What do you wear?
07-17-18, 06:08 AM
#26
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07-17-18, 07:02 AM
#27
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Sub-35 women might care, but is that your target demographic?
I go with Lycra shorts for "serious" rides, but no Lycra tops. The fishing shirts mentioned above ROCK-- fast drying, sun protection, sleep es up ur down as desired. Commute bottoms the convertible pants. Legs on for cool mornings, off for warm afternoons. Underneath, synthetic boxer briefs. Extend down legs for protection.
Cheers!
07-17-18, 09:22 AM
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As a bent rider, both bike and trike I dont need high priced stuff to protect me from my rides. I wear Champion rugby shorts, and any kind of T-shirt I find in my drawer. BTW those rugby shorts cost $15 on sale at Scheels sports store.
07-17-18, 09:39 AM
#29
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My question is to those that do not wear the tight riding shorts. What pants/shorts do you find comfortable? Hiking with cargo pockets shorts do not get it for me as they bunch up and are very uncomfortable. I have found thinner athletic type shorts are better but I am open to any other suggestions. At 69 and 195lbs. I just can't bring myself to go out of the house in riding shorts. I have some younger people, 40"s-50"s, that fly by my house wearing them and I realize how foolish I think I would look in them. I am not in the best shape and more than a little self conscious. Just my own insecurities I realize but that is my problem.
Thanks in advance, Frank.
Thanks in advance, Frank.
I would say get yourself some good tight fitting shorts and wear them correctly (no underwear) if you are feeling self conscious, wear some thin running or workout shorts over the cycling shorts.
07-17-18, 10:10 AM
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I wear bike shorts for the padding, then put a pair of cargo short son over them, I need a pocket to carry a few things and a belt to carry my phone. I feel awkward in just bike shorts. More importantly I wear a hi viz jersey in the hopes that at some point the goof drivers that don't look past the hood of their car will see me, it works . . . some times.
07-17-18, 11:07 AM
#31
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Lately I've been wearing golf shorts. I got a nice pair called Goodthreads on Amazon. They are slightly stretchy, which adds to their comfort. They look exceedingly normal.
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07-17-18, 12:59 PM
#32
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I just wear some type of wicking sports type short, such as this (or longer, so long as wicking and no protruding seam): https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/bcg...tSku=108089887 and under it, Andiamo padded briefs: Padded & unpadded underwear for cycling, equestrian, moto. Those, along with a wicking t-shirt works just fine for me.
07-17-18, 01:15 PM
#33
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Guys, cargo shorts and golf shirts are great but this is cycling.
Just thought I'd point that out.
-Tim-
Just thought I'd point that out.
-Tim-
07-17-18, 02:28 PM
#34
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I don't get your point, or maybe you missed the point of the question.
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07-17-18, 02:43 PM
#35
like we used to say
I would like to point out that there's more than one kind of cycling. I often enjoy cycling to a destination where I may park my bike, take my helmet off and still be attired in such a way that I blend in with the other brunchers or shoppers or whatever. I prefer to wear "normal" looking clothes to workout gear. OP expressed that he thought he would look foolish in spandex. I think I would too, so I tend toward casual clothing made from tech fabrics when I'm riding my bicycle. It might be something that could work for OP, so I offered my take on the matter.
07-17-18, 02:51 PM
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I wear jeans a lot...
But, I have also started wearing either bike shorts or bike tights during the summer. I suppose I have decided that I really don't care if I'm seen in public with bike shorts on. I did ride a bike after all.
But, I have also started wearing either bike shorts or bike tights during the summer. I suppose I have decided that I really don't care if I'm seen in public with bike shorts on. I did ride a bike after all.
07-17-18, 03:51 PM
#37
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Cargo shorts work OK until the crotch snags your saddle nose when you are throwing your leg over. Then not so much.
scott s.
.
scott s.
.
07-17-18, 03:59 PM
#38
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Cargo shorts are great for pockets and regular (or golf shorts) fine with the removable bike liners. But I finally gave in a bought regular bike shorts and jersey because of the heat. They are worth every penny and when you're creeping up on 70 nobody cares what you look like!
07-18-18, 09:18 AM
#39
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I would like to point out that there's more than one kind of cycling. I often enjoy cycling to a destination where I may park my bike, take my helmet off and still be attired in such a way that I blend in with the other brunchers or shoppers or whatever. I prefer to wear "normal" looking clothes to workout gear. OP expressed that he thought he would look foolish in spandex. I think I would too, so I tend toward casual clothing made from tech fabrics when I'm riding my bicycle. It might be something that could work for OP, so I offered my take on the matter.
Personally, cycling clothes look perfectly normal to me. I would not find someone in a cycling jersey and bibs at a casual restaurant or store to be odd at all. It would be no different if someone were coming from playing baseball and still in their baseball uniform - perfectly normal to me.
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 07-18-18 at 09:22 AM.
07-18-18, 09:21 AM
#40
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Even though cycling clothes have the proper designation, they're shiny and tight, and plenty of people don't feel comfortable wearing them. I wear them plenty but I get some looks from people, and I'm pushing my own boundaries of what I'll wear. It doesn't stop me, but it does make me aware that these clothes are beyond other people's limits. So saying that they're cycling clothes doesn't help any more than "get over it" does. The question was what others wear, and it deserves a serious answer.
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07-18-18, 10:59 AM
#41
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The World Cup being over, this ex-footballer (soccer) is also a cross-sport dresser on the bike.
(But looking back at pictures of me in the short short soccer shorts from the 70s, what the hell.)
What I wear:
My shoes are recessed spd cleats because I both like clipless and I like to walk.
Speaking of 1970s, made the mistake of going on long rides in corduroy pants (once) and jeans (once). In addition to the jorts problem below, my knees were at a 6 on the Tinman scale (where 0 is before "oy-uh" and 10 is dancing down the yellow brick road).
NSFW-ish, because Bike Snob NYC uses bad words.
-mr. bill
(But looking back at pictures of me in the short short soccer shorts from the 70s, what the hell.)
What I wear:
- For short rides:
Clothes. - For longish rides:
Soccer/athletic shirts (semi-form fit) and soccer shorts, or on sunny days soccer 3/4 length pants (keeps my knees from burning, and they don't ride up over the knees). - For long rides:
Cycling undershorts under the above. - For two-day charity rides:
Full MAMIL with the event jersey/socks and black cycling shorts.
My shoes are recessed spd cleats because I both like clipless and I like to walk.
Speaking of 1970s, made the mistake of going on long rides in corduroy pants (once) and jeans (once). In addition to the jorts problem below, my knees were at a 6 on the Tinman scale (where 0 is before "oy-uh" and 10 is dancing down the yellow brick road).
NSFW-ish, because Bike Snob NYC uses bad words.
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 07-19-18 at 08:09 AM.
07-18-18, 02:35 PM
#42
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I wear cycling knickers like a hipster and a regular cycling jersey with the 3 pockets in the back on top. Occasionally I will wear regular lycra cycling shorts but I prefer the 3/4 length knickers for UV protection. I'm not a fan of burning the crap out of the skin above my knees on the front and below the knees on the back. Plus the pockets are handy. I've never felt overheated in them. Although I own a couple pairs I very, very rarely wear bibs -- way too much trouble for a port-a-potty stop.
07-18-18, 03:01 PM
#44
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Bibs are truly inconvenient when you have to take a dump. I was on a big ride, and I needed a break. I managed to find a place down a quiet street, but I couldn't bring my bike in. I disabled the bike as well as I could and took care of business as quickly as possible, but it sure was nerve wracking and uncomfortable. Still, it's not a deal breaker. I really do like bibs, and I plan to buy them rather than regular waistband shorts from now on.
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07-18-18, 10:56 PM
#45
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Even though cycling clothes have the proper designation, they're shiny and tight, and plenty of people don't feel comfortable wearing them. I wear them plenty but I get some looks from people, and I'm pushing my own boundaries of what I'll wear. It doesn't stop me, but it does make me aware that these clothes are beyond other people's limits. So saying that they're cycling clothes doesn't help any more than "get over it" does. The question was what others wear, and it deserves a serious answer.
I said, "cycling clothes look perfectly normal to me."
07-18-18, 11:39 PM
#46
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I wear Lycra for all cycling at 50 it acts like a gut girdle my family says I’m paranoid about a few extra pounds but I’m not 28 years old anymore 
Serious though Lycra I find comfortable so I quit wearing MTB shorts years ago but to each their own so wear what you like. I also wear solid color jerseys with no advertisements I don’t want to be a cycling billboard.
my family says I’m paranoid about a few extra pounds but I’m not 28 years old anymore Serious though Lycra I find comfortable so I quit wearing MTB shorts years ago but to each their own so wear what you like. I also wear solid color jerseys with no advertisements I don’t want to be a cycling billboard.
07-18-18, 11:50 PM
#47
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No matter what your age, the first moment you walk out the door in a pair of cycling shorts, you tend to be very self-conscious. The truth is, no one cares, and no one looks twice. If you have ever been to a nude beach in Europe, you'll find the average person is over 50, none-too-fit, but doesn't care.
If I am riding my road bike, I wear cycling shorts. If I am riding another bike, I wear cycling shorts, but with very thin and soft outer shorts over them.
If I am riding my road bike, I wear cycling shorts. If I am riding another bike, I wear cycling shorts, but with very thin and soft outer shorts over them.
07-19-18, 06:09 AM
#48
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I’m just cheap and I’m not riding competitively or anything so I try to find clothes that I can bike in, hike in or even run in. I do have some padded biking underwear that’s only for riding.
07-19-18, 08:15 AM
#49
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Once again, thank you all for your input. I need to try to get away from my cotton shorts as they do bunch up and really feel bad. I also will admit that I am more than a little self conscious about the spandex clothing as I feel like people will look at me as a wannabe. I have had some sarcasm thrown at me for spending a lot of time trying to find the right adjustment for me for my seat. People with too much time on their hands and they do not ride.
Again, thank you all and I will be looking into your ideas. I think getting the shorts figured out will be first and then look into the new saddle.
Frank.
Again, thank you all and I will be looking into your ideas. I think getting the shorts figured out will be first and then look into the new saddle.
Frank.
07-19-18, 09:34 AM
#50
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Don't discount padded spandex underliners. They offer all the advantages of the regular spandex cycling shorts but go under plain shorts and knickers. That's what I wear under my cycling knickers.