Calling all lady commuters

il_principe

Having got a bike sorted for the missus last weekend, I now need to get her some kit. She's being a bit funny about lycra - I'm suggesting padded shorts etc worn under baggies.

I'd be very grateful if some of you experienced lady commuters could make some suggestions for the following:

Gloves
Jersey
Jacket
Padded Shorts

She won;t be riding in bad weather really, but I'm thinking long fingered gloves as she gets cold hands quite easily. Also I'm not a fan of Altura but if any of you have good things to say about it then I'll have a peek. Finally are there any websites that have a comprehensive range of ladies kit?

Many thanks!

gtvlusso

Suggest LiT - she is clearly the Sienna Miller of commuters.....!

tardington

www.minx-girl.co.uk are pretty good, and helpful - you can contact them for advice, sizing etc and they get back to you pretty quick.

Also I think they still do the pink disk brakes. :shock:

alfablue

Sorry, I'm no lady, but my girlfriend was adament about no lycra shorts. I persuaded her that lycra was better than flappy baggies, and that they did indeed look better. We settled on Assos Bib Knickers and as they come below the knee she found them acceptable, and now loves them, particularly the fit and the pad.

Got them from www.bikewearhouse.co.uk which is run by a lady, and has a predominance of ladies gear. Excellent, rapid and personal service, including a free energy bar - nice touch.

il_principe

alfablue wrote:

Sorry, I'm no lady, but my girlfriend was adament about no lycra shorts. I persuaded her that lycra was better than flappy baggies, and that they did indeed look better. We settled on Assos Bib Knickers and as they come below the knee she found them acceptable, and now loves them, particularly the fit and the pad.

Got them from www.bikewearhouse.co.uk which is run by a lady, and has a predominance of ladies gear. Excellent, rapid and personal service, including a free energy bar - nice touch.

Cheers but Assos is way out of her price range. Maybe one day when she's been converted but for now, no chance!

sarajoy

Seriously, the first day I rode in some 3/4 length leggings with a cushioned pad - heaven!
EDIT: These came from LIDL. But it might be worth getting a cheap pair just to see if she gets on with them before splashing out.

I did put a pair of fairly bog-standard sports shorts on top, though.

Gloves - I /think/ I have Endura Strike or similar - HOWEVER as I do a big ruddy hill in the middle, they get pretty sweaty! It's nice to have them on the short sharp fast downhill, but otherwise they're too hot for me. If she had generally cold hands though, this may be a good thing. I've switched to fingerless mitts on top of a woolly/fleecy glove now, lets in just enough air to keep my hands cool, though not so sure how good they'd be in rain...

I have no opinions on jackets - other than the Altura Gridlock also being rather hot and sweaty! I think I may have to invest in something thinner and more breathable. It's nice for zipping out into town on a chill night though - just not great when climbing slowly and steadily for 10+ mins. Again if she isn't going to climb big hills then it might be fine.

Jersey - no idea! Will be interested to see what's recommended as I've just been in standard T shirts

Specialized Needs

If a bloke can comment ... ?

My wife loves the Corinne Dennis stuff she has - relaxed and stylish - especially the 3/4 lengths. Something she is quite happy to walk into a pub or shop in. She also has some padded underwear so that she has more choice of overgarments and it looks more 'natural' when she is off the bike.

Hope that helps.

DonDaddyD

I getting my girlfriend this



Though she doesn't ride a bike!
________________________________________________________________________

Seriously however, I buy most of my stuff from here: http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk

They do women's clothing as well, great entry level clothing into the cycling world, exceptional for the price and accurate sizing - no extra large fitting like a medium.

I was wearing the 3/4 length bib , shorts and jersey on Sunday (£38 - 40 in total). Hugely impressed with the comfort not one complaint, which is saying something given my performance, cramp and the conditions. [/url]

londonlivvy

Yes indeed massive vote for Minx - loads of great stuff at variety of prices.

For baggy shorts options, I personally recommend
- Sugoi Gusta - incredibly flattering. I have even worn them on a date.
- Harlot Olivia - again, surprisingly, impressively flattering.

for a jacket I vote for the Gore jAlpine acket - shaped properly for girls with waist darts and incredibly waterproof (5h15 in the torrential ride of the falling leaves and I was dry). Men's jackets are a bad idea as they either flap about or if slim fit then they ride up.

For a jersey, I love the warmth, comfort and soft general marvellousness of the Gore Liquid tops - also long enough so you don't get a cold waist.

No suggestions for gloves I'm afraid. I've not found any winter ones that I like. They're either too hot & sweaty or not warm enough.

Check ebay for all the above as well as normal retailers - some good deals.

claash

Hi
I use Minx as my first port of call too! They have some really great gear and I (almost) don't mind walking into the office in lycra now!!
§
Gloves :I use Specialised (long and short fingered!!) they do small enough ones to fit girlie hands: Your GF should make sure the gloves don't get folds in the palms of her hands: most guys gloves did when I tried them on!

Jersey Minx has a fantastic selection

Jacket Get her a good waterproof...... don't scrimp on this: If she gets too wet she won't ride the commute. Make sure she keeps warm too! We girlies feel the cold loads more than you guys!! I have a pearl izumi winter jacket that I wouldn't be without and some very nice fleecy buffs!!! Keep her warm!!

Padded Shorts : If she doesn't like Lycra, get her some three quarters and put baggies over the top!! Also "skorts" are good for summer. she won't look like she is cycling in.... take a look at minx!!

Also don't forget she needs to carry her stuff to work:
:roll:
patagonia do a great handbag for the essentials and there is a good "feminine" panier called Mitre....can't remember the company


As you can tell I am a serious girlie commuter: and I like to shop!!!

tardington

claash wrote:

Hi
I use Minx as my first port of call too! They have some really great gear and I (almost) don't mind walking into the office in lycra now!!
§
. . .

Padded Shorts : If she doesn't like Lycra, get her some three quarters and put baggies over the top!! Also "skorts" are good for summer. she won't look like she is cycling in.... take a look at minx!!

Do you rate the skorts then? I thought they didn't look so good, ands I've never seen anyone else wearing them!

Gloves - I got the gf the Cannondale ladies ones, and she says they're fine.

il_principe

Thanks for all this ladies. I have some googling to do.

And to the men that answered, um, thanks to you too.*

*MTFU.

Greg T

jashburnham wrote:

She won;t be riding in bad weather really, but I'm thinking long fingered gloves as she gets cold hands quite easily.

I'm with you brother





You might need to glue the tiara on top of the helmet

Totalnewbie

Another vote for Minx. At the moment I have banned myself from that site due to the fact that I have spent too much money this month...but it’s a good ‘un.

pigeon42

Not a massively experienced lady commuter, but here's what I'm mostly wearing on my commute:

Gloves: I get very very cold hands too, so gloves are very important to me Winter are SealSkinz - very warm, but a bit bulky (I did have some 661's which were brill - until I left them on top of my rack bag one day and cycled home... :roll:) I've also got some Cannondale winter gloves - they're ok if it's not too cold

Jersey: Most of mine are cheapy ones: Lidl, Exertec, and Gill base layers. Altura dart jerseys and Berghaus are very comfy. I just layer up or not depending on the temperature.

Jacket: Winter is a hi-viz Berghaus one - it's a really nice ladies fit, and keeps the wind off really well. In warmer weather I've got a Montane Featherlight jacket that packs up into a tiny ball for the rare occasions in this country it's too warm for a jacket

Padded Shorts: currently I'm on full-length tights (from Decathlon - very warm, and good padding). I've got a couple of pairs of DHB shorts too which are good, and some Nike ones (they were a bit of a bargain again, and I wasn't sure about the cut as they're a bit lower across your tummy than others, but actually very comfortable)

I can't say that any of the above looks especially stylish... but generally it keeps me warm and dry.

lost_in_thought

Minx are OK, bit pricier than your altura kit, and although there are some good bits it can be a bit trendy.

I'm a firm believer in Northwave kit, fantastic, good quality, consistent sizing, and on Wiggle so you can use your (enormous) discount! Never bought anything they've made that I haven't liked.

The Montane Velo ladies jacket fits nicely, but the Altura night vision ones aren't that bad either, obv. a bit BITB. You have to go girl-shaped on a jacket.

For the Lycra, as others have said, lycra under baggies is the answer - Altura do some unpretty but functional baggies in girl-shape, and Minx's range is OK too.

Gloves - Pearl Izumi do some good ones (gavia), not too pricey, those Castelli ones fit me...

And merino. Layers upon layers of whole sheep. It'll keep her warm - I never wear mine - too hot!

And for good cheap jerseys - a new find for me... www.cycle-clothing.co.uk

Petromyzon

I find DeFeet Dura gloves ideal for this weather and will work through until it is quite warm. No windproofing so they aren't too sweaty. Cheapish and wash well.

claash

Hey Tardie,
Sorry for the delay in replying!

I work in an office with blokes,so in summer walking in with just lycra shorts is still a :oops: :oops: experience for me........ Plus, once I get my legs out, I go far more girlie. Winter commutes are for the hardcore group so I like looking a bit tough!..... in summer I can be a flouncer (doesn't happen often!!)

Terry (I think) do some with the shorts attached and they are really comfortable: I prefer those to just the little skirt over the top of my usual shorts. Give em a try....... they are just a bit of fun whilst scalping as you go!!

Throlkim

As far as baselayers go, I just got a BaaBaa merino longsleeve baselayer for around £30. Very warm, and one of the first tops that I don't get uncomfortable in when I get too warm.

I believe they do ladies versions, but I'd definitely recommend it.

biondino

Petromyzon wrote:

I find DeFeet Dura gloves ideal for this weather and will work through until it is quite warm. No windproofing so they aren't too sweaty. Cheapish and wash well.

I could have sworn you were a bloke!