jgedwa

A sign of good writing is that it creates an engaging word-picture. Thank you for this.

Back to topic: I wear different things for different kinds of riding. Some spandex and tighty stuff. Some random shorts. Some jeans. Some homemade wool pants it the winter. I would probably wear overalls if I had them.

jim

High Fist Shin

Correct. Bibs are worth the extra premium. I tried them once, then bought 4 Cannondale and 4 Performance pairs. I'll never go back. Too comfortable. Though I do wear regular shorts once in a while, bibs are where it's at.

Now sometimes I like to just blend with the background. The J&G shorts and a plain jersey are perfect for that. This is my normal winter wear:



Pearl Izumi AmFIB tights with Cannondale bibs underneath. Ahh, the definition of winter confort. Recommendation? Performance Ultra II Bib Short are nice and not too expensive. Tights: Pearl Izumi AmFIB Tight. Wind resistant and well worth it.

gomango

Layers!
Bottoms-Smartwool socks, Craft bibs, Diadora soccer warm-ups on final outside layer
Tops- Craft base layer, Woolistic jersey (found at local second-hand clothes store-too big, but I don't care), O2 or Castelli shell
Head- Craft balaclava or wool soccer skull cap then Bell Sweep winterized helmet w/ mostly plugged vents
Hands-Burton snowboard gloves
Feet- Sidis then PI booties if it is below 30 degrees Fahrenheit
Riding glasses today otherwise I switch to my ski goggles when it hits about 25 F.

The after 31 miles on Turkey day pic:

RFC

All good. And there is an advantage to tight over billowing. Anyone who has done sub zero running wearing a jock and billowing sweatpants knows of what I speak.

Don't get me wrong. The only consideration is what is comfortable for you. But when I read random shots at the "Spandex Crowd" and "their" clothing (that is, when no one is getting a woody about the "fixie crowd"), the question that comes to mind is, "Are these people riders or just collectors?" For me, it's a question of cycling functionality.

KonAaron Snake 

I use silk long johns and a silk t-shirt as the first layer for cold weather riding. They do an amazing job of insulation and are incredibly comfortable. The down side is that it can be pricey if you don't find good sales, and body sweat tends to be hard on the silk. Over the silk i use a pair of sweat pants on the bottom (with another pair of thermal underwear if REALLY cold) and a sweat shirt on the top. I'll use a gore tex wind breaker on top of that in all but the coldest days. If it's really bad, I'll wear a thin parka or another sweat shirt. In the winter, I find myself using timberland wool half socks. They're expensive, but they're worth it...and they last.

In decent weather, I usually use a pair of mountain bike'ish shorts for the padding and a standard t-shirt on top. I'll use thin cotton half socks.

My Raleigh Team (Workshop) has brooks leather tape. It was ridiculously expensive, but I love the look and feel. Bonus...it's re-usable. It might be expensive, but it's a one time cost. I used white cinelli cork for my De Rosa...I found that using the "magic sponge" has been a god send for keeping it clean. My Merlin Ti uses synthetic padded bontrager tape because it came with it and I won't replace it until it falls apart. At that point, it'll get fizik padded gel tape. The Kona JTS (which is on the way out of the stable in a possible trade...details to follow if it happens, but it's a team ridden eddy m motorolla with full c record) has the stock gel tape. The Grandis Special edition has black cinelli cork. My Schwinn triplet has those old plastic grips, actually original, from 1949.

cyclotoine

Exactly,

on a day to day basis going to the store or too work or even for a 15km pleasure cruise I don't need shorts... I'll wear my wool knickers (cut off dress pants) with regular boxer shorts or boxer briefs.
I am always wearing a cycle specific top (either synthetic or wool long sleeve) with a cycle specific waterproof breathable jacket. Almost everything I own is sugoi (canadian company, japanese name). They make a beautiful product.

I am also a recreational rider and I race cross and road ride, I wear cycling jerseys and shorts for that or waterproof tights or cycling spandex knickers or leg warmers etc... why would I want flapping pant legs and arms when I am descending at 50-60kms or hammering along the water at 30+kms... no thanks... I'll take comfort, moisture wicking, water resistance and aerodynamic comfort thanks...

The same discussion applied to shoes... I have SPD, campy pro fit, toe clips and flats... all for their respective appropriate purposes.

Note on bits... at around 175-180 lbs and 6'3.5" to be precise XL bib shorts are good or just long enough in the body and too baggy in the legs... Large are a good fit in the legs and impossibly too short in the body. I have one pair of cannondale XL carbon LE bibs which my girlfriend helped my cut and add about 6 inches of spandex to the straps!

RFC

You are suppose to go commando with wool knickers.

jgedwa

Again, we have the vivid word-pictures.

RFC

Thanks, but perhaps we should move to a "higher" topic.

that_guy_zach

What do you guys do or shoes? I am still new to this and my bokes just have strap pedals? I have a feeling there is something out there better than my beat up Chuck Taylors

RFC

Toe clips are fine. I have bikes with toe clips, as well as clipless pedals. However, a more cycling specific shoe will add to your comfort and enjoyment. Specifically, you want a stiff sole lace up touring type shoe. There are many models out there. I have these and they have been very good, particularly for a narrower foot. And the price is right.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_67501

KonAaron Snake 

I know this is sacrilege, but everyone of my bikes use SPD pedals. I've found them to be ideal for city riding and I can use them decently for longer distance stuff as well. For a century ride, I have one pair of old Time pedals I use and stick them on whatever I'm going to ride for it. I have the correct pedals for most of the bikes, but i HATE straps and I usually find pedaling systems that use shoes that can't be walked in non-pragmatic.

gomango

I also use MKS Sylvan touring pedals on two bikes. I insist on comfy shoes for biking and soccer. We are a soccer obsessed household and I play indoor soccer. I use these Nikes indoors on turf and and for riding.

https://www.amazon.com/Tiempo-Natural.../dp/B002HX2LC8

Cheap and stiff enough for me.

RFC

(I'm obviously bored this morning)

I am becoming a SPD convert, even though the majority of my clipless bikes are Look Delta/Arc. The Shimano A520's are the cat's ass. And, I agree about being able to walk. It's an avocational hazard.

RFC

I wish it were so easy for us to find an alternative use for out grown hockey skates.

cycleheimer

I've had some luck with good old boat shoes with hard rubber soles. I do ride with toes clips on some of the bikes, so the sole needs to slide easily out of them. A hard rubber sole also protects my feet from the hard metal edges of the pedals. Other than that, with the type of riding I'm used to I am more interested in functionality than fashion.

bigbossman 

Whoever invented the 3 pocket jersey is a genius.

Kommisar89

I believe in the right tool for the job. I wear cycling attire (spandex/lycra presently but I'd like to acquire some wool kit) when riding for pleasure or exercise, street clothes when commuting. Same with pedals - Look clipless with Sidi shoes for my road bikes, Time MTB clipless for my MTB and cross-bike with a pair of Specialized MTB shoes that are sort of like high-top hiking shoes, and MKS Touring pedals for the commuter, bar-hopper, etc. with my street shoes.

Perhaps it's just a bit of vanity on my part but the whole jeans, old Army jacket, no shave, and the handlebars flipped upside down just doesn't get it for me.

Edit: Besides, I think I look just fine in cycling shorts for an old guy:

cycleheimer

"Perhaps it's just a bit of vanity on my part but the whole jeans, old Army jacket, no shave, and the handlebars flipped upside down just doesn't get it for me. "

You've gotta know where to draw the line.

love2pedal.com

Riding to coffeeshop with wife I will wear whatever streetclothes are appropriate for the weather

All other rides (normally 1-3 hrs)--bibshorts if it is 60ish or above, lightweight bibtights 35-60 degrees, thermal bibtights below 35.

I don't look good in lycra, but it is more comfortable

brianinc-ville

+1. Normal work/shopping/whatever I'm doing clothes every day in town; bike shorts under normal running/sports shorts for long rides. Should add the goretex rainsuit over my tweedy professor clothes for getting to work on real hurricane days, though.

Indie

If I were going to ride a long distance athletically I would probably 'suit up'. Dunno about spandex; something with minimal seaming and maximum breathability would be nice.

For commutes I just wear what I'm wearing. For practicality I like my capri-length jeans with knee socks, my Keen sport sandals, a t-shirt and either a hoodie or a longsleeve zipup. If it's cold I'll have longjohns on underneath and maybe an extra pair of socks.

Shadowex3

Jeans or my unlimited-pocket-space shorts, regular sneakers, and a discount target brand moisture-wicking sports shirt of some kind that apparently also has UV protection. The biggest problem riding in florida, other than the florida drivers, is heat. Fancy materials and properties can only go so far, eventually the best thing when it's almost 100F and ~70% humidity or higher is to just wear a really baggy pair of shorts and try to get some airflow going.

auchencrow

I took that as a sleight until you got to the part about the flipped handlebars.

sykerocker 

I'm very heavy on the modern spandex, as I find it rather comfortable. And yes, bibs are an improvement over waist length shorts. Just learn how to pee out your leg, as it's a bit of a pain to have to remove your jersey to get the shorts down.

Worktime commuting, it's just a matter of whatever I'm riding. And I try to not look like someone who's homeless and has just stolen a nice bike.

For touring riding in cooler weather, I'm a firm believer in plus fours (those things that Americans incorrectly call knickers). And, I make my own. It's really quite simple, just a matter of cutting down a pair of wool dress slacks like you can find in excellent condition at your neighborhood Goodwill at $4.00 a pair. Sure beats paying $60-100.00 a pair for the mass market item.

A couple of years ago, during a discussion over at Classic Rendezvous (before I ran out of there almost screaming), I took my conversion method, and actually wrote it down as step by step instructions. One of the CR members was kind enough to convert it into a .pdf file for me. If anyone would like a copy, just PM me.

EDIT: Just got the first request and realized that the forum message service isn't set up to handle attaching files like straight email. When you drop me a note, leave your email address - I'll send it to there.