Jarrett2

As someone fairly new to road cycling, I've been wondering, are we wearing the right clothes when we ride? Most group rides I go on, the riders have the typical jerseys and padded cycling shorts. I assume this came over from the race world. Is that correct?

If so, does wearing what racers wear when they race make the most sense for a recreational road cyclist to wear?

I've personally migrated from wearing flappy underarmour type shirts and gym shorts to riding with a pair of padded bib shorts and one of several cycling jerseys that are tight fitting lycra (I assume) with pockets in the rear. I did this partly to cut down on drag and bulk and partly because it is just what most other road cyclists I see wearing. The rear pockets are also pretty functional on a ride versus other places of storing things.

Are there other road cyclists out there riding in something other than the standard cycling jersey and shorts configuration? If so, what and why do you feel it is better?

badger1

Grant?? Is that you?

unterhausen

just because racers wear cycling specific clothing doesn't mean that nobody else should. Anything else is a compromise. There is mountain bike clothing, which is probably the next best thing. Most mountain bikers I know at least wear a cycling jersey. Many wear bike shorts

shelbyfv

Bike jerseys and padded shorts have become standard because they make sense. If you ride any significant distance, loose shorts will chafe your thighs. Most butts appreciate a chamois. As you mentioned, the pockets on jerseys are useful. Long zippers help with temp control and a closer fit prevents annoying wind flap. There are stylistic choices that can help differentiate one from racer types. Wear black shorts, no team flamboyance. Jerseys can be a more relaxed fit and still not flap. Use common sense as you would for street clothes. If you are older or heavier, don't dress to attract attention. Not talking about visibility to motorists here, that's another issue. Now, if you are fast, fit and young, wear full kit and flaunt it!!

RollCNY

When I multi-day tour, I wear padded MTB shorts (by Zoic) that have pockets, and a soccer jersey. I don't need the cycling jersey pockets, and the shorts pockets work great for cash and ID.

When I am doing a single day ride, I wear the standard cycling shorts and jersey, because they are the most functional for comfort, performance, and utility.

When I swim, I wear swim trunks. If sport specific clothes make sense for swimming, why not for cycling?

cellery

If you (or anyone else here for that matter) has found a clothing combination more comfortable than padded bib shorts and jersey, please don't share it because you'll be missing out on a lucrative business opportunity.

FLvector

It depends on your style of riding and what your goals are. If you rarely use the rear jersey pockets and don't mind the fabric flapping in the wind, then why bother with a good quality jersey. Heck, some people prefer cotton, but they must not be sweating much. You'll see a difference in comfort in cycling specific jerseys and shorts/bibs when you start going longer distances. You can wear almost anything and be comfortable for 15-20 miles, but spending 3+ hours in the saddle can change your mind. Whether you purchase the jersey and shorts as a matching kit or individually doesn't really matter much unless looking good on the bike is a higher priority. I have both only because I was able to get them at a good discount, or it was to support a shop or group I ride with.

RJM

It really depends on what kind of riding you are doing. If going out on a club ride where the goal is to push myself for a duration from point to point, the cycling kit makes sense. If going out on a ride where it is a long century the cycling kit makes sense. If going on a ride where I'm stopping at stores or cafes and taking it rather easy, the cycling kit doesn't make much sense.

Jarrett2

30-70 mile group rides currently.

BradH

Try your next 70 miler in non cycling specific clothes next time and answer you own question. That way you can know for sure, otherwise it could be some guy on the internet with no experience giving you bad information.

dalava

If the OP is not trolling...

The race-orient cycling kits are optimized for comfort for road cycling at higher speed than other forms of cycling (mountain biking or commuting). That's why they are form fitting and made of material such as lycra.

On the other hand, if you are interested in less race-oriented kit, the Giro New Road collection is actually quite functional, and not bad looking either. They definitely don't scream "roadie".

mukman

You can wear stuff from companies like Giro and Vulpine who are making clothes for cyclists who don't want to wear spandex and scream "I'm a cyclist!". I wear their stuff and typical spandex, they're both good times.

Leinster

I don't believe anyone has accused him of trolling yet.

The New Road stuff is nice, but costs as much as the competitive gear or more. I don't see the benefit of paying full price to not look like a cyclist, while riding a bicycle.

I've cycled in t-shirts and board shorts and running gear and soccer gear, and while I've found some cross-sport equipment that is just as good as any specialty cycling equipment (a base layer is a base layer whatever sport you're wearing it for), when it comes to riding any sort of distance I'll wear my lycra padded shorts and my long-zip, 3-pocket jersey and might bring my arm-warmers and convertible jacket if it's cool enough. Because they're the most comfortable clothes for cycling in that I've owned.

MRT2

I just looked this up. Looks like this line of clothing would be good for touring, or casual rides. One note. Sizing isn't terribly clyde friendly.

MRT2

That was my thought.

coasting 

if i go for a quick ride of less than about 2 hours, i just wear t shirt and regular shorts.

Bandera

Form follows Function.
Cycling clothing has evolved in design and materials to be comfortable and efficient at high levels of effort over long distances in a wide variety of conditions.
For plootering about down to the farmer's market or riding to work less technical kit works fine, for an August century in the Hill Country not so much.

-Bandera

mprelaw

Well, I'm old and only half-fast, but I'm fit. I flaunt it.

MRT2

The Jersey doesn't have to be super tight. Though I am not usually a huge Trek fan, I did wind up buying three Bontrager Solstice Jerseys on sale at a LBS. They have a half zip, three back pockets, elastic at the bottom, and lightweight technical wicking fabric. In other ways, though, the fit is a little looser than the typical race fit bike jersey. I wear standard cycling shorts because of the function, but I have in the past thrown a pair of loose nylon running shorts in my bag on ride days where I might stop at a sit down restaurant and might not be comfortable wearing cycling shorts.

My son is more of a mountain biker than a roadie, and he now wears loose mountain biking shorts with a built in chamois when he rides. I bought him the standard, tight roadie shorts, but he doesn't like them.

bbbean 

Only if comfort, wicking, and aerodynamics matter to you. If those things aren't a consideration, wear something else.

jrossbeck

To be fair, you said swim trunks. Competitive swimmers do not wear trunks, they wear jammers. Most recreational swimmers wear trunks. Most fitness based swimmers wear jammers or speedos.

Nachoman

clomping around in cleats is a minor hassle, but cruising around stores and cafes in a full kit doesn't even phase me anymore.

dalava

We cyclist are definitely not a self-aware bunch... while we think of nothing talking around in our spandex and full kit, others think we are kind of nuts. This was hit home when my daughter (age 12) refuses to let me sit with her and her friends at the coffee shop when I'm in my full regalia.

RollCNY

Really? Sometimes I throw a leg up on the coffee counter and flex when I am at the coffee shop. I guess that's a faux pas.

bbattle

Jarrett2, check out this website: Urban Velo | Bicycle culture on the skids.

tons of links along the right side of the page, plenty of clothing sites.