Since getting back into cycling, I've been frustrated by the scarcity of cycling clothes for guys my size. I am currently taking an extension business course, and thought this would be a good topic for a case project. So, as part of the project, I put together a brief survey about clydesdale cycling clothes preferences - if you have a few moments, I'd appreciate if you could help me out by filling it out. I promise to share the results with the forum once the survey is over.

To take the survey, click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vBAT4hi7qyxNln_2bYLQdTUA_3d_3d

Also, if you have any feedback on the survey or the topic, feel free to add it to this thread.

Thanks!
Spyponder

Why not!

Thanks Tom!

Not a problem, I've used BF for class projects before myself!

don't be a mug guys ... this is just a fishing exercise for sales and marketing purposes. The questions are nothing to do with what you wear .

At the worst it won't hurt, and at the best, it'll get more Clyde stuff to market ;) Worse case, if Spyponder turns out to be a spammer, well, I do have the blue star and can deal with it ;)

Spyponder, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here, so don't disappoint me ;)

Thanks Tom.

Earleybird, you're reading too much into this. Actually I was going to try collecting email addresses in the survey so that I could send the results directly to the people who respond, but I figured that people would think I was a spammer. So I took the email address question out of the survey, and I will publish the results to the forum. I have no way of knowing who responds, and all responses will be anonymous.

A bunch of people have responded so far - I appreciate it!

Thanks,
Spyponder

At the worst it won't hurt, and at the best, it'll get more Clyde stuff to market ;) Worse case, if Spyponder turns out to be a spammer, well, I do have the blue star and can deal with it ;)

Spyponder, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here, so don't disappoint me ;)

I think that someone who's been a member since August, and has posted more than a couple of solid posts here in the C/A forum is probably not a spammer--even if he did not properly introduce himself in the Introductions forum :p .

Bum!

[just joking, of course ;) ]

East Hill

Thanks East Hill. I don't post a lot, but I do get a lot of useful info from these forums. When I post the results of the survey, maybe one of the cycling gear companies will take notice and we can all benefit.

I filled out the survey.

East Hill. I want to apologize to you as well as to all the other forum members. I don't think I introduced myself in the Introductions" forum either. I am such a REBEL!:D

Done

I completed your survey. If you want more information, just PM me.

up to about 50 responses so far - thanks all, keep 'em coming

done

done

Also, if you have any feedback on the survey or the topic, feel free to add it to this thread.
If you have a recumbent bike, you generally don't need to wear any bicycling-specific clothes--just general synthetic fitness clothing that you can buy cheap at local sporting goods stores. You can buy recumbent-specific riding shorts but they are just plain lycra, they have no padding at all.

"Regular" bicycling clothes don't even work that well for recumbents--the padding in the shorts is rather uncomfortable on a recumbent seat, and it's irritating to sit on the seams and zippers of the back pockets that bicycling shirts and jackets have.

Recumbents do generally cost more than upright bikes but if you are big and/or tall and you also want to buy a couple of warm & cool-weather riding outfits, then the amount of money that you will spend on clothing can easily make up that price difference. And that is assuming that you can even find bicycling clothing in your size, which if you are very overweight for your height, probably isn't going to happen.

If you try to wear regular clothes on an upright bicycle, the shirts tend to slide up and pants tend to fall down, especially if you are overweight at all.

Lastly, the recumbent is generally much more comfortable to ride overall. Partly because of the seat, but also due to no hand pressure or neck strain.
~

Done

Done.
My biggest gripe is the exceptional amount of sizing variance between brands/cuts/country of design. Only YOU can change your size, but it would be easier to buy stuff if I actually knew what it was.

I agree. It is not exactly a boost to self-image when you look at cycling shorts and find your size has gone from 2XL to 5XL from rack to another.

Up to 75 responses, thanks all, keep 'em coming!

Done...

Even when working at a shop, it can be difficult to buy the right size stuff. Even the 2XL stuff tends not to fit me well. My Aerobelly that works well on the recumbent doesn't work so well on the MTB. LOL!

Chris

Done.

My final comment was about how there are plenty of 2x and 3x jerseys and shorts out there, but not all of us are only big around the middle. Some of us gorillas need 2XL gloves and extra wide shoes and might appreciate a wider selection of helmets.

Done.

My final comment was about how there are plenty of 2x and 3x jerseys and shorts out there, but not all of us are only big around the middle. Some of us gorillas need 2XL gloves and extra wide shoes and might appreciate a wider selection of helmets.

Kind of opposite of my comment....some of us big guys are big around the middle but other areas are not necessarily in proportion with that. This is especially true of a cyclist.

I have a big waist and chest, but I don't have big meaty legs automatically because of that big waist. Most pants (bike shorts are designed tight, so not so bad) that fit in the waist are HUGE in the legs. Same with shirts, if they fit my stomach/chest, the arms are waaaaay too wide.

Don't even get me started on the fact that shirts/jackets assume one length because everybody has the same size torso and all the length is in the legs. Us long torso guys (which seems to be common among Clydes, it seems) have most jerseys and jackets too short and always coming up to show gut or shirt underneath.

Completed, I hope it helps.

done, glad to help out

Done!

Done.

I don't like jerseys that constrain my biceps too much. I work hard for those things; I want to show them off!

Boy I hear ya all!

REI is the only cycling shop near me (Paradise Valley AZ). They only sell XL (& you are lucky to find that).

I guess if you are fatter than they like, you are out of luck.

REI is a very prejudiced company.

Same problems with their sleeping bags.

I have had major health problems (50# weight gain, unable to walk), from birth defects that caused early onset arthritis in my joints that manifested at age 44, so have been in a wheel chair for 5 years. I finally got 1 joint replaced April 2007 (Against Drs orders because I am too young).

I have found REI XL, fits like a mens medium (like in my olden days). If you are size 38 waist, you need an REI XXL (but you will never find it there).

By the way, I am finally riding again. I used to do 1/2 centuries 20 yrs ago (Apple Cider Century in Michigan, anyone know that one??)

I am only riding 5.5 miles at 9 MPH , just started this week. Hallelujah!!! :)

Maybe I could do the 25 milers again, at least I hope!

Done

Kind of opposite of my comment....some of us big guys are big around the middle but other areas are not necessarily in proportion with that. This is especially true of a cyclist.

I have a big waist and chest, but I don't have big meaty legs automatically because of that big waist. Most pants (bike shorts are designed tight, so not so bad) that fit in the waist are HUGE in the legs. Same with shirts, if they fit my stomach/chest, the arms are waaaaay too wide.

Don't even get me started on the fact that shirts/jackets assume one length because everybody has the same size torso and all the length is in the legs. Us long torso guys (which seems to be common among Clydes, it seems) have most jerseys and jackets too short and always coming up to show gut or shirt underneath.
Yeah, what's the deal with that? I mean, aren't cycling clothes supposed to be extra tall? I suppose I could wear bib shorts all the time, but dang, that's another layer of fabric when it's hot outside.

Up to 100 responses now, mostly from this forum - I had to upgrade from the free Survey Monkey account to keep it going - Thanks all, and keep the responses coming!

Regarding bib shorts, I like wearing them, but have not been able to find any that are tall enough for me at 6'3". (can you say 'wedgie'?). Even a few inches added to the bib straps would be sufficient.

Has anyone found bib shorts in tall sizes?

Regarding bib shorts, I like wearing them, but have not been able to find any that are tall enough for me at 6'3". (can you say 'wedgie'?). Even a few inches added to the bib straps would be sufficient.

Has anyone found bib shorts in tall sizes?

CliftonGK1 is 6'4" or 6'5" and has bibs that he loves. I *think* he said he got them from Performance, but not totally sure. PM him and ask.

I have some of the Peformance bibs, they're the ones that give me the worst wedgie ;)

CliftonGK1 is 6'4" or 6'5" and has bibs that he loves. I *think* he said he got them from Performance, but not totally sure. PM him and ask.

6'6", actually... and I wear Performance Century Gel bibs. They're awesome, unless your height is all torso. I've got a 36" inseam, so my problems aren't in getting the length right on the torso. Most stuff fits me fine up top. It's tights and rain pants which usually fall about 3" short at the ankles.

I filled out the survey.

East Hill. I want to apologize to you as well as to all the other forum members. I don't think I introduced myself in the Introductions" forum either. I am such a REBEL!:D

It's all right, I don't actually remember introducing myself either :p !

I've always been naughty, what can I say?

spyponder, I am glad to see that you are getting a lot of responses!

East Hill

Done.

Done

I did the survey.

I frequently doubt the validity of sizing charts. Thus, I tend to purchase only from those where I have verified the sizes in the past. Performance, Voler and Canari are on my regular buy list.

Done! :)

Done

If you are having trouble with length in your bibs and need some length ask around and find someone with a serger type sewing machine it's really easy for someone to do the correct stitch and add some material (or in my case remove some)

Shog

Done. A line for TALL cyclist would be great!!!
Antelope 70cm

Done. A line for TALL cyclist would be great!!!
Antelope 70cm

70CM?


"How big a feller are ya, anyhow?";)

70CM?


"How big a feller are ya, anyhow?";)

Hi Tom. I'm 6'9" with a 41 inch inseam. All legs LOL........

Hi Tom. I'm 6'9" with a 41 inch inseam. All legs LOL........

Hence, the "Antelope"? ;) Good user name!

Hi Tom. I'm 6'9" with a 41 inch inseam. All legs LOL........

Holy Skyscrapers batman. You and 51 could be the startling forwards for the BF basketball team.

Done

Holy Skyscrapers batman. You and 51 could be the startling forwards for the BF basketball team.

Interesting. Maybe we should gather up some clydes and form an Olympic team.

Antelope: What are you riding?

(51) Hi!, I ride a 70cm C-T-C Serotta Colorado I had made around 1986? I recently up graded it to 9spd Dura Ace. Love those brifters, no more bending way down to shift, LOL......

That concerns me... I'm taller than you and I have a 68CM Mazama pending. Did you review my shop drawing? http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=357340