Cycling clothes for normal people!

flyer

At 13st 8ib I am not the slimmest guy and when I try on cycling tops I turn into Michellin Man!!

Ok before anyone says it GO LOOSE SOME WEIGHT!

However I am sure I am not alone, can anyone recommend loose fitting tops etc

Thanks

Flyer

Shark Sandwich

How tall are you mate?

Bunneh

I hate wearing lycra so I don the rugby top or one of my football tops. When you look like mash potato crammed into a tube sock, as I do, you kinda go off the idea of lycra.

Steve_b77

Why don't you just buy a bigger size?

CiB

14st, 5'10" here. I don't see a reason why you should give a hoot what other people think. Lycra is the best gear for the job; it wicks away the sweat, and puts me in cycling mode. Can't see why it should matter to anyone else personally.

Tony Mc

16 stone and 5.10" and I initailly thought I'd look daft in lycra but its the best thing for the job nothing worse than flapping cloth when out on the bike

twotyred

Some cycling kit- Italian especially- isn't sized for normal people. In most street, outdoor or sprts clothing I'm a large but for cycling kit I quite often have to go up to XL especially if its Italian.

bobtbuilder

CiB wrote:

14st, 5'10" here. I don't see a reason why you should give a hoot what other people think. Lycra is the best gear for the job; it wicks away the sweat, and puts me in cycling mode. Can't see why it should matter to anyone else personally.

+1 for this.

Lycra is the best material as it is aerodynamic and wicking. That's got to be more important that how it looks, surely??? :roll:

toab

I read somehwere that the Twin Six jerseys (available online from Always Riding) are good for the more cuddly cyclist. They look pretty cool too.

robmccreedie

toab wrote:

Iare good for the more cuddly cyclist.

nice way of putting it

Lillywhite

CiB wrote:

Lycra is the best gear for the job; it wicks away the sweat, and puts me in cycling mode. Can't see why it should matter to anyone else personally.

I agree and I'm the wrong side of 60. :oops:

jgsi

ALDI jerseys are quite generous in the 'cut' and obviously have the rear pockets etc .... they had running gear in this week, so the cycling stuff can't be too far behind.. I always steer very very clear of their cycling shorts as you cannot do shorts on the cheap (the cheapness shines thru' in the very bad fit) - but that is my opinion alone... however their jerseys are pretty good value for the summer and indoor cycling.

suzyb

I just go with the Michellin look (or will when it gets warm enough for no jacket). You're kinda hunched over when on a bike so the effect isn't that obvious.

I do have to admit I wear baggies over my lycra shorts though. I have to draw a line somewhere.

Bunneh

I'm the same, I have baggy shorts over the top of my padded lycra. No matter how people say 'doesn't matter what anyone else thinks', I still feel uncomfortable if the whole world can see my wotsits.

I've decided to get some tops, I look good in tops after the 6 months of weight training, so will pop to Aldi and have a toot - I flatly refuse to pay 40 quid for the other stuff.

redvee

15st ish and 5'10" and wear a large in lycra on the top half yet I got hold of a pair of Nike VW/Trek bibs recently and they are moyen which did worry me but they fit with no issues.

Hals1967

My missus still has fits of laughter seeing me in lycra, doesn't put me off though.

Mind you, we were in the car stopped at a red light the other week and a roadie pulls up in the full lycra and she goes "phwoar look at those legs and butt!"

My only consolation is that somewhere there's a laydee saying the same about me when I'm stopped at a red light on my bike... (well, nowt wrong wi' dreaming !) 8)

redvee

I wear lycra at the weekends, for the commute it's baggy shorts with lycra underneath the jacket as I know my work colleagues will take the mick but I'm thick skinned or is it big boned and such comments don't worry me.

gregster10217

6'4 and about 14st 13 with a set of moobs that you'd all be proud of, but it's lycra all the way as it's the most comfortable. What's the point in wearing something baggy that catches the wind and slows you down when you're putting all that effort in to going fast (ish)?
And by the time I've been riding for much more than 5 mins, the old fella seems to shrink to something my 3 year old son would be ashamed of!!!!! I blame it on the blood being needed elsewhere!!!!!!!!

Aapje

You can also try a merino wool shirt. It wicks quite well and is warm (even when wet). It also tends to look a bit like a sweater, which will probably look better on you.

Paul E

Having been called a racing snake in the past I can probably get away with most things but I still prefer baggies (although not so baggy endura shorts) over the top for commuting.

bigpikle

another vote for a sportwool jersey like the Shutt VR, Rapha etc, as they can be much better than clingy lycra. I much prefer the way it performs as well.

Bunneh

Bought some gloves from one of my local Pound shops. They seem very well made, with some serious grip on the palm side. I'll be surprised if they last longer than a week but for a quid who gives a poop?

guilliano

I wear lycra, despite my love handles. It just feels right on the bike. Don't care what anyone else thinks or says, I'm far too quick to hear them anyway. On the days I feel slow I wear my "Body by Duff Beer jersey, just to point out that I am actually a fat beer swilling monster of a man

Bill-87

Try getting bib shorts and a baselayer, then put the cycling top over the top of that. This is what I do and i'm over the 14st mark, it keeps the gut in and looks better in your own mind. I don't give a f*ck about what other people think, just myself. Here's a couple of links to the stuff I have;

Bibshorts -
http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=20&bc=no



Jersey;
http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=44


Baselayer;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prostar-Geo-Baselayer-Scarlett/dp/B001P8259U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=clothing&qid=1271150709&sr=8-1


Thought i'd throw in the pictures too. I hope this helps.

Billy

antfly

If you`re a bit of a bloater {i`m not} don`t get the stuff that is described as "form fitting" there are plenty of jerseys that are looser fitting such as Montane or Bicycle Line.

stokepa31

Prendas got it covered. im 18st. The 6xl fits a treat lol. im an xxl in a standard teeshirt.

http://www.prendas.co.uk

declan_8

stokepa31 wrote:

Prendas got it covered. im 18st. The 6xl fits a treat lol. im an xxl in a standard teeshirt.

http://www.prendas.co.uk

Some nice looking jerseys in there!

Im new to the road scene also and wondering if its a "no go" zone for newbies to wear these cool jerseys, they do look the part having met quite a few over the last week. I guess im probably concious I should be concentrating on learning to ride properly before pulling one of these on so i dont look like a complete fool, all the gear and not knowing how to use it type person..

stokepa31

declan_8 wrote:

stokepa31 wrote:

Prendas got it covered. im 18st. The 6xl fits a treat lol. im an xxl in a standard teeshirt.

http://www.prendas.co.uk

Some nice looking jerseys in there!

Im new to the road scene also and wondering if its a "no go" zone for newbies to wear these cool jerseys, they do look the part having met quite a few over the last week. I guess im probably concious I should be concentrating on learning to ride properly before pulling one of these on so i dont look like a complete fool, all the gear and not knowing how to use it type person..

To be honest, its more about function over style for me. the lycra gear is highly technical and not only helps regulate my body temperature properly but it doesnt flap about in the wind

where what you like is my mantra. if i feel good i ride good so i buy what makes me happy. Ive got the big maggys top and the retro peugeot one, both in long sleeve. they are all very good quality.

not cheap but hey what is these days

mrdvernon

I'm 6ft 5in and 16.5 stone.

Most of my stuff is 2XU and it fits really well. Kinda fitted on shoulders but without the James Corden effect on the belly.

I found their sizing charts to be pretty useful as well as they take into account height and weight and even do tall sizing.

Otherwise, could be worth trying the Bicycle Line stuff at Halfords. As they're not aimed at race snakes and more at 'normal' people their stuff is often less fitted. Quite cheap as well.

bompington

CiB wrote:

14st, 5'10" here. I don't see a reason why you should give a hoot what other people think. Lycra is the best gear for the job; it wicks away the sweat, and puts me in cycling mode. Can't see why it should matter to anyone else personally.

+1: just wear what works (5'8" & 13 1/2 stone myself)

postman

Try Prendas ciclisimo or chain reaction .They do esy fit tops .More loose fitting .I got 2 Gill tops a couple of years back .Still in use today- 6-4 and 15st 8lbs ..