clothing ideas for cycling...

[hihihi]

Wondering what you/others choose to cycle in and why.

And even more interested to discover if anyone changes their wardrobe when switching from bicycle to pedelec.

What I wear:
all leather (jacket, trousers, gloves and boots) and, of course, a helmet when I'm on a motorcycle.
However, to ride my Duke (pedelec), walking attire only is my choice (no protective items whatsoever). I can't explain why, as it seems unreasonable.

 

[flecc]

Like you, just normal clothing. I view cycling as a practical alternative to walking, not as a specialised means of travelling.

Cycling speeds are largely similar to running speeds, and evolution has equipped us for those.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have all the gear for road racing and I do use a lot of that when I am riding my electric bike because it is warm, comfortable and washes and dries quickly.

Yes it does involve lycra but I ride the electric bike like an off road bike and I ride it quickly. The motor is off a lot of the time and so it is not a stroll in the park.

Steve

 

[Scottyf]

When cycling to work and back.

Helmet
Gloves (Oakley Mtb)
Night Vision Altura Jacket
Cheap gym T-shirts
Full Lycra bottoms
Waterproof Altura over trousers
Black Trainers with Waterproof overshoe

In Summer I switch Lycra to Mtb Shorts and Jersey


Popping round town and shops. Normal Clothes no saftey gear. I only ever wear proper gear when commuting.

 

[morphix]

Wondering what you/others choose to cycle in and why

And even more interested to discover if anyone changes their wardrobe when switching from bicycle to pedelec.

For me, the following makes riding far more comfortable and enjoyable:

1. Craghoppers fleece lined trousers with utility pockets. They're loose, they're super warm and comfortable, they don't catch on the chain, and they're black so it doesn't matter about oil when carrying bike.

2. Roll-neck lyrca thermal under-layer top. This really keeps me warm and acts as a layer of insulation
below my clothes.

3. Hi-Vis Jacket. I bought a big size that can wear over the top of my jacket or over a fleece. It has loads of handy pockets including one for phone on chest, and it has reflective arm bands on the sleeve for hand signaling. I find cars give me more space and pay more attention at giveaway signs when I'm wearing it.

Oh and gloves are an absolute must of course. I have a pair of fleece thermal ones.

In the summer, I never ride electric without my wrap-around cycling glasses because they keep flies and bugs away and also stop the wind from getting in my eyes. But in the winter I generally don't need them.

I've been told a few times when I'm wearing all this I look like a copper! Maybe that is why motorists seem a bit wary of me and slow down as they pass.

 

[hihihi]

Interesting. Seems to me like comfort is popular, closely followed by visibility. Where's vanity, cost, etc?

Come to think of it, I do wear a bicycle specific item on a nice day: my hands-free eye-shader, otherwise known as a peak cap (or hat).

 

[carpetbagger]

Boardman helmet
lycra shirt (warm and breathable)
lycra jacket (warm and breathable)
full lycra bottoms (warm and breathable)
leather trainers
wrap around glasses with changeable lenses (keeps the bugs out of my contact lenses)
Gloves but haven't found any that keep my fingers warm when below 5c (might try my ski ones tonight)

 

[FJJ]

For my commute I wear:

- helmet
- changeable lens glasses, keeps the bugs/rain out of my eyes and deals with sun on those two days per year when it shines
- altura night vision jacket
- altura long sleeve jersey in the winter
- altura t-shirts as they are wicking
- cheap full fingered gloves that I got from asda in the fairer 3 seasons and altura waterproof ones for the winter
- altura winter cruiser cycling tights
- shimano shoes with BBB HardWear overshoes if it's raining
- sometimes wear dhb padded undershorts for longer rides

 

[mrpscott]

I ride a Wisper 906 Alpino for leisure - averge trip 50 - 60 miles and I wear a Gore Bikewear windstopper jacket with a thermal layer or two underneath depending how cold and same material padded bib tights . Knee length thermal socks and a couple of pairs of gloves ( Specialised padded gloves underneath soem luminous green sealskin gloves) double layer for warmth and protect carpel tunnels which were opreated ona couple of years ago. All seems to work more then pretty well. Footwear - a pair of £30 lightweight waterproff walking 'boots' which work well. Try not to go out if rain is about!!

 

[Mussels]

I mostly wear budget cycle clothing, even cheap stuff adds up to a few hundred quids worth. I tried riding in normal clothes but it's just not as good. I prefer to have several layers so I can control the temperature easily, carrying unused layers around is easy thanks to the motor assistance.
My nod to vanity is not wearing tight lycra shorts, I prefer MTB clothing.

 

[Scottyf]

But the tight fitting stuff is mega comfortable. And you Scare Kids!

 

[timidtom]

I generally wear my 'normal' clothing - keep in mind my tailor of choice is Millets! I agree with the earlier post which argued that cycling is an extention of walking. My regular rides range from 3 miles to the paper shop to 25ish for pleasure.
Tom

 

[bode]

Normal clothes with trousers tucked into socks (I know... and I don't care!)
Hi-vis tabard fom Ikea, c.£3.
Peaked cap when it's cold. Or woolly hat when it's really cold.
Wrap-around glasses when flies abound (last summer was bad; this year I hardly needed them for some reason).

That's it; I'm with the OP and flecc on this.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

For winter riding, I wear one of these high viz bomber type jackets. They're absolutely as warm as toast, Apart from that, I wear normal trousers with only one leg tucked in my sock (tried clips, but they 're not as good) plus a cycle helmet and motorbike gloves. At sub-zero teperatures my legs sting a bit at first, but I don't feel cold when I arrive at work after 15 miles. You can't wear these jackets when the temperature is much above 10 deg C. they're too warm. I kid you not! You can get them at markets, surplus shops and car-boot sales for about a tenner.
HIGH VISIBILITY BOMBER JACKET, EN471.3 - HI VIZ VIS, M | eBay

 

[amigafan2003]

Yesterday I commuted to work in a suit - just to prove a point to a guy at work ;-)

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Do you reckon that you could do it in your birthday suit?

 

[Tim]

I've been wearing a dapper Water Off A Duck's Back coat when rain has threatened my cycle home. This one Accessories - Cycle Clothing - Waterproof Mens Cycle Coat Nav... in XL

I don't know why, but I seem to cycle faster wearing that - I think it's because my usual jacket restricts me or something. It's cut to help cycling, with deep pockets and reflective collar, cuffs and whatever the little button-on panel on the back is called.

 

[Synthman]

Like this:

Just kidding!

 

[bode]

Oh, and in winter, a pair of Lewis Leathers motorcycle gloves. I used to wear these all the time in my 1960s-80s motorcyling days, getting through several pairs. I thought that they would be ideal for e-biking as they are not too heavy (none of the knuckle protectors and reinforcements that modern gloves have). However, I find that they now cost £100; they were nothing like the equivalent of that in the old days, they appear to count as retro chic or something.

Fortunately, a friend had a pair he no longer needed, so my stylish cycling ensemble was complete...

 

[Mussels]

Do you reckon that you could do it in your birthday suit?

A lot of lycra short wearers may as well be in their birthday suit for all the good the overstretched and worn out lycra does for their modesty, it's quite revolting at times.

I've been wearing a dapper Water Off A Duck's Back coat when rain has threatened my cycle home. This one Accessories - Cycle Clothing - Waterproof Mens Cycle Coat Nav... in XL

I don't know why, but I seem to cycle faster wearing that - I think it's because my usual jacket restricts me or something. It's cut to help cycling, with deep pockets and reflective collar, cuffs and whatever the little button-on panel on the back is called.

That looks like a good idea but I suspect good for shorter journeys, I'll give it a go one day if I get rich.