Newbie Bike Clothing questions specif. Verge Sport

I'm a brand new rider, who has the (dubious?!) distinction of dating someone who is very involved with the local cycling club. Well, it's time to order the club kit (ala Verge Sport) and I don't know what to buy. I don't want to look like the newbie I am by 1) either buying the wrong stuff all together or 2) over-purchasing for the biking I intend to do this summer and beyond. I guess my thought is I'll order:

sport cut short sleeve jersey
bib style shorts
arm & leg warmers

Back story: I'm a marathoner who hopes to do either a tri this year and/or get into cyclocross for the first time. So, I'll be cross train with biking at least twice a week with club rides (approx 70 miles weekly) while I train for a fall marathon and whatever else cycling brings...

Thanks in advance for any aid/assistance/help/mental health counseling you can offer. :)

sounds good to me!

and welcome to TE!

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

sounds good to me!

and welcome to TE!

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Thanks! Another question, if I might... any advice and arm & leg warmer sizing? and actually Verge Sport sizing in particular, I'm 5'6" and weigh 127 (+/- cookies/chocolate) and I'm usually 4/6 in reg clothing. I figured I'd get a size medium for the sport cut jersey and a size small in the bib shorts but how does someone figure out sizing for unisex warmers?

you want the small size arm warmers. I hope they fit you.
but remember, you can always order both small and x small (if it exists) and send back the one that doesn't fit. You want a snug fit on arm and leg warmers.
I never could wear leg warmers they didn't stay over my knees. So I wear knickers and knee socks but I'm a way different kind of cyclist from you.

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Originally Posted by chilidogbeagle

Thanks! Another question, if I might... any advice and arm & leg warmer sizing? and actually Verge Sport sizing in particular, I'm 5'6" and weigh 127 (+/- cookies/chocolate) and I'm usually 4/6 in reg clothing. I figured I'd get a size medium for the sport cut jersey and a size small in the bib shorts but how does someone figure out sizing for unisex warmers?

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If you're looking at sport cut, are you ordering men's? I think women's is only race or club.

I'm about your size, and in Verge unisex leg and knee warmers, I wear XS.

Size chart: http://vergesport.com/store/sizing.p...iezka=&szukaj=

For most cycling clothing brands, when in doubt, order smaller.

For most cycling clothing brands, when in doubt, order smaller

I would make an exception with Terry stuff which seems to run small- I have normal shoulders size 34 bra and their small seems quite snug on me. I always end up ordering a medium.

The other one that I have bought from that seems to run small is Apres Velo although I adore their sense of humor, the kicky designs and their whole joyous attitude and attention to detail.

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Originally Posted by marni

For most cycling clothing brands, when in doubt, order smaller

I would make an exception with Terry stuff which seems to run small- I have normal shoulders size 34 bra and their small seems quite snug on me. I always end up ordering a medium.

The other one that I have bought from that seems to run small is Apres Velo although I adore their sense of humor, the kicky designs and their whole joyous attitude and attention to detail.

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Hmmm, I can wear a S, M or L in Shebeest jerseys, depending on the style.

If you're going to try 'cross in New England (woohoo!), you might want a long sleeve jersey as well. Arm warmers are ok to a point, but the long sleeve jersey would be a better purchase IMO. I hardly EVER wear arm warmers when riding or racing, except when the morning starts out cool, and warms up drastically.

I wouldn't purchase INSTEAD OF, but IN ADDITION TO if you are just starting out.

Oh - and if you think you are a M (and wear a size 4/6 normally) you want a size S jersey. When you're riding, you want it to be snug - provides less wind resistance.

SheFly

And ps - any questions about New England 'cross or racing in general - happy to help! Welcome to TE.

I might add a pair of regular shorts too. You can ride both days on a weekend without worrying that the shorts aren't going to dry overnight, and some days, I just can't be bothered with bibs.

I don't like Bibs cause it makes it that much harder to go to the bathroom. Some people don't care. I would not like to just have bibs as my only option; I would get regular shorts and I would guestimate that you will be a small. These are unisex sized and they usually run larger or not as tailored as womens so I usually go for the smaller of the sizes in unisex.

If you get a full zip jersey, then wearing bibs isn't a big deal. IMO, it's much better to be able to breathe than to worry about bathroom convenience. Even my winter tights are bibs.

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Originally Posted by aicabsolut

If you get a full zip jersey, then wearing bibs isn't a big deal. IMO, it's much better to be able to breathe than to worry about bathroom convenience. Even my winter tights are bibs.

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I agree on this one. I have a long torso, and my jersey will ride up on me while riding. Wearing bibs not only means no elastic around my middle (YAY!) but also no sunburn along the small of my back :D.

And aicabsolut - my winter tights are also bibs, and I typically even wear bib shorts under those!

SheFly

of course bibs are something that some of us cannot even bear the thought of, but I am thinking you already know you like them.

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Originally Posted by SheFly

I agree on this one. I have a long torso, and my jersey will ride up on me while riding. Wearing bibs not only means no elastic around my middle (YAY!) but also no sunburn along the small of my back :D.

And aicabsolut - my winter tights are also bibs, and I typically even wear bib shorts under those!

SheFly

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There must be lots of real bathrooms on your rides I guess - Out here in rural AZ, wearing, a jacket, undershirt for warmth, even a full zip jersey and bibs would be pretty cold and not so good when you have to hide behind a bush.

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Originally Posted by spokewench

I don't like Bibs cause it makes it that much harder to go to the bathroom. Some people don't care...

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I feel that way about "normal" bibs, but love my PI droptail bibs (2011 version better than 2010 version) - it really does make it easier and I find myself MORE likely to find a bush than I am with regular shorts. I think I feel less exposed - though there was a bit of a learning curve :o

If the bib shorts aren't drop-tail, and I am guessing they are not, you might want to consider regular bike shorts and check out the different options out there for drop-tail bibs. Bibs are awesome, but "regular" bibs do present more of a challenge when Mother Nature causes you to seek out a bush.

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Originally Posted by marni

For most cycling clothing brands, when in doubt, order smaller

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You mean some day, I'll even grow to like the feeling of wearing sausage casing? lol. I'm not a lover of tight clothing. Don't get me wrong... it's not like I dress like I'm particularly "observant". Stuff that clings just doesn't do it for me. I will heed all of your advice on the sizing and recommendations.

I have purchased reg shorts, too and will def buy a long sleeve jersey as I approach cross weather and fall riding, in general. I also have tights (reg & thermal) from all of my running, which is really my true love.

Thank you SO much for all of your input... this is unchartered territory for me and I'm very excited. I've just in the last two months completed cancer treatment again (4th time since 1988) and the imperative for me now is to do everything I've always wanted to do and even some stuff I said I'd never do. Cyclocross and maybe a sprint tri would both fill the bill for this year!

Welcome to TE and also Cape Cod Cycling! If you can come to the meeting this week at the Radisson, 7:30, we should have sizing samples to try before we order. I look forward to meeting you, and we should be starting up the Monday night women's ride soon. PM me if you want more info!

And definitely do 'cross this fall! We need more Cape women out there!

Linda

I dunno...I really don't need to stop that much. Did 75 miles 2 weeks ago and drank 4 bottles and didn't need a pee break. I don't do ultra distance cycling, and it sounds like the OP doesn't either.

Getting a kit on the snug side is more about eliminating chafing and getting improved aerodynamics for racing than it is about being comfortable in lycra. It shouldn't constrict your movement on the bike, but it's not necessarily going to be a particularly comfy outfit to just hang out in.

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Originally Posted by spokewench

There must be lots of real bathrooms on your rides I guess - Out here in rural AZ, wearing, a jacket, undershirt for warmth, even a full zip jersey and bibs would be pretty cold and not so good when you have to hide behind a bush.

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Um - winter in New England ;). I also don't have to stop much for pee breaks, but when I do (rarely), the undershirt is always still on as it goes under the bibs. The tops need to come off, but only one sleeve ;)

And trust me - there are no "real bathrooms" on our rides, and when I gotta go, I don't really care ;).

SheFly

The fact is that if I have to go to bathroom bad enough to stop and seek out a bush, I have to go bad enough to not mind getting out of my bibs to go...and the benefits of bibs far out weigh the going-to-the-bathroom-clothes-shuffle.

Does anyone have any feedback on the comfort of the chamois in the women's Verge shorts/bibshorts?

I'd go with a pair of knicker/capri style rather than leg warmers. Arm warmers work, but the legs are a pain.
I'm not a bib type of rider, no facilities along the way. If you aren't peeing, you aren't drinking enough.
My favorite brand for shorts, capri, bibs are L. Garneau. No elastic at waist or leg and minimal chamois.