Road gear that doesn’t look MAMIL??
Discussion
Looking to pick up a new road bike this Summer but tbh, I’m a bit worried put off by the ‘scene’. I don’t really want to wear Lycra and dress like I’m in the TdF whilst out and about. I’m never going to shave my legs and I don’t have skinny arms so most cycle kit doesn’t really fit me well.
Is there decent kit that doesn’t look quite so ‘cyclist’?
Or do I need to suck it up and accept that bib shorts really are the only option for a long ride?
My mate cycles and is head to toe in Rapha gear which looks nice enough but seems quite hipster, dare I say?
Just looking for some brands who do simple, plain, comfy kit.
Thanks!
Is there decent kit that doesn’t look quite so ‘cyclist’?
Or do I need to suck it up and accept that bib shorts really are the only option for a long ride?
My mate cycles and is head to toe in Rapha gear which looks nice enough but seems quite hipster, dare I say?
Just looking for some brands who do simple, plain, comfy kit.
Thanks!
Disastrous said:
Looking to pick up a new road bike this Summer but tbh, I’m a bit worried put off by the ‘scene’. I don’t really want to wear Lycra and dress like I’m in the TdF whilst out and about. I’m never going to shave my legs and I don’t have skinny arms so most cycle kit doesn’t really fit me well.
Is there decent kit that doesn’t look quite so ‘cyclist’?
Or do I need to suck it up and accept that bib shorts really are the only option for a long ride?
My mate cycles and is head to toe in Rapha gear which looks nice enough but seems quite hipster, dare I say?
Just looking for some brands who do simple, plain, comfy kit.
Thanks!
bib shorts aren't the only option for a long ride...but they're certainly the most comfortable! As stated above, the MTB gear is a looser fit and you can wear baggies. i like Endura for MTB gear but there's loads out there. If you're a bit bigger (like me) then there is Fat Lad at the Back for road stuff. Generally cut pretty generous so you don't have to size up 3 sizes to make it fit!Is there decent kit that doesn’t look quite so ‘cyclist’?
Or do I need to suck it up and accept that bib shorts really are the only option for a long ride?
My mate cycles and is head to toe in Rapha gear which looks nice enough but seems quite hipster, dare I say?
Just looking for some brands who do simple, plain, comfy kit.
Thanks!
10 years ago I was of the same mindset. There are alternatives, but there are also good reasons why people wear what they do.
You don't need skinny arms. You don't need Rapha either (I'd not call it hipster, more 'banker'). But I would suggest that non-baggy shorts are definitely the way to go, and who gives a f**k what you look like really
You don't need skinny arms. You don't need Rapha either (I'd not call it hipster, more 'banker'). But I would suggest that non-baggy shorts are definitely the way to go, and who gives a f**k what you look like really
You don't need "bib" shorts, just ordinary lycra cycling shorts with a good pad will work fine. Some people say non bib shorts won't fit right, the pad will move or your belly will hang out/arse crack will flash. I have never had these problems with non bib shorts, and they are much better when you need to take a (natural) break. It seems to be getting harder to buy non bib shorts these days though.
You could also get short liners, which will have a pad.
You can then wear any shorts over the lycra ones.
Everything else its up to you.
You could also get short liners, which will have a pad.
You can then wear any shorts over the lycra ones.
Everything else its up to you.
Disastrous said:
Looking to pick up a new road bike this Summer but tbh, I’m a bit worried put off by the ‘scene’. I don’t really want to wear Lycra and dress like I’m in the TdF whilst out and about. I’m never going to shave my legs and I don’t have skinny arms so most cycle kit doesn’t really fit me well.
Is there decent kit that doesn’t look quite so ‘cyclist’?
Or do I need to suck it up and accept that bib shorts really are the only option for a long ride?
My mate cycles and is head to toe in Rapha gear which looks nice enough but seems quite hipster, dare I say?
Just looking for some brands who do simple, plain, comfy kit.
Thanks!
I’d worry less about how you look and more about the comfort of your knackers and surrounding environs. Is there decent kit that doesn’t look quite so ‘cyclist’?
Or do I need to suck it up and accept that bib shorts really are the only option for a long ride?
My mate cycles and is head to toe in Rapha gear which looks nice enough but seems quite hipster, dare I say?
Just looking for some brands who do simple, plain, comfy kit.
Thanks!
A road bike isn’t that comfortable a place to spend a couple of hours TBH. There’s a reason that people who spend a lot of time on one wear what they do.
On your top half in summer you really do want something that wicks away moisture and doesn’t flap around a lot.
Probably best to let those big ol’ guns atrophy down to drinking straws, and order in a couple of barrels of Veet. You’re already on the slippery slope so embrace it.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 27th April 16:19
You could try going for 'gravel' gear rather than 'road' gear - basically it's MTB baggy stuff but maybe slightly closer fitting. I wear bib shorts under baggy shorts for MTB, so you could do that?
It really depends on how far you are going, time on the bike, and the type of terrain you are on as to what might suit best. 20 or 30 miles with a cafe stop would be fine to have things flapping around and maybe slowing you down, but if you're out for 6 hours, or a 70/80 mile run all on roads, then people are wearing lycra for a reason - it's aero (reducing effort, especially into the wind), comfy, and doesn't move around or gradually grate your sack.
It really depends on how far you are going, time on the bike, and the type of terrain you are on as to what might suit best. 20 or 30 miles with a cafe stop would be fine to have things flapping around and maybe slowing you down, but if you're out for 6 hours, or a 70/80 mile run all on roads, then people are wearing lycra for a reason - it's aero (reducing effort, especially into the wind), comfy, and doesn't move around or gradually grate your sack.
As said, the rise of gravel bikes has meant more in-between styles - not racing snake but not tough and flappy like most MTB gear. In particular, there's lots of good shorts now that are a slimmer bike-specific cut with a bit of stretch in subtle colours/designs. Wear lycra undershorts or bibs underneath.
Have a look at:
https://www.giro.com/c/gravel-bike-apparel/
https://www.endurasport.com/rider/gravel-bike.list
https://alpkit.com/collections/gravel-cycle-clothi...
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/collections/gravel-ridi...
https://7mesh.com/mens/collection/gravel
Have a look at:
https://www.giro.com/c/gravel-bike-apparel/
https://www.endurasport.com/rider/gravel-bike.list
https://alpkit.com/collections/gravel-cycle-clothi...
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/collections/gravel-ridi...
https://7mesh.com/mens/collection/gravel
sjg said:
As said, the rise of gravel bikes has meant more in-between styles - not racing snake but not tough and flappy like most MTB gear. In particular, there's lots of good shorts now that are a slimmer bike-specific cut with a bit of stretch in subtle colours/designs. Wear lycra undershorts or bibs underneath.
Have a look at:
https://www.giro.com/c/gravel-bike-apparel/
https://www.endurasport.com/rider/gravel-bike.list
https://alpkit.com/collections/gravel-cycle-clothi...
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/collections/gravel-ridi...
https://7mesh.com/mens/collection/gravel
Excellent suggestion, you can go full-on lumberjack stylee… Have a look at:
https://www.giro.com/c/gravel-bike-apparel/
https://www.endurasport.com/rider/gravel-bike.list
https://alpkit.com/collections/gravel-cycle-clothi...
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/collections/gravel-ridi...
https://7mesh.com/mens/collection/gravel
Seriously there were people dressed like this at The Dirty Reiver.
Most were in Lycra…..
As others have alluded, comfort trumps everything, whether that is as above or in Lycra.
That's funny
I thought the same thing when I picked my first road bike up. Determined not to look like one of those roadie scum bags, I rode in my MTB baggies, Five Ten hellcats and shimano cleats. All the roadies used to look at me like I was some sort of
haha
If you like it (Road cycling) I give you a few weeks before you drop the parachute baggies for nice functional comfy and streamline lycra. Just enjoy it
I thought the same thing when I picked my first road bike up. Determined not to look like one of those roadie scum bags, I rode in my MTB baggies, Five Ten hellcats and shimano cleats. All the roadies used to look at me like I was some sort of
hahaIf you like it (Road cycling) I give you a few weeks before you drop the parachute baggies for nice functional comfy and streamline lycra. Just enjoy it
What everyone else says plus you'll look more weird not wearing proper cycling kit than riding around looking like your mum dressed you. Once you've done a couple of rides and got over the concept only 0.5mm of lycra is protecting the public from seeing your plumbing ypu'll not think about it again. i'd buy some decent DHB stuff from Wiggle, avoid team kit, neon colours and crazy patterns and you'll be good to go.
Nothing new to add, buy what you want.
dhb is good stuff their bibs are fine
planet x stuff has also done me well
I don't pay more than £40 for bibs or £30ish for jerseys and am always comfortable on the bike. Shoes however you must buy a decent pair, I have found lake work for me so will stick with them now.
dhb is good stuff their bibs are fine
planet x stuff has also done me well
I don't pay more than £40 for bibs or £30ish for jerseys and am always comfortable on the bike. Shoes however you must buy a decent pair, I have found lake work for me so will stick with them now.
https://www.bikester.co.uk/clothing/cycling-shorts...
Protective, good stuff, and you don't look like a typical roadie
Protective, good stuff, and you don't look like a typical roadie
Thanks guys, a lot to get my teeth into there.
Tbh, I do take on board that Lycra is pretty fit for purpose and may well end up there.
I suppose I’m just conscious of a) not looking like a full kit wker as I grind my way up a hill and b) not affiliating myself with the pelotons that cause a lot of grief on the local roads round here.
Trying not to open that particular can of worms so tip toeing round that but I think what I’m saying is that I really like cycling but don’t want to attract the ire of the motorists round here by looking like ‘a Cyclist’.
Tbh, I do take on board that Lycra is pretty fit for purpose and may well end up there.
I suppose I’m just conscious of a) not looking like a full kit w
ker as I grind my way up a hill and b) not affiliating myself with the pelotons that cause a lot of grief on the local roads round here.Trying not to open that particular can of worms so tip toeing round that but I think what I’m saying is that I really like cycling but don’t want to attract the ire of the motorists round here by looking like ‘a Cyclist’.
I wear bib shorts and a pair of running shorts over the top of them. Less of the willy waving in public and pockets when you're off the bike.
Wear a cheap, not particularly fitted cycling shirt up top, usually with a base layer under it. Seal skin socks.
Oh yeah that's gravel biking...
Wear a cheap, not particularly fitted cycling shirt up top, usually with a base layer under it. Seal skin socks.
Oh yeah that's gravel biking...
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