Lycra commuting

2»

Comments

  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    apreading wrote:
    BigMat wrote:
    I'd rather not wander round the office in cycling kit. You just look a bit of a doorknob when you aren't on the bike. I don't like walking through the office in civvies to be honest, so skin tight lycra is always going to be a step too far.

    Change in the street? Or a nearby phone box?

    I change in the changing rooms! Just making the point that if I had to walk through the office every morning before changing, I'd probably wear some baggies. As it is, full on lycras for me when I'm commuting.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • hell27
    hell27 Posts: 21
    I also have a commute into Manchester and have worn Lycra as I go pretty quickly - 6-7 miles commute. I'm a big bloke too and I sweat a lot. I've found the sweet spot now is mountain bike shorts and t shirt, and keep trousers at the office, so put a fresh shirt in the backpack. If you roll the shirt it looks fine when wearing.
  • peat
    peat Posts: 1,242
    If it was sub-3miles, I would be tempted to have a steady ride in in office clothes, but it would need to be on a bike with a relaxed position. Otherwise the shirt would keep pulling out of the trousers.

    A set of lightly padded lycra 'undershorts' may be best. You can get them in cotton. They are tight enough to hold your junk in place and offer a little extra comfort.
  • Mr _Tibbs
    Mr _Tibbs Posts: 46
    Forget distance, or even fashion (can't believe I typed that last bit)

    Think about what is appropriate to the ride. If you are riding for exercise or sport then consider sports wear like fast wicking Lycra. If you ride more gently then wear jeans, baggies or even a suit if you are happy.

    My commute is anything from 13-30 miles both ways. Most days I wear Lycra (even on the short mile rides) but on fridays I ride the singlespeed and wear bike specific jeans and a loose top (and no lid) because I don't get over 15mph all the way so don't work up a massive sweat or need tight sportswear.

    I'll often ride 10miles a day on Boris bikes around town ...in a suit, with no bother
  • Mr _Tibbs
    Mr _Tibbs Posts: 46
    hopkinb wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    The Rookie wrote:
    A As I have to go through my office before I can change I think it also shows some respect for my workmates, I wouldn't want to have to look at me in Lycra!

    For real?

    I'm always slightly self-conscious if I forget something - lights/keys/phone etc and have to go back up to my desk. Doesn't stop me wearing the full gimp gear though.
    For me it's not about being self conscious it's that I work with some pretty narrow minded traditional people who look down on anyone not wearing a suit. It's more a case of being taken seriously.

    Sadly
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    Mr _Tibbs wrote:
    Forget distance, or even fashion (can't believe I typed that last bit)

    Think about what is appropriate to the ride. If you are riding for exercise or sport then consider sports wear like fast wicking Lycra. If you ride more gently then wear jeans, baggies or even a suit if you are happy.

    My commute is anything from 13-30 miles both ways. Most days I wear Lycra (even on the short mile rides) but on fridays I ride the singlespeed and wear bike specific jeans and a loose top (and no lid) because I don't get over 15mph all the way so don't work up a massive sweat or need tight sportswear.

    I'll often ride 10miles a day on Boris bikes around town ...in a suit, with no bother

    jeans !! at no point are jeans ever working for me on abike no matter how slowly I go, because my knees would always just be catching and pulling against the material every time I pedalled, and denim doesnt have much give at all, thats one thing lycra based clothes are good at, they stretch with your movement.

    I mean I rode "normal" clothes today as I was meeting up for a pre-work breakfast with my team from work and didnt want to be the only one sitting there looking like an escapee from a bike race, crazy isnt it go to the same place at the weekend with cycling friends and no one gives a toot what we look like, today it was all, oh maybe I need to look respectable :) so I went "normal" clothes and fair enough I didnt afford myself the luxury of a relaxed cycle in I was treating it like a typical as quick as I can commute, but it was genuinely the most uncomfortable I think Ive been after riding a bike for such a stupidly short distance even in a supposedly cycle friendly merino wool top, how anyone rode in those old style woolen jerseys I do not know, as this was still at best very scratchy and felt not very breathable fabric at all, so imo wicking lycra works wonders.
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Quality if Merino varies alot. Sounds like you have bad merino if its scratchy. The good stuff is very soft and luxurious and doesnt feel scratchy at all. And its very breathable too. Was your top something cheap? Was it only part merino?
  • Mr _Tibbs
    Mr _Tibbs Posts: 46
    awavey wrote:

    jeans !! at no point are jeans ever working for me on abike no matter how slowly I go, because my knees would always just be catching and pulling against the material every time I pedalled, and denim doesnt have much give at all, thats one thing lycra based clothes are good at, they stretch with your movement.
    .

    Cycle specific Jeans, "now with added Lycra!" doncha know
  • efcbluepete
    efcbluepete Posts: 20
    8 mile commute each way, definitely need padded shorts or my biffon is in agony, but do put baggy shorts over and the top is only tight in some places (not "anti-grab"). plus, as my average speed into the office is around 18-20mph, I definitely need a shower at the end (either form sweating or from the british weather).
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    apreading wrote:
    Quality if Merino varies alot. Sounds like you have bad merino if its scratchy. The good stuff is very soft and luxurious and doesnt feel scratchy at all. And its very breathable too. Was your top something cheap? Was it only part merino?

    Vulpine :oops: so no it wasnt, albeit bought in the sale :lol: 100% merino wool according to the label
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Strange then. I have had Planet-X merino, some of which was a little bit scratchy to start with but got better after a wash. Icebreaker Merino is very soft and luxurious. DHB stuff I have was OK too. Torm is suppoed to be very nice.

    Perhaps thats why Vulpine went bust...
  • Indigo Gorilla
    Indigo Gorilla Posts: 189
    16.5 mile commute each way. Bib shorts and jersey for me, more comfortable and feel better protected against the elements. If it was a commute of 3-4 miles then I'd just baggies most likely.

Categories