textatt

And I thought the bike was going to be the expensive part.

textatt

I had to laugh when I read that because that is exactly what my mom would tell me.

caloso

After awhile, clothing just accumulates. I probably have 6 or 7 sets of jerseys and bibs. Plus 3 or 4 long sleeved jerseys, a couple pairs of tights and knickers, skinsuits, wind vests, and arm and knee warmers.

SpeshulEd 

This is actually really good advice and means you only have to do laundry once a week. Also, tight jerseys > flappy jerseys.

I wash all of my stuff together, usually on the delicate cycle and then hang dry. However, I'll wash the load on a normal cycle if I had to change the tube or had any mechanicals since I mostly likely wiped my dirty hands on my bibs.

banerjek

Or they'd wonder what the heck you're doing there. Why would you go into another environment just to purposely do things differently?

FWIW, I wouldn't ride close to someone in jeans because I'd assume they lacked judgment and handling skills. You could hardly choose more inappropriate clothing. May as well do cold water sports without immersion protection.

How many people here would ride in a paceline with someone who was wearing jeans? Or close to them on a high speed descent?

And in all fairness, the assumption would be correct in this case. By the OP's own admission, this knuckleheaded clothing choice is purely a fashion statement. Jeans are fine for puttering around at low speed. But to even have to wonder what the issue is shows a lack of basic knowledge.

kbarch

You can get buy with one kit, and some of the most accomplished riders I know seem to always wear the same ancient kit, but you DO want to wash it after each ride (assuming your ride long enough to warrant wearing it). Before bibs and jerseys started accumulating, I'd just dump the things in the sink with a little detergent and baking soda before getting in the shower, then I'd agitate them a bit, rinse them out, and hang them up. Now they've accumulated enough to make it worth the 40 minutes and $2.50 for a load of laundry.

Drew Eckhardt 

You can get brand new previous years' closeouts, custom program size samples, and club/team left overs at greatly discounted prices. I've paid $15-$30 for $90 jerseys and $40 for $100 shorts.

Jerseys are almost entirely about fit, and shorts are mostly about the chamois where more padding is not better. Both are orthogonal to price which can be low - Aerotech has $20 shorts and $30 jerseys both made in the USA.

Just buy from places with good return policies until you figure out what works for you.

evrythngsgngrn

Retro Marco Pantani ?Faux-Denim? Kit | Gear Junkie

Drew Eckhardt 

That raises an important issue:

There's _no_ standardization on sizes or fit. You can be a large in one brand and a small in another. Race/pro/athletic/sport/euro fit implies tapering around the waist but how much varies. Even size charts with chest/waist/hips measurements are just starting points. This was a big headache for me after loosing enough weight my old jerseys no longer fit right.

Both these jerseys are "race fit" for a 35-37" chest, 29-31" waist, and 35-37" hips. Louis Garneau mens XS racer-fit on top, Voler small race fit on bottom.


Some brands offer multiple fits so be aware of what you're getting. Louis Garneau has next-to-skin, racer-fit, pro-fit, semi-relaxed, and relaxed where there can be 8" of difference in circumference between racer-fit and semi-relaxed.

Try them on in a riding position - excess fabric will hang off the front, you create extra slack in the chest reaching with your arms, and bending at the waist causes bunching in the belly. Jerseys which are too short can expose skin at your back.

Right out (Canari medium club cut)


Not OK (LG XS pro-fit long sleeve, Voler small race fit long sleeve, Castelli small)


OK for moderate speeds (LG pro-fit)


OK for higher speeds (LG XS racer-fit, can bunch a little on the bike). Might be a bit snug after a few hours.


Won't flap at any speed (LG XS next-to-skin). Great for hard rides..


This all varies with shape and size; with an extra 45 pounds of middle age spread some brands medium club cuts fit great.

sneakyflute

Let's say I ditch the jeans for some real cycling clothing. Would a club be cool with me wearing cycling pants in the summer?

Wesley36

Could that be because a single sketchy rider in a paceline could put multiple other people in the hospital for extended visits? Riding in a pack involves a great deal of trust that everyone understands and is capable of the very specific skills required for pack riding.

Riding with a club often means one needs to make a snap judgement about how much one can trust the others riding, there is not much info to go on when one first meets someone.

raisinberry777

They'd probably think it a little strange, as with full leg tights in the summer you'll overheat very, very quickly.

RomansFiveEight

+1. Personally, I'm bare-legged in shorts when it's above 55, sometimes even a little cooler. Chilly for the first mile or two but comfortable after that. Full leg tights at that temp are miserably hot. Jeans would be too.

There's a big difference between an easy commute or a lazy ride. If you're commute or ride is more intense or if you're pushing yourself; then you're heating your body up and sweating! If you aren't doing the latter, then you aren't doing the former.

And yes I remember being a kid and riding all around all day long in jeans (or shorts). But I also wasn't pushing nearly as hard, I walked up the hills, etc. If I rode as a kid like I do now, A) I'd have been in fantastic shape as a kid and B) I'd have been sweat-drenched.

pdedes

this. unless the group is flower picking

velociraptor

From group riding in jeans, to the aerodynamics of beards, the sketchiness of inexperienced pack riders, and Lasercats... This has been an interesting thread.

Nice job making the most out of a troll, BF.

It must still be winter somewhere.

RR3

Scratch golfers can size up a beginner before they swing the club and I would submit any decent cyclist can sort out a real Fred within a block or two. We even have a name for them. 91 rules. We yell at them for sport. Certain equipment is de rigueur depending upon the particular segement of the cycling community. Mountain biking cycling shoes with hard core roadies? Please. 32mm tires with that crowd? Plan on taking some guff. Probably should be shaved and any road rash healed. You're good with the Randos as long as your saddle is leather, you have fenders, steel frame, lots and lots of wool on, and a Carradice bag up front. With the touring crowd as long as you share your weed, you are good. tongue in cheek

UnfilteredDregs

So....shaving your legs is like buying a $4000.00 aero wheelset?!?!?!?!

RR3

More according to Specialized....

evrythngsgngrn

Maybe they'll market a $1000 aero razor.

kickstart

Just waded through this thread, and it reminded me why I rarely visit this sub form, and have no desire to do "club" rides.

evrythngsgngrn

Because you like your jeans too much?

StanSeven

Or you like your long beard?

kickstart

Jeans are OK, but I prefer something a little lighter, and more loose fitting. Don't like anything tight as I find "free range" more comfortable.

Nope, clean shaven and short hair.

Really its because I don't care to keep company with those who obsess over conformity and image, rather than accepting how others may find enjoyment in doing things their own way.
Its also a bit condescending how some imply that if one doesn't ape the dress and behaviors of a competitive cyclist, they must be a bumbling clod incapable of riding more than a few miles at a walking pace.

evrythngsgngrn

I think that's a little far in the other direction. It's one thing to say that someone not wearing appropriate (for the sport) clothing can't ride their bike, and it is another to question whether said person can ride safely in a group where it is easy to potentially harm several people.

rjones28