Guyon

For fitness/recreational purposes only I generally wear shorts and a tee shirt. Though was thinking about biking shorts to move around the seat better. Also I have a terrible issue with sweat in my eyes. I just hate the look of the 70's tennis sweat band, but recently saw that the bike hats work well for sweat control.
What do you guys wear?

augiedogie

You're not alone. Casual shorts, t-shirt, and a baseball cap. I'm feeling the pull of conformity, but I haven't given in yet.

However, I might give in on an Endura shirt. Not to fit in, but to get a shirt that is a nice bright yellow. When I rode motorcycles I always wore yellow jackets, from the safety angle. So it would be for safety sake. I like to be seen by the other LARGER, vehicles on the road.

Machka 

Anyone wear bike clothing?


Um ... yes.

Pretty much every time I ride a bicycle.

Just like how ... when I go swimming ... I wear a bathing suit.

FBinNY 

I generally wear bike shorts for comfort, and jerseys for the wicking fabric and the pockets (I rank the pockets high as a priority). But I'm riding a road bike, and the shorts are important on that saddle with decent riding posture. I also have a utility bike with a more upright position, and can wear street clothes on that, especially because those rides tend to be relatively short anyway.

So, it's simple, wear what makes you comfortable, whatever that is. If just riding, then that's your only concern. If riding to destination where bike clothing may not be appropriate, then dress for the destination or bring a change.

There are no rules here, just do what makes sense for you.

TheLibrarian

Gloves are useful for mountain biking. Not to dorky and dont offend our american shame of tight mens clothing. I've considered shorts too but havn't gotten that far. 70's sweatbands are awesome in an ironic hipster sort of way arguably better than a bicycle hat which i imagine has a short brim that flips up. Not sure which would be worse.

wolfchild

I don't own any cycling-specific clothing except for 1 pair of bike shorts which I only use during longer distance rides in hot weather. I make sure to hide my bike shorts by wearing some cargo shorts over them, I think it's an abomination to wear a cycling diaper in public places. There are a lot of different types of athletic/sports clothing which are comfortable, good looking and perfect for cycling...Cycling-specific costumes are unnecessary.

TenSpeedV2

I used to not wear them, but the more I ride, the more specific the clothing becomes. Cotton t shirts are horrible to ride in during the summer months. Even athletic shirts from Target are better than regular t shirts. I have been buying more urban commuting clothing for my commutes and will often wear a jersey to work (8.5 mile) commute. You can wear cycle specific clothing and not look like a cyclist.

Performance Bike - Alexander Julian - Category

rydabent

One of the great money saving things about a recumbent is the fact you dont have to waste money on high priced "biking" clothes to protect yourself from the bike. I wear wicking t-shirts, and $15 rugby shorts.

tclune

The only bike-specific clothing I wear is this rain cape (Rain Capes from People Who Really Know Rain Capes!) that I think I saw posted by someone on this site. It's very useful. The thumb hooks make the cape stretch to the handlebars, creating a breezy tent to keep your upper body dry. When I used to wear a rain jacket, I would sweat so much inside it while riding that I was better off getting rained on. However, I also bought the helmet cover shown on the same link, and that was a mistake because my head sweats profusely inside the plastic shower cap design.

rumrunn6

thin lined trishorts under other shorts of my choice, wipe the sweat with my cloth backed gloved thumbs

GovernorSilver

I wear bike clothing that looks like regular clothes.

I get the benefits that I care about (moisture-wicking so i'm not drenched in my own sweat when I arrive at my destination, quick-drying) without looking like I'm training for a race.

GP

Recumbents have several advantages like nobody will steal them so you don't have to lock them up. The disadvantage is that, well, they're recumbents.

MRT2

I wear cycling clothing for most rides. Why wouldn't you? Would you go to the pool in jeans or play golf wearing a business suit and wing tips? How about jogging in work boots? Wear items purpose built to the task.

I get get sweat in my eyes too. I wear a headband under my helmet and wash it out in the sink after every ride.

habilis

Long, long ago, I thought I had to wear cycling-specific clothing. One of my expensive jerseys, bought in a bike shop, was actually gray in color. How totally idiotic!

Now, it's cargo shorts and bright-colored t-shirts in the summer. The day-glo orange or green shirts you see on road maintenance workers are available at low cost from Walmart, etc., and I see more and more cyclists wearing them. I also own a neon-green jacket for cool weather. That item is indeed a cycling garment, but it's the visibility that appeals to me.

I'm dismayed to read that you don't wear a helmet. If they don't come with a sweat-band, you can easily improvise one.

one4smoke

I wear Zoic Ether cycling shorts and Hanes wicking bright neon colored tees. Under my Specialized helmet, you'll find an Under Armour headband.

Oh yeah, and a pair of Serengeti Fasano sunglasses.

alcjphil

A few days ago I did an 80km ride where the temperatures went up to 35 Celsius. For those who are not conversant with the Metric system, 50 miles and 95F. I was wearing good quality cycling attire. Of course you sweat a lot in those temperatures, but the difference is that with good clothing the sweat is wicked to the outside of the clothing where it evaporates and good clothing fits close to the skin so that the cooling effect of the sweat evaporating cools you. Loose fitting clothing doesn't provide this feature, the cooling effect doesn't touch your skin

shelbyfv

I think the usefulness of cycling specific clothing may depend on the distances you ride. If you are riding 15 or 20 miles on a MUP or around town, any shorts, T shirt etc will work. If you are riding let's say 50 or more, you will appreciate fitted shorts with a chamois and jerseys with pockets. Most of us really do look ridiculous in bike clothes but we just have to get past that if we want to ride reasonable distances. BTW, this is one of those subjects folks get defensive about, along with chain lube, clipless pedals, riding with a group and "why would anyone ride a bike more expensive than mine?"

badger1

For any ride of reasonable length/duration, cycling-specific clothing of course. Why would one wear anything else unless as a result of financial constraint? I understand that reason, but otherwise seems a non-issue to me.

OldsCOOL

I have sworn off riding naked.

Maccam26

I ride motorcycles and wear over pants a jacket and boots with helmet every time I ride. Being that I ride a Harley and look like a geek, I've built quite the "I don't care what others think" attitude. I just started road biking and riding rails and mtb trails for the last year and now have an assortment of cycling gear which works better than street clothes, that's their purpose, I don't give a hoot about others anymore great carry over lesson from motorbikes

MZilliox

10 miles or less its normal clothes. otherwise shorts. 40 miles and over a jersey goes on so i can carry snacks.

geehue

Frreed

I am a cyclist. Bib shorts, jersey, gloves, shoes and helmet every ride. i cannot understand being embarrased to wear these things. When you ride, you are doing something of which most are incapable. If they are uncomfortable with what you are wearing, that is their problem. Shorts are comfortable on the bike and that is all that matters. Jerseys don't catch wind and wick away moisture. I don't expect others to apologize for eating a bag of Cheetos in one sitting. Why should I hide what I am?

Doctor Morbius

Depends.

geehue

Are those special bicycling Depends or regular Depends?