Women's cylcing apparel in DC area??

**bikaroney** · 10-10-2006, 02:28 PM

Does anyone know of any good bike clothing retailers in the DC area? I've done the REI, Performance Bike, and Hudson Trail, as well as some independent stores but am pretty unsatisfied. So many of these places have great men's selection, but the women's selection sucks!!!! I actually find Performance's women's section offensive. Obviously there's Team Estrogen (which I love

), but I want to try some stuff on. I traveled to Seattle recently and was sooo jealous of the many options there. I'd appreciate any insights from any DC riders! Thanks!

**Rakekay** · 10-12-2006, 04:21 PM

Try Spokes Etc. (locations in Vienna and Old Town and elsewhere too, I think). They don't have TONS of stuff for women, but what they do have seemed nice if you're a small-ish woman. They didn't seem to have a lot of stuff in larger sizes. I've also seen some decent stuff at ****'s out in the Fair Oaks area. Although to be honest, I end up bying most of my stuff online and just hoping for the best.

**HillSlugger** · 10-13-2006, 08:30 AM

Hi,

I hope you'll excuse me hijacking this thread for a moment. A few of us DC area-TE gals will be meeting at the Rileys Lock parking area on Sunday October 15 at 9am for a 25 mile ride along the C&O canal towpath. You are welcome to join us. You can pick up this thread at: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9893

Please invite anyone else in the area to join us.

Hope to see you there.

Nicole

**Kalidurga** · 10-13-2006, 09:43 AM

Hey there, bikaroney: Where in the DC area are you willing to drive? The best selections of apparel I've found so far are at Race Pace in Ellicott City and The Bike Doctor in Frederick. I'll agree, though, that the pickings are a bit slim. I refuse to wear pastels or bright primary colors, so that knocks out 80% of the women's apparel out there.

And, I'll second Nicole's invitation to join us this weekend

**HillSlugger** · 10-13-2006, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Hey there, bikaroney: Where in the DC area are you willing to drive? The best selections of apparel I've found so far are at Race Pace in Ellicott City and The Bike Doctor in Frederick. I'll agree, though, that the pickings are a bit slim. I refuse to wear pastels or bright primary colors, so that knocks out 80% of the women's apparel out there.

And, I'll second Nicole's invitation to join us this weekend

Kali, the Race Pace website says that they have four locations, including Ellicot City and Columbia. Have you been to both? Do you specifically mention Ellicot City because they have a better selection?

Thanks, Nicole

**Kalidurga** · 10-14-2006, 05:50 AM

I haven't been to the Race Pace in Columbia. Ellicott City is kinda sorta on my way to and from B'more, so it's easier for me to get to than Columbia. Plus, I have a tendency to get lost in Columbia.

The guys in the E.C. shop, though, mentioned that the Columbia shop is bigger, which must be incredible because the E.C. shop is huge.

**HillSlugger** · 10-14-2006, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

I haven't been to the Race Pace in Columbia. Ellicott City is kinda sorta on my way to and from B'more, so it's easier for me to get to than Columbia. Plus, I have a tendency to get lost in Columbia.

The guys in the E.C. shop, though, mentioned that the Columbia shop is bigger, which must be incredible because the E.C. shop is huge.

I ask because I've never been to Ellicot City but I frequently end up in Columbia. For me Columbia is more convenient. I'll try to check it out next weekend when I'm in the area and let you know.

**7rider** · 10-16-2006, 06:21 AM

[QUOTE=Kalidurga;133328]Plus, I have a tendency to get lost in Columbia.
QUOTE]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

As much as I love my LBS, I am frustrated by their women's clothing selection. If you wear size S or XS, perhaps you'll have luck, but for the rest of us.......

Thanks for the Race Pace link...I'll have to check them out next time I'm in Columbia.

**aicabsolut** · 10-18-2006, 03:35 PM

Hmm.. I wear an S usually and I've had minimal luck. Found a good pair of Cannondale shorts, ordered a pair of ok (chamois is kind of weird) Nike knickers online. Tried some jerseys (LS for fall..don't have any summer ones yet either), and none fit. They're all horrible colors and too short. I think I'd need a men's XS, possibly S, (I've got broad shoulders and a long torso, but it's only about 33" chest) but these LBSs don't carry those sizes in the men's stuff either.

And what's up with all the women's shorts having the itty bittiest inseams?

I've looked in Revolution and City Bikes. Last time I went in Spokes, I forgot to check out the clothing.

It seems everywhere I look it's all women's large or just so wrong I don't get close enough to look at the sizes

**7rider** · 10-18-2006, 05:23 PM

Well, you may want to check out the Bicycle Place on Grubb Rd in Silver Spring - http://www.thebicycleplace.com/
They carry Nike, Descente, and Castelli, generally, and some other stuff. I think I've seen some Zoic in there for tri-stuff from time to time. Not a huge selection, but maybe something will click for you there. Of course, the men's selection is bigger....Grrrr.....

**Mimosa** · 10-18-2006, 11:37 PM

Well glad to see the problem is the same everywhere

What I also find stunning is that the womens apparel that meets my standard (meaning normal colored, functional clothing) is so expensive. Often the normal priced womens clothing have:
- a horrible colour design,
- the length is too short,
- is made out of stretchy material (which means you can't put anthing heavy in your backpocket then the shirt will bounce around),
- only has one backpocket(instead of 3)

Near me is only one shop that has a decent collection of womens clothing (they are more a sportsclothing shop then a bikeshop) so I first look there. And afterwards I also look in the mens section to see if I can get something simular in there (for often less money). The only thing I pay attention to is if the mens shirts isn't to thight around the breasts.

**aicabsolut** · 10-21-2006, 08:15 AM

Well I don't have the breast problem...rather, most of the men's sizes start too wide in the chest area for my measurements including my breasts. I don't need skin tight but streamlined would be nice, like how the women's stuff fits in the torso.

I'm in the market for some tights. There was maybe one pair of nice looking cannondale tights in my size at my usual LBS, and I like cannondale, but the price tag was not so great. I'd rather get one with a chamois than deal with layering. I usually need to try stuff on. Something a tad lower in the rise than usual would be good, because I'm low waisted. I also have skinny calves (cycling has gotten them up to about a whopping 13", and skinny ankles too, so I'm a little concerned about zippers versus stretchy bottoms like in knickers. Don't want them too baggy in the calf.

Anyone have any suggestions of brands? Know any LBS with good women's tights selection around here these days so I can try stuff on?

**bikaroney** · 10-21-2006, 08:44 AM

Yeah, I'm also looking for tights. I actually bought the Pearl Izumi Therma Fleece Cycling Tight and just got back from my first ride with them. I've gotta say, I wasn't impressed (padding was nothing compared to my shorts) and am still on the lookout for something better. City Bikes doesn't have any tights with padding which kind of surprised me. I haven't been to Spokes in a while, but should go check that out. And I'm definitely willing to check out places farther away like Fredrickburg. It's not ideal, but I really want to see the stuff in person before I buy it, and the women's section of most the places near me are just pathetic (and I also agree about the cheap/ugly stuff!).

My boyfriend of course has no problem. Thanks for the suggestions and for the invite for the ride last weekend (sorry I missed it!!)

Any of you Washingtonians feeling industrious enough to start up a women's shop (or even a place with a women's section that is at least comprable to the men's)?

I'd be the first one at the door on opening day!!!

**Mimosa** · 10-21-2006, 12:48 PM

Yesterday I was at a big bike show and looked at the various clothing brands which had a stand there. One brand I know thinks about womens clothing is craft (they deliver to one of the dutch womens team both cycling and speedskating). I saw a lot of nice clothing and the advise price was reasonable. So I went to one of the craft salesguys and asked him where I could buy this stuff, since I do know the brand but from underclothing (sweatshirts etc). And he said "well that could be hard since we only just started to produce this and no one sells it yet." *arrrgghhh* whats the use ....

**aicabsolut** · 10-21-2006, 02:24 PM

Which City Bikes did you go to? I saw a couple pairs at the one in Chevy Chase. Those expensive Cannondales I talked about. I'm not keen on PI. Have a pair of shorts with the 'touring' chamois and hate them. It's like a diaper and chafing.

It's gonna be pretty chilly tomorrow morning in my Nike knickers...again.

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