BeachBum63

Hello All! I did a search and didn't really come up with any helpful information, so if there is a better place for this to be discussed, please let me know.

I am a big boy...6'3", 370, 50 inch waist, 56 inch chest. I am not so worried about jerseys because I have plenty of workout shirts designed to wick away moisture. But, what I need are some cycling shorts that won't cost me $100+. Right now, until I get the weight down some, I will be doing primarily road riding (of course, out here in Southern California, it can sometimes feel like off-road), so I need good padding. Color/appearance is not as big of an issue because I will not allow myself to be seen in form-fitting clothing. I typically wear regular athletic shorts or sweats over the cycling clothes. Any recommendations on where to purchase?

RonJones

Check out www.love2pedal.com they have Jersey's and Shorts/Bibbs for us Big Guys.

One big warning though - check the charts closely. The sizes in the cycling clothes usually don't come anywhere close to the size you would buy from a normal store.

Yo Spiff

I was a 48" waist, getting close to a 50 at one time. I found some mountain biking shorts at REI that fit decently. I believe they were the house brand, Novara. I just looked at the sizing chart at REI.com, and an XXL is listed as 48-50".

In fact, they have these on sale right now for $30 in a 2X: https://www.rei.com/product/809764/no...ke-shorts-mens

CraigB

I know the forum search function isn't the greatest, but I just did an "advanced search" on the words "clyde," "shorts" and "recommend" and the first thread on the page full of hits gave info on aerotechdesigns.com, one of the favorites around here. They're often mentioned in the same breath as love2pedal. I'm sure if I'd looked into the other page+ full of hits there would have been even more.

Please don't take this as criticism. My intent is only to help the OP (and anyone else who stumbles with searches) find the info he seeks.

TrojanHorse

For anybody who searches, it's easier to use google and type in your search terms and then put site:bikeforums.net and it'll only return results from here. And you don't have to wait a minute between searches either.

So to be clear - put this on the address bar or search bar in google:

bike shorts clyde recommend site:bikeforums.net

and enjoy.

Mark Stone

I know this is not going to be the most popular post, but why do you want to use cycling shorts at all? Unless you're planning on riding a couple of hours daily or longer, just wear your regular jeans. Any difference in comfort is minimal, especially with short bike rides. I have several pairs of bibbies and a couple pairs of baggies, but I only need to use them if I'm going to be on the bike all day. For just tooling around the city and commuting, regular clothes are fine.

goldfinch

I think there are individual differences in how comfortable we are in ordinary clothes. When I was first on the forums and complaining about extreme discomfort padded shorts were suggested. I dismissed it as I was going on only 4 or 5 mile rides and I knew that my discomfort wasn't something shorts would fix. Turned out that I was right and I had bike fit issues. But, when I got so I could ride about an hour padded shorts became more important to me.

Now it depends on what bike I am riding. I am good for only about 10 miles on the road bikes without padded shorts. I can go for several hours on the hybrid without padded shorts.

Mark Stone

My line is at about two hours of riding. If I'm going to be out for more than two hours, I wear cycling shorts but if it's less than 2 hours (99% of my rides these days) street clothes are fine. I realize everyone's different.

BeachBum63

The biggest thing for me is the chafing that wearing regular clothes with regular underwear causes. I have always preferred biking shorts since I started riding, whether it is 4 miles or 40 (when I was doing that level). Just a personal choice.

Fangowolf

Mt Borah Shorts 4xl = 50 inch waist. They also look like regular shorts (read not just spandex) https://www.love2pedal.com/Items/Item...ershorts%20NEW

imacflyr3

I started with padded cycling liners that i found at Dicks... Novarra brand as was suggested earlier. They were less than $30 at the time. I wore those under some baggy cargo shorts that quickly got waaay too big!
Now I prefer bib shorts and jerseys. Those I found at Nashbar on sale.

Good luck!
gh

Peter_C

Don't forget Lou over at www.foxwear.net
He custom makes clothing to size, and does not charge for us larger people~! All sorts of outdoor clothing, and a phone call or email can get you most anything you want done. I just got some tights made that are simply my new favorite clothing item~! No more clothing from the local fat man's chain store for me...

Neil_B

I'm one of those people who can't wear 'regular' clothing when riding. I've tried it from time to time, and it only adds to my discomfort.

tallteacher

As I wait for my first road bike to get here, I ordered a set of close out bibs in XXL for about $70 and a jersey for $10 from Voler...the jersey was one used for clubs to try on for fitting purposes, never ridden in....
they have some decent closeout prices....my issue will be lenght in shirts being long waisted. But from what I read wearing bibs will help alleviate the problems if the shirt is a tad short... Most of the Tall jerseys I have found on the net arent all that interesting...

vesteroid

well from another tall guy to you, watch out for bibs. Even if they make them wide enough, they dont leave enough from the straps to the crotch...I have tried 3 different bibs, and only one can I wear...they simply are not designed for tall people.

BeachBum63

Love the look and the price of those shorts. May have to order a pair very soon!