Problem: Long Torso, Short Jerseys....

[Urlea]

Thanks for all of the input! It's definitely nice to know that I'm not the only one with this issue.

My husband was a sweetie and did the research to find me a long enough tri-suit for a b-day gift. Which is actually how I ended up on this site. So I'm covered in that regard. But for training and longer rides with friends I'll need a jersey.

Do any of you ride with something other then a jersey?

I was curious if some of you would mention trying men's jerseys. This too had crossed my mind. I'm just wondering if they will be small enough everywhere else. I don't mind roomier clothing just not when riding. What North Dakota lacks in hills it makes up with in wind so the added fabric is just left flapping in the breeze.

The bib-shorts are a good idea. Question though, do they tend to get uncomfortable with the added straps of a sports bra or isn't it to noticible? Also, do they make you want to take up wrestling? (always the mental image I get when thinking of them.)

I'll search around a bit for some the brands you ladies listed. It's really to bad a fair amount of them don't list the length under product information.

Hopefully the TE sales reps will be able to answer that. It's great to know they are helpful.

[VeloVT]

Oh -- I just noticed you mentioned issues with shorts being short-waisted too. Once again, Castelli tends to have a higher rise than lots of other brands (although I like my regular bottom a bit low rise, I can't stand low rise bike shorts because I just can't stand accidently flashing my belly/back while biking). Luckily they have a few comfy models of chamois too.

[RoadRaven]

Hmmm... a thread I appreciate on clothes... almost all of my gear is "mens". I have one short sleeved and one long sleeved female jersey/s... both are way too short for me. I use them both for time trials as neither has back pockets. I don't use them any other time.

Mens' jerseys are always long enough and roomy enough for me. I prefer them... however, that being said, I am unwilling to fork out the ammount of money usually required for women specific clothing! So I am unable to give a well-rounded opinion...

[Kathi]

I don't know anything about this company or how their clothes fit but the cycling jersey description caught my eye.

http://www.skirtsports.com/products/...rsey-print.cfm

TE sells the jerseys, they might be worth investigating.

[VeloVT]

I don't know anything about this company or how their clothes fit but the cycling jersey description caught my eye.

http://www.skirtsports.com/products/...rsey-print.cfm

TE sells the jerseys, they might be worth investigating.

I have a few models of their running skirts as well as two "compression bikegirls" (not sure if they still make this style).

They are cute. But the sizing is REALLY uneven across the line, and the quality is uneven too. Some things are pretty well made, others are, well, not exactly poorly made, but not very well executed (for instance, it was recommended on the Skirtsports website to size up on the bikegirl. I did. The skirt would indeed have been too tight and pulled across my rear if I had ordered my usual size. But the bike shorts underneath are a little too big on me (I know that's hard to imagine but it's true). They also didn't do a great job matching up skirt length and short length, so the shorts (on this particular model) come down a bit below the skirt... Some of the construction/finishing is kind of uneven too.

That said, I love my "rollergirl" running skirt!

I think basically the deal is it's a pretty young company and Nicole Deboom has some great ideas for designs, but they haven't quite gotten the production thing worked out yet.

I have to say that I haven't tried any of their tops and they may be better.
(I have the old model: http://www.skirtsports.com/products/...rl-classic.cfm. I'm not crazy about the looks of the updated one).

[kermit]

I too have broad shoulders and long torso. I am cheap on jerseys and buy Performance bike's men's small, sleeveless. They are cheap and fit pretty well. Good selection of colors and they fit pretty well. Good luck.

[short cut sally]

I also am built with long torso short legged and pear shaped. I do have some mens jerseys which I think cover length good but some of them are snug at the hips (the ones with full length zip) on me but as long as I dont get that ride up of the jersey and have odd tan lines on my back, I am good. I try to purchase higher rised shorts too. The womens jerseys that I do have I have ordered a size larger than normal and seems for the most part to solve the issue. I have problems with the tank tops, they seem to ride up or are shorter in general. The tri tanks are like me wearing a slightly oversized sports bra and are impossible for me to wear..I don't want to cause too many frightening accidents Good luck, it's kinda like a trial method I think when it comes to purchasing biking clothes..but give TE a try, the staff I think goes above and beyond to help satisfy the customer.

[Andrea]

I was curious if some of you would mention trying men's jerseys. This too had crossed my mind. I'm just wondering if they will be small enough everywhere else. I don't mind roomier clothing just not when riding. What North Dakota lacks in hills it makes up with in wind so the added fabric is just left flapping in the breeze.

There are a lot of very small men that ride, and most manufacturers of clothing that guys who race would wear will account for that. If you have the option, look for a "race" cut instead of a "club" cut.

[Urlea]

Well my hubby and I headed to the necessary evil (wal-mart sized sports store) this evening.

After trying on a few of the brands you suggested (some sort of worked, but not quite) I took a peek into the men's section. As it turns out they mainly order size M and up in men's jerseys, but I was able to find a sleeveless Cannondale jersey in a S. It fit pretty well, a little loose (I'm the nearly shapeless/bustless type) but, on sale for $25 I couldn't pass it up.

This is it, (I got black).

http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.c...gId=39&id=5807

A few other options I found online looked interesting. I know these aren't for road biking. I think they are more MTB, but they looked longer....

http://oakley.com/pd/4453/17041

http://oakley.com/pd/4452/14314 (on sale for $28 at BackCountry Outlet)

Anyway, I should be geared enough for now.

We're still working to get my Cannondale Synapse off of lay-away so I'm trying to keep my other purchases to a minimum. I'm really excited to get on that bike. It will feel blazing fast compared to what I have now. My Hubby gets his bike first though as he has more triathlons scheduled during my busy season work-wise. Work $$ = Bike so I guess I can't complain.

Thanks again for the input!