Recumbent clothing

[Riding in Circles]

I have a meeting on Monday with a recumbent specific clothing manufacturer, I am thinking of distributing the product, are there any specific types of recumbent cycle clothing that people would like to see available? Or features? They have indicated that they are prepared to adapt to the customers wants, obviously I have a number of ideas already, many of which are already in the clothing they manufacture but other opinions are welcome.

 

[BenM]

Some leary lycra shorts (I am not a fan of black shorts) without a crotch pad.

I don't normally wear lycra on the 'bent but when its raining it dries faster, after a ride, than baggies.

Altura Nevis style waterproof flouro jacket without a zip down the front (side fastening or smock style), waterproof front pockets (zip+flap) at chest level, scotch tape piping on sleeves, possibly all mesh back or zip removable back panel for summer showers use?

B.

 

[Riding in Circles]

I currently wear running lycra rather than cycling gear, they do some bent specific lycra shorts in navy with gold sides that have a lining to prevent chafing, I will explore some other colour combinations.

 

[Fiona N]

Along time ago, I made a lightweight (Malden 100) fleece with a mesh back for use in the Alps in situations like slogging up to high huts or bivouacs where temperatures aren't high but your back gets very hot and sweaty under the 'sac. Other climbers have always liked the look of it (them, as I've made several more since) but manufacturers realised that they have no highstreet appeal - which is where the money is - so the potential market would be small.

However, the same jerseys are also superb for 'bent riding as we don't need wind protection or warmth down the back and something which lets the heat and sweat out is a good idea.

If you can use these ideas - feel free - Patagonia and TNF didn't bite

 

[Riding in Circles]

Any ideas that turn into winners will not be forgotten for source, anyone who knows me will tell you what I am like on that subject. You are the second person to mention mesh backs already and I have often considered it as well so that looks like a definite discussion for Monday.

 

[mark barker]

Loving the sound of mesh backed fleeces! Would be great if there was a zip in section to fill the gap when you get off the bent though.

I'm a great fan of "baggies" when riding (stops the drafts up the leg holes!), but it'd be nice to have something made of a more suitable material.

Finally, (and probably not a clothing manufacturers issue) would be a helmet suitable for use with high backed seats! The aero design of most helmets really don't work on high backed seats!

 

[Fiona N]

I made a couple of jerseys for Bob Dixon (AVD - maker of Windcheetahs) in AVD colours. Besides the mesh back version, I've done a windstopper version which has thin fleece in place of mesh, slightly heavier fleece as most of the body and arms but with Windstopper fleece panels across the upper chest and shoulders and (because it was for a Windcheetah, where you rest your arms on your body when riding) down the underneath of the forearms. This was rather more 'off the bike' friendly as the windstopper panels just look like the sort of way of using different colours on arm patches etc.

I never got around to making a Speedmachine version (mine was USS so would have needed windstopper down the whole front arms) as I never rode it in the cold.

A modification I made on the windstopper jerseys was a stretch lycra panel in the forearm/wrist section which allowed you to pull the sleeves up. I hate it when long-sleeved jerseys are so tight at the wrist you can't adjust them when you get warm. On the other hand, I like my wrists to be fairly snug when I'm cold so no flapping open arms either. The lycra combined with the stretch in the fleece allows adjustments without having to faff around with wrist fasteners/velcro wotsits etc. I like simplicity where possible.

On the comment above about covering the mesh back off the bike - I never came up with a design mod. that I was happy with so just used a gilet - homemade, of course

 

[Fiona N]

... Finally, (and probably not a clothing manufacturers issue) would be a helmet suitable for use with high backed seats! The aero design of most helmets really don't work on high backed seats!

I have a Limar helmet which has a sort of truncated back - the usual pointy aero bit is replaced by a series of shorter points - I need a photo - which make a fairly flat rear and worked well with the Speedmachine.

I don't bother with a helmet on the Windcheetah, of course

 

[Riding in Circles]

I don't wear a helmet on the trike either.

 

[henshaw11]

I wear normal lycra gear - tho' with the weather at the moment I'm also wearing Craft/Descente 3/4 zip tri tops 'cos the underarm venting (actually none, cos there's no fabric there) is very welcome - tho' they're also a close fit, which may be making me sweatier anyway....
A few of those are mesh backed too, tho' on the Speedmachine seatpad (the more ventisit-like version) I'm not sure it makes that much difference - most of the heavy sweat seems to collect on the front. The pockets are kinda love-handle level,so might actually be useful - not sure I'd actually want pockets right on the front.
The bib longs I have (lusso coolmax/roubaix) work well 'cos its just double thickness in the seat rather than having a pad - likewise a De Soto trisuit. (The (cheaper end ?) Nalini bib shorts I normally wear could do with a little less padding, but they're mebbe at the thinner end of the market anyway)

One thing I have noticed is in dodgier weather, even with roubaix, is that the backs of the thighs seem to notice the cold/rain first. Not sure why, but I think my knees tend to fell colder than on a DF too. Tho' that has been on particularly cold days, so mebbe they'd have felt v.cold regardless.Certainly windstopper over the backs of the thighs might be welcome, tho' when there's much rain, something that sheds it over the front of the legs/back of the thighs would be good, Dunno if you could make it highly breathable tho', otherwise I'd just get wet from the inside !

FWIW, my mother - many years ago - once bought me a pair of (red!) lycra (running ?) cycle-style shorts without any padding. Positively pornographic without underwear - I think you need something like double thickness/heavy lycra in the crotch if yer undie-less

Re waterproof/winterwear - smock style would be good. I tend to aim for wet/warm, but after one particularly wet/cold day just before Christmas I was intending to look at some buffalo or montane pertex/pile gear before the winter arrives.

Edit: re jerseys - kinda stylish would be good, I've got enough normal ones that do 95% of the job that I'd have to *want* to buy a recumbent-specific jersey.

 

[henshaw11]

I wear normal lycra gear - tho' with the weather at the moment I'm also wearing Craft/Descente 3/4 zip tri tops 'cos the underarm venting (actually none, cos there's no fabric there) is very welcome - tho' they're also a close fit, which may be making me sweatier anyway....
A few of those are mesh backed too, tho' on the Speedmachine seatpad (the more ventisit-like version) I'm not sure it makes that much difference - most of the heavy sweat seems to collect on the front. The pockets are kinda love-handle level,so might actually be useful - not sure I'd actually want pockets right on the front.
The bib longs I have (lusso coolmax/roubaix) work well 'cos its just double thickness in the seat rather than having a pad - likewise a De Soto trisuit. (The (cheaper end ?) Nalini bib shorts I normally wear could do with a little less padding, but they're mebbe at the thinner end of the market anyway)

One thing I have noticed is in dodgier weather, even with roubaix, is that the backs of the thighs seem to notice the cold/rain first. Not sure why, but I think my knees tend to fell colder than on a DF too. Tho' that has been on particularly cold days, so mebbe they'd have felt v.cold regardless.Certainly windstopper over the backs of the thighs might be welcome, tho' when there's much rain, something that sheds it over the front of the legs/back of the thighs would be good, Dunno if you could make it highly breathable tho', otherwise I'd just get wet from the inside !

FWIW, my mother - many years ago - once bought me a pair of (red!) lycra (running ?) cycle-style shorts without any padding. Positively pornographic without underwear - I think you need something like double thickness/heavy lycra in the crotch if yer undie-less

Re waterproof/winterwear - smock style would be good. I tend to aim for wet/warm, but after one particularly wet/cold day just before Christmas I was intending to look at some buffalo or montane pertex/pile gear before the winter arrives.

 

[sunnyjim]

Something lto shade the sun when reclined - a bit like this, or a 1960's sweatband with a brim.

 

[sunnyjim]

Oh- and proper gentleman's short trousers, but with a little velcro tab to close up the leg against wasp entry and prevent unseemly views whilst recumbulating.

 

[mcd]

FWIW, my mother - many years ago - once bought me a pair of (red!) lycra (running ?) cycle-style shorts without any padding. Positively pornographic without underwear - I think you need something like double thickness/heavy lycra in the crotch if yer undie-less.

+1, I feel much more comfortable with the androgynous look!

Catrike, if you can get your hands on something like this one from Northwave I'll buy a couple -
http://www.northwave.com/usa/access...pring_summer_accessories&catid=293&itemid=726
The one I got couple of years ago is the best suited bit of clothing for riding a recumbent - a light weight windproof front and a thin wicking back. Great for cold dry/damp days.

 

[CopperBrompton]

I'm generally happy with general leisure (non-lycra) shorts and a Coolmax shirt, but the one pain on a recumbent for me is stuff (especially change) falling out of pockets in my shorts. A design of shorts with pockets at a diagonal angle would be very handy. I compromise on ones with velcro closures, but they are a bit of a nuisance when getting a camera or phone out while riding.