Recumbent clothing

[dodgy]

You've probably seen my other thread which in hindsight I wish had been better titled, but can't edit it

Anyway, it's just occurred to me that there's no reason to particularly wear conventional cycle clothing while on the 'bent. What do you guys wear? I've got loads of cycling clothing that I'm not simply going to stop wearing, but is there any type of kit that works better than others?

How about wearing a cycle shirt on back to front to make use of the pockets ?

What would be ideal is a shirt with a napolean pocket to keep my phone in
Dave.

 

[ufkacbln]

The problem is with zips!

All the reasons for wearing cycle clothing still exist (apart from padding!) the fit, convenience warmth,versatility are equally important, but some waterproofs and windproofs have a zip pocket at the back that can damage a seat fabric. The same problem occurs with any top that has a "secure" back pocket.


You are right with Napoleon pockets, or a small bum bag worn at the front.

If you are someone who carries lots of bits than look at "shooting / fishing / cargo" waistcoats which have pockets at the front.

I have always been one for carrying stuff on the bike rather than on the person, and find a rackpack is fine for most things. As the bag is by your head you hear the phone as well!

 

[Night Train]

All I can say is don't wear a conventional fleece coat with slash pockets as everything just falls out as I found out today!

 

[NickM]

There is no particular need for a chamois to provide padding, and... oh, look, there's no way to put this delicately, all right?

...skin shorts do nothing to prevent your willy from wriggling down between your legs, where it can become uncomfortable

For this reason, many male recumbent riders prefer to wear briefs and unpadded shorts. Most cycling bottoms (shorts, longs and knee-lengths) have unpadded analogues in the running kit world.

Jerseys with pockets that aren't on the back are hard to come by. I have a Dutch one with three big elasticated pockets on the front, but I don't wear it much because it makes me feel as though I've been given a Melvin... The BHPC jersey has a pocket on the left sleeve, designed to be big enough for keys or a mobile phone - but it is available only to BHPC members!

 

[squeaker]

'Baggies' are not recommended (unless you close off the leg bottoms) due to potential trapped insect problems

 

[Wee-man]

The beauty about recumbents is that you can ride em in normal everyday clothes.
As long as the material next to the skin has good wicking properties I can wear polyester tops and polycotton trousers and feel reasonably dry after a days riding.

 

[fards]

endura humvees work very well on the recumbents, pockets in semi sensible places and bottoms have straps to keep em down.

 

[Johnny Thin]

I'm not replacing my old padded shorts, normal running bottoms are fine. The only 'specialist' kit I wear is a baseball visor thing with a relective band sewn round, and front and rear lights clipped on to be at head height, indispensable for safe riding at night and blocking out sunglare by day.

But I can also ride my Speed Ross in normal clothes as the chainline is so good.

 

[Fiona N]

For night cycling on the 'bents, when the usual reflective strips are not much good as you're sitting on them, I got a jacket (very light, Windstopper) which has the most spectacularly reflective arms. In daylight, it's a rather nice pale orange with a bit of subtle pattern on the sleeves. The company is Illuminite - they make a range of cycling and running gear using various reflective fabrics, well worth a look and the prices (direct from the US) are extremely reasonable.

Otherwise, I make my own 'bent gear with less stuff down the back - e.g. a lightweight fleece with a mesh panel down the back where the seat pad rests, or a heavier Windstopper jersey with a thinner lightweight panel in the back and the Windstopper only as far down the front as needed and normal fleece below. I found these sort of modifications make much more comfortable clothes than using running gear which assumes you've got cold air all round the body. But, of course, you need to be able to sew.

 

[Johnny Thin]

Good idea Fiona, I must get my old single-stitch Singer out again. I'd really like a tight-fitting microfibre top as pertex is too efficient - in fact I use mine as a rainjacket mostly - but would have to sew it myself I think.

Also some cold weather underwear, fleece and pertex, extending down the thigh a bit unlike the Buffalo ones, would be fantastic given we get all the wind in that area predominantly.

 

[mcd]

endura humvees work very well on the recumbents, pockets in semi sensible places and bottoms have straps to keep em down.

Unless you've got long legs & knobbley knees - they're not quite long enough for the straps to be of much use. Other than that, they are good.

For the body, Briko do a good Gilet that comes in a bright colour, has a back with lots of mesh and no pockets. It's good for riding through showers - it'll keep most of the rain & wind out, then between showers, it can be unzipped for full ventilation.
Northwave do a thin fleecy tshirt with a windproof front. The front keeps the wind off and the back wicks away the sweat effectively. Works well under a summer cycling top on cooler dry days.

 

[Riding in Circles]

How about a genuinely waterproof but breathable jacket, I find my current one leaks around the zip in a heavy downpour, probably because it was designed for an upwrong rider where the water runs off easier.

 

[Fiona N]

How about a genuinely waterproof but breathable jacket, I find my current one leaks around the zip in a heavy downpour, probably because it was designed for an upwrong rider where the water runs off easier.

I'd look at climbing jackets with either sealed (waterproof) zips or a double baffle on the zip (rare on cycling jackets - they usually only have a single outer baffle for the reason you note). They're short, fitted and made to wear under a rucksac so no zips etc on the back, and the front will take the weather. Some have either no hood or a detachable hood but 'roll into the collar' seems to be OK too. The best (Arcteryx, Marmot, Mammut, Mountain Equipment) are pricy but you should get 10+ years of wear out if it.

 

[Riding in Circles]

I'd look at climbing jackets with either sealed (waterproof) zips or a double baffle on the zip (rare on cycling jackets - they usually only have a single outer baffle for the reason you note). They're short, fitted and made to wear under a rucksac so no zips etc on the back, and the front will take the weather. Some have either no hood or a detachable hood but 'roll into the collar' seems to be OK too. The best (Arcteryx, Marmot, Mammut, Mountain Equipment) are pricy but you should get 10+ years of wear out if it.

Thanks will check that out.

For general riding I use Nike dryfit running gear, including running tights and the loose fitting tops, very easy to pick up in the sales and work really well, the tights even work on my long legs with no riding up.

I use Kalena running socks from Decathlon, I have yet to find the best chaf free underwear but that is another story. :?:

 

[ufkacbln]

Peter Eland (Velovision) has reviewed a company making recumbent specific clothing:

Link