Clothing for a Newbie
tom2806
Posts: 7
Hi All
So im new to the forum been looking around a bit at the different posts but cannot seem to find the answer im after.
Im looking at clothing and at the minute im thinking that a pair of shorts will probably be fine for the mean time, I know that everyone raves about bib shorts which I will eventually go for.
My question is with normal shorts do you wear just the jersey on top and nothing underneath it. There is surely an issue with the jersey riding up at the back and exposing my back.
Can anyone enlighten me
Thanks
So im new to the forum been looking around a bit at the different posts but cannot seem to find the answer im after.
Im looking at clothing and at the minute im thinking that a pair of shorts will probably be fine for the mean time, I know that everyone raves about bib shorts which I will eventually go for.
My question is with normal shorts do you wear just the jersey on top and nothing underneath it. There is surely an issue with the jersey riding up at the back and exposing my back.
Can anyone enlighten me
Thanks
0
Comments
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Buy bib shorts. /end
Otherwise, most jerseys are cut to sit lower on your back but you will still likely encounter that issue.
Under my jersey is always a craft mesh base layer but this isn't there to hide a builders behind.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/craft-cool-mesh-superlight-sleeveless-base-layer/0 -
Buy bibs. So much more comfortable - no elastic to dig into your gut. Nearly all decent shorts are bibs as well so you'll get so much more choice and probably better bargains because of it.
Different base layers depending on the weather but they are useful regardless, for wicking away sweat as well as insulating you. Merino ones are my preference - I've a thin short sleeved one and a thicker long sleeved one.0 -
As above buy bib shorts or tights, fit better and much more comfortable. No one will see them under your jersey.0
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I prefer bib shorts and so does my youngest, but my wife and the other two kids all prefer non-bib.
It is just preference.
Cycling is a funky world of retail opportunities, one of which involves clothing. Many of us with greyer hair will remember riding in woolen shorts and finding them quite nice. Recent(ish) changes have been pretty excellent, but I think that for most people without a generous beer-filled gut there is no real benefit in bib shorts or bib tights.
If you're a beginner, I'd go for a cheapish generic brand (dhb or similar) from a big online place and get whatever is cheap and seems to have generated goodish reviews.
Alternatively, go to a couple of smaller (sole proprietor) LBSs and see if they have any cheap old stock. They will.
For folk with a flattish belly, non-bib shorts do not dig in and the waist is high enough for the low rear pockets of a jersey not to rise up and create a gap.
There's nothing wrong with bib shorts, but they will not change your life.0 -
I was an MTBer turned roadie and I was totally resistant to bibs. I now wear bibs on the MTB. This isn't the place to economise. You can get perfectly good tops from lidl / aldi etc for under a 10er. A decent pair of bibs can be had for under £50, ideally don't buy second hand as they are effectively underpants.0
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Get shorts.
Your first pair of whichever you get will probably have a cr@p pad, so you might be better off learning the hard way and then correcting both your mistakes at once
In answer to your actual question, I am not sure the wearing of a base layer has much to do with your choice of shorts v bibshorts, Its more to do with what top you are wearing, heat, and personal preference.
Would have thought the base layer untucking from your shorts would be more annoying than the jersey riding up anyway.
Base layers do feel great under bibs IMO though.0 -
I was an MTBer turned roadie and I was totally resistant to bibs. I now wear bibs on the MTB. This isn't the place to economise. You can get perfectly good tops from lidl / aldi etc for under a 10er. A decent pair of bibs can be had for under £50, ideally don't buy second hand as they are effectively underpants.
I did exactly the same, for me the bibs fit better and are more comfortable mountain biking. Non bib shorts on a road bike is not the best idea. On a mountain bike it is just personal preference.0 -
I wore padded shorts for years before trying bibs recently. Never had my back exposed even with shorts - jerseys always long enough, and in this country (UK) for most of the year I need a base layer under my shirt anyway. Main thing is to get tight fitting clothes that don't flap about in the wind and layer up in thin layers.0
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Just get bibs, you'll probably get them somewhere down the line so you might as well save yourself some money and buy them straight away. In my experience, if waist shorts aren't tight enough to dig in when on a road bike, then they aren't tight enough to stay in position.
Recommended brands are DHB from Wiggle, PlanetX do some cheap kit, Decathlon are great value (especially if there is a store near you so you can try stuff on). I'd also recommend Altura ProGel shorts, which have a decent enough pad for short to medium length rides.
Base layers - For summer (looks like it's now been and gone), I wear a sleeveless mesh base layer, which isn't too hot - I find it more comfortable to wear this under a jersey in hot weather than wearing no base - and wicks sweat well. As it gets colder, I wear merino base layers, I have a short sleeve and a long sleeve 'turtle neck' one. Short sleeve one is worn when I wear arm warmers, long sleeve when I'm wearing a long sleeve jersey. Merino is comfortable so long as you don't find wool products really itchy, it wicks sweat well and feels warm even when damp.
You'll probably end up buying loads of kit and then better kit that suits your needs. You can get away with very little, but as you get more and more into it, you'll realise that you aren't 100% comfortable in all conditions, and that 'such and such piece of kit would be perfect right now'.
And to actually answer your question - you might get your back exposed when wearing waist shorts and no base layer, however, a lot of jerseys have silicon grippers on the hem to hold the bottom of the jersey in place.0 -
I wear shorts all time and can't say I ever had a bare back/butt. I ride for quite a long time and need at least one or two roadside pees, isn't a bib hard to get the tackle out?
Lidl are doing some gear next week.0 -
I wear shorts all time and can't say I ever had a bare back/butt. I ride for quite a long time and need at least one or two roadside pees, isn't a bib hard to get the tackle out?
Lidl are doing some gear next week.
The top is still stretchy enough to get it out over the top. Just make sure you're done before shoving it back, or you'll get the dreaded dribble.To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.0 -
Buy bibs and get the best pair you can afford. Bibs help to keep the shorts in place. The dreaded saddle sore is caused by shorts and the pad moving and causing friction. And when trying on, veer for a pair that feels 'small'. Most beginners buy shorts that are too big - again allowing movement. Remember that good quality bibs are designed to be comfortable in the riding position and will feel strange when standing up. Even though you might look strange, when you try them on, adopt the riding position in the shop and see how they feel then.
And buy a good quality base layer. This is the best set up for a newcomer.0 -
Get some Endura FS260 pros. About £60 and have a very nice pad (red, dimpled, multi density one). Even get the non bib version if you must.
Stay well away from low end DHB (high end ones are nice) other budget/low end ones from similar discounters, and Altura (Pro Gel lol, piece of foam more like) IMO, and don't even think about Aldi/Lidl!
You are paying for the pad. There is no point in people recommending brands without recommending an actual model.
Go as cheap and cr@ppy as you like on other clothing, but do yourself a favour and get some decent bib shorts.0 -
Get some Endura FS260 pros. About £60 and have a very nice pad (red, dimpled, multi density one). Even get the non bib version if you must.
Stay well away from low end DHB (high end ones are nice) other budget/low end ones from similar discounters, and Altura (Pro Gel lol, piece of foam more like) IMO, and don't even think about Aldi/Lidl!
You are paying for the pad. There is no point in people recommending brands without recommending an actual model.
Go as cheap and cr@ppy as you like on other clothing, but do yourself a favour and get some decent bib shorts.
Also top end bibs you're also paying for the cut, materials and production techniques0 -
Get some Endura FS260 pros. About £60 and have a very nice pad (red, dimpled, multi density one). Even get the non bib version if you must.
Stay well away from low end DHB (high end ones are nice) other budget/low end ones from similar discounters, and Altura (Pro Gel lol, piece of foam more like) IMO, and don't even think about Aldi/Lidl!
You are paying for the pad. There is no point in people recommending brands without recommending an actual model.
Go as cheap and cr@ppy as you like on other clothing, but do yourself a favour and get some decent bib shorts.
Also top end bibs you're also paying for the cut, materials and production techniques
Yes, fair point, but that's way beyond whats being discussed on this thread.
In terms of the items that sentence refers to, its the pad that the OP should focus on IMO.0 -
Merlin wear elite bibshorts are excellent and for £45 they can't be beaten. They are better than the DHB Aeron Pro in my opinion (same brand and level of chamois but a better cut) which are now just my turbo shorts due to the unflattering Moose Knuckle that my wife had a good ole laugh at.
Pretty much all my winter cycling clothing for training and commuting is from Aldi. If you're doing long rides then maybe invest in a good pair of long bibs but the Aldi wool base layer, winter jersey and winter soft shell are great and cheap as chips. I use the winter bibs for commuting and training. The summer shorts aren't that great, the chamois is ok but the shorts material is a bit on the thin side so you're better off spending a little more if you can.0 -
Get some Endura FS260 pros. About £60 and have a very nice pad (red, dimpled, multi density one). Even get the non bib version if you must.
Stay well away from low end DHB (high end ones are nice) other budget/low end ones from similar discounters, and Altura (Pro Gel lol, piece of foam more like) IMO, and don't even think about Aldi/Lidl!
You are paying for the pad. There is no point in people recommending brands without recommending an actual model.
Go as cheap and cr@ppy as you like on other clothing, but do yourself a favour and get some decent bib shorts.
Also top end bibs you're also paying for the cut, materials and production techniques
Yes, fair point, but that's way beyond whats being discussed on this thread.
In terms of the items that sentence refers to, its the pad that the OP should focus on IMO.
true but if he doesn't get the shorts fitting right, then it doesn't matter if he's got the best pad in the world.0 -
Get some Endura FS260 pros. About £60 and have a very nice pad (red, dimpled, multi density one). Even get the non bib version if you must.
Stay well away from low end DHB (high end ones are nice) other budget/low end ones from similar discounters, and Altura (Pro Gel lol, piece of foam more like) IMO, and don't even think about Aldi/Lidl!
You are paying for the pad. There is no point in people recommending brands without recommending an actual model.
Go as cheap and cr@ppy as you like on other clothing, but do yourself a favour and get some decent bib shorts.
Also top end bibs you're also paying for the cut, materials and production techniques
Yes, fair point, but that's way beyond whats being discussed on this thread.
In terms of the items that sentence refers to, its the pad that the OP should focus on IMO.
true but if he doesn't get the shorts fitting right, then it doesn't matter if he's got the best pad in the world.
Not sure I agree with that.
He just needs to get some FS260 bibs, job done.0
