Newbie Needs Cycling Apparel

[Cynthia]

Hi All..not sure if this post belongs in the new rider forum or apparel forum, but I just got my first bike this week:D and just found this site this morning.

I have great gloves and a helmet I bought at the cycling shop.
So now what else should I be wearing? All of the cycling pants I saw at the bike shop were $100 and up. Is this the norm for cycling apparel? I've been checking out Models & Ebay and have not found any quality products so far. If I do need to invest in good apparel I will gladly invest in a nice outfit. I saw a few pairs of capri's that are cute and nice tops, but so many styles to choose from. Now that the weather is getting hot and humid here I want what's most comfortable.
Suggestions welcomed?

[F8th637]

I know that it may seem like some cycling clothes are expensive but one thing you should not skimp on is cycling shorts. Trust me as I am learning this right now. I have 3 pairs of cheapy cycling shorts I bought from Performance Bike under $40. I recently splurged on a pair of Pearl Izumi Sugar Knickers and they are the comfiest things ever. I use to have to always adjust myself on my saddle but with the more expensive pair of shorts I didn't have to do this. I'm now in the market to buy some more.

I highly recommend dri-fit or moisture-wicking clothes. Since taking up cycling I don't work out or ride in anything cotton (unless I'm running nearby errands). The moisture-wicking clothes definitely make a difference.

Check out the store that Team Estrogen (http://www.teamestrogen.com) has as well as Sierra Trading Post (http://www.sierratradingpost.com) for some good deals!

Welcome to TE!

[Trek420]

Check out the store that Team Estrogen (http://www.teamestrogen.com) has as well as Sierra Trading Post (http://www.sierratradingpost.com) for some good deals!

Welcome to TE!

Check out the sale/closeout section on TE has great deals. Steepandcheap.com but your timing has to be right on that :cool:

Check the for sale threads right here

Welcome to TE :)

[VeloVT]

Welcome Cynthia, and congratulations on your new bike (you will have to tell us more about it :D).

The price of cycling clothes can be rather shocking. And sadly, with shorts especially, less expensive items are usually of lesser quality. Good shorts start at around $70.

You mention "cycling pants", and I"m not sure if that was just a generic way of referring to bottoms -- but you will definitely want some shorts for summer!

--Below 45-50 deg (F), I'll wear tights
--From about 46-60, I'll wear knickers
--60+, I'm in shorts. Some people like knickers throughout the summer for sun protections, but I would find that too much fabric when it gets hot.

You can definitely get great deals on quality cycling apparel on Ebay, but you sort of need to know what you are looking for.

For instance, these new Shebeest Ultra D's for $64.99 are a great deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/shebeest-sb-ultra-d-cycling-shorts-womens-size-large_W0QQitemZ220240808417QQihZ012QQcategoryZ158992QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

By contrast, here they are at Paragon Sports (a "real" retail store in NYC) for $119.99:
http://www.paragonsports.com/Paragon/Shop?DSP=40000&PCR=1:100:1001:10022:100193&IID=5751-2141&campaign=2570

I have bought several (new) bike clothing items on ebay and it's worked out really well. In each case I was looking for a specific model I had researched beforehand, and found exactly what I was looking for. I think it's harder if you don't have a sense of how different brands fit you and what the fabrics tend to be like. Until you have a sense of what you like, it might be better to shop at stores, since often Ebay merchants will not permit you to return items just because they don't fit.

Sierra Trading Post has great deals and an easy return policy, but the selection is very "catch as catch can".

Team Estrogen has amazing customer service :D. Also, I think TE has a very carefully chosen product line-up -- everthing they carry is good quality, so while you may not love each item (shorts preferences can be as individual as saddle preferences), you're not going to go too terribly wrong either.

Good luck!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I would say that both TeamEstrogen:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/default.asp
and Terry:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/product.html?c=Apparel
have the largest online assortment of women's cycling clothes and gear.
They also both have excellent customer service. If you have doubts, just call either of them and knowledgeable women will cheerfully and patiently help you on the phone with your questions about cycling clothes.
Be sure to watch their sale sections periodically too.


Better to buy one quality pair of chamois padded shorts than to buy 2 pairs of cheap ones. As for tops, I just wear something really bright so that cars will see me.
I think helmet, gloves, and padded shorts/tights/capris are the 3 most important items. Unless you never ride more than 10 miles, in which case you might not even need padded bottoms.

[Zen]

What size do you wear?
I might could help you out.

[Geonz]

... and everybody's different. My most minimalist riding buddies have gloves, toe clips and helmets- everything else is casual wear.
If it's more than 30 miles, I do rather like some chamois between me and my seat, and oh, my... that evaproating synthetic stuff can be just wonderful on days when it's warm enough to sweat but cool enough to chill.

[Flur]

LOL! This weekend my DH and I went to our LBS to get some stuff for our new bikes and to get some bike shorts for me (my first pair - I've always just worn workout shorts). So I picked out a nice pair for $50. We got to the register and I wasn't really paying attention, I just handed the guy my credit card. The guy kept talking about how nice the shorts were, but I didn't think much of it until we were on the way home. I was wondering why he'd been so excited about the shorts, so I took a second look and it seems they weren't $50, they were $150!! I guess my eyes just glanced over that first 1 as it never occurred to me they would be that expensive! So back to the store I went....

I ended up looking around online based on what I'd tried on in the store. I ordered a pair of Pearl Izumis that were originally $99 but were 50% off. Hopefully I won't regret it. Fingers are crossed.

[Cynthia]

Thanks so much for all your responses:)
Like I said I'm very new at this and need guidance. I have a lot of great links here to check out, but basically I do get the picture, "you want style and comfort then dont' skimp"
I'm too tired tonight to do any online shopping, will have to wait until work tomorrow
night all:D