TheBlast82

Just wondering if anybody else wears stuff other than cycling marketed apparel. I bought two padded shorts @ $50 each and a a cycling jersey at $35 but this can get expensive very quickly so I augment my cycling wardrobe with Under Armour UA Tech shirts, Compression Tights, etc. because is much more cheaper than cycling gear. When wearing the UA tech shirts I just put my cell phone in my saddle bag so I don't really need the pockets and I have padded underwear to go with the tights... is this the norm? Or is everybody gung ho bike kitted to a T around here?

Machka 

I went for a ride this evening wearing ordinary capris and a wicking T-shirt.

Not as comfortable as cycling attire, but it was OK for a short ride.

Usually I wear cycling shorts at least ... because they are comfortable and practical.

Leinster

Is there such thing as cycling-specific baselayers? I have a few from Target and a thermal Canterbury rugby one.

I only recently got cycling-specific socks, but I now use them for running as well.

SnowCYYCling

I only kit up if I am gonna go fast, that means I ride my road bike. I wear UA shirt +chamois underwear + regular shorts when I ride my errands bike. My roadie is too valuable to me to lock up anywhere.

San Pedro

Now that it's warm I'm wearing my cycling shorts (like $50 pair) and a jersey that I got as a gift (cost $2 thank you corporation name change). However, in winter on my road bike I was wearing tights (regular ones) under jeans for my commute with a sporty undershirt under a nice softshell jacket.

My legs look way better in the cycling shorts.

yamsyamsyams

If I'm commuting a short distance I wear whatever I want. Sometimes it's spandex and sometimes a pair of gym shorts and t-shirt. Just depends on what I feel like for the day.

pdxtex

i have a mishmash of styles but everything is breathable or stretchy. i like riding knickers with real belt loops and pockets but might wear a jersey up top or merino wool tshirt. i dont ride clipless most days so samba classics and toe clips for me. gloves are a must though.

icyclist 

This is a question that gets recycled often enough (don't all questions and comments become repetitive if you stick around here long enough? ).

There's a reason for wearing cycling-specific clothing, just as there's a reason people who play tennis seriously tend to wear tennis garb, and people who golf wear special shoes. Bike shorts and jerseys and all the rest let you ride more comfortably than if you wear something else. They show you're serious - OK, maybe in a Fred-like way - about cycling. Beyond that, God isn't hurling down fiats and lightning bolts about the issue of what do wear on your bike.

Personally, if I ride to the post office, which is about three blocks from my house, or four blocks to the ATM, I don't wear bike shorts and a jersey, not even a helmet. To the shop where I get my car tuned up, about 8 blocks away, I wear jeans and a t-shirt and maybe a helmet. If I'm out for exercise, I always wear bike clothing. Does it really matter what you wear, though? Do you actually care what other people are wearing?

a1penguin

Shorts with chamois have benefits and I don't think you'll find them in any other sport. Proper shorts on longer rides can prevent chafing and other problems. But any wicking clothing is fine biking. You can buy online, or at the end of the season and pick up cycling specific clothing for reasonable prices. Performance and REI brand clothing isn't bad. Voler and Aerotech Designs are online sellers that get good reviews. I hand wash my cycling clothing and I don't go commando. With proper care, cycling jerseys should last many thousands of miles. Shorts might wear fast as there is a good amount of wear between the shorts and the seat.

Trevtassie

Just go hunting on the outlet stores for the big retailers, plenty of brand name casual bicycle gear, nice Fox shorts with knicks for $30 for example.
But there's nothing better than pounding a Mamil on a $3000 road bike on the bike path on a mountain bike with slicks and wearing what looks like casual clothes.

JimmyDetroit

+1 for Adidas Sambas and toe clips! And wool t-shirts don't get stinky like synthetics, bonus!

bakes1

I ride 15-20 miles daily and wear gym shorts and a t-shirt.
Some of my t-shirts are under armour wicking style but once I really start sweating(which is very soon into my ride)it just doesn't make a difference.

Fly2High

Total Fred here.

I only go out on my bike for exercise and occasionally for commuting. I also sweat profusely. Cycling gear helps handle it. I stay dryer with a jersey and chafe less/not at all with cycling shorts. For me, having that front zipper helps me ventilate and cool off. Not sure I have seen a zipper on any other form of wicking clothing. When I am on the turbo trainer, I will wear soccer jerseys, UA, or anything I have but I do prefer the cycling jerseys still.

I like that the pockets are out of the way on cycling clothing. Road tights and shorts really have few or none and if they do, they are situated not to bang around my privates or irritate my posterior. Jerseys with rear pockets keeps things in place and I do not hit them with my legs.

The other reason I tend to wear specific clothes for bike is because I tend to get grease on my clothes and the wife would rather I not mess up clothing I use for other purposes . Bike tights and shorts tend to be black and snug fitting and are less prone to getting grease and dirt on them.

Then again, to each their own. Suit up with what you feel suits you best!

KonaRider125

+1 If your on a budget, Aerotech Designs is the way to go for cycling clothes. Inexpensive, quality, and comfortable.

mcours2006

Cycling-specific clothing is tight-fitting, which I like, because it doesn't flap around in the wind. If I'm riding for more than half an hour I prefer to be wearing it. Jaunts to the store or riding in the neighbourhood, no so much. Generally speaking if I'm on a road bike then I wear cycling-specific clothing.

TheBlast82

I see, so for the most part we all do the same. (Noob saying "we" lol) Nice to know... mcours, compression tights and shirts are tight, feel very light, feel good on your skin AND supposedly increase blood flow, circulation and diminish the chance to be injured and yada yada yada... they definitely do not flap in the wind and are much cheaper than cycling stuff. I just compared the material between my lone cycling jersey and UA shirt and it's exactly the same: 100% polyester.

benlees

I only wear kit in the cold- some tights and a merino long sleeved jersey. Otherwise, I don't ride on a team so I don't bother. Shorts and t shirt work fine.

TheBlast82

bigdo13

on the commutes I rock a shorter than usual pair of brown camping or hiking or jogging shorts... and a t-shirt....

and I still sweat em' out... lol...

training rides, sorry, even if I'm just out for an hour, I gotta be in bibs and a jersey....

icyclist 

"Supposedly" is the operative word. I doubt there's any scientific proof compression tights help athletic performance. See: Quicker Recovery in Placebo-Controlled Compression Legging Study | Runner's World

I'm pretty sure exercising with your bike increases blood flow. ;-)

OldsCOOL

Shorts, tshirts, jeans....just for grabbing the bike and heading downtown. On the open road, it's riding with the kit.

pdedes

when i'm riding to meetings or doing errands, it could be a suit, dress pants shirt and tie, or jeans and a tee. commuting and practical cycling means no helmet to me. my commuter has a pannier rack. on my road ride, a proper kit and lid as per weather.

f4rrest

I wear cycling specific clothing 24/7, just to annoy my family and coworkers.

wallrat

I commute 7 miles and I'll sometimes wear jeans and a work shirt. If I'm on an actual ride kit up. Sometimes I'll wear MTB shorts if it's a cross ride.

TheBlast82

Well, my point is that some of the compression stuff I'm wearing is the same material and fits and feels just as nice or better than regular cycling gear and that in addition (to pretty much doing the same thing as cycling gear) does extra things, again, supposedly... plus it costs less.

If it reduces the risk of injury and increase performance, great, if not, whatever, I didn't get the stuff for that reason. I can link you to countless articles supporting compression gear, as well as articles about aliens, anal probes, etc. why bother? You obviously don't believe in it and I just don't care whether compression gear does these things or not, at then end of the day I need reasonably priced clothing to work out, lol.

Signature worthy comment right there, lol.