Smelly cycle kit - what to do?

[BentMikey]

Spot on to buying decent quality kit, and washing it every day.

You stinky buggers, wearing cycling kit for more than one day!!! Makes me think of the garlic monster I used to see on the train some days, with a fleece that had become shiny.

 

[2Loose]

Old style washing contains a small amount of bleach which kills bacteria far more effectively than the colour wash stuff.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

any excuse

Eh?

 

[jonny jeez]

Eh?

...to buy more bike related stuff.

 

[Schneil]

By Polyester cycling kit are we talking cheap stuff like from Sports Direct?

If so, get rid of it.

When I started I bought cheap kit like that. It's crap, doesn't draw moisture away and smells really weird even after being washed. A £40 jersey from the likes of Endura, Pearl Izumi etc is worth far more than double a £20 sports direct top.

Shopping trip this weekend?

I have 2 foska jerseys. Polyester, but branded "coolmax"
and some decathalon £7 "specials".

The Foska ones were a gift from a lady that works at Soreen (so Soreen branded - I'm sponsored!), so I don't want to bin those if I can help it as they're worth £50 each. Having said thata 40 degree wash and being out in the sun all day has done the Foska ones the world of good.
I'll be looking to replace the Decathalon ones soon though.

An recommendations on shorts?

 

[Hacienda71]

Washing is the key!!!

Wash your kit, wash your pits - everyday - regardless!

Either that or learn to accept the fact that people will call you "Stinky"!

Spot on. Wash yourself before the ride! I normally have a shower before I commute in. I find that you then have very little noticeable smell.

Also as others have said Merino is a great base layer.

 

[Bman]

I shower every day even if i'm not on the bike!

I cant believe anyone wouldnt.

 

[Hacienda71]

I just meant shower before the ride in the morning rather than just the night before or the smelly creating bacteria are given a chance to get a foothold resulting in a more pungent aroma!

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

...to buy more bike related stuff.

I got it,eventually.

 

[Maz]

Try easing off the pedalling and take it easy for the last mile or so. See if that helps cool you down and dries off the kit a little. Assuming it's not raining of course.

 

[fossyant]

Try easing off the pedalling and take it easy for the last mile or so. See if that helps cool you down and dries off the kit a little. Assuming it's not raining of course.

Whoah, what is this about easing off. Twenty lashes for you.

 

[scouserinlondon]

I find that after prolonged use that despite being washed every day, my cheapo lidl tops eventally get pit-rot where caked on deodorant and sweat build up to leave a bit of a residue which can whiff even after a normal wash. Usually, rubbing in biological washing liquid and leaving them overnight before washing in more bio liquid with Laundry bleach at 60 degrees. Always sorts them out. ALso drying on the line in the sun does seem to make a difference.

 

[Chrisz]

My current kit ( 3 XOwayo custom design tops and 4 X Campag shorts) is getting on for 4 years old now and no hint of a pong from any of it! It's always washed after every ride - by hand when I'm doing multi-day charity rides. I'm still not getting this idea of smelly kit??????