Cycling clothing - Lycra - help me.
Discussion
Morning Chaps,
Recently started taking Cycling a little more seriously. Im riding a Full Suspension Boardman MTB mainly on road (Suspension locked out with road tyres). If by the end of the summer I am still riding as much ill look to pick up a 2012 Road Bike as the 2013 models roll out - fingers crossed a road bike will feel rapid after 6months riding the MTB!
Im starting to spend a few hours a week in the saddle so feel I need to invest in clothing a little more - i.e I want to be more comfortable on the saddle and not look like a hobo.
I currently have a £15 pair of unbranded padded lycra shorts which have seen their best.
Where do I start with getting some new shorts etc, there seem to be padded shorts ranging from £20 through to gel padded bib shorts for £200. Whats the benefits of gel padding? Are the higher price products generally so expensive because of the label or do they make you pedal faster
Any advice appreciated before the guy in the local bike shop persuades me to blow £100 on a pair.
Cheers.
Recently started taking Cycling a little more seriously. Im riding a Full Suspension Boardman MTB mainly on road (Suspension locked out with road tyres). If by the end of the summer I am still riding as much ill look to pick up a 2012 Road Bike as the 2013 models roll out - fingers crossed a road bike will feel rapid after 6months riding the MTB!
Im starting to spend a few hours a week in the saddle so feel I need to invest in clothing a little more - i.e I want to be more comfortable on the saddle and not look like a hobo.
I currently have a £15 pair of unbranded padded lycra shorts which have seen their best.
Where do I start with getting some new shorts etc, there seem to be padded shorts ranging from £20 through to gel padded bib shorts for £200. Whats the benefits of gel padding? Are the higher price products generally so expensive because of the label or do they make you pedal faster
Any advice appreciated before the guy in the local bike shop persuades me to blow £100 on a pair.
Cheers.
R500POP said:
Don't do what I did.
Ordered some cycling kit, in white, whent for a nice cycle to the pub & got caught in shower.
Standing at the bar, noticed I was getting more funny looks than usual, then I realised that the white lycra had gone see-through!!!!
You were standing in a pub in white lycra?Ordered some cycling kit, in white, whent for a nice cycle to the pub & got caught in shower.
Standing at the bar, noticed I was getting more funny looks than usual, then I realised that the white lycra had gone see-through!!!!
R500POP said:
Don't do what I did.
Ordered some cycling kit, in white, whent for a nice cycle to the pub & got caught in shower.
Standing at the bar, noticed I was getting more funny looks than usual, then I realised that the white lycra had gone see-through!!!!
Haha, very good. I live in the country and most roads are covered in sOrdered some cycling kit, in white, whent for a nice cycle to the pub & got caught in shower.
Standing at the bar, noticed I was getting more funny looks than usual, then I realised that the white lycra had gone see-through!!!!
t. So white isnt on my list for starters.So I assume the only advantages with BIB is that they stay up better, dont have a uncomfy waistband and they must keep your lower back warmer maybe? Any other reason to go BIB over standard shorts?
bib shorts are a better fit than regular cycling shorts as they remove the elastic band whcih will dig into your waist. they are much comfier when you are leaning forwards too and its not that hard to undress for a pee either.
brands like Altura, Endura and dhb offer good value for money. Stuff like Shutt and Assos is fantastic quality but has a price to match....
brands like Altura, Endura and dhb offer good value for money. Stuff like Shutt and Assos is fantastic quality but has a price to match....
You have pretty much summed up why bib shorts are more comfortable, they stay up better, don't have an uncomfortable waist band, won't move around while you ride. Made sure you get the right size though, too small and you will know all about it within 1/2 an hour of setting off, too big and they will rub and get snagged on the saddle if/when you get out of the seat.
There is a big difference in quality between a £20 pair and a £200 pair, but spending £60-ish should see you with a comfy well made pair. The difference in quality will be in the material, cut, seams and chamois. Cheap and nasty shorts will have rough/exposed seams, chamois padding that will go flat 20 mins into your ride, limited number of panels which means the fit will not be very ergonomic and may rub - also little things make a difference like rubberised grippers on the legs of the shorts.
Personally I like Northwave kit, well made, comfy and affordable but it is Italian so you have to go a size or two up, I am usually M however take L or XL in Northwave!
As for gel v chamois I think its a personal choice. I had gel shorts and did not get on with them, too much movement while I was on the saddle so switched back to traditional padding. Also need to consider the saddle you are using, if it is already well padded (which I suspect it is being an MTB) you probably don't want to add another thick layer of padding on top.
I would suggest going along to one of the large chain shops who carry a range of shorts and trying some on for size. For the sort of riding you are implying its probably not worth spending £200 on shorts, but you want to be comfy in the saddle so be prepared to spend £60-£80-ish to make your rides more enjoyable.
Oh, as for colour - there is only one, black (its in 'the rules').....
There is a big difference in quality between a £20 pair and a £200 pair, but spending £60-ish should see you with a comfy well made pair. The difference in quality will be in the material, cut, seams and chamois. Cheap and nasty shorts will have rough/exposed seams, chamois padding that will go flat 20 mins into your ride, limited number of panels which means the fit will not be very ergonomic and may rub - also little things make a difference like rubberised grippers on the legs of the shorts.
Personally I like Northwave kit, well made, comfy and affordable but it is Italian so you have to go a size or two up, I am usually M however take L or XL in Northwave!
As for gel v chamois I think its a personal choice. I had gel shorts and did not get on with them, too much movement while I was on the saddle so switched back to traditional padding. Also need to consider the saddle you are using, if it is already well padded (which I suspect it is being an MTB) you probably don't want to add another thick layer of padding on top.
I would suggest going along to one of the large chain shops who carry a range of shorts and trying some on for size. For the sort of riding you are implying its probably not worth spending £200 on shorts, but you want to be comfy in the saddle so be prepared to spend £60-£80-ish to make your rides more enjoyable.
Oh, as for colour - there is only one, black (its in 'the rules').....
MadDad said:
You have pretty much summed up why bib shorts are more comfortable, they stay up better, don't have an uncomfortable waist band, won't move around while you ride. Made sure you get the right size though, too small and you will know all about it within 1/2 an hour of setting off, too big and they will rub and get snagged on the saddle if/when you get out of the seat.
There is a big difference in quality between a £20 pair and a £200 pair, but spending £60-ish should see you with a comfy well made pair. The difference in quality will be in the material, cut, seams and chamois. Cheap and nasty shorts will have rough/exposed seams, chamois padding that will go flat 20 mins into your ride, limited number of panels which means the fit will not be very ergonomic and may rub - also little things make a difference like rubberised grippers on the legs of the shorts.
Personally I like Northwave kit, well made, comfy and affordable but it is Italian so you have to go a size or two up, I am usually M however take L or XL in Northwave!
As for gel v chamois I think its a personal choice. I had gel shorts and did not get on with them, too much movement while I was on the saddle so switched back to traditional padding. Also need to consider the saddle you are using, if it is already well padded (which I suspect it is being an MTB) you probably don't want to add another thick layer of padding on top.
I would suggest going along to one of the large chain shops who carry a range of shorts and trying some on for size. For the sort of riding you are implying its probably not worth spending £200 on shorts, but you want to be comfy in the saddle so be prepared to spend £60-£80-ish to make your rides more enjoyable.
Oh, as for colour - there is only one, black (its in 'the rules').....
Spot on, thanks for your input. I dont have many big shops nearby but there is one about 45mins away(TRI UK in yeovil). I might go see what they have.There is a big difference in quality between a £20 pair and a £200 pair, but spending £60-ish should see you with a comfy well made pair. The difference in quality will be in the material, cut, seams and chamois. Cheap and nasty shorts will have rough/exposed seams, chamois padding that will go flat 20 mins into your ride, limited number of panels which means the fit will not be very ergonomic and may rub - also little things make a difference like rubberised grippers on the legs of the shorts.
Personally I like Northwave kit, well made, comfy and affordable but it is Italian so you have to go a size or two up, I am usually M however take L or XL in Northwave!
As for gel v chamois I think its a personal choice. I had gel shorts and did not get on with them, too much movement while I was on the saddle so switched back to traditional padding. Also need to consider the saddle you are using, if it is already well padded (which I suspect it is being an MTB) you probably don't want to add another thick layer of padding on top.
I would suggest going along to one of the large chain shops who carry a range of shorts and trying some on for size. For the sort of riding you are implying its probably not worth spending £200 on shorts, but you want to be comfy in the saddle so be prepared to spend £60-£80-ish to make your rides more enjoyable.
Oh, as for colour - there is only one, black (its in 'the rules').....
S10 GTA said:
I'll 2nd those DHB ones from Wiggle. Very good value.
Thirded. Although be careful with the sizing if you are tall and thin. Its a trade off between length in the body so that you don't get rubbing on your shoulders and a baggy waist. I'm 6'3" with a 33" waist and XL is just long enough but a tiny bit big around the middle. The sizing doesn't seem to allow that well for Schlek-esque riders. It assumes that if you are tall, you will be larger...Spot on, thanks for your help.
I have just had a look on wiggle and these dhb's look fairly good, although there are several pairs within a few quid.
Will probs grab myself a pair of these - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-race-cycling-bib...
See what you mean about the size guide. If I go by height I need to put on a couple stone to make up an extra few inches around the waist.
I have just had a look on wiggle and these dhb's look fairly good, although there are several pairs within a few quid.
Will probs grab myself a pair of these - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-race-cycling-bib...
See what you mean about the size guide. If I go by height I need to put on a couple stone to make up an extra few inches around the waist.
Having just stepped my road cycling I've been in the same position. I just got some Altura kit: pro-gel bib shorts and an ergo fit jersey. Very happy with the fit and quality.
I bought from my LBS, he was happy to order in a couple of different sizes for new to try on. And because I've spent a few pounds with him recently (new bike) he's given me a better price than I would have got on wiggle and better service too.
I bought from my LBS, he was happy to order in a couple of different sizes for new to try on. And because I've spent a few pounds with him recently (new bike) he's given me a better price than I would have got on wiggle and better service too.
Rule #18 // No road jerseys or Lycra bibs when riding off-road.
R500POP said:
Standing at the bar, noticed I was getting more funny looks than usual, then I realised that the white lycra had gone see-through!!!!
Rule #14 // Shorts should be black.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff