Road Cycling - Old Navy is My New Favorite Bike Shop

Ok, they don't sell bikes, tires, chains, saddles or chamois cream. But they do sell clothes. And I did notice that quite a number of their shirts and jackets are exactly what you pay $50-100 for at your LBS minus the back pocket.

I paid $12 for a long sleeve shirt that would be at least $30 at any bike shop.

Am I missing something? Except the back pocket, of course.

I picked up a very nice form-fitted North Face jacket at EMS this weekend on sale for $29. A similar PI jacket would be $90 or more. If you're flexible about labels, there's some great non-bicycle-specific gear deals around.

Wicking material. That may be the difference.

I love clearance racks. When Donna and I go shopping at Old Navy she buys stuff for the kids and I usually find two or three things on clearance that I'll buy. Target is another of our favorite clearance rack stores :)

Wicking material. That may be the difference.

Old Navy has a line athletic clothing that supposably wicks away moisture. Besides, isn't this just 100% polyester? I have a long sleeve shirt and use it when it's cool outside.

Does it have a front zipper that can be opened and closed for different ambient conditions? The back pocket is exactly why I wear the cycling jerseys. Does the bottom hem have elastic that hugs the wearer? What the cycling jerseys don't have, that I need, is a corset that handles the area between the collar and bottom hem ;) .
You can also probably take the Old Navy shirt to a T-shirt shop and get something put on it.

I wear underarmor for similar reasons. Slightly cheaper then a jersey and does a much better job keeping me warm/cool/dry. Keep the powergels in my underseat pack.

For wicking material I get most of my stuff from Rich's. They almost always have Adidias or Nike long and short sleave "quick dry" shirts on sale for $20-35.

I wear underarmor for similar reasons. Slightly cheaper then a jersey and does a much better job keeping me warm/cool/dry. Keep the powergels in my underseat pack.

Can you tell me what is underarmor--and why is it good? Thanx!

Can you tell me what is underarmor--and why is it good? Thanx!

http://www.goldmanbros.com/under-armour/underarmor.php

Usually the way the material is designed/cut for regular clothes is much differant than cycling clothes.
Cycling clothes are specifically cut long on the back to provide substantial coverage over your lower back when riding, to prevent a draft, and provide even body temperature. They are also cut a little differant to provide more comfort around the shoulders/armpits and your upper back, since your arms are extended forward all the time.
The wicking fabrics are also used to prevent excessive moisture build-up which could in cold weather be a severe detriment. I almost got pneumonia once because I wore a plain longsleeve knit shirt under my jacket when it was almost freezing outside. When I got home, I was soaked inside, and freezing.
I learned the hard way not to wear regular clothing when going on a ride for excersise. If I am just bumming around on my old MTB for leisure, sure. But not when I am out for a few hours really breaking up a sweat.

Most cycling jackets have a longer back side so you aren't showing off your plumbing skills while riding. That's another difference besides the pockets. Is that worth the extra money? Probably not...wear bibs underneath.

I have some cheap underarmour rip-off shirts from Wal-Mart and they work great.

Edit: Patriot beat me to it.

Old Navy, I got my fleece pullover which I used this winter under my Yellow Hi-Vi neon bike jacket for $ 6.00 !!!
I laughed all the way to the cashier. Yes it's fleece and actually wicks moisture away.
Sometimes you just don't need to pay $ 160.00 for a hitec North Face jacket. If it performs to what it's
for, there are bargains out there.
Corsaire :)

I picked up a dress shirt off a sale rack at Kohls yesterday for a whopping $2.06! Great shirt too! Bargains are out there indeed. Now if I could only wear it cycling.

cycling jerseys are totally unnecessary.
I never understood the need, I f I need to carry something I use my rear rack, not going around with garbarge against my skin as I ride.
I use an adidas or nashbar wicking shirt if it's hot.
Cycling jerseys are for fashion fairies.

Rant warning: years ago I had a 2nd job working for an inventory service. We would go into a store (mostly mall clothing stores) and count their store in one night. *Everytime* we did an Old Navy I saw how badly the management treated their employees and us, the people they paid to count their store. Their corporate culture was basically treat all non-management people like crap. It left such a bad taste that I will still not go into an Old Navy.

Thank you for letting me get that off my chest. I feel better now. ;)

Don't forget Target and WalMart - they have athletic type clothing. I believe WalMart has UnderArmour and their house brand and Target, I think, has Champion. I haven't tried any of them yet - still doing laundry nightly :)

Map Tester- Old Navy is owned by GAP. Enough said.

You are right about the walmart version of under armour. If you are in a bind and just want to spend 10$ for a base layer wicking shirt, pick one up. You won't be disappointed.

The hot weather UA shirts are only about $30. The cold weather are $50 but are the nicest, warmest things I've ever experienced. I rode in just an UA shirt (plus gloves and booties) in 20 degree weather here.. was fine.

cycling jerseys are totally unnecessary.
I never understood the need, I f I need to carry something I use my rear rack, not going around with garbarge against my skin as I ride.
I use an adidas or nashbar wicking shirt if it's hot.
Cycling jerseys are for fashion fairies.
:roflmao:

For wicking material I get most of my stuff from Rich's. They almost always have Adidias or Nike long and short sleave "quick dry" shirts on sale for $20-35.

I spent 4.99 each for my coolmax long sleeve shirts last year (G)