Novice needs clothing advice

I'm brand new to biking and am loving it so far. But navigating the clothing options seems mindboggling and the cost of things is pretty shocking. I started with 1 pair of $80 pearl izumi women's padded shorts, and no chafing so far. I get the need for padding, but, Is there really a difference between between $80 shorts and $50 shorts? OR, between $80 shorts and $120 shorts? Is there a significant reason why I should get a jersey vs. a T shirt? And, what's the benefit of those expensive little socks at $9 a pop vs. regular athletic socks where I can get 6 for $9?

The main difference in shorts is in the cut and comfort of the chamois.

As for wicking jerseys and socks over T'
s: Cotton is clammy when you sweat in it, and holds moisture next to the skin. While this feels like evaporative cooling in the summer, in cooler weather it will contribute to hypothermia.

Wicking fabrics "wick" the moisture away from your body which is cooling in the summer, and warmen in cool weather. I personally find it way more comfortable, although some of the fabrics feel slick and icky to me.

Socks - wicking sox will prevent blisters and are coooler. You can get cheap ones at any dept store, no need to spend $9 a pair unless you want to

Irulan

**you can get a lot of nice jerseys on closeout, I go to Performance bike.

biketyke,

For some discussion on shorts/chamois, check out the "Craft Chamois" thread in the "Apparel" area. I am sure there is a lot of info in the archives as well. There are definitely good shorts out there that don't cost $80, and sales can help too. Performancebike.com has great sales!

Jerseys....along with what Irulan noted about the wicking properties of the fabric, a couple of other advantages are pockets in the back to stash....cell phone, bandanna (to wipe sweat or nose), energy bars/bananas/other snacks of choice, wind vest, or whatever. They are also more aerodynamic as t-shirts catch the breeze and slow you down, where jerseys are more form-fitting. Much more comfy for riding. I used to be a t-shirt-wearing rider also, but once you try jerseys, you'll never go back. Plus, there are so many pretty colors and designs...I have an ever-growing collection and love finding new ones. Almost too much! ;)

Socks...a lot of it is just style too (the pricy ones) - they can match your jerseys and come in cool designs and colors, but functionally, they're also thin and wicking. You don't have to buy the pricy ones, but just make sure to wear thinner athletic socks if you wear non cycling-specific socks. I also like the Smartwool cycling socks for cooler weather - keeps those toes warm!

Good luck, welcome, and have fun!

Emily

Sorry to the nice folks at Team Estrogen, but Nashbar is blowing out women's summer jerseys - marked down from 50, 60 , or $70 down to $19.99, and try this code: TKYF5 for an online coupon for an additional 10% off - the jerseys are then $17.99.

I was in the same boat. Didn't 'get' the jerseys and I wore sports bras and tanks, but the jerseys really do wick and keep you cooler, and they are so addictive! The aerodynamics, lots of pockets and comfort will have you hooked as soon as you try one!

For me the difference in the $80 shorts and the $50 shorts depends on how far I am cycling. If I am riding less than an hour the cheaper less padded shorts are alright for me but if I am going to be going longer, or even say, riding harder, pushing for speed rather than lollygagging I need the more padded shorts.

Watch those Nashbar jerseys. I ordered a small. It would fit a toddler. The construction was cheap too. It went back immediately.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=5086

Check out that link. TE is have a great 50% off sale.

Dogmama wrote "Watch those Nashbar jerseys.....The construction was cheap too. It went back immediately."

I ordered a mirror for my road (that's spelled r...o...a....d) bike, got mirror mfr. by Rhode for mountain bikes. I was very specific ordered over the phone (customer service sounds offshore) repeated model numbers, all they knew was to pitch the membership over and over again. Gave it to a mountain biker friend rather than deal with the hassle.

Also as long as I'm here let me spew a word about Performance, used to think they had good deals. On ALC 3 on day 3 I met a gal who was not having a good time, she'd sagged day 1, 2 , now 3 and i gathered later 4 & 5 as well. She was young, fit, ran distance runs and I wondered why she was not making it in each day.

On day 6 determined to ride every mile she did, I caught up with her at a stop light and saw why the long face.

I don't remember her name, and if you're here on the board I hope you don't mind my using your story.

I'm short but this gal was under 5" and Performance had outfitted her with ... I'm just speachless at the poor service...she had a mountain bike with a heavy frame, suspension everything, huge saddle with extra padding just for fun, big knobby tires, some sort of extra bag on the front, just weight on weight on weight, pedals with cages.

And the fit? Maybe if she was 5'6"!!! Stopping and starting was obviously painful, she could not even put a foot down had to lean/fall the bike to the side to stop, then throw herself back up.

We rode and talked, I asked her if she'd told Performance what ride she was doing and how long it was in case the salesperson was born under a rock, she said yes and they had told her this was the right bike for her. I told her what a disservice they had done (to be fair someone on a training ride should have counseled her as well but I do not know if she went on any) and told her now that I saw the bike she was saddled with what an accomplishment to do what she did! :rolleyes:

Yes, I would never, ever buy a bike from Performance, but I have had good luck with clothing and bike gear. I always check it out in person, though. Fortunately, I live only 13 (bikeable!) miles from the Carrboro, NC shop.

That poor girl!

Emily

Performance = Nashbar. One bought the other a couple of years ago.

spazzdog wrote "Performance = Nashbar. One bought the other a couple of years ago."

figures, big fish eat the small fish. Doesn't Trek own at least two other mfr's that used to be independent? Senior moment, can't think of which two....

anywho, I think more people would ride if they got good fit/service. A few o' my coworkers shared that they tried riding but "it hurts". Can't convince them that adjusting is relatively inexpensive or free.

Oh well..more space on the bike lane for me without 'em

I spent quite a few hours being fitted for my Specialized when I bought it. I didn't buy brand specific because it was down to what fitted my body. Treks just didn't fit. Also, I am long waisted so I need as guy's bike but in a short one (52 cm). I can only imgine the disaster if I were to order a bike.

Some years ago I was in a bike shop in Austin, TX and the guys who worked there were clueless to fitting. They put me on a Cannondale mountain bike that I could not straddle at all, the seat was way high and to ride it I had to basically get a mounting block. They just insisted that the bike fit me. Perhaps it was the long waisted thing. I will never forget riding that thing around the parking lot feeling like I was on a circus exhibit, "Step right up ladies and gentlemen and witness the Ladder Riding Lady struggle to go offroad. Watch as she bangs her clitoris senseless when she stops the bike to dismount. Ohhhhh.....see if she can go clipless without being circumsized...."
:eek:

hey Kim, that was surely something to keep in mind the next time I go for a bike fit. I'm still ROTFLMAO . . .

It really is funny when I think back to that incident. Those guys had to have been smoking dope. I literally could not get on the bike without stepping up on something and this was after they 'adjusted' it to fit me. I have not like orange bikes since then, nor have I cared much for Cannondale!

performance = nashbar = supergo.. performance owns all three

i wear performance ultra shorts and really like them. i like the chamois plus they fit! i tried their performance centuries.. but they were too big/baggy...

i don't buy those expensive socks.. first.. cuz even the low rise ones are too high.. i have enough funny looking tan lines! :mad: and i can get a whole package at target for what one little pair of "cycling" socks cost..

around the neighborhood i wear my sports bras and fitness tops... they are all the lycra/coolmax stuff anyways.. however.. no pockets.. for longer rides pockets are a MUST!

oh.. regarding performance and buying a bike.. when we were looking for mine.. hubby asked the guy to see if the bike i wanted fit me cuz we were going to buy it only if it fit OCR1.. pretty silver and pink.. well the guy said "you have to buy it before they'll fit it to you." needless to say we walked out and went next door to supergo.. and didn't have that much better of an experience.. but at least they fit the bike to me before i paid for it!

hind site.. a LBS (not chain) that is more interested in ME and not just making a sale!

Hmmm,... most of the jerseys that were on sale were major manufacturers - PI, Canari, Cannondale and Nike, so I think I'm gonna be okay! I hope so. The bike fit stories are sad, but funny! How can they expect you to buy a bike if you don't know it fits??? Insane! I'm having LBS issues myself, so I'll need to make sure I'm happy before I offer any input on finding a good shop. I've found a bad one easy enough!

TREK owns (or owned) Klein and Gary Fisher... at least, last time I looked back in 2000. TREK might own Volkswagon by now :D