Full kit?
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 6
From: NW Arkansas, USA
Bikes: 2015 Giant Roam 2 Hybrid
Sorta, I wear a jersey because of the length and sweat wicking, riding shorts because of the chamois, but I wear cargo shorts over them because I need to pockets and I am too modest to wear just shorts. I wear gloves and a helmet and SPD shoes too.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 36
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Bikes: my bikes: Old: 1965 Schwinn 10 speed, 72 Monshee 12 speed, 77 Norco 12 speed, 95 Trek 850, two Specialized Crosstrails, 2016 Specialized carbon Sirrus. New 2020 Trek FX1
...depends on what you mean by "full kit", in the warmer months I'll wear a t-shirt style jersey with a pair of cargo shorts, gloves, glasses and a helmet. Now that we're into the colder season the cargo pants aren't shorts anymore and there's a MEC cycling jacket over the jersey...
...in my neck of the woods you don't see too many wearing the "full kit" that the 'roadies' do, I personally think that looks a bit on the pretentious side riding a hybrid...
...oh, and I wear a pair of ordinary running shoes instead of clipless...
...in my neck of the woods you don't see too many wearing the "full kit" that the 'roadies' do, I personally think that looks a bit on the pretentious side riding a hybrid...
...oh, and I wear a pair of ordinary running shoes instead of clipless...
#8
...depends on what you mean by "full kit", in the warmer months I'll wear a t-shirt style jersey with a pair of cargo shorts, gloves, glasses and a helmet. Now that we're into the colder season the cargo pants aren't shorts anymore and there's a MEC cycling jacket over the jersey...
...in my neck of the woods you don't see too many wearing the "full kit" that the 'roadies' do, I personally think that looks a bit on the pretentious side riding a hybrid...
...oh, and I wear a pair of ordinary running shoes instead of clipless...
...in my neck of the woods you don't see too many wearing the "full kit" that the 'roadies' do, I personally think that looks a bit on the pretentious side riding a hybrid...
...oh, and I wear a pair of ordinary running shoes instead of clipless...
Strikes me that doing so is in fact far less 'pretentious' than paying over the odds for stuff that works well on the bike but doesn't 'look' like cycling kit.
#9
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+
__________________
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)
#10
Running shoes, athletic socks, helmet, fingerless gloves, cycling shorts, and a pocket Tee. As the weather gets cooler, I am going to add an athletic jacket and maybe a pair of gloves with fingers. My legs, so far, have stayed plenty warm in the sixty-degree mornings we are now having. Depending on how cold it is, I will either find some sort of long pants that won't get tangled in the chain or I will retire to my church's gym and do the stationary bike.
Hey, I may not look the coolest, but I'm comfortable and that is what really counts, isn't it?
Hey, I may not look the coolest, but I'm comfortable and that is what really counts, isn't it?
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida & Massachusetts
Bikes: Montague MX, Brompton S6L, Origami Crane, Dahon S1
Yes, anytime I ride I wear cycling gear. Each piece of apparel has its advantage over non-cycling clothing. I do not, however, have cycling shoes since I use Power Grips (straps) rather than clipless pedals.
But I do ride in a community where all kinds of riders wear full kit, but usually only the fast ones wear matching jersey and shorts team sets.
But I do ride in a community where all kinds of riders wear full kit, but usually only the fast ones wear matching jersey and shorts team sets.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,929
Likes: 1
From: On the bridge with Picard
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
...depends on what you mean by "full kit", in the warmer months I'll wear a t-shirt style jersey with a pair of cargo shorts, gloves, glasses and a helmet. Now that we're into the colder season the cargo pants aren't shorts anymore and there's a MEC cycling jacket over the jersey...
...in my neck of the woods you don't see too many wearing the "full kit" that the 'roadies' do, I personally think that looks a bit on the pretentious side riding a hybrid...
...oh, and I wear a pair of ordinary running shoes instead of clipless...
...in my neck of the woods you don't see too many wearing the "full kit" that the 'roadies' do, I personally think that looks a bit on the pretentious side riding a hybrid...
...oh, and I wear a pair of ordinary running shoes instead of clipless...
Frankly, I could care less what people think when they see me riding my Sirrus to work in a "full kit". I'm just focused on getting to work or home.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Diamondback Wildwood Classic, Trek FX 7.3
Nope, I don't own anything cycling specific beyond a helmet and shorts, which I wear under cargo shorts because I need pockets most of the time. My bike doesn't have clip-ins (and I've never gotten the hang of those anyway), so I just wear sturdy athletic shoes (skate shoes or running shoes, depending on which pair I happen to have on). I'll probably invest in some gloves soon for cooler weather, because I wore some fleece ones in the past spring and they weren't that good. I'll probably stick with my running layers for the rest of my cold weather gear, though.
#15
Heck yes! It's all very functional you know and contributes to an enjoyable ride. The pedals on my flat bar bike are dual purpose, so if I'm out on a greenway ride I'll use the platform side. Road ride, I'll clip in. Also on my greenway rides I'll just wear an athletic shirt and not a jersey and use a frame bag to hold my extra stuff.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
I always considered "kit" as wearing shorts/bibs and a jersey with logos all over them. By my definition, I don't ride in "kit." I'm not paid to ride my bike, so I'm not going to ride around like a moving billboard.
That said, I by the OP's definition, I would have to say that I do. I wear cycling shoes (SPD), cycling shorts, and an athletic wicking shirt (compression). In cooler weather, I have leg warmers, a long sleeved athletic wicking shirt, etc.
That said, I by the OP's definition, I would have to say that I do. I wear cycling shoes (SPD), cycling shorts, and an athletic wicking shirt (compression). In cooler weather, I have leg warmers, a long sleeved athletic wicking shirt, etc.
#17
Avid Cyclist
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Bikes: Diamondback Century Disc
I ride with cycling tights and a jersey. In cooler weather, a Barrier windbreaker (Pearl Izumi). I have "Vans" shoes (actually skate-boarding shoes). I also always wear a Pearl Izumi headband that covers the ears (ever since the beetle in the ear incident-- high pain in more ways than one).
Here is a picture...
Here is a picture...
Last edited by MickeyMaguire; 03-03-17 at 04:26 PM.
#18
I'll switch to cycling shorts and a jersey someday when I get trimmed down. I don't care to purchase a new set of jersey and shorts (good ones ain't cheap) every time I go down a size and then have others laying around that I can't wear anymore.
I doubt I'll ever wear clipless pedal/shoes.
I didn't think I'd ever consider wearing the padded shorts and jersey but after riding for a while I fully understand their function.
I doubt I'll ever wear clipless pedal/shoes.
I didn't think I'd ever consider wearing the padded shorts and jersey but after riding for a while I fully understand their function.
#19
I don't own any "official" cycling apparel. I usually wear a regular wicking t-shirt with a pair of basketball shorts (my days of wearing cotton shirts and shorts have passed) and a regular pair of sneakers. With the weather getting cooler, I'll be switching to a long sleeve shirt and investing in some bike gloves but the shorts will probably stay, I've never had a problem with my legs getting too cold.
#20
I did find that cycling shorts make my rides a lot more comfortable. The cheap ones I bought the first time around helped, but when I came home one morning with a full moon following me, I threw them away and bought more expensive shorts. The more expensive ones have definitely made a difference in my comfort.
I am so glad the neighbors were not up and about the morning the cheap ones blew out!!! I'd have to move because of the embarrassment!
I am so glad the neighbors were not up and about the morning the cheap ones blew out!!! I'd have to move because of the embarrassment!
#21
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Bikes: BMC Alpenchallenge AC01 Alivio/Deore
I wear a jersey and riding shorts (I've just begun working in my Brooks B-17) but I then wear a light Nike dri-fit t-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts over the riding shorts. I also wear a helmet, Shimano SPD shoes with my clipless pedals since my area is also very hilly. I still have a bit of a diabetic gut so I tend to be very conscious of it but I'm slowly whittling away at it
Now that fall is upon us here in Stockholm and winter is close on its heels, I'll have to make a decision about whether or not to do some winter cycling or to put the bike away until the snow clears.
Now that fall is upon us here in Stockholm and winter is close on its heels, I'll have to make a decision about whether or not to do some winter cycling or to put the bike away until the snow clears.
#22
Unless I'm out with my wife and kids, I'm always in "full kit".
It took me a long time to finally try specific pro cycling clothing, and once I did, I found it the single most important factor in cycling, closely followed by nutrition.
It depends, of course, on the type of riding one does.
I can imagine that for more relaxed leasure rides the clothing doesn't matter much, but for more serious riding, where one pushes him/herself towards the limit ... the imortance of pro clothing becomes increasingly more important.
It took me a long time to finally try specific pro cycling clothing, and once I did, I found it the single most important factor in cycling, closely followed by nutrition.
It depends, of course, on the type of riding one does.
I can imagine that for more relaxed leasure rides the clothing doesn't matter much, but for more serious riding, where one pushes him/herself towards the limit ... the imortance of pro clothing becomes increasingly more important.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 7
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2017 Cannondale CAAD12 105, 2014 Giant Escape City
I have bike shorts and clipless shoes, but I only wear those on my road bike. On my hybrid I wear wicking shirts, cargo shorts and sandals. I have a hybrid for two reasons: getting groceries and for those times I don't feel like putting on the full fetish wear outfit. I look damn fine in my bike shorts, but they look out of place on my hybrid.
#24
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 36
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Bikes: my bikes: Old: 1965 Schwinn 10 speed, 72 Monshee 12 speed, 77 Norco 12 speed, 95 Trek 850, two Specialized Crosstrails, 2016 Specialized carbon Sirrus. New 2020 Trek FX1
I have bike shorts and clipless shoes, but I only wear those on my road bike. On my hybrid I wear wicking shirts, cargo shorts and sandals. I have a hybrid for two reasons: getting groceries and for those times I don't feel like putting on the full fetish wear outfit. I look damn fine in my bike shorts, but they look out of place on my hybrid.
cheers!!
#25
I don't have a hybrid, hope to change that next spring, but I ride my dual suspension cheap mt bike like a hybrid as in I ride strictly on paved trails or well packed dirt trails. I have nothing bike specific. I wear whatever I wore to work since I stop on my way home to ride. So far that means cargo shorts, t-shirt, and I take the regular tennis shoes with me since I don't want to ride in steel toe work shoes.
The only thing I have is I bought a helmet and wear it.
The only thing I have is I bought a helmet and wear it.




