LBS Loyalty ???

[Melody]

[...]I'm tall at 5'11" I feel like a freak trying to find bike clothes in the LBS's.[...]

Popoki, we can be freaks together. I'm 5'10.5 (I'm NOT giving up that 1/2 inch ) and know what you mean about finding clothes. It can be tough.

One thing that drives me nuts is seeing "XL" on a jersey.... and looking and seeing that "XL" means, in that case, a size 12. I *hatehatehate* that. It's like most bike clothes manufacturers make clothing for small lithe skinny people and forget about us.

At least I can find shorts that work well. When I first started riding I used my husband's old pair of shorts and the chamois just wasn't right. I wear PI's top-end shorts now and I'm always afraid of trying something new. :/

Mel

[Popoki_Nui]

One thing that drives me nuts is seeing "XL" on a jersey.... and looking and seeing that "XL" means, in that case, a size 12. I *hatehatehate* that. It's like most bike clothes manufacturers make clothing for small lithe skinny people and forget about us.

Yeah, really! On what planet is size twelve an XL anyway??? Geez that's annoying. I look like Herman Munster in those alleged "XL" sizes Shorts and T-shirts I can find, but try to find long tights/leggings for winter riding in size 18-20?? Forget it.
~Sherry.

[Melody]

Yeah, really! On what planet is size twelve an XL anyway??? Geez that's annoying. I look like Herman Munster in those alleged "XL" sizes Shorts and T-shirts I can find, but try to find long tights/leggings for winter riding in size 18-20?? Forget it.
~Sherry.

Popoki, look for Pearl Izumi Therma Fleece leg warmers. They come in both Large and XL and the way I wear them is I put on socks, then the leg warmers and pull the leg warmers all the up next to my crotch so that they go above the thickest section of my thigh. I then put on my shorts which have the grippy legs. I've found the leg warmers fall down less often. I personally wear the large size and they are comfy warm.

Mel

[li10up]

Popoki, look for Pearl Izumi Therma Fleece leg warmers. They come in both Large and XL and the way I wear them is I put on socks, then the leg warmers and pull the leg warmers all the up next to my crotch so that they go above the thickest section of my thigh. I then put on my shorts which have the grippy legs. I've found the leg warmers fall down less often. I personally wear the large size and they are comfy warm.

Mel

I'm a size 14/16 in the real world and recently ordered the Pearl Izumi leg warmers. I bought the size medium (I guess they are men's - didn't see any women's sizes) and they fit me without having to pull them all the way up to my crotch...and I carry most of my weight in my butt and thighs...hope that helps you pick a size. I guess the clothing manufactures don't realize that if a woman is a size 14 or better she probably doesn't want to wear skin tight jerseys...give me the loose "club fit" jerseys. I've just decided to always order an XL or else I'll just be paying to ship it back.

[stella]

my lbs went out of business a few years ago. I worked there part-time. I have found another lbs that I am very happy with: The Hub in Providence, RI. really good guys--they knew the owner of my old lbs, they are fair, honest and reasonable. If they don't have it, they will order it for me.

I also frequent Laughing Dog in Amherst, Mass. when I am at school, another good lbs. Have gone there for mechanical stuff when I can't get back to Providence. Actually, the owner of the Hub knows the owner of Laughing Dog...I didn't know this until recently!

I am pretty loyal but have shopped on-line at TE or Wallingford Bikes (referred by an LBS) when I wanted to try a Brooks Saddle b/c of their 6 mos. guarantee. So, some on-line shops are like an lbs for me.

[SJCzar]

Except for EBay and other online clothes purchases I do, most of my shopping is at the same LBS. My daughter's long-time boyfriend works there so he gives me a hard time if I talk about going anywhere else....of course with the great discounts he gives me I don't have much reason to.

My daughter does have another friend who works at a larger competing LBS, so that's my backup store. We took both of these friends to Colorado snowboarding this winter so with them both being bike mechanics I never have to worry about getting any work done on my bike. Yes, I am sometimes evil and tell the boyfriend that if he doesn't have time for my bike I could always ask the other friend to do it....it works everytime. My daughter has no interest in bikes and she loves to complain when we get into bike discussions.