Alternative to Lycra shorts for beginners beginning..

desperate73
desperate73 Posts: 135
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
alright folks

I love my new bike, look forward to using it and like the cycling sport in general.. As well as a new bike i love I've bought me some cycling gloves, computer, padded undershorts and use all every time..

However i don't want to do the Lycra shorts route (yet). Legs are too skinny and knees too knobbly to be seen by the neighbours :P I'm slow, don't do many miles at all (yet).

But i was going out in jeans.. i thought they were ok but since using something better i can now see how bad and unsuited they are to the cycling task.

SO.. I searched for something to substitute the lycra shorts and therefor bought some Ron Hill Bikesters. They are slim fit biking bottoms full length with foot stirrups...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ronhi ... 360043230/

They were great. I've got my dhb padded undershorts beneath them. Comfy, legs move beautifully freely and i'll never wear jeans on a bike again.


Certainly recommended for beginners like me. And for £10 delivered, a steal.


1086-3047-full-ronhill_bikesters_06_new_med-79.jpg

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ronhi ... 360043230/
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Comments

  • soveda
    soveda Posts: 306
    You're less self conscious in Ron Hills than Lycra? I'm sure that's a first!
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I've got some Ronhill Tracksters, nowhere near as suited to cycling as bib tights anyway. Plus this is the summer now, surely they are winter kit.....
    I like bikes...

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  • ^^^ Carry on with the Lycra guys you are experienced, serious and maybe quick cyclists.

    I'm talking about beginners like me.. This is the road beginners forum???

    Unless of course you've got no time for anybody or anything not in Lycra ?? Well, obviously.
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  • BikeNewby
    BikeNewby Posts: 13
    edited August 2009
    I felt the same although my legs are anything but skinny! I am also very much a beginner.

    I just felt like I'd look a tart. Anyway, my solution was a pair of cheap dhb bib shorts (lycra) from wiggle and a pair of 10 pound camo style shorts from asda (or tesco - I bought them years ago).

    If people want to spend more cash for a similar effect then baggy shorts for mountain bikers.

    I personally have stopped wearing the baggy shorts over the top - still fat but my sense of shame has been overidden by laziness.

    I'd not change from the lycra now though - very comfortable, wicking etc and the pad is a must for anything more than a commute IMO.

    Edited for not actually having read the OP properly.
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    Get some decent padded lycra shorts - you might feel ridiculous at first, but they're more comfy, don't snag, don't flap and really are the best thing.

    This is not a bike-snob comment - I felt the same as you before I tried 'em, and even though I wouldn't wander round town in 'em, they do make a difference on the bike.
  • mba007
    mba007 Posts: 95
    I'm a recent lycra convert ... the comfort factor far outweighs any perceived embarrassment (which soon goes away unless you are always on the pull). However, wear whatever you want as long as you're out there on your bike.
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    I am a beginner too but IMHO you would look more of a plonker in those full length trackie bottoms than you would in a set of lycra shorts.

    I wear lycra with baggies over the top because I have huge ass. I wear the lycra even though its out of sight.

    You would be better off wearing the right clothing for cycling for the simple reason of practicality. It will keep you cool and be more comfortable over distance.

    Jeans and trackie bottoms will make you look a bit of a tube.

    (saw you mention jeans on an earlier thread)
    Still suffering with wind
  • sods_law
    sods_law Posts: 161
    What Agni said^^

    I was a total bike beginner a few months ago too. I delayed getting lycra shorts because I didn't fancy the idea, but after a month I got some, and wish I had sooner, they are so comfortable. You may think you look silly in front of a mirror, but when on the bike, you look far more normal wearing lycra than you do wearing anything else...

    And I don't see how being a beginner means you cant wear the right kit... :?
  • Stellite
    Stellite Posts: 544
    Maybe a pair of touring shorts would be more appropriate? I wouldnt imagine you have to pay that much for them.

    I think everyone is self conscious in front of the neighbors at first, me, I dont really care what people think so go out in team kit 8)
  • fast as fupp
    fast as fupp Posts: 2,277
    arent ron hills what really old fellers wear?
    'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'
  • AMcD
    AMcD Posts: 236
    AGNI wrote:
    I am a beginner too but IMHO you would look more of a plonker in those full length trackie bottoms than you would in a set of lycra shorts.

    I wear lycra with baggies over the top because I have huge ass. I wear the lycra even though its out of sight.

    You would be better off wearing the right clothing for cycling for the simple reason of practicality. It will keep you cool and be more comfortable over distance.

    Jeans and trackie bottoms will make you look a bit of a tube.

    (saw you mention jeans on an earlier thread)

    These aren't 'trackie bottoms', they are made specifically for cycling (high wasted at the back). They are also cool to wear and fast wicking. And he does say he has bought padded undies so he IS wearing the right clothing for cycing. His earlier thread says he has moved on from jeans. Give the guy a break - I bet he doesn't look a plonker at all. :lol:
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    ^^^ Carry on with the Lycra guys you are experienced, serious and maybe quick cyclists.

    I'm talking about beginners like me.. This is the road beginners forum???

    Unless of course you've got no time for anybody or anything not in Lycra ?? Well, obviously.

    this has nothing to do with being a beginner - or being 'experienced' - it is about wearing the right kit. This is indeed the beginners forum - so what's the point of asking for advice here if all you do is ignore it..?

    I can't see the sense in asking for alternatives to the proper kit......just buy the proper kit....
  • holybinch
    holybinch Posts: 417
    In my opinion, wear whatever you feel confortable in, as long as you get on the bike.

    But don't delude yourself, soon, you'll embrace your inner lycra-wearing you. :wink:

    I'm a born again beginner, couldn't give a monkey what other people think, so bibs it is for me.
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  • clanton
    clanton Posts: 1,289
    I wear MTB baggies on my commute to work - they have a nice, padded lycra inner but look less "pornographic". I wear "proper" lycra on the road bike on weekends but after comments from female colleagues swapped to the MTB baggies for commuting.
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    edited August 2009
    The problem is that there is nothing comfier on the bike than lycra.
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • AMcD
    AMcD Posts: 236
    clanton wrote:
    I wear MTB baggies on my commute to work - they have a nice, padded lycra inner but look less "pornographic". I wear "proper" lycra on the road bike on weekends but after comments from female colleagues swapped to the MTB baggies for commuting.

    Were the comments positive or negative? :D:D
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    Personally, I think the newbie status is irrelevant. You're better off with a good pair of lycra bibshorts than some Ron HIlls any day of the week. We were all newbies at one point. I've been lycra'd up since day 1, and never looked back.

    As another newbie said:
    I'd not change from the lycra now though - very comfortable, wicking etc and the pad is a must for anything more than a commute IMO.

    Just choose the best product for the jop, and who gives a sh*t what it looks like!
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    AMcD wrote:
    These aren't 'trackie bottoms', they are made specifically for cycling (high wasted at the back). They are also cool to wear and fast wicking. And he does say he has bought padded undies so he IS wearing the right clothing for cycing. His earlier thread says he has moved on from jeans. Give the guy a break - I bet he doesn't look a plonker at all. :lol:

    I didn't say he looked a plonker. I said he could look a plonker.

    Lets be honest, today, if you saw someone wearing those specifically made cycling bottoms that are cool and fast wicking, you would think "plonker".
    Still suffering with wind
  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    ^^^ Carry on with the Lycra guys you are experienced, serious and maybe quick cyclists.

    I'm talking about beginners like me.. This is the road beginners forum???

    Unless of course you've got no time for anybody or anything not in Lycra ?? Well, obviously.


    Not being rude buy Lycra is really the way to go.

    When i first started I was exactly like you. Everyone said get Lycra and i replied with NO WAY was I going to wear Lycra.

    I discovered my mistake pretty soon.

    OK you will look/feel like a prat at first but once your seated on the bike you will feel right at home.


    You could go down the baggy short route but once you have got drenched in a rain shower you will realise that they are not best suited for cycling.
  • guv001
    guv001 Posts: 688
    ^^^ Carry on with the Lycra guys you are experienced, serious and maybe quick cyclists.

    I'm talking about beginners like me.. This is the road beginners forum???

    Unless of course you've got no time for anybody or anything not in Lycra ?? Well, obviously.

    Do you not think that there is a reason why most cyclist on here wear lycra. Its the fact that it is fit for task, regardless of skinny legs, knobbly knees or how fast you travel. Are you sure its not vanity thats stopping you wearing it....
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    AGNI wrote:
    I didn't say he looked a plonker. I said he could look a plonker.

    Lets be honest, today, if you saw someone wearing those specifically made cycling bottoms that are cool and fast wicking, you would think "plonker".

    Its slowly occurring to me that I may be becoming a bit of a bike snob :oops:
    Still suffering with wind
  • AMcD
    AMcD Posts: 236
    AGNI wrote:
    AGNI wrote:
    I didn't say he looked a plonker. I said he could look a plonker.

    Lets be honest, today, if you saw someone wearing those specifically made cycling bottoms that are cool and fast wicking, you would think "plonker".

    Its slowly occurring to me that I may be becoming a bit of a bike snob :oops:

    :D You said it AGNI. I wear Ron Hills sometimes and if you've not tried them yet they're comfier than you think - and can stretch up to two sizes if needed :wink: .
  • peanut1978
    peanut1978 Posts: 1,031
    Tesco do padded lycra shorts for £6 ish

    you got a pic of those legs, hehe?

    cant be "that" skinny?

    some pretty skeletal guys in the pro peleton!!
  • Well they work for me guys.

    They were cool, dry and stayed tight-fitting and comfy on my 50miler yesterday. My t-shirt however was restricting.. am going to decathlon soon to get a couple of lycra tops.

    They are not trackie bottoms, far from it. Pity there's some snob comments in the beginners section from experienced bikers that don't even know what these things are. And to suggest i am a knob well.. It rhymes with snob though :P

    A knob amongst snobs lol i like that. Newbies like me are warned about the snobs though.

    I agree and we all know that lycra shorts are best but for me these are the next best thing untill i warrant getting lycra.
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  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    He might have a small doo-darr..;-)

    Sorry, couldn't resist.
  • sampras38 wrote:
    He might have a small doo-darr..;-)

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

    lol no, it's quite average thanks.. in fact i think i'm 1/2" above the national average. makes all the difference you know :wink:
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  • sampras38 wrote:
    He might have a small doo-darr..;-)

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

    lol no, it's quite average thanks.. in fact i think i'm 1/2" above the national average. makes all the difference you know :wink:
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  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    I agree and we all know that lycra shorts are best but for me these are the next best thing untill i warrant getting lycra.

    What are the criteria to warrant the change?

    I'm new to road cycling (recently come to the dark side after years of mountain biking) so not being snobby (apologies if my comments suggest otherwise), but lycra really is the best option. I'd have to agree with earlier comments though - you seem to be asking for advice you're not going to take (yet).

    This really seems to be a vanity thing, and if so, something you'll gave to get used too. Lycra is never going to be a fashion choice (I hope!), but once you do change you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I had some Ron Hill thingies when I started out, I stopped wearing them when I realised 1- I looked an utter berk and 2- they didn't work as well as bib tights.

    On my MTB I wear my bib shorts with MTB baggies over the top.

    I prefer bib shorts/tights because they stay in place better an don't show those behind somewhere to park their front wheel...
  • Oh forget it
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