Mountain Biking - What to wear?

I have one pair of biking shorts. Pearl Izumis. They're ok I guess. I usually slip some regular shorts on over them though. I'm a little bashful. Anyway after poking around on the forums I'm seeing a lot of people bashing the spandex. Granted it ain't pretty but w/o that chamois things would be much uglier. Nudge nudge. So what to wear? I went to a LBS and looked at some baggy short made out of tent material that were nearly $100 and see absolutely no reason to look at them again. Is there somewhere I can look to get updated on cycling wear? I have no real interest in fashion, just function.

I wear normal clothes. Short and a shirt. I do have mtb specific stuff but they closely resemble normal clothes the only difference is the material is supposedly rip proof.

I refuse to look like a 'biker'...not my thing at all.

I just wear normal shorts. I wear baggies because in my opinion, spandex just looks bad. I do DH and FR so I don't really worry about wind resistance and that c*ap.

Just wear what you want, as long as it gives you good movement.

Also I always wear shorts, no matter what time of year because my leg armour keeps me warm nd pedaling keeps you warm. But also the coldest it gets here in winter is about 13°C.

OOOO...better put on a jacket haha...sorry I know lots of aussies and thats a common thing..just playing.

I wear shorts until about -5c ;)... Sometimes less if I am armoured up. Currently our mountain sits around 2. 13c is a luke warm summer day.

To reverse it I wouldn't be able to take your heat. Most I can handle now is 35..past that and i drink beer and turn into a vegetable.

I wear the biking shorts on rides over 25miles. Anything under taht and I'll just wear a regular pair of shorts.

Wear what makes you comfortable. Not comfortable wearing the tight shorts? Don't wear them. Or if you just don't want to bee seen wearing the lycra then slip on a pair of baggies over them, like you've been doing.

I do the same thing, wear mesh shorts over spandex. As far as im concerned spandex is better for XC riding than baggies, and i have a pair of Oakley baggies so i know what i'm talkin about. Dont worry about what other people say, if you want to wait shorts over the lycra go for it, no shorts over the lycra great, but really who cares?

I usually wear a polyester pants suit....sorry

I have been wearing lycra shorts for 13 years. It makes me "feel" fast :)
If I am just out cruising with newbies I will pop a pair of shorts on over the lycra b/c I "look" less intimidating.

On the other hand one of my ridding partners is an absolute hammer! Has finished top 5 in multiple 24 hours Solo events, currently rides a 35lb turner and I have never seen him ride in anything other than a pair of cut off dickies! (bastard!)

If you are riding xc then who cares if you want to wear spandex. If you are riding dh or freeride you will take some shyte because it is not the right "Image". I know a lot of dh'ers that only wear spandex that shread. Just have fun and wear what ever you feel comfortable in because if you are not comfortable you will not enjoy the ride.

If you realy want baggies with a liner check the online shops. They usually have some on sale.

:beer:

What the heck are dickies? (and on a side why would you want to wear anything named dickie...) ;)

I agree..Wear whatever makes you happy...As a roadie I find traditional bike shorts keep you the most comfortable over 100 mile/ 6 hour rides. Regular shorts, the arse would be bleeding.
Question..To MTBers....The factor of spinning is less so open ended cuffs do not get in the way right?
I find baggies getting caught up on the saddles' horn and I do not like that...
You spin less fast, so you do not notice that?Big enough cuffs' I have thought they might get caught up so thorugly that the pant legs might take you down. By,that I mean long legged shorts.Really thought them to get in the way..

Hmm I don't find that happens. I also don't find I can do much spinning. I spend a lot more time ratcheting through things than spinning. (and yeah I don't ride 6 hours and I spend very little time in the saddle anyways, sounds painful...)

I have found 'normal' baggies can get caught up however in the crotch when I shift my weight back and forth on the bike. I do have new shorts with less rise and no baggie near the crotch. This stops all of that.

I probably don't notice because I can't maintain a proper spin due to terrain or the stunts I ride. On really easy courses I suppose I would though.

What the heck are dickies? (and on a side why would you want to wear anything named dickie...) ;)


standard polyester blend work pants. now popular among the "mod" set worn low low on the waist

http://www.dickies.com/web/default.asp

Nothing wrong with wearing shorts over shorts, just no underware under the bike shorts.

if what you wear takes your mind off what you are doing or distracts your concentration try wearing something different.I wear spandex to keep my "jewels"from bouncing around and the padding helps keep my butt from being so sore after a long or medium ride but there is no rule that says what you should wear it is a personal choice that you make.if you wear spandex under regular(i do that at times too) no one will know you are wearing spandex unless you wear the regular shorts as low riders so go with what works best for you.just ride and enjoy.
let us remember all the men and women who are and have died defending our freedom to ride as we come to this memorial day

2 pair DH racing pants (Answer & Fox), 4 pair DH racing shorts (Azonic & Fox), 6 pair spandex cycling shorts w/ chamois pads, 3 pair cycling tights (cold weather). I wear any of them when & where I please.... Oh, and I rarely wear any of my 7 jerseys when it's above 70 degrees. Any more questions?

Regular baggies...I find when I stand on the peddles...The cuffs get caught up. Don't like them feeling snagged . The tug can be so strong, wonder they do not rip apart...
If you like the feel of baggies and they do not hamper your peddle action...Think they make baggies with cinch staps to close off the pant opening..I would have to have that..
But loose pants...They seem to squirm about under the arse. makes me feel like i might fall off of the saddle.

The majority of riding I do is XC and when I'm not riding XC I'm road riding to the trail so the chamois does help out my butt. I am surprised at the amount of riders that ride without it! Maybe I just have a pansy a$$ that needs protecting? I found the difference the chamois made to be pretty good. I always choose function over fashion. You never lose that way. :o So there are baggy shorts that are lined with cycling shorts eh? Probably very expensive/overpriced. I shall explore that.

Just a thought..You see pictures of mountain bike races..Most of the pro MTB racers wear traditional bike shorts..So why among MTN bikes is bike shorts frowned upon.
My guess...Pro mountain bikers need the advertising space on their kit, just as rodies do..

I think for regular mtbers the look is to racey (pardon the pun) Mountain bikes tend to be a really casual group. Spandex means trying really hard. Also, I know me and my friends, just plain hate the look. However amongst the xc crowd (or 2 dh pros) spandex is very popular.

Just a thought..You see pictures of mountain bike races..Most of the pro MTB racers wear traditional bike shorts..So why among MTN bikes is bike shorts frowned upon.
My guess...Pro mountain bikers need the advertising space on their kit, just as rodies do..

When I first started mountain biking, no one really frowned upon the lycra clad crowd. I think the split was nearly 50/50 between those who wore baggies and those who wore lycra. I didn't start encountering any "attitude" from either side until the mid-90s when mountain biking not only really took off but started diversifying. Also it suddenly got the label of "extreme sport" and that brought on some sense of "image". I guess people figured they couldn't look badass and extreme when wearing lycra and tight clothing. Of course, in the beginning, MTBers wore jeans. :)

So there are baggy shorts that are lined with cycling shorts eh? Probably very expensive/overpriced. I shall explore that.

The really good ones are as expensive or slightly more than regular high-quality riding shorts. They usually run in the $50-$80 USD range. I also have some fairly cheap Bellweather ones that I got on closeout for $10 USD each. They normally run around $35-$45 USD I think. They're obviously not as comfortable as my $65 Sugois.

Most of the time I wear regular riding shorts as the baggies do snag on stuff and they just feel weird with the extra layer of clothing squirming around down there. This is why I also don't like riding in the rain with rainpants and curse it everytime I put on rainpants and it doesn't rain.

So there are baggy shorts that are lined with cycling shorts eh? Probably very expensive/overpriced.
Pearl Izumi has a pair for about $80. That's what I wear, and I swear by 'em. The moisture wicking and padding of spandex, combined with the looks of regular black shorts.

I wear lycra shorts on trails because it's cooler, comfortable, and I have a nice a$$. I ride xc, and everyone around here pretty much sports either lycra or baggies anyway. Not too much is said about either. Although, it stays fairly warm here, so the less layers, the better. If I'm just out riding stairs and stuff, I'll roll up the cuff of my pants or whatever and go.

Today, it's a tank top and lycra though.

Nothing wrong with wearing shorts over shorts, just no underware under the bike shorts.

Good soldier!



let us remember all the men and women who are and have died defending our freedom to ride as we come to this memorial day

Good soldiers!

Underwear Nazi
Remembering the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service to the nation

I just wear a regular T-shirt usually, and either some denim camo-painted shorts or these really light, tent-material-like ones that make my legs sweat way too much.
Preferably the former for mid-day rides.

Well I picked up a pair of "Surf Shorts" from Old Navy today. $13 CAD so I'll be continuing the shorts over spandex. These "surf shorts" appear to be pretty similar in cut to a baggy cycling short. Lighter material than most of the cycling shorts though, which I like.

Regular old T-shirt that I don't care if it gets all shredded, same with the shorts. I don't wear armour, as I'm not that serious, but I'm a polar bear so it works out in the end. I don't ride past November though, unless ofcourse there isn't snow on the ground by then. The only thing I dislike is that my hands get cold. I also wear old shoes that again I don't care if they get more wrecked, as they suck already.

I wear baggies with a padded liner. I usually wear a pair of NIKE that I bought on clearance at the outlet store, for about $30 a pair. (Bought 2 pair). However, by far, my favorites are my NEMA's. They were $50, and worth twice that! O.k., not really, but normal price is about $65 to $70.

I've tried weaing non-cycling specific baggies over a liner or my spandex shorts, but found the longer length and baggier fit would catch the saddle. So I stick to my Nema's or my Nike's.

Jerseys...I visit a MX shop and get some MX style jerseys. I like Fox Racing products, and can usually get a perforated long sleeve jersey for about $30. I also have several jerseys that I use on my road bike and/or my mtn bike. I pay about $50 for these. A cycling specific jersey just makes sense. The material will wick away the sweat and will keep you cooler. This is essential down here in FL with temps in the summer of 95 F and humidity at 110% (Really!). You start sweating just unloading your bike!

L8R

One thing I notice..When it is hot and going up hill. Slower momentum...Man, the sweat. Inland California with its heat, eyes sting and can't see...Florida..Hot, humid but it is pretty flat...Can at least keep going...That might be helpful?Sweat doesn't acculmate in your eyes as quickly.
Coolmax headsweats that channel sweat from the eyes might be helpful, since sweat is as blinding as salt water.

nothing at all....nothing at all....


I usually wear a pair of old jeans. Sitting in the saddle with jeans has worn down the fabric to the thickness of a piece of paper. I should buy some MTB specific clothing but with old clothes i have hanging around, why not put it to good use.

I usually just wear an undershirt and mesh shorts whether I am riding road or MTB. The undershirts are white so I stay a bit cooler and somewhat tight fitting so they do not get in the way or get caught at all. If I am on a long ride I will wear a pair of padded underwear under the shorts. I have a pair of Pearl baggies, but I find they make too much noise and I often catch them on the saddle or other things. I took out the liners and wear them separately frequently now though.