Cycling Clothes
 

I'm wondering what the point in cycling clothes is... I mean if I just want to use a bike to get from one place to another as a means of transport, having to carry multiple sets of clothes seems kind of pointless. What's a jersey going to do that the top I had intended to wear wouldn't be doing anyway?

The jersey is better for sweat, and the shorts have padding for comfort. etc etc etc etc. . . . .. . . .

if you don't break a sweat, it doesn't matter


if you sweat

keeps you from feeling clammy

So do you guys wear these clothes every time you ride (like if you're going to work or a friends house or shoping) or just when you're riding for the sake of riding?

There are also issues of wind resistance, and freedom of movement. The only dedicated cycling clothes I wear are gloves. If I were into longer distances, I could change my style.

I commute to work on a bike. I like to wear dresses and skirts, and even when I wear pants, I don't like getting them muddy or dusty. My bike has a chain guard, so that's not a problem. I'm not a great sweater, but even riding slowly and sedately to work will give my clothes a somewhat ripe odor. It's not a big deal when not working, but I deal with the public in an office environment. Also, I live in the Pacific Northwest. Riding to work in the driving rain requires a change of clothes.

I actually don't own any "cycling-specific" clothes other than gloves and a pair of chamois undies for longer rides. When I ride, I do like to wear synthetics that wick moisture and will dry quickly. So I have some poly and cotton/poly t-shirts and some fishing pants and shorts that I picked up cheap at the Columbia Sportswear Outlet store here in Portland. I have a semi water resistant windbreaker from Sierra Trading that was also cheap. It has some reflecting stripes on it for riding in the dark. I think it was originally sold as "running gear". When it is colder, I have some synthetic long underwear that's good at keeping the sweat away.

I am saving for a good set of raingear for next fall/winter, but it's expensive. I can cope with the rain this spring because the worst of the cold is gone.

Outside of work, I wear whatever best suits the occasion.

I like the nike dry fit shirts cause they wick away the sweat and are comfortable. I wear mt biking shorts cause, well I am sure I don't look good in regular biking shorts. They have the nice Lycra or spandex or whatever inside with some padding. Keeps things from rubbing together when sweaty and chafing. I unfortunatly sweat a lot so just a t-shirt isn't very comfortable and if it is a bit cold, you get colder. I have a waterproof running jacket and am going to get some pants for commuting cause like donnamb, I am in the PacNW and rain is abundant. I keep my work uniforms at work and take them home and clean them and bring them back on my day off so I don't have to carry them around with me and let them get all wrinkled.

Commute in what's comfortable for you. I used to commute in my work clothes when I was working construction, I was going to be filthy and smelly before break anyway:eek: When I was working at the hospital we had lockers and the commute was a bit longer so I wore more cycling specfic clothes, typically padded shorts with a regular tee shirt in the summers, wool leg warmers and fleece in the winter. For rain gear I still prefer a cycling specfic poncho. The only other thing I reccomend is make sure whatever top you are wearing is bright colored. Nothing PO's me more than to come close to clobbering a cyclist because of poor visibility. Dark hoodies and dark pants and no reflectors work wonders for increasing the risk of getting killed.

Aaron:)

Great troll bait there.

The skin tight lycra, mistakenly called spandex, helps support those big thigh muscles like compression shorts.

They are compression shorts with padding to soften the ride and prevent chafing.

Look man if your riding to work and not really going far or you work someplace where your eventually going to sweat and/or get dirty anyway then don't bother with a second set of clothes; if you work in an office and have to ride more then a few miles to get there and bad odors could be an issue then use a second set of clothes for work and do a bird bath in the bathroom upon arrival.

You also don't need to get expensive with bike clothing if you don't want to or don't have the desire to look like Lance Armstrong. Walmart sells jerseys called StayDri? for about $14 that is make of 100% polyester which is the same material that expensive jerseys use...however, polyester will stink faster then cotton or especially wool. If you just riding just say 8 miles to work a cotton T or golf shirt will work just fine. Also shorts, you don't need a padded spandex short if your going less then 12 miles! You could use cargo shorts or gym shorts whatever.

If you plan on doing longer rides after work or on weekends then by all means get padded (stay away from gel padding) spandex shorts or MTB shorts (I prefer because their looser fit and are more comfy), Perfomance sells the cheapest ones I've seen. Also again refer to Walmart for their jerseys because I have a $85 "high tech" polyester jersey and Walmart Jersey and can't tell the difference between the two; I also have wool jerseys which I prefer over the polyester especially on long rides but those are expensive.

Another vote for the Nike Dri Fit t-shirt here. They come in plenty of colors and can be found cheaply at a Sports Authority, etc....especially good if you don't like the skin tight look.

Today. I had some near by errands. So I wore Mtn Style Bike shorts. By Zoic, I think... The chamois just does not compare to those in lycra. Made my arse hurt. Normally never notice arse aches. Rode a total of 12 miles maybe,hurt more than 50 in lycra.

If you have to ask what the point is, then you probably don't need them.

I used to wear cotton t-shirts/shorts for 10-30 mile rides. When I started doing longer distances, I switched to cycling shorts (with light running shorts over them) and proper cycling jerseys. They are so much more comfortable that cotton, I always wear them and will never go back unless just for my 3-8 mile commutes.

Nice TROLL

I'm not trolling, I was genuinely interested. But since I've only once cycled more than a couple of miles, I'm not sure there's much point in them for me. I'd spend more time getting changed than riding...

I just wear regular shorts and t-shirt or wicking t shirt to commute to work - then I change into teaching clothes - I worry about the smell in warm weather - in winter I sometimes just wear the clothes I am going to teach in - but not always - I keep work shoes in my office. My commute is only 5ish miles each way. when I go longer than 10 miles or so I make sure I am wearing bike shorts because of comfort.

Yes, they are terrific. I found a version that was being sold as a "soccer shirt". Very cheap. Comfortable. Does not look goofy when you are shopping at Krogers. The "Cool Max" shirts are equally good. One of those shirts, cut-off jeans, a pair of sandals...cycling doesn't get any easier.

For me I found some nice t-shirts on REI that has UV 50 protection near the bikes/tri/running section; ~$30. I'm fairly sensitive to the sun. They are quite tight fitting and much softer & lighter than the polyester t-shirts I used to wear for soccer; though a little more expensive.

I wasn't able to find any (cheap) bike t-shirts that has UV protection.

Was surfing around the net just now and found out they're supposed to be for wave surfing/swimming. :p

yep..... but then i don't ride my bike to go shopping or to work.... so yes.... every time i go riding.... i put on the "get up"!

Have you thought of taking up cycling?