Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - First ride in Lycra

As a 6'3" 240 pound mountain biker who has recently taken up cycling on the pavement, I was very resistant to the idea of wearing lycra. Partly because of appearance, all of my extra weight is between my neck and my waist, but also because I did not want people to think I was some Tour De France wannabe. I also did not know much about the benefits other than aerodynamics.

Well, I let my LBS owner talk me into taking one ride, and it was fantastic! I can only compare the feeling to skinny dipping. I was cooler and more comfortable. I just feel sorry for my neighbors as they are the ones that have to see me off the bike. :twitchy:

I'm 6'3 and 270 and I wear it ... welcome to the fold! :D

LMAO......pun intended.

...it was fantastic!

This seems to be the universal reaction. I've yet to hear someone say they hated it (unless they're talking about appearance and are sensitive to such things). Those who are on the fence, hop down and get into a pair and go for a ride. You won't regret it.

I didn't wear it either until I got a road bike. When I complained about being in pain my LBS suggested the cycling shorts. They really made a difference for me, but for now, I only wear them under my workout shorts. Being 270lbs I just don't think its a good look for me yet.

I didn't wear it either until I got a road bike. When I complained about being in pain my LBS suggested the cycling shorts. They really made a difference for me, but for now, I only wear them under my workout shorts. Being 270lbs I just don't think its a good look for me yet.

I have always worn the bike shorts, just always under a pair of baggies. Not have to pull my bunched up shorts out of my crotch ever 5 minutes was worth it all by it self

I am still wearing them under a skirt or other shorts, except for one ride in the country where no one was likely to see me. It was nice. But I am shy. I am also sure that my spouse would be appalled, which doesn't help.

Not have to pull my bunched up shorts out of my crotch ever 5 minutes was worth it all by it self

That's what's especially great about bibs. That waist-band rollover doesn't happen.

... waist-band rollover...

Sewed 1" satin straps from the top of my bike shorts to make suspenders - Now no roll over and not a big issue cause a wear a T Shirt over the top - Saved money not having to buy Bibs and not as hot in summer...

Also - Synthetic soccer shorts over the bike shorts are long light weight cool and don't bunch...

Welcome to the club! I started wearing lycra 20+ years ago when my friends and I used to ride all the time. I can't imagine riding without it now, even though I'm 5'11" and 251lbs. The only time I don't wear it is when my 6yr old wants to ride around the neighborhood. Any other ride, and I am wearing it. And let's not forget the chamois, couldn't tide for long with out it.

I have 2 pairs of the shorts, one pair of Pearl Izumi and a pair made by Specialized. The PI shorts waistband rolls down a bit but the pair by Specialized stay up at the waist the way they should. I paid twice as much for the Specialized pair but they are much better quality. I think when it comes to the cost of cycling gear, you get what you pay for. I will be trying the bibs in the future and I'm already thinking about colder weather gear so I can ride in the winter.

and not a big issue cause a wear a T Shirt over the top - Saved money not having to buy Bibs and not as hot in summer...
i thought most wore bike jerseys over their bibs anyway?
also, i may be wrong, but in all my research for purchasing other bibs, they've always been the exact same price as the shorts of the same line.
i also haven't noticed that my bibs are "hotter" on a ride than my shorts.

I threw down for a pair of riding shorts (http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bigsize.htm) myself today, hoping that will help make "things" a little more comfortable. The heat here this summer has been unreal (upper 90's to lower 100's) and your post seems to validate what a friend of mine that is an experienced rider told me earlier. Hopefully, the delivery will be in time to use them next week. My buddy does some long rides (100+ miles) fairly regularly and told me they would be one of the first things I would want once I got going. I hope they are as comfortable as everyone says. I could care less what I look like, it's not like it's a beauty contest or something.

Bibs, in my opinion, aren't any hotter than shorts ... and yes, most do wear jerseys over their bibs when they reach a comfort level with cycling clothes.

I'll say this ... once you go bibs, you'll never go back to shorts.

Welcome to the club.

I got my first pair of shorts and rode in the dark (4 am dark) and felt self conscious. Now I walk into the grocery store stinking from a long ride because I need to run an errand on my way home.

Don't want to see my 6'6" 284 lb butt in lycra? Tough. I look better than I did at 6'6" and 348 and that was a whole different size category of lycra. Now I'm buying new lycra because the old ones are too big.

If buying and wearing lycra makes me buy and wear smaller lycra then forward my mail to Lycra City!

i thought most wore bike jerseys over their bibs anyway?
also, i may be wrong, but in all my research for purchasing other bibs, they've always been the exact same price as the shorts of the same line.
i also haven't noticed that my bibs are "hotter" on a ride than my shorts.

I would only where a jersey over the bibs, how would you have access to the pockets if you wore them on the inside? and the fashion police would be jacking me up.

the bibs that I purchased are a lot mere expensive than the shorts.

I love mine, one of the best comfort investments in biking I have made.

I've been wearing bike shorts under dresses and skirts for years and years and years... way before I got back into biking. Right now here in the Netherlands, the women are wearing these cute jumpers & tunics and a lot of the 80's fashions are back in style, so I've been wearing a jumper on top of my bike pants. It's like wearing pajamas and I love it!!! Not exactly aerodynamic, but sooo comfy!

If buying and wearing lycra makes me buy and wear smaller lycra then forward my mail to Lycra City!

Awesome! This is going on my list of quotes....

I had my first ride in lycra this morning and it was awesome! I had ever intention of wearing my shorts over top of them since I didn't want to subject people to seeing a 390 lbs man in lycra. I decided not to put short on since the shirt I had on over my bibs you couldn't notice them that much either and once I got out riding other people didn't care either. The difference was night and day and they were super comfortable. Props to Dan @ love2pedal.com!

Your mother raised you right...


...Don't want to see my 6'6" 284 lb butt in lycra? Tough...

All in all people are more accepting than a few years ago - Athletes are wearing all kinds of spandex and even over the calf and knee high socks again - Pretty soon guys may start undoing their top shirt button and rolling up their sleeves...

I started wearing bibs and a jersey 2 weeks into riding...I look silly enough on the bike so I might as well be comfortable :)

Nothing like seeing a 350 guy wearing Lycra riding a MTB in the street!

I rode 150km yesterday wearing my bib, then rode another 17km without one and holy hell did my taint hurt :)

Bibs, in my opinion, aren't any hotter than shorts ... and yes, most do wear jerseys over their bibs when they reach a comfort level with cycling clothes.

I'll say this ... once you go bibs, you'll never go back to shorts.
yes, "I" knew that, i was commenting on the other guy who i quoted.
i totally agree, once you go to bibs, you'll never want to buy shorts again.


I would only where a jersey over the bibs, how would you have access to the pockets if you wore them on the inside? and the fashion police would be jacking me up.

the bibs that I purchased are a lot mere expensive than the shorts.
again, "I" know that you wear the jersey over the bibs - my comments was at who i quoted...
as far as the last line is concerned on price of bibs/shorts... i am talking directly to bibs or shorts of the SAME LINE. like Giordana Silverline Bibs are the same as the Giordana Silverline Shorts. Castelli bibs of the same line are the same price as the shorts, etc, etc, etc.
there are many bibs that don't come in a shorts model, of course. but i would say that every model of bibs that also comes in a short, they have been the exact same price, in my findings.

...i would say that every model of bibs that also comes in a short, they have been the exact same price, in my findings.

I don't doubt your veracity (though I'd love to know where you shop), but I think it's instructive to inform others that this isn't always the case. In my experience, the bibs are always slightly more expensive, unless something's on sale. Examples (list prices):

Performance Ultra II Shorts at $79.99; Performance Ultra II Bibs at $89.99.
Pearl Izumi P.R.O. In-R-Cool Shorts at $144.99; Pearl Izumi P.R.O. In-R-Cool Bibs at $164.99.
Pearl Izumi Attack Shorts at $74.99; Pearl Izumi Attack Bibs at $94.99.
Giordana Silverline Shorts at $99.95; Giordana Silverline Bibs at $124.95 (per realcyclist.com)
Castelli Endurance Shorts at $159.95; Castelli Endurance Bibs at $179.95 (per realcyclist.com)

Not trying to be argumentative, just sayin'.

Well, I let my LBS...

Hrmm, I wonder if we share the same LBS, seeing as you have all Trek/GF bikes. Prairie Path or Trek Store DG?

I got my first pair of shorts and rode in the dark (4 am dark) and felt self conscious. Now I walk into the grocery store stinking from a long ride because I need to run an errand on my way home.


I remember stopping at a mini-mart for dinner after an 82 mile ride. An elderly couple in the store stared at me as if I was from another planet. Good times.....

I wear bibs/jersey/gloves/helmet/sunglasses everytime I ride. When I go into to stores to buy stuff and get a weird look from someone I say in a middle eastern accent "Don't worry. I speaka goood inglish." :)

Hrmm, I wonder if we share the same LBS, seeing as you have all Trek/GF bikes. Prairie Path or Trek Store DG?

Actually, J&R Cycle and Ski in Lombard.

Actually, J&R Cycle and Ski in Lombard.

Oooh, I forgot J&R was a Trek shop.

Not trying to be argumentative, just sayin'.
understood, points taken, i stand corrected. thanks for pointing it out.
it's been a few months since i did a lot of shopping, and at the time, i noticed shorts/bibs were all the same price. either that or they were minimally more expensive i just didn't notice and thought they were the exact same price.

A few years ago, I went out for a 70-mile ride on a really hot day, and needed more than water to make it back home. So, I stopped at a convenience store and gas station in a more rural area (ranches and farms) for a cold quart/liter spots drink.

I was so hot and thirsty, that I did not even think about looking weird. Then this elderly gentleman wearing well-used and muddy cover-alls stops, looks me over for a second, and yells "THIS AIN'T PARIS, FRANCE!!" Other patrons, and the store manager, apparently felt the same way, so I just apologized and got out of there.

I did not feel threatened, or anything, but I also have to admit that I never stopped at that store again. Not even when driving through that area in a motor vehicle. Not due to anger, but...the place down the street goes out of their way to make cyclists feel welcome. They sell ice cream and smoothies, have clean bathrooms, and you always see a few cyclists taking a break there.

I wear ZOIC mountain biking/commuter shorts. The have separate inners and outers and are comfortable.

"THIS AIN'T PARIS, FRANCE!!"
"Now Skeeter, he ain't hurtin' nobody!"

I get some weird looks at the grocery store and Target, but never anything hostile.