Cycling clothing for lightweights.

Garybee

Does anyone know of a cycling clothing brand that caters for people with a racing cyclists build (skinny). Whenever i try on a pair of winter bib tights if they are even close to my waist size they are way too short. My current stuff is annoying me again as it's getting too cold for shorts and knee warmers.

Would prefer to steer away from the ridiculously expensive brands (assos etc.).

Gary

McBain_v1

I was going to suggest Rapha™ but then clocked your bit about staying away from the very expensive brands (I think that Rapha definitely fall into that category).

What about Endura stuff, or Gore?

Garybee

McBain_v1 wrote:

I was going to suggest Rapha™ but then clocked your bit about staying away from the very expensive brands (I think that Rapha definitely fall into that category).

What about Endura stuff, or Gore?

I've got nothing against Rapha and Assos, i'm sure they make great kit but i just can't bring myself to spend that much money on stuff that isn't going to survive a slide down the tarmac when i come off on my commute. Would rather buy something that won't cost a fortune to replace.

I've had a look at the Endura and Gore sites, can't find any sizing info.

Monty Dog

I know that Gore sizing is pretty big. Probably your best bet is to look at Italian brands such as DeMarchi, Campagnolo, Castelli or Briko. Whatever you do, don't try on the Assos stuff because other stuff just doesn't fit as well.

portuguese mike

Avoid Endura, it's great kit but comes up pretty huge

il_principe

Monty Dog wrote:

I know that Gore sizing is pretty big. Probably your best bet is to look at Italian brands such as DeMarchi, Campagnolo, Castelli or Briko. Whatever you do, don't try on the Assos stuff because other stuff just doesn't fit as well.

Except for Castelli gear which is the mutt's nuts and fits fantastically. I have 2 pairs of the "free" bibs, some gloves and 2 jerseys. It's all top quality stuff, especially their Rosso Corsa stuff.

Garybee

Thanks guys, i'll have a look at the italian brands then.

pb21

I know you say Assos is too expensive but it might be worth it.

I am tall and skinny and Assos tights are the only kind that fit, although I did hear that Lusso can 'tailor' to your requirements.

Haynes

Contact Prendas as they specialise in italian kit and the're very heplful too.

www.prendas.co.uk

giant_man

Assos will fit you. Period. The cut is always tight and meant to be that way.

You get what you pay for.

Garybee

giant mancp wrote:

Assos will fit you. Period. The cut is always tight and meant to be that way.

You get what you pay for.

I knew someone would try to push Assos despite me pointing out that i'm not interested. In your haste to do this you've missed the point entirely, It doesn't take £150 to make a pair of shorts where the waist:body length ratio is right for people of a lighter build. Saying that "Assos will fit you, period" is particularly nonsensical as they still need to be made differently to fit different shaped people. I swear some people will buy anything made by them, regardless of how well it fits, and then tell everyone else they should do the same.

To everyone else, thanks for the help.

eh

Yep try the Italian brands I'm a big fan of Castelli and Giordana especially, really nice stuff. DeMarchi is decent as well, although I'd put my Giordana stuff above it.

Another brand thats becoming big (in cycling) is Adidas definitly worth a look as it is excellently priced for the quality.

alfablue

I have dhb bib longs from Wiggle - I have large, which are tight around my waist, but the legs are about 10cm too long (not a problem, they have grippers rather than stirrups, so I just wear them half way down my feet in my shoes), but I reckon they would have a size to fit you (I'm 5'11" and take a 32 inside leg). They are an Italian brand, designed in Italy but made in Rumania (IIRC), and cost about £35 (for the Merston winter model)

scapaslow

I bought some Gore bibtights about 18 months ago in size small and they have been great, though they were not that cheap (about £65 i think). I'm skinny with a 31inch inside leg. I also bought a Gore windblock jacket in small which fits well. So Gore gets my vote for skinny. The Assos small is smaller than Gore though the pricetag is far greater.

giant_man

Garybee wrote:

giant mancp wrote:

Assos will fit you. Period. The cut is always tight and meant to be that way.

You get what you pay for.

I knew someone would try to push Assos despite me pointing out that i'm not interested. In your haste to do this you've missed the point entirely, It doesn't take £150 to make a pair of shorts where the waist:body length ratio is right for people of a lighter build. Saying that "Assos will fit you, period" is particularly nonsensical as they still need to be made differently to fit different shaped people. I swear some people will buy anything made by them, regardless of how well it fits, and then tell everyone else they should do the same.

To everyone else, thanks for the help.

No Garybee that's not what i'm saying, you say you're a lightweight and you're looking for clothing that will fit you, Assos will. I wouldn't buy anything from Assos, indeed i only buy their shorts and tops/jackets, oh and socks. The money isn't the thing that differentiates Assos from anyone else, it is the fit, and unless you have tried Assos you wouldn't know this. Good luck in your search mate.

dannygcp

portuguese mike wrote:

Avoid Endura, it's great kit but comes up pretty huge

As it happens I found the Endura shorts I bought this summer to be really snug fitting, and I am a pretty slim build.

Because manufacturers make their clothing in broad size bands (small, medium, large) it is always going to be a bit of a lottery where your exact size falls in any given manufacturers size band.

The moral of all this is that you really need to try stuff on to find out whether it fits.

And I am sure Assos are great if you can afford it, but other manufacturers do make cycling gear that will fit a variety of shapes.

secretsam

No, 'cos I'm fat

Skinnies have it easy :evil:

Garybee

SecretSam wrote:

No, 'cos I'm fat

Skinnies have it easy :evil:

Only going up hills.