What cycling clothing is worth buying?

secretsam

Am determined to keep on biking despite change in office wear rules from Casual to Business (how 21st Century is that...sigh)

Anyway, am getting sore feet and sore, er, posterior so am considering some cycling specific clothing for my short (2 miles to train + 3 miles from train x twice a day = 10 miles daily) commute.

I'd appreciate your opinions on what's worth bothering with:
1. shorts (non-lycra, baggy type)
2. shoes - I use clips/straps, are modern shoes all cleated??? Or can they be used with clips (and converted to use clipless later)?
3. Jerseys - assume short sleeve for summer (ho ho) and longer/arm warmers for winter?
4. Windproof top for those colder days (already have decent wetties)

Thanks in advance

redddraggon

Can't beat padded bibshorts, MTB shoes and SPDs, normal jerseys (SS or LS), for commuting.

Unfortunately I don't have have MTB shoes and have been wearing out my road shoes and cleats for commuting - I definitely couldn't do without clipless pedals but MTB ones are far more appropriate for commuting than road ones.

Mog Uk

+ 1

I commute with double sided SPD's and MTB Shoes, far easier if you're constantly clipping in and out and like Red has said, the cleats don't wear out...... Also if you're gettting on a train at least you'll be able to walk....

graham_g

I'd agree on SPDs but for 10 miles return trip there's no real need for lycra (especially not bibs) - if you get some baggies with a liner short, that will probably suffice, or just some cheap DHB lycra shorts from wiggle.co.uk to use under whatever casual wear you go for (they'll even make jeans comfy if it's a dry day). I don't much see the need for cycle specific tops either, maybe best to avoid cotton and get some poly/cotton 65/35 mix polo shirts as they'll dry quicker - you can normally find fruit of the loom ones for about 7 or 8 quid.

By all means get the gear if it's going to be used at weekends etc. or to extend your journey for leisure purposes but I do feel that anything less than 30-40 minutes (depending on terrain obviously!) really doesn't call for anything special, just padded undershorts and then sensible casual clothes.

andrewc3142

What Graham said. Padded undershorts are good as well.

If you go for lycra shorts, bib ones are much better. And for jerseys, you can save money and have more flexibilty by going for SS plus arm warmers.

squired

Given the distances you are riding for each leg of your journey I would just keep it simple. Regarding baggy shorts I think it is vital to just get down to a bike shop or two and try some on. A pair of shorts that are great for me don't work well for my identical twin brother, so a recommendation from someone who is a completely different size and shape has even more hazards.

If anything, having a sore backside from your short journeys would get me looking at different saddles rather than padded shorts. I have a saddle on my mountain bike that seems to render anyone who sits on it impotent for a week, yet my best road bike has a saddle that I will happy ride on for a few hours with no padding.

You can get some pretty cheap spd pedals, which are ideal for commuting. Obviously you will need shoes to go with them. Once again though, your individual journeys are short, so maybe £30 on pedals and £40-50 on shoes might be overdoing it if you find your current set-up pretty good.

marcba

What exactly is meant by "business" clothes ? (suit and tie ?)

For so short commute (5 miles each way, splitted by a train trip), I am surprised that clothing is an issue. Is it an hilly journey ? Maybe you must just ride slightly slower in order no to become sweaty.

Beside that, I agree with others about poly-cotton top (look in golf counter in sport shops for such polos). Find trousers with some lychra in it; I think that you don't need specific cycling bottom for your commute. Use "sport" tagged underwear (by example polycotton or full synthetic seamless boxer) for quicker sweat evacuation.
Wool socks (even thin ones) with good cared leather shoes may do the job for your sore feet. You may put specific powder on your feet to reduce sweating. Do you really feel the need for clipless shoes-pedals ? (that means you have to switch shoes at your office; either you leave "business" shoes there, or you must carry them with you (and shoes are heavier and take more room than other clothes)).

Windproof tops are very convenient; those with removable arms are even better because they are mor polyvalent.
But you need a full rain suit (pants and vest; over-shoes are a bonus), even for a short commute, if you prefer not to arrive totally wet at your office on a rainy day.

jonginge

For the commute I generally wear baggies. I wear full roadie lycra wear for the weekend longer rides.
For padded shorts you need to try before you buy as there is a huge difference in comfort between shorts. During the winter I was wearing DHB merstons for the commute with unpadded baggies over the top. Come the warmer weather I switched back to padded (altura) baggies. The comfort level was nowhere near what I was used to :shock:

This month's cycling plus has a comparative review of bib shorts and some baggies.

secretsam

marcba wrote:

What exactly is meant by "business" clothes ? (suit and tie ?)

For so short commute (5 miles each way, splitted by a train trip), I am surprised that clothing is an issue. Is it an hilly journey ? Maybe you must just ride slightly slower in order no to become sweaty.

Beside that, I agree with others about poly-cotton top (look in golf counter in sport shops for such polos). Find trousers with some lychra in it; I think that you don't need specific cycling bottom for your commute. Use "sport" tagged underwear (by example polycotton or full synthetic seamless boxer) for quicker sweat evacuation.
Wool socks (even thin ones) with good cared leather shoes may do the job for your sore feet. You may put specific powder on your feet to reduce sweating. Do you really feel the need for clipless shoes-pedals ? (that means you have to switch shoes at your office; either you leave "business" shoes there, or you must carry them with you (and shoes are heavier and take more room than other clothes)).

Windproof tops are very convenient; those with removable arms are even better because they are mor polyvalent.
But you need a full rain suit (pants and vest; over-shoes are a bonus), even for a short commute, if you prefer not to arrive totally wet at your office on a rainy day.

1. Suit and tie - yes
2. I'm a bit of a sweaty Betty
3. Sick of aching feet and "bits"
4. Both bikes are dirty and live outdoors a lot so change of clothes good

Any recommendations on shorts and windproof tops? NO LYCRA, please...

P.S.: part of this is the desire to look like a proper cyclist...

redddraggon

SecretSam wrote:

Any recommendations on shorts and windproof tops? NO LYCRA, please...

P.S.: part of this is the desire to look like a proper cyclist...

Bit of a contradiction there......

Mr_Cellophane

This is what a "proper" cyclist wears for his commute in

secretsam

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

This is what a "proper" cyclist wears for his commute in

no, that's what a total tw :!: t wears...

Swannie

Heheh.

I leave my work shoes at work, they live under my desk.

Until I got my SPD shoes, I was wearing them with toe clips. They got dirty from the riding in wet March, more than they would have done walking.

I only do a couple of miles each way, but SPD's would be a requirement for me. I got (very) p***** off just on my short commute with my toe clips.

5 miles is causing discomfort? I'm surprised, and maybe you should be thinking about a saddle upgrade!

I'm managing OK with a summer weight jacket over my shirt in the summer, or I take it off and bungy it to the rack. If I was expected to wear a jacket, it would live in the office.

secretsam

Swannie wrote:

I only do a couple of miles each way, but SPD's would be a requirement for me. I got (very) p***** off just on my short commute with my toe clips.

Yeah, may try a mate's Bianchi with his SPD shoes on (his feet are same size as mine). Clips and straps are a pain, and feet are aching, trainers are no good and shoes get tatty

Swannie wrote:

5 miles is causing discomfort? I'm surprised, and maybe you should be thinking about a saddle upgrade!

A two week holiday may be a factor here...I think my derriere isn't used to it yet!

Swannie wrote:

If I was expected to wear a jacket, it would live in the office.

That's my plan. But we'll see what the new policy is...

marcba

Use NorthWave "Tuxedo" Jersey !
http://www.northwave.com/eu/apparel.php ... &catid=128

JonEdwards

Lycra shorts/liners under what ever baggy shorts you fancy (don't have to be bike specific). A clean pair of liners every day, but the baggies can last quite a lot longer before needing washing.

SPD shoes & pedals.

Jerseys - whatever you fancy. Helly baselayers are pretty versatile, although possibly too warm if yer sweaty.

Jackets - convertible ones with zip off sleeves (Cannondale Morphis) are good for spring summer/autumn. Winter? Softshells like the Gore Tool or Phantom or Endura Fusion are fantastic.

andrewc3142

A "proper cyclist" is one on 2 wheels (powered by own legs). So if you're cycling, whether 5 miles or 200, you qualify.

When I get to Hyde Park there's a real mixture. I'm in lycra cos I just finishing 30 miles and it works best for me. Some are in suits, some in jeans and others in "real" bike gear. Who cares? I certainly don't.

Wear what you want. But maybe think about lycra and jersey, etc and some miles at the weekend and perhaps a longer route in.

Good luck.

Andy

redddraggon

andrewc3142 wrote:

A "proper cyclist" is one on 2 wheels (powered by own legs). So if you're cycling, whether 5 miles or 200, you qualify.

Hmm, I'm too sure about that. I wouldn't class pavement riders as "Proper Cyclists".

You wouldn't call some who was kicking a football around in the back garden a "Proper Footballer" would you? Or you wouldn't call a 13 yr mixing chemical in a school a "proper scientist" would you? So why would it extend to cycling?

donnie murdo

I find any top made from Merino wool to be very good as they are good in cold or warm days and don't stink like synthetic material after one ride.
I like Howies:
http://www.howies.co.uk/section.php/16/0

As for shorts there are plenty of Baggies to choose from and pretty much all makes now produce them.

Endura Singletracks and Humvees are pretty popular. I really like Swobo shorts and own a couple of pairs. I have been using my Minkmans nearly everyday for over 9 months and they are fantastic shorts although I did by an extra liner to alternate.
http://www.stif.co.uk/shop/manufacturer ... to=&pNum=2

http://www.swobo.com/

A good gilet will also serve you well especially if it can be rolled down to nothing:
They dont get any more pricey but they do make some lovely stuff:
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=438

sem69

Are padded lycra shorts more comfortable than papped under shorts that come with baggies?

robmanic1

Sem, you wear papped shorts??? :shock:

secretsam

donnie murdo wrote:

A good gilet will also serve you well especially if it can be rolled down to nothing:
They dont get any more pricey but they do make some lovely stuff:
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=438

Rapha?!?!? I've already got 2 mortgages!!!

sem69

Robmanic1 wrote:

Sem, you wear papped shorts??? :shock:

Yeah, paparazzi photographers keep taking photos of them when they're on my washing line!

Seriously though, are lycra shorts a lot more comfortable than padded undershorts with baggies?

jonginge

sem69 wrote:

Robmanic1 wrote:

Sem, you wear papped shorts??? :shock:

Yeah, paparazzi photographers keep taking photos of them when they're on my washing line!

Seriously though, are lycra shorts a lot more comfortable than padded undershorts with baggies?

Depends how far you ride. I'll ride padded baggies for the commute but no way for my 60+ mile weekend rides. The long distance rides are exactly what the lycra bibs excel at. There can be a massive difference in the quality of the pad between shorts. Read reviews and, if you can, try on before you buy.