tobywuk

Hello,

Soon I will start commuting 1.8miles to my new job on my road bike. I currently have just my normal clothes (jeans' t-shirts, jumpers) and I have 1xNormal cycling shorts and 1xpadded boxer shorts.

Because the distance is not to long and I will be able to ware normal casual clothes at my job i was thinking of just commuting in the same work clothes. Is this a wise idea or should I think about changing when I arrive? - there are facilities.

The main thing im worried about is rain. I have a light coat but no waterproof trousers, just jeans.


What do you wear when you commute?
what clothes would you recommend i use?

any info would be greatfull

politicalgeek

I went to one of the local big box sporting goods places and hit their clearance rack for some stuff. My usually summer wear is a wicking shirt from walmart, a pair of nylon style running/atheletic shorts and a pair of baggy shorts over top. Winter is a combination of layers, mostly thrift store wool.

I always preferred to change at work-especially if it gets hot. Get in a bit earlier to cool down and let the sweat dry, then change.

DataJunkie

It's 1.8 miles uke. Even the most die hard of us cycling clothing lovers would not bother for that distance. In this case your soapbox is misplaced.

------------------

I can ride around 30 miles in regular clothes. Wear what you need to wear at work. That is unless you live in an environment where you start sweating as soon as you walk out the door.

Limey1212

Hi,
Yes casual is going to be fine, for your commute. However you don't mention of the commute is flat, or on a hill, if it's on a hill you may want to take a fresh shirt. But other than that you'll be fine

Hydrated

^^ What he said.

DataJunkie

That works splendidly when it is 40F out.

A cheap rain cape would be a decent idea for those situations.

tjspiel

I have some packable rain gear for rainy days. Otherwise, as someone else suggested, you could throw an extra set of clothes in a plastic bag and carry them in a backpack.

Personally I wear cycling shorts and a wicking shirt during the summer but when my commute was only a couple of miles I just wore my work clothes.

no motor?

Most people don't start sweating until 2 - 3 miles, you should be able to do that without problems unless you've got some big hills along the way.

DataJunkie

Unless the OP lives in an area where the temps hit 120. Who knows...

DX Rider

The only reason I can think of for not wearing everyday clothes for a short ride like that is the wear and tear that will occur due to fabric rubbing on the seat when you peddle.

I've ruined some perfectly good khakis by wearing holes in the inseam/crotch area. That's only really a concern if you sweat alot or it's raining though.

Quickbeam

If you use a Brooks saddle and you ride in light colored shorts or pants, you're liable to end-up with a dark colored patch on your arse. It washes out but it looks a little odd and leaves you wanting to explain when you notice people looking at your ass and whispering amongst themselves.

hubcap

1.8 miles?

I'd walk that more often than ride.

Matt1972

I was just going to say that!

degnaw

In 85~90 degree weather, I can ride up to 4 miles and still look (relatively) presentable if I ride a slow helmetless circle or two at the other end. 10 miles is about my limit for normal clothes due to chafing.

wunderkind

Just wear whatever. You're not on a Tour de France. So you'll just be looked at as another wannabe.
This reminds me of a guy I know who bought driving gloves and shoes for his commute to work after he bought his first car which is a AUTOMATIC Jetta! Told him he should get a helmet too.

BA Commuter

I ride about 5 miles each way and wear casual clothes, not bike shirts/pants. I keep a rain jacket in my bag. IMO - fenders are your best friend in rain or on dewey mornings when the roads are still wet.

However, jeans are not the best because of the thick seams that make things really uncomfortable. I wear khakis and keep a few shirts at work to change into if I need to on really hot days. I also have some wicking polos that look nice enough to work in, but don't get soaked in sweat.

bkrownd

My formula is compression shorts under mesh athletic shorts, and a bright white wicking top. I break a sweat crossing the room...in the air conditioning...so it's a necessary choice for my overheated metabolism. When I lived in "wintery places I'd wear that until it became too cold (45-ish), and colder than that I'd just wear normal clothes.

chephy

1.8 mi is a very short commute, though I'd definitely bike it rather than walk it - unless I was in a mood for a walk. You should be fine in your regular clothes - just make sure you have a system that prevents your bike's chain from messing with your right pant leg.

Rain: I personally get absolutely miserable when my bum, legs and feet are wet - even though I can tolerate a fair amount of wetness on head, torso and shoulders. I'd rather ride without a raincoat than without rain pants, or something else that will keep water away from the "waist down" portion of me. Maybe the answer for such a short commute is one of those uber-cheap uber-long rain ponchos. Fenders are also extremely helpful. I find it impossible to overrate fenders. :-)

DataJunkie

trekker pete

Everybody knows that all the cool commuters wear an untucked dress shirt and cargo shorts.

Yan 

No need for cyclist specific clothing for 2 miles. Wear synthetic shorts in the rain and change into your spare pants, socks, and shoes when you get to work.

DataJunkie

You forgot the super duper extra special hair style.
j/k Joey.

Doohickie

1.8 miles? Ride what ya got.

ecrider

Make sure you get velcro straps for long pants so they won't flap into the chainring and get all greasy. Of course it's not as much of an issue with straight leg jeans.

GTALuigi

when i rode short commutes 13km round trip
i just wore regular street clothing.

but now that i commute 90km round trip i moved up to athletic clothing.
it makes a huge difference on long trips, eliminating most of the wind drag.

normally they are too expensive to be worth while if you ride mostly short trips.

for rainy days, just wear a waterproof pants ($20 average) at your camping gear or outdoor stores, or you can get bike specific ones for average $40, a waterproof jacket, and something for your head.

like the gore helmet cover, and definitely some rain booties.