'.

I will agree that you should NOT be self conscious about lycra - get out there with a 'dont give a f**k' ATTITUDE, youre the one on the bike and not sitting around eating pies after all - and as i say i've done it, I have the lycra but on balance i've found my 'niche' and my level of 'pleasure/effort ratio' and i feel good in the MTB style stuff, it feels like 'me'

(i ride a hybrid BTW, never had a mountain bike)

cycling is about freedom and enjoyment - do it however it feels right for you. try both - mix it all up !

 

[TrevorM]

I agree with helmet tester, wear what you wand don't be concerned if its not 'cycling gear'

I wear a linen shirt from M&S as a cycling top - perfect in summer and with a Marmot Aegis waterproof/windproof jacket on top, perfect for cold and rain. Its not a cycling jacket but I got it because its hard to find a cycling jacket with a hood.
Bottoms are trickier. I wear Endura 3/4 baggy shorts and they are very comfortable. They came with padded undershorts but I threw them away - if you need padding you have the wrong saddle. Next year I'll probably get these touring shorts and longs.