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frustrated by Jersey sizes

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Old 09-12-15 | 06:14 AM
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frustrated by Jersey sizes

I really like cycling jerseys. They have those 3 back pockets that I utilize every ride, they are moisture wicking, reflective and look cool.
Problem is I am having trouble finding one that is an ideal fit. Xlarge is way too big, but Large is fine at the chest, but very tight at the
waist. I've tried Canali, Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Garneau, and some lesser brands but can't find the right fit.
In regular American T-shirts a size Medium fits me just right. Anyone know of a cycling outfitter with standard American sizes?
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Old 09-12-15 | 06:53 AM
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Cycling Jerseys are made to fit snug. For Clydes like me, this can be a problem.

Bontrager Solstice Jersey seems to be a more relaxed fit than some, which is a good thing for me. It is one of the only cycling jerseys where an XL actually fits like an XL. For comparison sake, my Bontrager in size XL actually fits a little looser than a Pearl Izumi in size XXL. If you wear a size Medium T Shirt, you might actually be able to get into a Medium in a Solstice Jersey. Quality is decent. I have been using mine now for two full riding seasons, and I use them through the fall with a wool or synthetic long sleeve base layer underneath and a windbreaker over.

Bontrager Solstice Short Sleeve Jersey - Trek Bicycle Superstore
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Old 09-12-15 | 07:33 AM
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The sizes vary hugely depending on the manufacturer. If you are prepared to spend a lot of money, Assos are very high quality and the sizing given on their website is accurate. They are race fit, though, so they aren't going to work if you have a substantial gut.

just saying... For all I know you're built like a whippet.
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Old 09-12-15 | 07:43 AM
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Sewing patterns are available From The Green Pepper, Inc. to Hire one made Locally.

Or Buy Bigger and have someone do alterations to make you happier .. tailoring it just where you wish.

Last edited by fietsbob; 09-12-15 at 11:36 AM.
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Old 09-12-15 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Sewing patterns are available From The Green Pepper, Inc. to Hire one made Locally.
You'll never find one that fits correctly or the way you want it to if you have a dickie do,,,,,,
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Old 09-12-15 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by avidone1
I really like cycling jerseys. They have those 3 back pockets that I utilize every ride, they are moisture wicking, reflective and look cool.
Problem is I am having trouble finding one that is an ideal fit. Xlarge is way too big, but Large is fine at the chest, but very tight at the
waist. I've tried Canali, Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Garneau, and some lesser brands but can't find the right fit.
In regular American T-shirts a size Medium fits me just right. Anyone know of a cycling outfitter with standard American sizes?
Post your actual chest, waist (above your navel, not where your pants hang on your hips), and hip measurements to get recommendations from same sized people instead of random subjective impressions less likely to work for you.

I'm wearing a medium T-shirt now, although I wear XS and XXS bike jerseys for a good fit with a 34" chest and 26" waist.

1. Bike jerseys are supposed to be snug so they wick sweat and don't flap annoyingly in the breeze.

2. With vanity sizing you can't rely on the labels - a guy with a 36" chest could fit anything from XS to M depending on brand. Ignore the label, take your measurements, and start with the manufacturers' size charts.

3. Most manufacturers have at least two cuts - race fit which tapers more in the waist, and club which fits more like a T-shirt. Some have a lot more - Louis Garneau has relaxed fit, comfort fit, standard fit, racer fit, and aero jerseys which stretch to fit. Standard is about like some companies' race fits. You want a looser fit.

Top to bottom - LG aero, racer-fit, standard all the same size. The more relaxed fits add 2-4 inches in circumference to standard fit.
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Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 09-12-15 at 01:54 PM.
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Old 09-12-15 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by chasm54
The sizes vary hugely depending on the manufacturer. If you are prepared to spend a lot of money, Assos are very high quality and the sizing given on their website is accurate. They are race fit, though, so they aren't going to work if you have a substantial gut.

just saying... For all I know you're built like a whippet.
No Whippet here. Actually I'm pretty trim, but I have a bit of a pot belly, below the belly button. It must be a genetic predisposition, because no matter how thin I get there is always a little extra fat down there.
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Old 09-12-15 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by avidone1
No Whippet here. Actually I'm pretty trim, but I have a bit of a pot belly, below the belly button. It must be a genetic predisposition, because no matter how thin I get there is always a little extra fat down there.
Try to loose 5-10 lbs and maybe you will have a good fit.
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Old 09-12-15 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Drew Eckhardt

3. Most manufacturers have at least two cuts - race fit which tapers more in the waist, and club which fits more like a T-shirt. Some have a lot more - Louis Garneau has relaxed fit, comfort fit, standard fit, racer fit, and aero jerseys which stretch to fit. Standard is about like some companies' race fits. You want a looser fit.

Top to bottom - LG aero, racer-fit, standard all the same size. The more relaxed fits add 2-4 inches in circumference to standard fit.
Excellent information. I knew about "race fit" but didn't realize their could be other size categories as well. Thanks for this
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Old 09-12-15 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Try to loose 5-10 lbs and maybe you will have a good fit.
Nah, I would still go through the same thing only with smaller sizes. It's that ring of fat below my navel that screws everything up. Like I said, it doesn't matter how thin I get, it's always there in one size or another. About 2 years ago I was down to 127 pounds and it was the only place on my body that had a layer of fat. At 145 it's still there only more so.
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Old 09-12-15 | 04:25 PM
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Look at the Pearl Izumi site their jerseys come in a form fit, semi-form fit and loose fit in the different models. I just got a veer jersey, it is a semi form fit and it is a bit baggy around the gut. That may work for you.
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Old 09-12-15 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by avidone1
Nah, I would still go through the same thing only with smaller sizes. It's that ring of fat below my navel that screws everything up. Like I said, it doesn't matter how thin I get, it's always there in one size or another. About 2 years ago I was down to 127 pounds and it was the only place on my body that had a layer of fat. At 145 it's still there only more so.
Castelli jerseys seem to be made for otherwise thin people with larger bellies.
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Old 09-12-15 | 07:53 PM
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Bontrager Solstice jerseys fit me well. I wear a large in that style while there race series in xxl is to small in the arms and chest for comparisons sake.
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Old 09-13-15 | 11:44 AM
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Yeah....I'm a 6 foot tall man but I usually end up buying women's small or medium. They're the only size that fits me.

What I hate about the Men's jerseys is even a small will hang down onto my shorts when loaded with food and my phone. After hours of rubbing, my shorts get thin and everyone can see my butt crack.

I'd rather not show them that.
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Old 09-13-15 | 12:31 PM
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I've had a problem with fit for years. I got so frustrated I want out and bought a small sewing machine to do my own alterations. I don't do any fancy sewing but can make a poor fit into a decent fit. I would recommend you find someone to do alterations. It may not cost much and in any case costs nothing to ask.
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Old 09-13-15 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Jiggle
Yeah....I'm a 6 foot tall man but I usually end up buying women's small or medium. They're the only size that fits me.

What I hate about the Men's jerseys is even a small will hang down onto my shorts when loaded with food and my phone. After hours of rubbing, my shorts get thin and everyone can see my butt crack.

I'd rather not show them that.
You buy women's clothes but are worried about other peeps possibly seeing your butt crack?
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Old 09-13-15 | 02:06 PM
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There are different cuts available. Different mfgs may call them different things; you have to ask. There's a euro-cut, a club cut and a relaxed cut. You probably want the last one.
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Old 09-13-15 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by bakes1
You buy women's clothes but are worried about other peeps possibly seeing your butt crack?
Actually if you're careful about the color no one can tell.
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