I really don't want to bike in basketball shorts and a t-shirt anymore because it feels just way too baggy went i bike. But is there any real difference in biking apparel (besides its price)? Does it keep you warm when its cool/cold and vice versa? And how much is a decent amount to throw in to it? Thanks.
biking apparel...does it do anything?
- Thread starter Wheatmaster
- Start date
It lowers your wind resistance while making a showcase of your sculptured ass to unwitting pedestrians and traffic.
Theres padding on your bottocks and helps eliminate chafing. Jerseys wick sweat away. As far as circulation... a poor fitting saddle is what your boys should be afraid of.
Eh, I don't buy it. The cops here in Ann Arbor and at U-M wear slim-fitting windpants with a padded inseam and a polo shirt with "POLICE" printed on the back, and a reflective jacket in inclement weather. And they're on their bike for 8 hour shifts.
Tight-fitting biking clothes are just for show. Just buy some high-quality, good-fitting windpants.
Tight-fitting biking clothes are just for show. Just buy some high-quality, good-fitting windpants.
Yeah, because the bike cops in Ann Arbor are racing. :roll:
It does some good, but I think it's akin to having a spoiler on your car. You'll see a lot more people who have it and claim to need it than really need it.
Rob
I figured that the OP wasn't racing when he said he wears baggy shorts and a t-shirt.Originally posted by: Entity
Yeah, because the bike cops in Ann Arbor are racing. :roll:
It does some good, but I think it's akin to having a spoiler on your car. You'll see a lot more people who have it and claim to need it than really need it.
Rob
Originally posted by: jumpr
I figured that the OP wasn't racing when he said he wears baggy shorts and a t-shirt.Originally posted by: Entity
Yeah, because the bike cops in Ann Arbor are racing. :roll:
It does some good, but I think it's akin to having a spoiler on your car. You'll see a lot more people who have it and claim to need it than really need it.
Rob
You said "I don't buy it," which I took to mean that you were saying it doesn't help with aerodynamics, that the materials don't help wick sweat away, etc., in which case, you'd be dead wrong.
More than anything else, they're more comfortable when you're going on long rides -- by long rides, I mean 50mi+. Baggy shorts and a T-shirt are fine for my commute to work (well, my former commute to work), which was only ~8mi round-trip each day. If I were going much further I'd consider having better fitting, bike-appropriate clothing.
Rob
Duly noted.Originally posted by: Entity
Originally posted by: jumpr
I figured that the OP wasn't racing when he said he wears baggy shorts and a t-shirt.Originally posted by: Entity
Yeah, because the bike cops in Ann Arbor are racing. :roll:
It does some good, but I think it's akin to having a spoiler on your car. You'll see a lot more people who have it and claim to need it than really need it.
Rob
You said "I don't buy it," which I took to mean that you were saying it doesn't help with aerodynamics, that the materials don't help wick sweat away, etc., in which case, you'd be dead wrong.
More than anything else, they're more comfortable when you're going on long rides -- by long rides, I mean 50mi+. Baggy shorts and a T-shirt are fine for my commute to work (well, my former commute to work), which was only ~8mi round-trip each day. If I were going much further I'd consider having better fitting, bike-appropriate clothing.
Rob
I've been riding recreationally and racing for about 14 years now, so here's my 0.02.
Biggest reason for wearing cycling stuff is functionality. The shorts are snug and stretchy to allow for freedom of movement, to keep the padding in the right place (the padding is there to pad your ass and nether regions obviously), and to protect you from chafing. The jerseys are made of fabric that wicks sweat, dries very quickly and therefore helps to keep you cool and doesn't feel like a wet blanket when you're sweaty. They also have pockets for keys, tools, food, or whatever. Aerodynamics is a factor, but is largely secondary to comfort.
If you don't want to wear the full-on spandex, you can buy cargo shorts that have a padded liner built in and cycling jerseys that are cut to look and feel more like a t-shirt. Any of the big online stores like Performancebike.com and Nashbar carry these.
Biggest reason for wearing cycling stuff is functionality. The shorts are snug and stretchy to allow for freedom of movement, to keep the padding in the right place (the padding is there to pad your ass and nether regions obviously), and to protect you from chafing. The jerseys are made of fabric that wicks sweat, dries very quickly and therefore helps to keep you cool and doesn't feel like a wet blanket when you're sweaty. They also have pockets for keys, tools, food, or whatever. Aerodynamics is a factor, but is largely secondary to comfort.
If you don't want to wear the full-on spandex, you can buy cargo shorts that have a padded liner built in and cycling jerseys that are cut to look and feel more like a t-shirt. Any of the big online stores like Performancebike.com and Nashbar carry these.
i've never worn a maxi pad, but thanks for sharing your experience.
bike shorts a good saddle and gloves make a big, big difference if you're riding more than 1-2 miles at a time. just like you can play basketball in vans skater shoes, but if you want to play real ball, you need a good pair of supportive shoes made for the job.
personally i refuse to ride with spandex shorts, but i never ride without my padded baggies.
DrPizza
Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
For short recreational rides, on non windy days, most shorts are fine. But if you're going 20 or more miles, you'll notice the difference in drag from biking clothes vs baggy clothes.
A good pair of Pearl Izumi shorts and gloves make ALL the difference on a 20+ miler, wait til you get clipless pedals and shoes, then you become serious.Then come the sunglasses, then the Giro or Bell helmet.
It tends to get out of control if you let it, then you start hangin out at your LBS and lookin at 4-digit road bikes, Then the tours start, next are the spin classes in the off season.
It's not pretty, but sure is fun.
It tends to get out of control if you let it, then you start hangin out at your LBS and lookin at 4-digit road bikes, Then the tours start, next are the spin classes in the off season.
It's not pretty, but sure is fun.
...after you do all that... you're officially a bike snob... and you start laughing at anything shimano.
A nice pair of Perl Izumi shorts is really great. It might not look all that great if your butt is on the large side like mine but it is very comfortable and doesn't hinder your movement.
I usually wear bike shorts + T shirt + padded gloves (and a Bell helmet + a 4 digit bike).
I usually wear bike shorts + T shirt + padded gloves (and a Bell helmet + a 4 digit bike).
Unless it's Ultegra.....personally I love my 105 on my Klein.
Oh yeah and my Rolf Vectors my wife bought me for our 10th anniversary are nice to.
You don't feel to out of place when there are a couple hundred of you dressed alike.
Oh yeah and my Rolf Vectors my wife bought me for our 10th anniversary are nice to.
You don't feel to out of place when there are a couple hundred of you dressed alike.
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