Punchy71

Greetings,
I am wanting to get back into road cycling after a long absence. I just recently purchased a used road bike and now I need to find a helmet and some cycling clothing. As far as the cycling clothing is concerned, I do not want to acquire any spandex clothing nor do I want to use any cotton clothing as know that it holds sweat and doesn't breath well.
I was wondering if anyone might happen to know of any alternative clothing material that is not made from the above materials that are still suitable for a beginning cyclist?
Thank you

JohnDThompson 

Wool:

https://goo.gl/GOJFN0

RPK79

Are you allergic to spandex?

If you become in any way serious about road cycling you'll probably end up buying real cycling gear eventually so just get over your hang ups and buy it now so you don't waste money on less comfortable gear.

Trust me, no one cares that you're wearing spandex and riding a bike. No one who's opinion matters is going to judge you. You'll just look like a cyclist.

TenSpeedV2

I second the spandex thing. Was in the same boat when I started as you, didn't want the spandex. Just do it.

PaulRivers

Buy mountain biking gear. It looks like regular clothing but with a little bit of stretchy material (like spandex) woven into it, to give it the stretch, without "looking" like spandex.

Like this is a pair of shorts with "4 way stretch", it's stretchy similar to spandex, without without the tights look. I wear stuff like this when commuting to work as I don't like walking into the office wearing tights:
Phantom ? Club Ride Apparel

kickstart

Go to your local thrift store, just about every type, and style of clothing can be found in activewear materials. Try different things until you find what you like. There's lots to choose from that works just as well, or better than cycling specific clothing.

fietsbob

Tight bike shorts mean the saddle abrasion is the outside of the shorts not your skin.

want baggies? Put them on Next, over the bike shorts .

JRA I wear tracksuit trousers Jersey Knit has the give woven fabrics dont.

you can find Poly wicking Underwear if you dont want Bike shorts . no matter what we say.

DrIsotope

Baggy shorts are great until you get up around 20mph, then the constant flapping of the fabric will have you in regular bike shorts ASAP.

kickstart

Or not, because there's many choices that fall between bike shorts, and baggy shorts.

chasm54

Yes, there are: it's just that none of them are much good.

SpookyReverb

If you don't like spandex, you don't like spandex (I don't). I wear these:
Men's Canyon Short | Pearlizumi
They are nice (for me) because they have the baggy-ish outer-shorts and inside have a tight, padded inner-shorts . They are pretty comfortable, whether riding to work or on 100+ mile rides. After 1000s of miles, they are still as they were the day I bought them: fine enough.

On top, generally I've got an Ibex wool pullover thing I found at Goodwill (only $8!)

bgraham111

+1

I like my wool clothes. It sounds horrible, but it's really nice.

one4smoke

https://www.rei.com/product/897248/z...ke-shorts-mens

GeoKrpan

I wear denim shorts and a polyester running shirt. I wore lycra for many years and I'm never going back. I use a wider, well padded saddle to compensate for not having padded shorts. I move right along with the others dressed in lycra, it's not much of a advantage.

Punchy71

Thanks for the great suggestions. I guess I'm going more for the everyday utilitarian cruiser/road bike hybrid look (maybe even old school look) rather than the cutting-edge, spandex-wearing, carbon-fiber, boy-racer style. Indeed, I can't show up in spandex in buisness's and still feel like I'm being stared at.

martianone

Check out J&G touring shorts- look like normal running shorts, have a thin pad, wear well and reasonably priced, plus look fine. On top I like a Duluth Trading Long tail is good.

kickstart

I suppose that's true if you really like baggy shorts, but they're are as good, or better than cycling shorts.

Machka 

Chances are, no one would stare at you. Have you looked at what other people wear out and about?

But anyway ... have a browse ...
Cycling Shoes & Helmets | Cycling Clothing | Bike Nashbar

exmechanic89

+ one on baggy cycling shorts. I've never understood why everyone who rides a bike thinks they need to wear an 'outfit' and special shoes to ride. I think it started decades ago with Americans trying to look like European road racers (lol). I often think the goofy clothing a lot of cyclists wear is what turns off a lot of the public to riding. Too bad too, because none of that stuff is necessary.

shafter

I always wear black gym shorts over my old swim team jammers....

Jarrettsin

Gym shorts or any Under Armour, Nike, Columbia, sportswear you like.
Bike shorts do sever a good purpose, that's why so many wear them!

ddeand 

Padded liner shorts for me. I have a few pair I use all the time with nylon cargo shorts. Use them for road bike, gravel bike, and mountain bike. On the rare occasion I'll wear a pair of wool shorts.
https://www.rei.com/product/894396/n...er-shorts-mens

chrislee99777

Maybe because of I am still a amateur cyclist.So I don't feel bad with spandex and cotton.I wonder know that why you don't like these.And wool maybe an another good choose.

badger1

Agree.

ironwood

I don't like Spandex because it is part of the Koch Brothers empire.