Casual Cycling Apparel
#1
#2
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
How does that one breath? Is it like a fleece? I use this cycling specific outer jacket when its 30 and less.
#3
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
I like cycling specific clothing. It has taken me some time to find stuff that works but does not look like racer kit. Wicking t-shirts are readily available in sporting good departments everywhere and I have some Nashbar liner shorts that I can put under street shorts. I don't like to ride in jeans, though I have a couple of times. I have some Shimano mountain biking shoes that look more or less like normal shoes and I can walk in them easily.
#4
LET'S ROLL
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 59
From: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X
My roadbike has clipless, so I'm always "in lycra" on it.
On my folding bikes; I may wear "regular" clothes -
T-shirt, cotton shorts, etc. or I may wear a jersey
and bibs depending on how far I'm going.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFxCXb7Ju38
On my folding bikes; I may wear "regular" clothes -
T-shirt, cotton shorts, etc. or I may wear a jersey
and bibs depending on how far I'm going.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFxCXb7Ju38
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#5
The Shak City Roller is like a light fleece. No heavy wind protection, but just really nice feel for the skin and all you need for just a chill day.
#7
Just a person on bike


Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 90
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: 2015 Trek 1.1, 2021 Specialized Roubaix, 2022 Tern HSD S+
For commuting, I typically wear a gym T-shirt and a pair of regular shorts. On a chilly morning, I add a bicycle jacket on top.
For trail rides (typically 20+ miles), I tend to wear a pair of mountain-bike shorts.
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The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
Last edited by daihard; 09-13-13 at 06:46 PM.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
On casual rides I might wear some narrow-leg jeans if it's cooler. Or if it's warmer I usually wear some narrow-leg cargo pants (look like MTB shorts but no padding). I used to be all about the loose/baggy stuff but I'm way over that now as they're usually just annoying. I also have a high-vis running shirt that I sometimes wear, since I don't need jersey pockets if I have pants pockets.
Sometimes I do wear some spandex briefs under my shorts as they do a better job at moisture wicking than regular cotton boxers and the like.
For commuting I usually wear high-vis jerseys and regular bike shorts. This week I did commute a couple days with the briefs and cargo shorts, plus high-vis, and it wasn't bad.
Sometimes I do wear some spandex briefs under my shorts as they do a better job at moisture wicking than regular cotton boxers and the like.
For commuting I usually wear high-vis jerseys and regular bike shorts. This week I did commute a couple days with the briefs and cargo shorts, plus high-vis, and it wasn't bad.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
I define casual riding as shopping, errands, going to a friend's place, just riding around so I'll just wear a wicking t-shirt and shorts but if I think it's going to be a longer ride, I'll wear padded mtb shorts. I'll also bring a sweat-absorbing (currently Nike) "running" hat so that I don't look too gross when I'm at my friend's or in the stores. I only have MTB clipless shoes so I'll wear those and I would continue to do so if I also had road clipless shoes so that it's easier to walk around.
#10
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Oro Valley, AZ
Bikes: 2012 Schwinn Slicker, 2011 Trek Sawyer, 2014 Kona Unit
For commuting, I wear MTB baggy shorts and one of my wicking technical shirts that I got at races (running). Shoes are Pearl Izumi All Road shoes, very comfortable, easy to walk in, but do look cycling specific...I also have some Shimano MTB shoes that look "normal", but I don't wear those too much. I don't usually stop anywhere on my way home, so it doesn't matter too much.
Generally, I would find the above to be true, but most of my technical shirts are fairly tight and with my messenger bag, it's a non-issue anyhow...
If I'm just buzzing around with the kids, I'll just wear whatever I have on at the time.
If I'm just buzzing around with the kids, I'll just wear whatever I have on at the time.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I typically wear "gym shorts" with thin merino undies. A jersey if I need to carry stuff in the pockets, technical T otherwise.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
The running shirt I use is an Adidas shirt, definitely not generic. It actually seems cut a little more snug in the back between my shoulders, than my cycling jerseys are.
This is it actually, and the polyester cargo shorts (far right):
This is it actually, and the polyester cargo shorts (far right):
#13
Just a person on bike


Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 90
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: 2015 Trek 1.1, 2021 Specialized Roubaix, 2022 Tern HSD S+
What are "wicking" shirts? Those sport T-shirts that absorb sweat well?
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The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
I wouldn't say "absorb", that's more what cotton shirts do. Wicking shirts pull the sweat away from your body faster and let it evaporate out into the air. They're mostly polyester, which means they can have issues with stinking. But in my experience they work VERY well for their intended purpose.
#15
Just a person on bike


Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 90
From: Seattle, WA
Bikes: 2015 Trek 1.1, 2021 Specialized Roubaix, 2022 Tern HSD S+
I wouldn't say "absorb", that's more what cotton shirts do. Wicking shirts pull the sweat away from your body faster and let it evaporate out into the air. They're mostly polyester, which means they can have issues with stinking. But in my experience they work VERY well for their intended purpose.
__________________
The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: No.22 Great Divide Disc Custom Ti
Long sleeve, a vest and a shell.
Over the years I have accumulated some amazing vests that I use depending on how cold is it, my favorite are the: Arc'teryx Atom LT, Patagonia Nanopuff, Marmot Variant, Mammut Broad Peak and Mammut Aenergy. And then if needed, I just put a gore-tex pro shell on top.
I have riden through bad NYC winters this way and I find it to be the perfect form of top layering.
Over the years I have accumulated some amazing vests that I use depending on how cold is it, my favorite are the: Arc'teryx Atom LT, Patagonia Nanopuff, Marmot Variant, Mammut Broad Peak and Mammut Aenergy. And then if needed, I just put a gore-tex pro shell on top.
I have riden through bad NYC winters this way and I find it to be the perfect form of top layering.
#18
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,430
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I wear cycling specific clothes only if I'm going ten miles or more. Other than that, I wear what I happen to have on. Now, I often happen to have on cycling specific shoes and sometimes other cycling clothing.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#19
#20
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 3
Guess I'm not one for this question, since my rides in cooler weather are almost all commute/utility; for those:
1. Commute to work in work clothes, with winter-weight tights under the jeans in winter, and a graduated layering system up top.
2. Utility rides in cooler weather usually default to sweats.
I do longer "fun" rides, the occasional group ride, etc., during warmer weather, and wear shorts and a wicking T. "Basketball" shorts work well; if you feel the need for lycra, wear it under, say, a pair of baggy swim trunks.
1. Commute to work in work clothes, with winter-weight tights under the jeans in winter, and a graduated layering system up top.
2. Utility rides in cooler weather usually default to sweats.
I do longer "fun" rides, the occasional group ride, etc., during warmer weather, and wear shorts and a wicking T. "Basketball" shorts work well; if you feel the need for lycra, wear it under, say, a pair of baggy swim trunks.
#21
commu*ist spy
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 5
From: oregon
they have those starters dry fit layers. I fit exactly like a cycling jersey, except without the decals or the pockets.
I also like to wear a pair of boys' (as in picked up from the juniors section) basketball shorts.
I also like to wear a pair of boys' (as in picked up from the juniors section) basketball shorts.
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