Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Cycling clothes for clydes?

Where do all you clydes buy your cycling clothes? I have bought a few different jerseys online and they all fit different. I am not overly big or anything. I weigh in the 250's now and wear size XL t-shirts. I have bought XXL and XXXL jesreys and they all fit like second skin. I would like something a little looser. I know I should just keep working on my weight loss and I will eventially get in them but I need some good clothes now that fit. Here is a pic of me!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/99m6z28/IMG_1755.jpg

I dont have a up to date pic of myself but I have lost about 30lbs since this pic was taken.

Love2Pedal is a favorite around here, and there are many others. A quick search should bring up lots of threads on this one. Not a criticism, just a suggestion. ;)

areotech design is awesome.

Thanks to both.

I hear you about the variability...

Steer clear of anything that sounds vaguely European. You also want "club fit" rather than race fit and frankly, your experience is why I generally buy jerseys at a store. I have no problems with shorts. I know exactly what size I want and Pearl Izumi makes it great.

Good luck.

At your weight, it shouldn't be too hard to find stuff that fits. I'm about 20 pounds heavier, and I find some good stuff.

I have team clothing from Pactimo and Biemme. Biemme fits best, just a tad larger than Pactimo's, certainly more stretchy. These were gotten through team orders, but you could just check out their websites to find a dealer.

I also have purchased online some Castelli and Hincapie. My Hincapie shorts fit the loosest of all four brands. I have one Hincapie jersey and it is loose, too loose in fact--I don't like wearing it.

Castelli shorts fit the tightest of the four, but the jersey I own is fine. The cuts on the Castelli are perfect for riding (not necessarily walking upright). Castelli has a complete range of cycling clothing: arm, knee & leg warmers, wind vests, jackets, gloves, caps, etc...

I got both Hincapie & Castelli through Bonktown (http://www.bonktown.com/). They sell one item at a time, just watch for the deals. Other clothing I have gotten online I use Google Shopping to find the best deals.

I tend to favor the "second skin" fit, otherwise known as "race cut" or "european cut". I don't like the look of myself in them (say, "sausage casing"), but then, once I'm out there, hammering away, how I look isn't high on my priorities.

At your weight, it shouldn't be too hard to find stuff that fits. I'm about 20 pounds heavier, and I find some good stuff.

I have team clothing from Pactimo and Biemme. Biemme fits best, just a tad larger than Pactimo's, certainly more stretchy. These were gotten through team orders, but you could just check out their websites to find a dealer.

I also have purchased online some Castelli and Hincapie. My Hincapie shorts fit the loosest of all four brands. I have one Hincapie jersey and it is loose, too loose in fact--I don't like wearing it.

Castelli shorts fit the tightest of the four, but the jersey I own is fine. The cuts on the Castelli are perfect for riding (not necessarily walking upright). Castelli has a complete range of cycling clothing: arm, knee & leg warmers, wind vests, jackets, gloves, caps, etc...

I got both Hincapie & Castelli through Bonktown (http://www.bonktown.com/). They sell one item at a time, just watch for the deals. Other clothing I have gotten online I use Google Shopping to find the best deals.

I tend to favor the "second skin" fit, otherwise known as "race cut" or "european cut". I don't like the look of myself in them (say, "sausage casing"), but then, once I'm out there, hammering away, how I look isn't high on my priorities.

Thanks for the info. I believe the 2 I just bought are european cut. I am sure they wont look at bad once I am on the bike but I just hate the way I look when standing upright. I will be on the lookout for some club fit. I just hate to buy too much and then lose weight and them be too big. I guess that wouldnt be a negative trade off. I also have no problem with shorts. My LBS really dont have a big selection of clothes and they are the only place to buy except for Academy that only carries Canari which I dislike. Anyway, Thanks again!

At your weight, it shouldn't be too hard to find stuff that fits. I'm about 20 pounds heavier, and I find some good stuff.

I have team clothing from Pactimo and Biemme. Biemme fits best, just a tad larger than Pactimo's, certainly more stretchy. These were gotten through team orders, but you could just check out their websites to find a dealer.

I also have purchased online some Castelli and Hincapie. My Hincapie shorts fit the loosest of all four brands. I have one Hincapie jersey and it is loose, too loose in fact--I don't like wearing it.

Castelli shorts fit the tightest of the four, but the jersey I own is fine. The cuts on the Castelli are perfect for riding (not necessarily walking upright). Castelli has a complete range of cycling clothing: arm, knee & leg warmers, wind vests, jackets, gloves, caps, etc...

I got both Hincapie & Castelli through Bonktown (http://www.bonktown.com/). They sell one item at a time, just watch for the deals. Other clothing I have gotten online I use Google Shopping to find the best deals.

I tend to favor the "second skin" fit, otherwise known as "race cut" or "european cut". I don't like the look of myself in them (say, "sausage casing"), but then, once I'm out there, hammering away, how I look isn't high on my priorities.

Just a FYI, but DepartmentOfGoods (http://www.departmentofgoods.com/mens-cycling-jerseys) has most of the same stuff that Bonktown offers, but everything is available for purchase instead of being deal-at-a-time. I don't know if the discounts are as good, but they're both part of Backcountry.com so you're dealing with the same people.

Took a quick pic today after a nice 20 miler. This jersey isnt too bad once I got riding. I think I can handle this one. What do you think? Does it look bad?
By the way, my wife and I own an Audi and I saw that the had some cycling clothes and I couldnt resist!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/99m6z28/IMG_1157.jpg

Took a quick pic today after a nice 20 miler. This jersey isnt too bad once I got riding. I think I can handle this one. What do you think? Does it look bad?
By the way, my wife and I own an Audi and I saw that the had some cycling clothes and I couldnt resist!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/99m6z28/IMG_1157.jpg

I think you look fast, and the kit is fantastic. The fit will only improve as you get more fit. Are those bib shorts? Do you wear a baselayer?

Those are not bibs and I typically dont wear a base layer. What would you recommend as a good base?

Dang that's a nice looking bike.

I've said it before, but there's always somebody skinnier, faster, got a more expensive bike, whatever. I reckon anybody you bury while you're out riding will never comment on anything but that skinnier, faster, just rode the TDF for fun guy who just went by you like you were standing still will so who cares. :)

Did I mention that's a nice looking bike? Ride it like you stole it!

Those are not bibs and I typically dont wear a base layer. What would you recommend as a good base?

I use a compression shirt from Wal-mart. The idea is to help tuck the loose skin around the middle away. Bib shorts are useful because they have a higher waistband and a 'control top' aspect to them. As a man with a sizable pot belly, even when near goal weight, I recommend them highly.

For comparison's sake, here I am at about 250 in a pose close to your own. Notice I don't have the binding you do in the middle.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/165177_1667122690399_1607271639_1517400_597894_n.jpg

BTW, don't take my suggest as implying you don't look fantastic.... because you do. I wish I looked half as good in my riding wear.

Trojanhorse and Neil_B, Thanks for the many compliments on the bike and myself! Its coments like these that make you want to push harder to reach my goals! Thanks!

I think you are just a little bit bigger than I am, I am 6'-3" and weigh 235 lbs. I think the problem is that cycling clothing sizing is all over the board. I can fit into xl pearl izumi but in assos I am a TIR or xxxl size, or other brands I am too large for xxxxl and campagnolo just doesn't fit. I suggest that you go to a big bike shop and try on all the clothing to get an idea on your fit.

I am 5'9", 240" I get the six panel bibs in XL from http://kucharik.com/. They are a little snug around the middle, but the XXL are a little too tall for me and make me look like I dropped a load in the pants. Jerseys are less of an issue. I have a couple from charity events, and a local club. I can always use "street gear" on top, and usually do when commuting.

That Audi kit looks pretty sharp, nice bike too!

If you're looking for a more "relaxed fit" jersey, I'd second the recommendation for Aerotechdesigns.com-
http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bikejersey.htm#atdlonguni

I'm about your size and have found that the 3X size jerseys give me a comfy/relaxed fit in the chest/shoulders (that's where I tend to explode out of jerseys) without being too loose in the gut.

Their house brand stuff tends to be subdued, nothing too flashy, but it's inexpensive and clyde-friendly. Their bib tights are nice too.

I've bought a lot of clothes from Performance. The nice thing about them (aside from pertty decent return policy for things that don't fit) is that they're consistent, and consistently match regular clothing sizes. Take an XL tee? You'll fit in a Performance XL jersey. Buy their house brand Century stuff when it's on sale.

Note, too, that jerseys last practically forever. Shorts get indecently thin after a while (something like 2-3 years for me).

I've noticed that half-zips tend to fit much better than the full zips, which goes back to the whole race cut issue. Probably my favorite jersey is an Endura Humvee which has a nice loose fit. I think it's aimed at MTB riders, but it has all the normal road jersey features...the fabric is a little thicker, but it feels more durable at the same time. And as others have said, Pearl Izumi and Performance stuff fits a little looser too..."American Cut" and all.

6'1 and about 245 in the picture. I prefer something with a little moving space. Performance plain jerseys ($19) XXL.

I also wear the ($12) Wallyworld underlayers. Blue XXL is good but just got 2 more black XXL and they are SNUG like a girdle.:D

I like the Audi cool graphics but I like to be comfy first and for me, the cool prints don't work. :(

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/blueshorts.jpg

I'm similar size, around 5'11 and just under 250, and noticed that for me personally, I like the way graphics and what not look on jerseys and kits, but when I wear them, I feel like I look ridiculous. I'd rather not be self conscious off the bike so until I get closer to 200lbs, I am mainly sticking with black bibs and solid color jerseys with minimal flair (blues, reds, blacks, etc).

I really like Voler bibs, and the Pearl Izumi (Attack) or Garneau jerseys. But sizing varies widely between manufacturer as you've already found out...

That Audi kit is very nice, if I could find a BMW jersey I might change my opinion on flair :o

Thanks for the info. I believe the 2 I just bought are european cut. I am sure they wont look at bad once I am on the bike but I just hate the way I look when standing upright. I will be on the lookout for some club fit. I just hate to buy too much and then lose weight and them be too big. I guess that wouldnt be a negative trade off. I also have no problem with shorts. My LBS really dont have a big selection of clothes and they are the only place to buy except for Academy that only carries Canari which I dislike. Anyway, Thanks again!

That's why I don't have any jerseys. I'll lose so much weight they'll be way to big to wear and be comfortable. So for the time being, I have a bunch of running/tech shirts by C9 from Target.

As someone mentioned earlier, the Perfromance classic jerseys fit comfortably. They have them on sale for $20 today, minus an additional 20% off special for an end price of $16. Steal of a deal. If you have a Performance store near you, the stores sometimes have different sales than the website, but they will match whatever deals are online if you ask. I think I was around 250 in this pic with one of the Performance classics on (Down to 220-something now).
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6013/5948587845_c8d78fbc50_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/5948587845/)

If you don't care about having the pockets in the back, I think someone else already mentioned the technical fabric tee shirts you can get in any sporting goods store for $10-15.

Someone already mentioned that sizes are allover the place. That's very true. Nashbar and Performance have some decent sizing charts on thier site, reflecting how the different clothing makes are sized, but the charts still aren't perfect.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/99m6z28/IMG_1157.jpg

Nice bike!!!

I like Fila jersey's. Italian and they come in huge guy sizes. Anti-uv, anit-microbial all that stuff. Club fit. I also wear their sweat pants for cold days. I use basketball shorts, nobody wants to see me in lycra trust me.

Castelli shorts are cut for very thin folks, their jerseys are just as bad. I have a ton of Castelli jerseys that I bought for a smoking deal that I'll wear in another 30lbs, they're XXXL. I put one one and looked like a complete tool in it, the shirt was screaming "I don't fit you". Sizes between brands are all over the place. XXXL in one will be L in another.

Try this, I'm a bit taller than you, but about your build, this is about the only kit I wear. Learn from my trial and error, I've bought a ton of gear to find stuff that fits right.

-Assos Millie Bibs TIR or XLG, don't confuse XL and XLG, XLG is bigger. I wear the TIR, but in another two months' I'll switch to XLG. TIR and XLG are the same basic size TIR is just a bit wider. (don't ever wear shorts, bibs are your friend)

-Under Armor Cool Tech long sleeve compression shirt, get it at Dick's or Academy. It's ultra thin and you can wear it really tight. I usually wear a large if you can squeeze into a medium do it. Don't worry about the long sleeve aspect, I wear a white one and it's actually cooler with it than without it.

-Sugoi RS Zero XXL short sleeve jerseys. They are cut really good for my shape.

With the above kit on their's no funny looking lumps, man camel toe, or a belly that looks like Homer Simpson's face.

BTW, nice ride, I've got the same bike with SRAM Red and Zipps.

One thing about club fit and race fit is that the race fit is not only tighter, but usually the shoulders are cut so that the fabric is relaxed with your arms out, not with your arms down. I have a couple of jerseys that are slightly tight when I'm just standing around, but fit perfectly when I'm on my bike because of the cut. I like the entry level Pearl Izumi's if I want a looser fitting jersey.

On longer rides I always wear at least some kind of baselayer, preferably a compression shirt so that my knees aren't constantly banging against my big belly... haha... On lighter rides, I never wear my bibs so I just wear a simple tank top.

Also try Boure' which is Ned Overend. Great stuff . Sizes up to 3x.

I have a pair of Canari shorts that I've undergrown if anyone wants them for the cost of postage. Fit me decently when I was about a 44 waist. Might fit up to a 46. (I posted this in the clydes forum trade thread, but I don't think anyone looks in there.)