The clothes you wear when riding, whether they're bike-specific or everyday.
47
votes
16answers
4k views
How to clean up at work after a commute?
I would like to bicycle commute to work, but we don't have showers or any place I can change. How can I clean up and carry clothing? My office is business casual, but I need to look neat and ...
25
votes
7answers
2k views
Why should I wear bicycle clothes made of spandex?
What's the reason for wearing biking clothes made of Spandex (Lycra)? They sure look pretty strange.
25
votes
7answers
3k views
What clothing is best for wet weather/cycling in the rain?
I tried wearing a raincoat to keep out the rain, but find I get hot and sweaty inside. So my question is, what clothing do you find works best for you when cycling in wet weather?
Thanks.
19
votes
10answers
1k views
What to wear when it's cold?
If I put on heavy clothes it will be very hot inside them after the warm-up. If I wear only a T-shirt I'll freeze.
What's the solution?
I ride around 20 km in a hilly city, with temperatures between ...
19
votes
3answers
1k views
Is fluorescent clothing effective?
I read recently that fluorescent clothing was not effective at all at night. If this is the case, how effective is it during the day, and should I stop buying tops that are fluorescent to use on my ...
18
votes
4answers
980 views
What should I look for in a good pair of cycling shorts?
I don't currently own a pair of cycling shorts. I just wear a pair of running shorts underneath some running leggings. I'm thinking of getting my first pair of cycling shorts, but as there are so many ...
17
votes
11answers
4k views
SPD shoes that look like normal shoes
We all know that SPD shoes can be worn off the bike (that is why they were designed), however there are not many SPD shoes that you would want to wear off-bike. There are even fewer (if any) SPD shoes ...
16
votes
11answers
1k views
What's the purpose of cycling gloves?
I haven't cycled for many years already and long ago when I was cycling I didn't pay much attention to equipment. Now I see that many cyclists wear a certain kind of gloves - that only cover the palm ...
15
votes
8answers
683 views
Techniques for minimising injury when falling or crashing?
I've been riding bikes since I was a child but my partner only started when she was in her 20's. She's had one fall where she lost teeth and is keen to avoid future injuries. I've broken bones twice ...
15
votes
8answers
491 views
Finding good pants for winter biking
Winter is soon upon us here, and I'm gearing up for the season. I currently have a pair of rain over-pants which I use during the other 3 seasons, but honestly I really dislike them. They're baggy, ...
14
votes
10answers
1k views
Should I get a reflective jacket/coat, or more lighting and reflective strips for the bike?
What with daylight savings time ending and it now being pitch black by the time I finish work, I'm not exactly trusting of just a couple small lights on my bike being enough to make me visible to ...
14
votes
9answers
1k views
How to keep the pants from getting dirty
If it is wet, not necessarily pouring rain, it is easy to get the bottom of the pants and the shoes dirty. My tires have protective platesfenders, yet it is not enough. If there a way to avoid that?
14
votes
6answers
924 views
What gloves work well for winter riding?
I'm starting to plan ahead for winter riding, and gloves are definitely high on the list.
What gloves work well for winter riding? Are cycling-specific gloves the way to go for a flat-bar bike with ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I ride faster with a bike jersey?
I normally wear a cotton t-shirt when I ride. If I get a bike jersey, how much difference will the reduced air resistance make at, for example, 20 mph? I realize it's not possible to be precise, but I ...
13
votes
8answers
691 views
Sandals in the winter? Other winter footwear options?
I used Shimano cycling sandals during the summer months here in the Chicago, Illinois area. I'm wondering if I can use these during the cold winter months also or if different shoes are required. In ...
13
votes
4answers
527 views
Deteriorating lycra
Background: A year or so ago, I noticed that a pair of bib shorts had a spot of deterioration on one of the thigh panels. Basically it was a round spot where the outer weave had apparently ...
12
votes
6answers
5k views
Safety vests: Yellow vs. Orange?
What are the factors that should affect whether my visibility will be higher with a "high visibility Yellow" vs. a "high visibility Orange" vest or jacket?
It seems too simplistic to simply say ...
12
votes
7answers
3k views
How to carry a concealed firearm on a bike?
For those of you that happen to cycle through rough neighborhoods and are able to do concealed carry of firearms... Wondering what you wear to conceal them that works well while cycling. Obviously ...
10
votes
8answers
7k views
How do I clean chain grease off my clothes?
I commute to work, and often wear my khakis on the ride in. As such, my clothes often get chain grease on them. What products or cleaning strategies do you know that work to remove chain grease from ...
10
votes
2answers
646 views
Do liners or other hats worn inside a helmet compromise safety?
Is there any data or official (e.g. standards-based) information on the effects of wearing a liner, bandana, or other hat under a helmet?
Like many riders, I wear "headsweats" in the summer for sun ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
Long sleeve vs. short sleeve jersey
Does a long sleeve jersey add a lot of warmth for riding during the winter months, or does a short sleeve jersey suffice during the cold. I want a jersey for my commute to work and back and I can't ...
9
votes
10answers
999 views
Winter commuting - how to keep warm?
I am interested in what the best ways are to keep your face and feet warm.
I saw some shoe covers on amazon, but they all seem to require you to be riding clipless which I do not. I think if I used a ...
9
votes
2answers
266 views
Ladies and cycling
I just started cycling with a racebike. I still have some questions concerning ladies biking and personal health issues.
I do find very little information about ladies and biking. I kind of want to ...
9
votes
4answers
795 views
How do I keep sweat out of my eyes?
Heading into the southern hemisphere spring I'm starting to contemplate another summer of having sweat running into my eyes and down my face.
I have a couple of lightweight headbands from Netti (that ...
9
votes
10answers
700 views
Recommended budget waterproof jacket
I'm a bit baffled by the large choice of cycling waterproof jackets. Could someone recommend me a good budget waterproof jacket?
A bit more information:
I mostly ride off road
About £70 (approx 112 ...
8
votes
7answers
467 views
How to prepare oneself for riding in the snow?
I live in western Germany and have started to ride to work almost everyday. It is great at the moment as it is summer (not as dry as I hoped for, but that is another story). So the only thing I have ...
7
votes
13answers
880 views
Best sources for inexpensive cycling clothing
I've been commuting to work this summer and have realized I need to build up my supply of activewear, but have so far been largely turned off by the price.
What are good sources of decent and ...
7
votes
3answers
461 views
What's special about bicycle socks?
I do understand why I'm wearing cycling pants all the time. I'm totally used to the pockets in my back of my jerseys and jackets. I understand where my gloves and helmet help. And I could continue ...
7
votes
1answer
96 views
Online stores which stock larger cycling gear?
I'm trying to find a source to purchase large-sized bicycle gear. I'm having a hard time finding all sorts of gear. I've been looking for padded mountain bike shorts, but can't find anything that ...
6
votes
9answers
1k views
What can bald guys do to prevent helmet sunburns?
In the cooler months I normally wear a skullcap like this, which both keeps me warm and covers my scalp under my helmet.
Now that summer is around the corner that skullcap is way too hot. I'd like ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
What should I look for in a cycling jersey?
Time has come to refresh the wardrobe a little, and the old woollen cycling jerseys need some young blood to compete against. What should I be looking for in a modern cycling top? Is lycra used ...
5
votes
8answers
541 views
What can I wear in the cold weather to be able to bike to work (where I don't have a shower)
I've already read the answers to this question and learned a lot!
But my question is a bit different, I bike to work almost everyday, not a long ride, a few miles, a bit hilly a bit road side...
...
5
votes
3answers
568 views
Why is there a stitched hole in the back pocket of my new jersey?
I just finished a charity ride and found that the brand new jersey bought for it has a hole in the back center pocket. It is neatly cut, with stitching around it to prevent fraying, so I'm sure it is ...
5
votes
3answers
387 views
What caused my cycling shorts to get damaged during washing?
On a ride yesterday, I noticed a spot on my shorts where the fabric felt rough. After washing, the problem became much worse, and there are major areas of damage on both the front and back of the ...
5
votes
6answers
698 views
Wind- and water-resistent jackets
To answer the comment after this question, what should one know about wind- and water-resistent jackets?
For example, what is "Gore-Tex", is it always expensive, and is there anything else like it?
...
5
votes
5answers
914 views
What should I use to wash cycling clothes?
I know the labels say to use "delicate" detergent. Well, how exactly do I know if its "delicate?" I used to use Woolite, but then read somewhere that I shouldn't. (Article didn't say why.) So, ...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
Keeping your feet dry (or do you not even care?)
I've finally gotten to the nirvana-like level of not caring if it's raining / snowing etc when I ride. While this is great from a biking perspective I still end up with wet feet / socks. While this is ...
5
votes
3answers
171 views
Compression clothing
First, some context: I commute to work on a fixie and go for longer rides on weekends on a road bike.
I often find my legs get sore/tired, especially when I've been on a longer ride or have pushed ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Should I feel self-conscious wearing cycling shorts to school?
I cycle to school and intend to wear my new Lycra shorts for my commute as they are much more comfortable. But I want to know if I will look dumb wearing the tight shorts, as my legs are only average ...
4
votes
8answers
448 views
Long sleeves for safety?
I took @Jason's and @Neil's advice and practiced wearing clipless pedals in cold weather. I fell three times (nearly four) last week, all at very low speeds: twice because of ice, and twice because of ...
4
votes
6answers
618 views
What should I look for in a cycling undershirt for warm weather?
Road season is about to start here and I think that it is time I stopped using my cotton singlets as an undershirt and start using something more specific for cycling (and racing in particular). What ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How long should cycling shorts last?
As a follow-up to "What should I look for in a good pair of cycling shorts?," how long should I expect a good pair of cycling shorts (regular or bib) last? I think that an estimate in hours or km ...
4
votes
6answers
547 views
Clothes during touring?
Are your touring-riding clothes a lot different than, let say, clothes for riding to work? Do you wear better or different clothes for touring? Have you found some good way to wash your clothes during ...
4
votes
2answers
503 views
Tights, Shorts, and Padding
I have a pair of the MEC Roubaix tights, and noticed they don't have any padding. Not a big deal for short rides, but...
Are you supposed to wear [spandex] shorts (with padding) underneath?
I went ...
4
votes
2answers
172 views
Protecting yourself from briars / brambles / jaggers while mountain biking
Riding in the northeast US, I find myself encountering a lot of overgrown mountain bike trails in the spring. Many of these trails are bordered by briars / brambles / jaggers. I can't totally avoid ...
4
votes
3answers
451 views
Mountain bike rain coat / jacket (packable, not for winter)
I am looking to get a thin rain coat. I have a good one for the depths of winter (it needs water proofing again), but it is way too hot to wear it any other time. (I am a portable radiator.) My hope ...
4
votes
4answers
291 views
What to look for in Riding Suits?
I have been using a riding jacket but it is a bit hot during summer over long trips. I like the jacket because it is very simple, only one pocket for a key and it protects in accidents (or so I ...
4
votes
1answer
110 views
Canadian Winter Cycling Apparel
I'm planning in braving the harsh Canadian winter for my daily work commutes via bike. I currently have this nylon jacket, I was wondering if this would be adequate protection? Possibly with an ...
3
votes
3answers
471 views
Armor and helmet for ultra-safe commuting (womens size)?
I'm about to start daily bike commuting again after a long hiatus and want to go all out on safety. My fear of an accident is extreme enough that I am looking into regularly wearing body armor and a ...
3
votes
5answers
386 views
Cycling clothing care products
Given a "standard" cyclist's wardrobe (e.g. paddded shorts, jerseys, moisture-wicking t-shirts and socks--made of blends of lycra, spandex, wool, and other "specialty" fabrics) what special-care ...
