Altair 4

So I am getting ready for my 1st ride on the GAP Trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland in early. I need to purchase a new set of shorts and maybe a couple of shirts for the ride.

I ran across this company based near Pittsburgh, offering some styles as "Made in USA", which appeals to me.

I looking for advice from you folks. I don't want to stand out on the GAP, but I want comfortable clothing that will launder easily and dry quickly (I'm taking to two sets of ride clothes for my three day ride - laundering the first set to wear again on the last day).

So - snug fit or loose fit for shirts? Regular bike shorts, or MTB baggy shorts? Also is the stuff from ATD any good? Primarily, I'm looking at these for shorts:
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/baggy_bike_shorts.htm
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/topshelf.htm
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/menshort.htm#blackpearl

and these for shirts:
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bikejersey.htm#atdsolid
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bikejersey.htm#cjhp01

Any and all suggestions or comments welcome! Money IS an object for this exercise, as I am on a budget to make this ride happen....

Edit: I should add I'm 6' 2", 167 pounds, if that makes any difference in suggestions.

myrridin

I've purchased and used both their MTB shorts and their road cycling shorts as well as several of their basic jerseys. I find all of them comfortable; however, the MTB shorts are a little less useful on a road bike since the baggy legs can get caught in the seat. If your bike has a more upright riding position either is fine and even on the road bike I will still wear baggy MTB style shorts, I just need to be aware that they will occasionally "catch".

I have been very happy with all of the items, both in terms of performance, quality, and value.

If money is really an object, just use regular shirts, jerseys really don't provide much value; as opposed to shorts which really do improve comfort. All the jerseys offer is the convenient (but not necessary) back pockets.

ocho

I've pretty much settled on AeroTech Designs for bicycle clothing, or I should say for shorts and jersey's. The quality is good, they ship very fast, the stuff is made in the U.S.A. and the prices are reasonable. Best of all to me is their sizes are true and fit - their size charts do not lie. I've not had to return a thing which I can't say about any other company except Mt. Borah, another US based place that also makes good stuff. Their stuff is true fit to their stated size chart too.

Altair 4

And this is why I love Bike Forums! Within 30 minutes, I have an answer. Thanks, folks! I'm going to get my order together.

myrridin, well, I would like to have something that washes and dries quickly, so technical cloth is what I need, I think. I'm trying to keep the weight down, too.

ocho and myrridin - which shorts do you folks like best from ATD?

Does anyone care to comment on what people wear on the GAP? Is it pretty much "anything goes": full kit, mix and match, any old t-shirt?

Thanks!!

myrridin

You can pick up C9 t-shirts from Target for about $10 each that have the same type of cloth as jerseys. They wash and dry as simply and quickly, and are much cheaper than just about any cycling jersey I have scene... They are standard exercise wear...

By all means get the jerseys if you want, but the C9 shirts work just as well for the purposes you outlined.

For my mountain bike I prefer their lined mountain bike style short (~$50 each); however, the road shorts of theirs that I have tried work better when in a more inclined position.

Frankly, given that I am needing new clothes every two-three months as I lose weight, I have settled on whatever is on sale at Nashbar, at least until I get to my healthy weight...

seeker333

I've owned and used Aero Tech Designs shorts, gloves and bibs for 3+ years now. I recommend them first to anyone who asks where to find good value bike shorts.

I have the men's Pro shorts (white chamois) and the Top Shelf shorts (blue chamois). I prefer the cheaper Pro shorts. The chamois is nothing more than thin foam padding. I've literally worn the Pro shorts (I have 2) >500 times, and they are still in good shape, although showing signs of wear. I think the ATD products are as durable as any I've used, and generally cheaper. I paid 30 bucks for my pro shorts, but they've increased in price since my early 2008 purchases.

Besides their own branded products, ATD also makes other top-brand cycling apparel, and sells them at their website. ATD actually manufactures these products in PA. Most cyclewear these days is imported from SE Asia.

https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/about_us.htm

I don't have any ATD jerseys. Nowadays I use non-cycling tops, mostly long sleeve for sun protection. I have polypropylene and coolmax shirts I bought cheap, then modified for fit.

Altair 4

Thanks for the tip on the C9 shirts; I'll have to check those out. And I just noticed your Wt. Loss Ticker - congratulations on your achievements!

dengidog

+1 for ATD. One other place to check out is the outlet for Primal Wear. I picked up some amazing bargains there, too.

Altair 4

Just a postscript: I bought several of the C9 shirts in bright orange and lime green at Target. While they don't have either the rear pockets or the front zipper, they work pretty well for cycling. They launder easily and dry quickly. For $11 a shot, they're hard to beat, especially if you're on a tight budget (the "recession" became a "depression" when we lost one income at our household recently).

zzOtherlandzz

I bought my first pair(s) of bike shorts from them..... having NO clue what size to get and not really comfortable (at the time) going to the bike shop to try shorts on. I ordered the first pair and they were the wrong size... They exchanged them NO problems no questions asked. And were fast about it too. Baggy MTB shorts btw.... And like somebody mentioned they can catch a bit on the seat while getting off the road bike.

seeker333

rare free shipping code at ATD = Shippingisfree

kiltedcelt

Way late to help the OP, and resurrecting an old thread (discovered while searching for something else), however I thought I'd add my two cents. The Black Pearl cycling short has, hands-down the most comfortable chamois/crotch pad I've ever had in a pair of cycling shorts. They do feel a bit bulky because the thickest area of the pad is 8mm which makes them the second thickest padded shorts made by ATD. Their Men's Pro Bike shorts have the thickest pads at 10mm which might be a little better for really lengthy tours with lots of time in the saddle. The solid color jerseys that ATD sells aren't that great in my opinion. The one I got fit well across the chest and arms but the bottom was cut so loosely that it hung and looked like a fabric bell. It didn't conform any to the lower torso so I can't imagine putting anything in the back pockets and not having the weight cause the jersey to move around on ones lower torso. I'm sending my jersey back to exchange for one of their logo jerseys which appear to have more of a typical fitted appearance. Overall, I think their products are well made and the prices can't be beat. ATD is going to be my go-to place for all my shorts and jerseys from here on out. The Made in America construction of most of their stuff is just the icing on the cake.

Mithrandir

I have the mens pro and the mens classic. I prefer the classic over the pro because the pro has elastic bands around the thighs which annoys me.

I'm thinking of trying a pair of top shelf, because even though the classics are great, I still feel a little uncomfortable around the 50 mile mark. I'm pretty sure it's not the saddle (Brooks) because that was the single greatest factor I had contributing to my ability to cycle for 40+ miles nonstop.

The discomfort is not a huge problem of course, but when I hear people say they can do double centuries and not feel any discomfort, that makes me want to find out what I'm missing.

kiltedcelt

It looks like you might not get much of an improvement with the Top shelf shorts in terms of the pad. The pad is the same thickness as in the Pro and Classic shorts. The Gel touring shorts they sell may be the only other thing more comfortable than what you're wearing now. The Top Shelf shorts also have the gripper elastic in the legs which you mention not liking. The shorts should give you some added comfort but the pad is mainly there to cushion your sit bones so that you don't put too much pressure on them and end up with saddle sores or other ailments. If you're experiencing discomfort in the seating arrangements after 40+ miles then you might need to tweak your bike fit somewhere - raise the stem, tilt the saddle nose down slightly, etc.

martianone

I have several Aero Tech items - shorts, shirts, pants, gloves. They all have been great, fit and last well- I especially like their padded spandex tights for cool weather riding. . With a Brooks saddle, often less padding is better. Suggest J & G touring shorts. Also suggest checking your saddle position and bike fit. Have a Brooks saddles on most of my bikes - a tiny adjustment often makes a big difference in long term comfort. Slide saddle forward or back half a cm or change the angle just one notch of adjustment, etc to fully optimize the fit - then worry about shorts.

joshnc

I am going to give these shorts a try. I really like the made in America part. Some people have to start buying from here instead of giving China and Europe all are money.

zzOtherlandzz

Thanks..... 3 months later I remembered reading your comment about the t-shirts at target made of the same material. So the other day out of the blue I looked at Walmart and bought a few for my up coming (first) tour.