Cycling clothing on commutes
#1
Thread Starter
What is this demonry?!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
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From: Central IL
Bikes: KHS Aero Comp.
Cycling clothing on commutes
So I searched and couldn't actually find, at least easily what I am looking for.
To all of those commuters who wear cycling clothing on your commute and have the ability to change (at least) and shower what do you do with your cycling clothing? It will be semi sweaty and it might feel odd putting my cycling clothes on when returning home. Anyone do this/have a solution to this. I like to do intervals on my commute and that just doesn't feel right when I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Not to mention It's a waste of clothes since I'll be using 2 sets of clothes per day instead of just 1.
To all of those commuters who wear cycling clothing on your commute and have the ability to change (at least) and shower what do you do with your cycling clothing? It will be semi sweaty and it might feel odd putting my cycling clothes on when returning home. Anyone do this/have a solution to this. I like to do intervals on my commute and that just doesn't feel right when I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Not to mention It's a waste of clothes since I'll be using 2 sets of clothes per day instead of just 1.
#2
I lay mine on top of my panniers to dry off. I suppose I could use a hanger or two but this way they go under my desk and don't bother anyone. As long as the biking clothes are clean every day the sweat shouldn't be much of a problem as far as odor goes.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Colorado Springs
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Giant Trance, Felt Breed, Marin SS MTB, Felt Pyre BMX bike, oldschool GT trials bike
im lucky and work at a bike shop and our rack is right outside the back door so i can always see my stuff and i just leave clothes drapped across my bike to dry in this crazy heat
#4
Thread Starter
What is this demonry?!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Bikes: KHS Aero Comp.
well so far this seems to mean that I need to invest in a couple more pairs of shorts and jerseys. Mine need approx 24 hours to dry completely after being washed (the chamois takes forever). But last thing I need is infections from bacteria growth from not being washed between sessions, and not washing them after you get off the bike and leaving them alone for half a day seems like the perfect way to grow something funky.
#5
Nobel Laureate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 33
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From: San Antonio, TX
Bikes: Trek 5202/Giant NRS 1
Magnets!
I have a metal bookcase that I have moved the lowest shelf about 2.5 feet off the ground, about the width of a bath towel. I ordered about 20 neodium magnets from ebay and I use them to hang my nasty clothes on the underside of the lowest shelf, then drape/magnet my towel in front of the opening to contain any wayward odors.
Everything seems to dry out pretty well over the workday and I've yet to have any complaints of smell.
Everything seems to dry out pretty well over the workday and I've yet to have any complaints of smell.
#6
I have a secure room where I store my bike and clothes. I hang them up and they're typically dry by the time I head home. The only exception would be my summer gloves, which rarely are completely dry anytime I put them on.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
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From: foothills near Sacramento, CA
Bikes: trek fx
+1 - pretty much what I do as well.
#8
Hang it on the shower room heater if allowed. If not, then in clear view behind my desk (A not so subtle hint that the Facilities dept. need to pull their finger out and provide......facilites).
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shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 81
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2025 Enve Fray with SRAM Rival, 1984 Trek 720 with a Nexus hub, 2016 Cannondale Synapse
I hang my bibs and jersey on the same hanger and hang it on my cubicle wall. It drys by the end of the long before the end of my day, so I wear the same ones home. Start with a clean set every day.
The low humidity in Arizona in and the over use of air conditioning is a big advantage in things drying quickly.
The low humidity in Arizona in and the over use of air conditioning is a big advantage in things drying quickly.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
+1 on the extra socks!
My shirts dry no problem, and I alternate days on cycling shirts anyway (actually, they're standard issue knockoff underarmour - some loose, some compression). I currently don't wear the butt-pad shorts, but I think I need to start unless I replace my saddle with a bummer. I'll have to figure out a sol'n when I decide to take the plunge. Never wore the buttpads mountain biking, but I'm fast discovering that commuting is completely different
My shirts dry no problem, and I alternate days on cycling shirts anyway (actually, they're standard issue knockoff underarmour - some loose, some compression). I currently don't wear the butt-pad shorts, but I think I need to start unless I replace my saddle with a bummer. I'll have to figure out a sol'n when I decide to take the plunge. Never wore the buttpads mountain biking, but I'm fast discovering that commuting is completely different
#12
I'm something of a slob and will just roll up my biking clothes and place them in my messenger bag. My supervisor barely tolerates my bringing my bike in so I won't hang my clothes around. They are damp when I put them back on to go home but don't stink. I let them dry as soon as I get home until it's time to wash.
Ernest
Ernest
#14
Vine, vi, monte bicicleta
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 89
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From: Greensboro, NC
Bikes: 2005 Tomasso Imola Road bike, 2001 Ironhorse Outlaw hard tail, 2008 Motobecane Fantom Trail DS FS, 2009 GT Agressor with upgraded BB, brakes and F/R deraileurs.
I hang my shirt on the handlebar end that isn't up against the wall, lay the shorts across the top tube and sit my helmet on the saddle.
They're usually dry by the time I leave, but even if they're still wet I'm still heading home where I know I can shower and change properly...so I could care less what I smell like when I get home.
I had that problem at first. The fan I use to cool off with in the morning I turn on my gloves to aid in drying them out by the time I leave. It's worked so far.
They're usually dry by the time I leave, but even if they're still wet I'm still heading home where I know I can shower and change properly...so I could care less what I smell like when I get home.
I had that problem at first. The fan I use to cool off with in the morning I turn on my gloves to aid in drying them out by the time I leave. It's worked so far.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
One of the nice things about real, honest-to-goodness, synthetic cycling clothes is that they dry quickly. I just drape my jersey and shorts over some empty boxes in my office and they dry out in a couple of hours. It is very hot and humid in NC during summer, but my clothes are always dry when get ready to head home -- even on the few occasions when I left at noon.
#16
Reeks of aged cotton duck
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 7
From: Middle Georgia, USA
Bikes: 2008 Kogswell PR mkII, 1976 Raleigh Professional, 1996 Serotta Atlanta, 1984 Trek 520, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS
Eat sardines for breakfast and Limburger cheese for lunch. Nobody will notice your clothing odor at all.
But seriously... people worry waaaay too much about body and clothing odor. As long as you maintain reasonable hygiene standards (showering and such) you shouldn't have any problems unless you have some sort of physical problem that causes additional body odor.
I start each morning with a shower and application of deodarant as if I was going to drive in to work like any other schmoe. Then I ride my 10 miles to work... and I tend to ride hard and arrive soaked with sweat. Upon arrival, I sit for about 10 minutes in my cycling clothes to cool off a bit. Then I change into my work clothes and hang my shorts and cotton tshirt over a spare chair in my cube. I've never had a problem with offensive odors from either me or my clothes... and I've asked my friends to be brutally honest with me about it just in case I do start to smell bad.
So start each day with fresh clean clothes... shower to start the day... and quit stressing. You probably don't stink.
But seriously... people worry waaaay too much about body and clothing odor. As long as you maintain reasonable hygiene standards (showering and such) you shouldn't have any problems unless you have some sort of physical problem that causes additional body odor.
I start each morning with a shower and application of deodarant as if I was going to drive in to work like any other schmoe. Then I ride my 10 miles to work... and I tend to ride hard and arrive soaked with sweat. Upon arrival, I sit for about 10 minutes in my cycling clothes to cool off a bit. Then I change into my work clothes and hang my shorts and cotton tshirt over a spare chair in my cube. I've never had a problem with offensive odors from either me or my clothes... and I've asked my friends to be brutally honest with me about it just in case I do start to smell bad.
So start each day with fresh clean clothes... shower to start the day... and quit stressing. You probably don't stink.
Last edited by Hydrated; 08-07-08 at 02:45 PM. Reason: typo
#17
Where am I?
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 179
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: Old Centurion Accordo (in the process of being SS'ed), Cannondale Quick 5 (racks/panniers/fenders, utility bike), Trek XO1 (fun/fast/main ride)
I live in 95-100F temps with insane humidity, but I have yet to have drying issues with my cycling kit. I am sweat-soaked from my morning commute, and I simply give my jersey, shorts, socks and shoes a few squirts of Febreze, then hang them up in the storage room behind the men's room. It is warm and without any moving air back there, but between 6:30AM and 4:00PM they always dry.
#18
Thread Starter
What is this demonry?!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Bikes: KHS Aero Comp.
Well, I guess I'll just have to give it a shot, the problem is at the moment I only own one pair of bibs so either way I need to get more. This might be the excuse needed to spend money and buy 2-3 at once.
#19
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
I have one of those closet organizer frames in my office, so I rinse them and hang them up to dry on hangers. Having a small fan helps dry them quicker.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#20
Where am I?
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: Old Centurion Accordo (in the process of being SS'ed), Cannondale Quick 5 (racks/panniers/fenders, utility bike), Trek XO1 (fun/fast/main ride)
Yeah, that is the rub...good cycling gear is almost prohibitively expensive. (At least for those with income comparable to my own.) I have been holding off on ordering more jerseys/shorts for a while. Maybe now is the time.
#21
Cycle Dallas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,776
Likes: 11
From: Land of Gar, TX
Bikes: Dulcinea--2017 Kona Rove & a few others
I have an extra desk in my area, so I rigged up a piece of PVC under there. My kit is completely dry by the time I head for home and it stays out of sight.
#22
Thread Starter
What is this demonry?!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Bikes: KHS Aero Comp.
it's quite bad as a student...especially since I managed to spend all summer not working just taking classes which I am quite frustrated with but hey that's my fault. I believe I have enough money for another pair of Giordana bibs.
#23
An Army of Fred
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 3
From: Lost South of Nowhere East of Edan On the Waterfront Far from the Madding Crowd (Biloxi, MS)
Bikes: 1992 Specialized Crossroads Trail
I wear cycling shorts and a cotton t-shirt (hopefully I can get an actual cycling jersey
). The t-shirt gets soaked on the ride, but I just drape it over the back of my chair, turn it over around lunch, and it's dry by the time I get ready to leave work. Same with the shorts, only they get drape over the waste can under my desk (no need to shock everyone
).
The only issue I have with drying my clothes is when I wash them after I get home, mostly the time it takes. I hand wash the shirt and shorts then hang them on a wooden drying rack in the bathtub. Takes about 24 hours or so to dry (a fan blowing on the clothes helps speed things up).
). The t-shirt gets soaked on the ride, but I just drape it over the back of my chair, turn it over around lunch, and it's dry by the time I get ready to leave work. Same with the shorts, only they get drape over the waste can under my desk (no need to shock everyone
).The only issue I have with drying my clothes is when I wash them after I get home, mostly the time it takes. I hand wash the shirt and shorts then hang them on a wooden drying rack in the bathtub. Takes about 24 hours or so to dry (a fan blowing on the clothes helps speed things up).
#24
All Bikes All The Time
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,343
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From: Boise, ID
Bikes: Giant TCR 0, Lemond Zurich, Giant NRS 1, Jamis Explorer Beater/Commuter, Peugeot converted single speed
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
I really want a pair of Assos FI.Mille bibs, but even on sale those things are almost $200!




