Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - cycling clothes

I'm thinking of buying some cycling-specific gear for longer rides and semi-competitive events, but I think that most cycling specific gear makes people look like complete tool-bags. I want to get a jersey and a pair of shorts, and I want them to be relatively form-fitting, and I want the shorts to give crotchal protection. I want to avoid synthetic materials, and I DEFINATELY dont want logos from some ridiculous european bank or olive oil company.

i'm drawn to rivendell stuff, but it seems a bit less than sporty, and it is certainly quite expensive. anybody have any recommendations?

i know nashbar and stuff have lots of cheap no branding jerseys. shorts are a little more difficult to find without logos.

shortswise, bibs are the way to go. usually all black with little to no markings. but its hard to find stuff without logos.

pretty much your only option if you want to go natural-fiber is wool.

pros: it doesn't smell bad after one ride

cons: pricey, hard to wash, doesn't hold it's shape when wet

pretty much your only option if you want to go natural-fiber is wool.


thats what I was thinking too.. where can I get wool jerseys besides riv?

edit: google gave me this: http://www.portlandcyclewear.com/page/page/2444695.htm
what do people think about this company? any significant difference between these and the ones that cost significantly more?

You might also consider underwear with a chamois sewn into it. Basically a super thin lycra padded short that you wear beneath running shorts, umbros, or your favorite pair of levis. I can't think of the mfg at the moment.

Personally I can't stand wool jerseys. I tried to wear one bontrager jersey religiously about 8 years ago, but life was miserable. Very itchy and it held water worse than a cotton Tee. I remember reading about the new super modern wool jerseys, but never bothered to give them a shot.

Here's a related question - what's the difference between a cycling jersey and tightly knit wool sweater? Just the cut, or is there something different about the material?

I'm thinking of buying some cycling-specific gear for longer rides and semi-competitive events, but I think that most cycling specific gear makes people look like complete tool-bags. I want to get a jersey and a pair of shorts, and I want them to be relatively form-fitting, and I want the shorts to give crotchal protection. I want to avoid synthetic materials, and I DEFINATELY dont want logos from some ridiculous european bank or olive oil company.

i'm drawn to rivendell stuff, but it seems a bit less than sporty, and it is certainly quite expensive. anybody have any recommendations?

Getting ready for the track this weekend???

I picked up a wool zoic jersey on ebay for $20 that i have been wearing when i ride. I actually rode with it this past weekend for the Godfather rain race and it was great. I don't really know to much about wool shorts but i just bought some santini bibs that are comfortable

Here's a related question - what's the difference between a cycling jersey and tightly knit wool sweater? Just the cut, or is there something different about the material?

the wool in jerseys is usually way finer (and less itchy) than the wool in a sweater, and by way i mean the difference between itching to death and feeling like you're being caressed by angel wings.

also, the cut is different.

You might also consider underwear with a chamois sewn into it. Basically a super thin lycra padded short that you wear beneath running shorts, umbros, or your favorite pair of levis. I can't think of the mfg at the moment.

Personally I can't stand wool jerseys. I tried to wear one bontrager jersey religiously about 8 years ago, but life was miserable. Very itchy and it held water worse than a cotton Tee. I remember reading about the new super modern wool jerseys, but never bothered to give them a shot.

tri shorts work great too, but get the kind with the small chamois

I own this rather nice long sleeve wool jersey from the New Belgium brewery.

http://people.umass.edu/jbarba/wooljersey.jpg

I think it looks fairly minimalist and cool, fits well, and is only $60 for Marino wool. 3 pockets on the back. Plus, it has a little glass of beer patch on the shoulder.

Cool!

what do people think about this company? any significant difference between these and the ones that cost significantly more?

The company or their product... The wife and I got some from Trackstar (http://www.trackstarnyc.com), and they're great. It's the lightest/finest wool jersey I own. HOWEVER! Wash them first! If you wear them without washing, the dye bleeds mildly from perspiring in them. I was warned by a friend at Shifter (http://www.shifterbikes.com)who had the same happen to him. He complained about this and they told him it was the first complaint and that washing -sets the dye. Well, Im the second (light) complainer.

http://www.fyxomatosis.com/images/news/****cars-small.jpg

The rest of my jerseys are vintage acrylic/wool blends which are great for reasons previous posters have covered.

Good luck.

ha! thats funny! the server rejected my link due to the filename... oops. What a trucker-mouth server I have.

its on the news (http://www.fyxomatosis.com/allnews.php) - just scroll down

check ibex. or rapha. or smartwool.

i also like the andiamo padded crotch underwear thingys. i wear 'em under jeans in the winter and regular shorts in the warm weather. i find i don't need super chamois padding on my broken in b17.:) :) :)

My jerseys are mostly wool and wool blend from the thrift store.

I love knickers too. I have 3 pairs. My knees get too cold and creaky in shorts. If I had the $$$ I'd get some Ibex knickers.

Arm warmers are great too. With arm warmers, a cap, and a light jacket in the jersey pocket it's easy to deal with those nasty temperature drops or unexpected rain.

Oh, and Smartwool socks rule.

i also like the andiamo padded crotch underwear thingys. i wear 'em under jeans in the winter and regular shorts in the warm weather. i find i don't need super chamois padding on my broken in b17.

+1

thats what I was thinking too.. where can I get wool jerseys besides riv?

edit: google gave me this: http://www.portlandcyclewear.com/page/page/2444695.htm
what do people think about this company? any significant difference between these and the ones that cost significantly more?

our local touring club ordered them for club jerseys and i've not heard any complaints.

the wool in jerseys is usually way finer (and less itchy) than the wool in a sweater, and by way i mean the difference between itching to death and feeling like you're being caressed by angel wings.

also, the cut is different.
And furthermore they should have pockets sewn into the back for carying tools, food, water, tubes ect...

Cycling clothes are ****ing lame!

Cycling clothes are ****ing lame!

as far as i'm concerned, it's function over form. i'm going to suck it up and find some jerseys and shorts for my longer rides and commute. staying dry and comfortable this summer at the expense of looking like a roadie is fine by me.

ready for my first rant
I think its kinda funny that some of you people roll around on pro level track bikes wearing stupid looking cycling hats and talk about how hard core you are for pushing huge gears brakeless then turn your nose up on lycra. Im not a messanger nor do i have a job where i can ride my bike all day but if i did i would be all about super nice bib shorts and jerseys **** my fat ass sweats when i ride my bike to the store let alone all day in the city.
p.s. i wear stupid looking cycling hats and push big gears with no brakes but i own alot of lycra.

Hmm. I just happen to remember the spandex craze of the late 80's early 90's, and don't want anything to do with that again. Doesn't mean I don't wear some cycling specific clothing, though.

I've had some luck here... I got a pair of kinda wack Trek bike shorts:
http://www.bayviewcycle.com/Acc_Images_A_L/Clothing/Shorts/Shorts_Baggy.jpg

but they came with what can best be described as a bike short boxer brief on the inside. i snipped it out (was only stitched in at each hip) and now I can wear the boxer brief with the shammy under whatever pair of shorts or jeans I want.

thats what I was thinking too.. where can I get wool jerseys besides riv?

edit: google gave me this: http://www.portlandcyclewear.com/page/page/2444695.htm
what do people think about this company? any significant difference between these and the ones that cost significantly more?
I wish they had them in white (plus the colored trim/stripe)

Al

I just won these in ebay. 80% wool and 20%acrylic

http://i10.ebayimg.com/02/i/07/08/66/f6_1_b.JPG

http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/06/4b/c5_1_b.JPG

Kucharick wool jerseys http://www.kucharik.com/jersey.htm

www.swobo.com

And somebody may want the Brooks Saddle Wool Jersey

http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/jpgs/brooksjersey.jpg
http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/brooksjersey.html

Or you may want to try a silk t-shirt instead.
http://uncommonscents.com/drmeknsit.html

more wooliness here: http://www.vintagevelos.com/

It's all about lycra. I own 3 pairs of lycra shorts, and I'm thinking about going to bibs (stay in place better, from what I hear). I thought bikes were expensive. As far as jerseys go, I'm not such a huge fan of wool. It's a little warm for me (I heat up), and LA isn't that cold to justify it.

Shorts + knee or leg warmers are pretty much all I can stand to ride in unless we're talking under 15-20 miles. Sometimes I toss on a tshirt, but I'm trying to build a collection of decent jerseys since it's so much more comfortable to ride in them.

Plus, wearing them to bars/shows pretty much guarantees a "cute butt" compliment from a girl (or sometimes an enterprising guy)!

yeah once i went to bibs ill never go back never have to worry about your ass hanging out