does your kit fit?
#1
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does your kit fit?
Is it just me?
All my stuff fits, except: jerseys are too long, especially in back & waistline of shorts are too high, especially in back. I dont wear bibs.
All my stuff fits, except: jerseys are too long, especially in back & waistline of shorts are too high, especially in back. I dont wear bibs.
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That was a close one.
Thought you were going to ask if I look fat in my kit.
Thought you were going to ask if I look fat in my kit.

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I feel that with bibs there's a bit of a need for a "long/short" sizing other than xs/s/m/l/xl.
I wear size M in most bike kit. My bibs fit my bum and midsection and torso length. The torso length is easy with the straps. But for leg length versus diameter, they all seem a hair long. If I hike them they crease or bunch near the transition to the crotch. If I pull them long, the gripper end will be too far down and not flush with my leg all the way around.
But they mostly fit fine, it's more of an OCD complaint about the leg gripper than anything functionally wrong.
I wear size M in most bike kit. My bibs fit my bum and midsection and torso length. The torso length is easy with the straps. But for leg length versus diameter, they all seem a hair long. If I hike them they crease or bunch near the transition to the crotch. If I pull them long, the gripper end will be too far down and not flush with my leg all the way around.
But they mostly fit fine, it's more of an OCD complaint about the leg gripper than anything functionally wrong.
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I find jerseys too long, but it could be that if I weren't so fat I could fit a size smaller, which would also be a size shorter.
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OP: try some different brands and sizes, and you'll find some kit that fits as per your preference.
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My only issue is with European sizing. My chest is a 43". Do I really need to buy a 2XL? If I'm buying Castelli or Assos.....absolutely.
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Maybe they are too long in the back because you sit too upright. Maybe that's one of the differences between a mountain biker jersey and a road biker jersey. Road biker more aero so longer in back. Just guessing though. They look pretty much the same in the pictures. Never looked up why they classify them as different.
And for shorts, well, we don't want to see your butt crack, so yeah, I'm in favor of high waisted shorts if you aren't going to wear bibs.
And for shorts, well, we don't want to see your butt crack, so yeah, I'm in favor of high waisted shorts if you aren't going to wear bibs.
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everything is too short. Most jerseys could pass as a crop top while the pants could be seen as capris. If I size up, they get baggy fast, doesn't help with length much.
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My Rapha Core jerseys fit great, and they feel great.
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I bought a nice jersey from Pearl Izumi. I like the overall fit but the sleeves seem very short.
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My kit fits great except for the tightness around my belly area.
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All Jerseys too long - some very long (asian cut) some less long - short torso, so I just deal with it...
shorts and bibs fit good, some bibs fit really nice - so I can understand some complaining they might be too short for the upper/straps ...
general body fit - my preferred Kit Brands
Louis Garneau, Castelli, Giordana, Voler race cut is good, Craft base layer, aerotech classic shorts, Pearl Izumi is good on bottoms, but I have to size down on tops, Santini ok
Performance Ultra Bib is pretty good and sturdy as a weekday kit. I have a bunch of Revi Retro jerseys which have vintage bike race scenes, and jersey fabric is nice, light, great for hot weather, a generous cut so I can wear as casual wear around town...
mostly quarter sock length, except in 'winter' when I might go crew length
Pearl Izumi preferred for Arm and Leg warmers, Garneau good also.
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I don;t like the current trend for leg length just above the knee. Mid thigh - 10 inch is preferred.
shorts and bibs fit good, some bibs fit really nice - so I can understand some complaining they might be too short for the upper/straps ...
general body fit - my preferred Kit Brands
Louis Garneau, Castelli, Giordana, Voler race cut is good, Craft base layer, aerotech classic shorts, Pearl Izumi is good on bottoms, but I have to size down on tops, Santini ok
Performance Ultra Bib is pretty good and sturdy as a weekday kit. I have a bunch of Revi Retro jerseys which have vintage bike race scenes, and jersey fabric is nice, light, great for hot weather, a generous cut so I can wear as casual wear around town...
mostly quarter sock length, except in 'winter' when I might go crew length
Pearl Izumi preferred for Arm and Leg warmers, Garneau good also.
Ride On
Yuri
I don;t like the current trend for leg length just above the knee. Mid thigh - 10 inch is preferred.
Last edited by cyclezen; 07-20-22 at 08:42 PM. Reason: lost a word... now found... LOL!
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I am 6’1” 163 lbs and am hwp. I find jerseys from Amazon fit me just right. Jerseys purchased from AliExpress are much shorter. You will need to try shorts from various manufacturers to find one which works best. All are not created equal - and trial and error may be unfortunate route to take.
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I'm hard pressed to find a jersey long enough. As sizes go up they get wider but not much longer. I have a ten year old event jersey that's great, a dozen event jerseys that are barely long enough if there's two pounds of crap on the pockets pulling it down. I recently bought a wool club jersey and paid extras to have 4" of length added.
I feel like the industry thinks cyclists start at 5'9" 140lbs, and just get wider from there.
I feel like the industry thinks cyclists start at 5'9" 140lbs, and just get wider from there.
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6’2” 185lb. I like the Rapha core cargo shorts (they have mesh pockets) and the size L fit perfectly. They don’t ride up or down, stay put, comfy. I don’t like overly tight “jerseys” or their associated zippers and back pockets, so I wear a variety of technical t-shirts, mostly rapha, some road, some trail, size medium. Not baggy at all but not skin tight. No crack or midriff showing, no pockets i don’t need or want, a variety of sleeve lengths depending on the weather. I started with size L but waaaay too baggy. I have fairly broad shoulders and virtually always wear L shirts, so I was surprised how big those were. But yes, the kit I actually kept fits

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I think the key is to find a couple of brands where you know the sizing is right for your particular body type and stick with it. I learned that the hard way when I bought a Castelli jersey in what I thought was my size. Boy, was I wrong. That was my first, and last Castelli purchase.
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I am 6'5 and it took a good bit of time to find jerseys and bibs that fit well and are at prices I find acceptable for the quality.
- Rapha core lightweight jersey is great length, but sleeves are a bit loose due to design. Minor quibble.
- Voler Peloton jerseys are really nice, but a touch long in back when off the bike, even for me. Minor quibble.
- Donkey Label jerseys are so very nice. Great material, length, and sleeves.
I am an XL in Voler, but a 2XL in Rapha and Donkey Label.
Voler Black Label bibs are incredible. And their Cargo Bibs are equally excellent. The straps are long enough for my torso and the leg length is great for me too.
Impulsively, I ordered a Pearl Izumi jacket from a local shop. When it arrived, I actually laughed at how short it was. I can't imagine what body type it would work for, based on the arm and torso lengths.
it was promptly returned and a Voler shell jacket was then purchased, which fits perfectly.
It's taken a long time to narrow what works. i still try something different from time to time, and almost always regret it.
- Rapha core lightweight jersey is great length, but sleeves are a bit loose due to design. Minor quibble.
- Voler Peloton jerseys are really nice, but a touch long in back when off the bike, even for me. Minor quibble.
- Donkey Label jerseys are so very nice. Great material, length, and sleeves.
I am an XL in Voler, but a 2XL in Rapha and Donkey Label.
Voler Black Label bibs are incredible. And their Cargo Bibs are equally excellent. The straps are long enough for my torso and the leg length is great for me too.
Impulsively, I ordered a Pearl Izumi jacket from a local shop. When it arrived, I actually laughed at how short it was. I can't imagine what body type it would work for, based on the arm and torso lengths.
it was promptly returned and a Voler shell jacket was then purchased, which fits perfectly.
It's taken a long time to narrow what works. i still try something different from time to time, and almost always regret it.
#23
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Not much help here, I’m afraid - my ‘cycle’ clothing is limited to a Lidl summer jersey and Endura winter jersey :-) I can recommend both, but the sizing on the Endura is ‘slim fitting’, and I’m in an X-Large, whereas the Lidl (also X-Large) is ‘loose fitting’. I’m 13 & 1/2 stone.
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sizing isn't the largest issue. Design/logo material purpose weigh in too. I probably could find long enough stuff, but I will probably not like the other aspects of it. Not going to pay a premium for only it fitting how I would like it... it better feel & look great to (or exceeding) my standards as well!
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Almost every brand has their own cut. I'm too frugal to buy the big names (so far) but found a couple of cheapo brands that fit well, plus have the pockets and designs I like. 6'2" and 175 - Coconut jerseys and Hikenture shorts.
I'd like to try 8" shorts but haven't seen them.
I'd like to try 8" shorts but haven't seen them.