What to wear??

[GenB]

As my previous posts suggest, I am an extreme newbie here. I'm having trouble deciding what to wear. I am not a strong rider and am working on that. I do commute to work most days and am starting to slowly do more distance work.

I don't have lots of money to drop on an expensive jersey and they're all so different that I've gotten confused. Are different styles for different types of riding? I just need something basic for cycling to work and out on some weekend rides for now, sometimes with a group, sometimes not.

Any recommendations? Thanks!!

[PamNY]

For summer, I wear cycling shorts under stretchy pants or capris. Someone here recommended that, and it has worked well for me.

I don't see any point in a jersey unless you need the pockets. Other than that, a hi visibility windbreaker is nice, as are gloves.

[Grog]

Maybe plain clothes?

I wear bike shorts to cycle to work because it's about 9 miles one way and includes a number of hills including a big one that I often end up attacking (it's more than a mile long), and I usually am soaked by the time I get to work so I need a shower anyway. But if my commute was flat, or shorter, I would just wear plain clothes.

I like to wear jerseys for my commute because I can put my keys in my jersey pockets and easily reach to them when locking up my bike. But I already have lots of jerseys. I wouldn't buy a jersey for that only reason.

If your rides on the weekend are going to be significantly longer and faster then maybe it's worth it to invest in more gear. Good shorts (not cheap ones) would definitely be at the top of my list (along with gloves).

Enjoy!

[Kiwi Stoker]

If you don't need the pockets just buy some quick dry t-shirts or similar to ride in. Cotton soaks up the sweat and damp patches show. And do invest in some good cycle shorts as they will make your ride more comfortable. Plus gloves to protect your hands.

And that's all you need to start off.

[lo123]

If you're going to spend money, I'd spend more on shorts than jerseys.

For jerseys, I've bought a few from Performance Bike, I have a sleeveless and a short sleeve jersey in their Divine model (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1048062_-1_41500_20000_43000). Not fantastic, but they are wicking (a good thing!). I like having pockets to hold my inhaler when I dont' have my bento box on my bike. If you need to have something handy (gels, medication, etc), the pockets can be a lifesaver.

My shorts, I'm more picky, but I ride ~100 miles a week. I love my Sugoi evolution shorty shorts. They cost ~$90 retail, but they are worth every penny in my opinion. Not having a sore rear is important in my book :)

[bikerchic]

KiwiStoker
If you don't need the pockets just buy some quick dry t-shirts or similar to ride in. Cotton soaks up the sweat and damp patches show.

I would just like to pipe in that cotton is a bad choice because it does not wick the dampness away from your skin and many a cyclist has ended up getting pretty sick from that myself included.

Otherwise there have been many good suggestions given I never regretted spending a few bucks on my first pair of cycling shorts or my first jersey, still wear them *gulp* 12 or 13 years later! Great investment!

Happy riding GenB and welcome!

[RolliePollie]

Good advice here. I agree 100% on the shorts advice...get yourself a good pair. I like Pearl Izumi myself. Tops are not as critical, although I would suggest high visibility colors.

Often you can find last year's shorts and jerseys on discount websites like Sierra Trading Post. They have these good basic PI shorts on sale for $35.99:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/260,1631H_Pearl-Izumi-Classic-Cycling-Shorts-For-Women.html

[Ana]

What sort of bike set up/distance are you riding?

I don't wear bike shorts or jerseys to commute--I only wear those on longer rides where I need the padding and pockets. Plus, my commuter has a bigger, cushier saddle on it (i.e. NOT for centuries or racing... ;)) and have not had any trouble commuting 2-6 miles round trip :) I see many people commuting in jeans and other types of pants. I like wearing stretchy, athletic pants and tops :) Oh yes, and a high-viz jersey...you never can be too careful :p

If you put a post in the For Sale/Wanted part that you are looking for some shorts, I'm sure many people have some shorts with which they would be willing to part for a small fee :) The curse of cycling is that, inevitably, you continue to accumulate an increasing number of cycling gear... ;)

[shootingstar]

Unless you're doing a few significant hills or your bike saddle feels uncomfortable, it appears for your short commuting distance, what you are wearing for shorts/bottom, is working for you. AFter all, you continue to cycle-commute nearly daily. That's great.

Even if you don't need padded cycling shorts for your short commute distance, it still is better to cycle in shorts or long tights where it fits closer to your legs and there's no binding/cutting into your waist, etc.

It is better to wear a top, if it isn't a cycling jersey, that has a certain amount of polyester. Or a high polyester-cotton blend for your commuting distance. At some point, you will want a jersey and once you wear one, you won't look back:

I actually didn't start wearing any cycling jerseys until the last 9 years of cycling. And I've been cycling for past 17 yrs. with earlier years having some significant 2-3 wks. long bike trips where I biked with my own loaded panniers. If you can believe this: I resisted the image of me looking too "cycling-oriented". :p In the spring and summer, it wasn't a big deal because cycling along with wind/air movement, the sweat dried off of me. And I never wore skintight tops anyway, so the sweat just dried off as I cycled when I wasn't wearing any jacket.

Instead what I found helpful, were a cycling jacket where my body could breathe properly and breathable rain pants. I was sweating in the wrong type of windbreakers, etc. This outdoorwear extended my regular cycling into cooler months before snow flew. I know these pieces do cost, but if you want to keep on cycling longer later when it gets cooler/lousier weather, it will feel much more comfortable.

[ZooZoo]

I'm pretty new to cycling myself. I didn't get jerseys right away - and when I did, bought them pretty cheaply on sale - but I did get cycling shorts right away and a pair of gloves. In my opinion, both are essentials.

[featuretile]

When I first started riding I went to Ross and bought wicking athletic t-shirts in bright colors (and they only cost $8 - $10). I still use them and I use a traveling money pouch since the shirts do not have back pockets. I also bought a wicking athletic jacket there in bright pink (I always hated pink). The cycling class leader said you need bright colors to be seen in traffic and Ross ends up with alot of pink. I bought some cycling shorts at Sierra Trading Post online. They have lots of stuff in the cycling or athletic section and prices are very low. You can check back to see if they have any new cheap jerseys or shorts. It's really much more comfortable to bike in stretchy clothes. At first I was a little self conscious, but now I don't really care.

[GenB]

Thanks for the tips, ladies!! I resisted the urge to get gloves because I am such a newbie and felt funny buying all of the biking "equipment" used by far superior riders but I'm thinking now that I may get a pair. I know I will fall at some point and really am attached to the skin on my hands.

I do have biking shorts which I also use for spinning. They are good quality and I wear them almost every day between commuting to work and spin class.

I got a Pearl Izumi jersey on ebay for 13.00 last week and will use that because it does wick - we live in South Georgia and the humidity has been brutal lately. Its tough to ride in a cotton t-shirt. I have found that it almost "holds in" the heat - I can feel it coming up out of the neck of my shirt. So between the heat and humidity, I felt a jersey was not a bad purchase (especially at such a good price!)

I think I'm set now except for maybe one more jersey and one more pair of bike shorts - I'm tired of doing laundry every night!!

Thanks for all the good advice - I'm glad I asked. I think I'll save alot more money now!

[Owlie]

You want gloves. Trust me. I bought gloves before I bought a jersey.

[MartianDestiny]

Its tough to ride in a cotton t-shirt. I have found that it almost "holds in" the heat - I can feel it coming up out of the neck of my shirt. So between the heat and humidity, I felt a jersey was not a bad purchase (especially at such a good price!)

I think I'm set now except for maybe one more jersey and one more pair of bike shorts - I'm tired of doing laundry every night!!

Thanks for all the good advice - I'm glad I asked. I think I'll save alot more money now!

"Cotton Kills"

I've also lived in GA, and you just can't wear the stuff in the humidity and exercise. Really it's not the best idea to wear it anywhere and hike or exercise because, as you've found, it doesn't wick and it holds moisture to you (the quote is actually from backpackers where cotton really can kill you by keeping you wet!).

Sounds like you are off to a good wardrobe start. Keep your eyes open for sales/deals and it will gradually expand ;)

[indigoiis]

I always hit up the consignment and thrift stores in my area and look at their "athletic" racks - both men's and women's. I have gotten some nice Under Armor, Nike, Athleta, Louis Garneau, and Mountain Hardware tops for under ten bucks - often they don't know what they have. A wicking t to layer under a lightweight nylon jacket (high vis IS nice) for Spring and Fall, and add a wool sweater in winter. For summer I eventually broke down and bought jerseys with pockets because of the convenience - but always at discount through Performance or Sierra Trading. Bargains can be had.

I agree with up - GLOVES are really important. I wear regular bobby socks with my shoes, and cycling shorts (bought new except one used pair bought here.)

[canonsue]

I wear inexpensive wicking t-shirts from Target and a lightweight high-vis construction vest when I am on the road with cars.

It is no wonder that none of the young riders in kits will even acknowledge me let alone be friendly as we pass each other on the roads.:rolleyes:

-Sue

[Vivi Doom]

Thanks for the tips, ladies!! I resisted the urge to get gloves because I am such a newbie and felt funny buying all of the biking "equipment" used by far superior riders but I'm thinking now that I may get a pair. I know I will fall at some point and really am attached to the skin on my hands.


I totally understand this sentiment, but after the past year of riding (somewhat sporadically) in a cheap helmet, a tank top and old cheap bike shorts - I finally broke down and got a new helmet, a jersey, bike shorts and gloves last month. I am much more comfortable now, and because of that - I'm way more likely to race home from work or get up extra early to get a ride in.

In fact, I JUST now bought my new helmet this afternoon and was struggling with looking like my gear was way more advanced than my skill. However, the helmet fit really well, and I'm way more concerned with being as safe and comfortable as I possible.

[Crankin]

Well, I acknowledge everyone, whether I am wearing my S Pro shorts and a jersey on my road bike, or wearing a skort or loose capris on my Jamis Coda.
I like to see what kind of reaction I get from the different riders. I have found that more roadies wave back when I am on my Jamis than when I was using a Voodoo mountain bike for my utility bike. I think it's because it's a cool looking bike and not common around here. I also see a lot of drivers smiling at me when I am riding with my pannier packed, especially if there's a nice loaf of bread sticking out! I also found that the "super fast" guys say hi a lot more since I've had my Kuota than when I had my Trek 5200, which was still a very nice bike. And it definitely is not because I am keeping up with them, as people blow by me when I am going 20 mph... again, I think they are looking at the bike, which is not that common.
I don't think it matters if you are a new rider or how fast you go. You have no reason to think that you don't "have the right" to wear cycling shorts or jerseys. There's no rule about how fast you need to go to wear cycling clothes!

[BeeLady]

If I am riding less than 25 miles, I wear what ever I'll be comfortable going into a store in. Over 25 miles, I wear padded shorts either alone or under a skirt.

I usually wear technical fabric on top in the summer as its usually 90 degrees by 10 a.m. here. I don't wear jerseys anymore unless I am on an organized ride as bicycling and cycling really does not require that much technical gear.

I do wear gloves, I wear an improvised sun hat/helmet combo, I wear sunglasses, and I wear Keene cycling sandals as I ride a heavy bike and need to be clipped in to be the slightest bit efficient.

As far as jerseys, padded shorts, etc., it depends on where and why I am cycling on any given day. I use my bike(s) primarily for transportation rather than sport or exercise or fun (although I have fun, get exercise and like to go really fast when I can!)