DougG

I'm all for supporting my LBS, but in the matter of clothing they just don't seem to stock what I am looking for. Part of it is just a matter of how much stock an LBS can afford to keep. One of the best shops in the area just had a sale this weekend, but when I went to check it out I found that "sale" seemed to mean reduced from "exorbitantly overpriced" to just "mildly overpriced" .

But the main thing was the selection. Frankly, at my age, I don't think I look that great as a rolling neon billboard. Do I really want to pay Pearl Izumi (or Fox, or Nike) all that money so I can go around advertising their brand name for them? Are they sponsoring me or something? I guess I've (finally) gotten out of the stage of wearing flamboyantly branded apparel as a status symbol or something.

In any case, I did not find anything suitable at any LBS in my area. On the other hand, some of the catalog places like Nashbar have a good selection of the types of shorts and jerseys that I'm looking for in a more conservative style and at a much lower price. That's probably the way that I'm going to have to go this time. Anyone else have experiences like this?

Doug

Indolent58

I've never bought Nashbar clothes so I have no first hand experience but I have heard some negative reports re. durability. I have been very pleased with Performance jerseys and shorts, although I stay away from their cheapest stuff. If you wait for sales (and you never have to wait long) a $30 plain color Performance jersey or $30 shorts are going to be as good as the garish faux team stuff at 2-4 times the price.

DnvrFox

Nashbar/Performance are the same company owned by Performance.

Don't know if they have same clothing suppliers, but I have always been happy with my Nashbar clothes. I also have been happy with Performance.

I bought a "Spider Man" Jersey on a gift certificate at the LBS!
The kids in the area love it, expecially the little kids. They are always saying, "There goes Spider Man!"

fsor

I have been happy with the Performance brand "elite" bibs...currently on sale at 42$. They seem to last well and fit nicely. Their mtb jersies, eg. the "moab" are well made, understated and have a relaxed fit that covers my "German Goiter" (beergut) well. I like the zipper closure on the pocket as I don't sweat loosing things as much. rich

AndrewP

I find soccer shirts very comfortable and much cheaper than cycling jerseys, but I miss the rear pockets.

RonH

I have 5 pairs of bibs, 4 jerseys, and leg and arm warmers from Velowear. I just got this two weeks ago, at the sale price.
The prices are right and if you sign up for their email newsletter, you get special "member-only" sale prices on selected items.

operator

Cyclepath has some reallyl discounted stuff (jerseys/shorts) at least 50% off sticker price.

Stacy

One of the things I liked about my white Sirrus was the open faced type that makes the name a little less obvious. But when I got around to shopping for a helmet I couldn't figure out if I needed to match the brand name or look like Times Square on Wheels.

Right now I'm getting by with old jeans and moving towards slightly more descrete Mountain Bike type apparel. Bike shorts under pants, a good windbreaker, and some inconspicuous fleece. Now if I could just peel this brand name decal off my helmet I'd be happy.

Stacy

HiYoSilver

Don't forget, if you need much stuff. Performance has a year long plan where for $20 you get 10% cash coupons for next purchases. They are in $10 increments. Just got my first coupons today. Obviously you need to spend $200 a year to break even, but in some cases this might save a few more bucks.

While mentioning crude advertising thrust on the poor biker, don't forget these monster bike brand labels. Who really needs 3 inch letters advertising Trek, or Specialized or Giant?

If their marketing people were smart, they would put 1 inch letters on the bikes and sell the 3 inch letters as a $10 accessory.

Huff

p38karl

I have three floresent green pearlizzumi jerseys that I got for half price that I wear all the time now because I have been told by so many car drivers that they can really see me.

hickok45

Yeah, I'm not a hard core rider, but I've been biking for 50 years, and I still wear whatever I have that suites the weather. Fortunately, living in Nashville, Tn, I can make myself pretty conspicious by just wearing some good old Tennessee Orange! No problem finding orange clothing around here, what with all the UT fans and hunters!

Since I live and ride way out in the country, it's best I don't look like one of them there "sissy bikers" in tights that the local rednecks like to run off the road.

I prefer to look like a "redneck biker." It's a lot safer where I live.

quickKarl

I've found some nice loose jersey style shirts at Target under the C9 style
they also have a good poly sox under same brand.
karl

stapfam

My local LBS isexcellent, but not in the clothing department. I always find that it is better to hunt out a specialist shop, one that has the range of clothing of a variety of manufacturers, that will give me a large enough choice of styles and prices to suit my needs. Unfortunately, a shop like this is not on every corner. I used to have one in London, a mere 70 miles from where I live, and went there 3 times a year, just to see what was on offer, but even they have closed down their clothing department in the face of profit margins.
The only point to remember is that quality counts, and it is worth paying that extra bit for a proven itenm than that cheap pair of shorts that you will grow into when they shrink after a wash.

Garfield Cat

Since I live in Southern California (Orange County aka O.C.), its mostly warm but the mornings can get in the 40's during the winter months. I find that surfing clothes can also be used for bike riding. The rash guards have spandex material mixed with non cotton material. Its light weight and dries quickly. For colder days I wear a short sleeve rash guard under a long sleeve rash guard. Also I wear arm warmers too. These rash guards are moderately priced, especially if they're on sale. Good sales prices are like $20 and sometimes lower.

For bike pants, its more of a problem. In Huntington Beach there's a company called TYR. They make swimwear similar to Speedo and Body Glove. But they also make triathlete wear so I buy their tri bike pants. Only problem is that there is just a minimum padding. So I have learned to live with it. The good news is that these pants also double as swim trunks. The TYR long leg pants are just as good as regular bike pants except for the padding. TYR has their semi annual sales in July and December so pants can go for less than 20. TYR also sells tri tops that are sleeveless, all less than 20 on their sales.

I was in Hawaii this summer and went to their surf shop and bought a short sleeve rash guard for close to 30 but it was a cool design.

Robert Gardner

I stick strictly to Pearl Izumi bicycle clothes. They were made in the USA in the past and the quality is really great. However they do have some of their clothes made in China and I do not think the quality of those products is as great. Check before you buy.

chicharron

I don't need to wear "bike clothes". that they sell in bike shops. Just khaki shorts in the warm months, and sweat pants when it gets too cold. Maybe I wear "Thinsulate" under shirts when its very cold, hoodie-sweat shirt, bike gloves, sunglasses, tennis shoes, and helmet. Thats it. No tight fitting, lycra, proffessional bicylcist clothes for me.

fsor

Performance has Ultra Bibs on sale again at $40. They work well for me and seem to last very well.

webist

I'm with you. Anything I have other than plain, single-color jerseys or black shorts, I received as a gift.

CosmicRocker

If anyone likes Primal cycling clothes, try this:

https://www.primal-sports.com

They have some specials and a "factory seconds" section. Another place is EBAY.

late

Hi,
lots of options, all the outdoorsy stores have stuff that will work.
I like Col D'Lizard. Just ordered a 2nd core warmer, I love it.
https://www.coldlizard.com/cgi/wc.dll...art~source~~fp

chicharron

I refuse to wear Lycra or Spandex bike clothes.

HiYoSilver

Getting colder, so needed leg warmth. Hello navy goretex from lands end. goodbye gaudy tights.

Jessica

I can't afford $60 and up for a shirt when I normally wear things that cost $10 or less...

and I also want to know why I would pay for the priviledge of advertizing for someone else...

chicharron

I refuse to pay for the privilage of advertizing for someones else, as well. I usually wear khaki shorts, loose fitting t-shirts,tennis shoes, sunglasses, and a helmet during warm weather.When its cold, sweat pants, sweat shirt, with thermal-Thinsulate underneath it all. I dont like lycra, too "gay looking"

bnet1

That is one of the nice things about being 'bent (recumbent, that is). You don't need any fancy padded shorts, and jerseys with rear pockets are all but useless. Pretty much any moisture wicking clothes will do just as long as you are comfortable in them. Since I'm pretty small, last summer I picked up some polyester "T" shirts and shorts in the Wally-World Boys' dept for $3 each. Wore them all summer and can probably get another summer out of them.

'bent Brian