How do you dress for your commute?
#1
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How do you dress for your commute?
I changed my clothing style a bit. I put on the clothing, which does not look like I am going to participate in Tour D' France.
I put on now the usual ironed shirt and comfortable trousers. No shorts.
I noticed I attract less curious looks, when I look like the "normal" human. I am just on the bike and wearing the helmet.
I put on now the usual ironed shirt and comfortable trousers. No shorts.
I noticed I attract less curious looks, when I look like the "normal" human. I am just on the bike and wearing the helmet.
#2
Photog Extraordinaire

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From: Cincinnati, OH
Bikes: Santa Cruz Chameleon, Cannondale R800 (CAAD4) with Dura-Ace upgrade
I wear a pair of MTB shorts that look like normal shorts. I still wear a jersey though, as part of my commute involves a couple of sustained climbs.
#3
loose cargo shorts over bike shorts, t-shirt and helmet
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No matter how fast I'm going, I'm in no hurry.
there are no bicycles in the valley, the only bicycle you find in the valley is the bicycle you ride down there.
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No matter how fast I'm going, I'm in no hurry.
there are no bicycles in the valley, the only bicycle you find in the valley is the bicycle you ride down there.
Ride in the front, this space is available to anyone that wishes to take it-jjmolyet
#4
Slow and unsteady

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From: St Louis, MO
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 520
Originally posted by shaharidan
loose cargo shorts over bike shorts, t-shirt and helmet
loose cargo shorts over bike shorts, t-shirt and helmet
Rarely do I use my "bike" shorts for commuting.
And I could never ride in wearing my work clothes. It's too humid around here (St. Louis, MO).
#6
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mon-Thurs I have a training ride in the morning so when I arrive at the office I'm in "full kit." Fridays are business casual so I usually wear chinos and a polo or a guayabera.
One day I was riding home from work and hadn't changed into shorts so I was wearing dress slacks, button-down, and a tie. A big group ride passed me and I asked a guy at the back where they were going, how far, how fast, etc. He said, the pack usually goes about 25 with attacks up to 35. I said, "Wow. Well I doubt I could keep up." He looks at me and my work clothes and says "No, probably not today...."
Duh.
One day I was riding home from work and hadn't changed into shorts so I was wearing dress slacks, button-down, and a tie. A big group ride passed me and I asked a guy at the back where they were going, how far, how fast, etc. He said, the pack usually goes about 25 with attacks up to 35. I said, "Wow. Well I doubt I could keep up." He looks at me and my work clothes and says "No, probably not today...."
Duh.
#9
Originally posted by Max
I noticed I attract less curious looks, when I look like the "normal" human. I am just on the bike and wearing the helmet.
I noticed I attract less curious looks, when I look like the "normal" human. I am just on the bike and wearing the helmet.

lycra shorts and a cycling jersey (and a helmet of course) along with clipless shoes... I carry a change of clothes and shoes with me in my pannier bags
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#10
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From: Portland, OR USA
I wear my regular bibs and jerseys for my 15 mile each way commute. I have a respectable hill to climb and with an hour each way in the saddle I'm much more comfortable in cycling togs. Plus I sweat buckets, so a change of clothes is mandatory.
As for attracting looks, there are enough cyclists in PDX that no one looks twice at a man in spandex (at least not portly dudes such as myself), and I'm just not cool enough to affect the anarchist chic of the messenger crowd.
I'm lucky enough to have a locker and a shower at work, so I keep shoes in the office and carry a change of clothes with me. Practice from motorcycle touring has taught me that by carefully rolling business casual clothes instead of folding them, wrinkles can be minimized.
As for attracting looks, there are enough cyclists in PDX that no one looks twice at a man in spandex (at least not portly dudes such as myself), and I'm just not cool enough to affect the anarchist chic of the messenger crowd.
I'm lucky enough to have a locker and a shower at work, so I keep shoes in the office and carry a change of clothes with me. Practice from motorcycle touring has taught me that by carefully rolling business casual clothes instead of folding them, wrinkles can be minimized.
#11
Two hours a day is enough to want to be comfortable. I wear cycling clothes when I commute.
RichC
RichC
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Commuting/Daytripping: 2001 Airborne Carpe Diem (Ultegra/XTR, touring wheels)
Commuting/Touring: 2000 Novara Randonee (Sora/Tiagra/LX, fenders, lights)
#12
Every lane is a bike lane


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From: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - passionfruit capital of the universe!
I wear proper cycling clothes on my commute. The way I see it, I'm going to have to change for work anyway, so I might as well be comfortable on the ride.
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#13
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From: Richmond, BC, Canada
I wear a cyling jersey overtop a cycling undershirt. And wear the typical cycling spandex shorts. I want to be comfortable and not have excess material in the way. I also find that a cycling jersey and undershirt helps with perspiration and is more comfortable. I find that wearing a regular t-shirt makes me perspire much more and I feel more uncomfortable.
#15
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From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
26 miles to work. Have to treat it as any other ride. Not wearing comfortable cycling attire, it would take longer. Plus it gets hot over the other side of the mountain pass. Anything but wicking cycling material, I would not do the ride.
As I get to work or stop for errands on the way, I just put nylon soccer shorts over my bike shorts.
As I get to work or stop for errands on the way, I just put nylon soccer shorts over my bike shorts.
#16
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Well. I think I will switch to proper cycling clothing after all. The comfort is important during the ride.
I had been influenced by some commuters' clothing style in West-European cities. One can see there a man in business suit, white shirt, and tie cycling with the briefcase on the rear rack.
But since the majority is still using the proper bike clothing, I am returning to it too. Besides it is getting warmer.
I had been influenced by some commuters' clothing style in West-European cities. One can see there a man in business suit, white shirt, and tie cycling with the briefcase on the rear rack.
But since the majority is still using the proper bike clothing, I am returning to it too. Besides it is getting warmer.
#17
full bike-f*g regalia. However, as I don't race, I don't shave my legs...and, when the weather gets so hot, I don't put on a jersey.
It's kinda silly not to wear the gear if I've got a 18.5 km commute in all weather...but I do get looks at times.
Tom
It's kinda silly not to wear the gear if I've got a 18.5 km commute in all weather...but I do get looks at times.
Tom
#18
The Flying Scot

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From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
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Cycling shorts and either cycling shirts or load t shirts (the less PC the better)
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1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#19
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From: Washington, DC
Business suit, white shirt and tie -- that's me. On hot summer days, I roll the jacket and put it on the rack. The rack also has my raingear and shoe covers. I cover up with Gor-Tex overcoat and pants, plus shoe covers and ski gloves for the winter. Of course, my round trip is only 10 miles/ 16 km, so I could wear almost anything.
Paul
Paul
#20
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From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
If you are a practical person, you dress for the ocassion. It is uncomfortable not to be in biking clothes. To me looks unusual to not be in biking clothes if a serious ride. Just a couple blocks is another matter.
#21
Senior Member

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From: England
You can get a business suit made of hi-tec polycotton material. It is made for travelling and packing, but is fairly practical if you need to ride around town to meetings. A uk company called Rohan do all kinds of formal and travel wear.
https://www.rohan.co.uk/Category2.asp...ng%7cMensSuits
https://www.rohan.co.uk/Category2.asp...ng%7cMensSuits
#22
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From: Chicago, IL
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If it's normal out I wear socks, shoes, boxer shorts, cut-off cargo shorts, cotton t-shirt, cotton sweat-shirt, glasses, cycling cap, Pearl Izumi gloves, and my messenger bag.
If I'm going to be riding for a long time I will switch from boxers to cycling shorts and I might dump the sweatshirt (put it in my bag).
If I'm going to be riding for a long time I will switch from boxers to cycling shorts and I might dump the sweatshirt (put it in my bag).
#23
I like to wear street clothes and even have a different helmet for my commutes, a cool black Giro Torero that I love. Since I work at a tech company, dress is informal, so I wear jeans or dockers, with Adiamo cycling liners underneath to keep the seams from giving me sores. That's a must. Then I wear regular shirts or blouses, with a yellow rain jacket usually and some old Nashbar gloves, just in case I have to hit the pavement someday.
#24
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From: Nashville, TN
Bikes: 2002 Giant OCR 3, 2003 Giant OCR Elite, 2004 Giant TCR, 2004 Giant OCR Touring, 2003 Giant Iguana, 2004 Cannondale Ironman 800, 2005 Giant Trance 3
I wear cycling clothes. When I get to work, I take a shower and then change into my clothes that I leave at work.
#25
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Oklahoma City
I wear bike shorts and a jersey... I'd probably ride dressed for work if it were just a mile or two, but 12.5 miles and my cloths would be drenched, not to mention the chafing. And the more "looks", the better. I work hard to keep myself looking fit... not everyone can get away with wearing spandex




