101
votes
What makes the bicycles in Amsterdam suitable for riding with jeans on?
In places where there are lots of bikes, most people who are riding them are making short journeys purely for transport. For a short ride of a few kilometers, it really doesn't matter what you're ...
- 17k
72
votes
What makes the bicycles in Amsterdam suitable for riding with jeans on?
Local here, have lived in Amsterdam for just over a year and a half, through the cold wet winter. I'm not a Dutchie, but have embraced the fiets lifestyle here.
Let me just say that the jeans you get ...
- 721
40
votes
Accepted
Can frequent light bicycle commuting severely damage pants?
Absolutely. The thicker your thighs, the more friction, and the quicker the pants loose their thread. This happens relatively irrespective of material, even jeans can wear through rather quickly. I ...
24
votes
What makes the bicycles in Amsterdam suitable for riding with jeans on?
You are surely aware that there is an industry out there that tries to sell you things you only marginally 'need' - special clothing for any sport is not unaffected by that.
There is certainly a gain ...
- 437
23
votes
What makes the bicycles in Amsterdam suitable for riding with jeans on?
Jeans aren't as bad as you think. I think the biggest factors are short journeys, mild climate, and being used to it. With efficient infrastructure this can account for a lot of commuting. Apart from ...
- 57.2k
22
votes
Accepted
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
As someone who has been around long enough to have seen at least some of the early days of the MTB, I would have to surmise that the reasons for the baggy MTB attire can be one or more of the ...
- 6,089
21
votes
Accepted
Wetsuit for cycling in rainy cold weather?
I have cycled in a (kayaking) wetsuit, to swim in a river on a cold dry day (just above freezing). It made a sort of sense then, but I wouldn't recommend it in general. I have also done a lot of ...
- 57.2k
20
votes
What did people ride for cold weather cycling "back in the day?" (Is it cheap?)
Wool, wool, and wool. Wool undergarments. Wool over garments. (Maybe tweed as well.) Wool is a amazing material. It tends to perform better than synthetics (although the gap is closing) for keeping ...
- 30.4k
19
votes
How to keep my testicles from freezing on a recumbent
First: merino wool boxers. EDIT: Also windproof boxers, see other answer below
Second: Vest and short tights are very little for ~5°C, raining. You are losing a huge amount of body heat through your ...
- 21.8k
19
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
One advantage is in the robustness of materials used.
For example on a wet muddy/gritty ride the spray coats the saddle with dirt which acts as a grinding paste. Given the nature of MTB riding, there ...
- 18.3k
17
votes
Riding Comfortably in Cold Weather
Layers - not just for Ogres and Onions.
In winter our temps may be as low as -5 degrees C, and can be wet or dry(frosty)
When you're cold, your body heat tends to stay in your torso, leaving your ...
- 121k
16
votes
What makes the bicycles in Amsterdam suitable for riding with jeans on?
As someone who biked daily for transportation and recreation for years, I can tell you it doesn't take any miracle to do it in street clothes.
David Richerby already mentioned that most practical ...
- 261
16
votes
Wetsuit for cycling in rainy cold weather?
There's a difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit. A wetsuit is designed to admit water and allow your body to warm that trapped water; a drysuit is impermeable and seals around the openings (neck, ...
- 29.2k
15
votes
Winter cycling clothes in full black
I think there is a case to be made that you will be less visible in dark colours. Anecdotally whenever I look down the road at a group of cyclists, it's the ones in large blocks of bold colours (not ...
- 6,555
15
votes
How to keep my testicles from freezing on a recumbent
Why not add a fairing? There are designs that add a windshield, some that provide protection down to the knee, some that go further down, and in the extreme case there's full nose-cones.
This will ...
- 121k
13
votes
Accepted
Is skin or fabric more aero?
The simple answer for professional riders is that clothing is regulated by the UCI. Part 1 Section 3 of the Regulations of the UCI say,
When competing, all riders shall wear a jersey with sleeves and ...
- 13.8k
12
votes
How to keep my testicles from freezing on a recumbent
For most parts of the body a second layer of moderately wind-blocking fabric makes a massive difference -- so another pair of unpadded cycling shorts would go a long way.
The rain is likely to ...
- 57.2k
12
votes
Clothing advice for beginner
I'd invest in a pair of bike shorts.
Casual riders going short distances on big comfy saddles can get away with casual or regular sports clothing. You won’t be able to do that riding significant ...
- 75.5k
12
votes
Can frequent light bicycle commuting severely damage pants?
It depends. I have had one saddle that wore through pants quickly. It had an embroidered logo. After removing the embroidery (which took quite some effort) I did not have the problem with that saddle ...
- 21.8k
12
votes
Mountain bike shorts for commute
Mountain bike shorts are ideal for commuting. If they fit, are comfortable and you like the look of them, you won't find a better commute short. If you a fast rider, over 11km the extra drag of ...
- 49k
12
votes
Wetsuit for cycling in rainy cold weather?
"This guy says you'd get sweaty. I can't really picture how that would make a difference, as I've read elsewhere that wetsuits don't completely isolate you from the water, they just trap a thin ...
- 16.1k
11
votes
How to keep my testicles from freezing on a recumbent
Wind proof boxers which have a layer of windbreaking material in the “package” area make a big difference. They are commonly used by cross country skiers so can be found at stores that cater to the ...
- 211
11
votes
Road jersey front length
Usually road jerseys will have different fits, both within a brand and across brands depending on the intended application.
If you have one with a short front it will likely be a tight fit intended ...
- 30.4k
11
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
One fairly important aspect of MTB clothing is indeed the visuals. I think the other answers have elaborated on the psychological and social explanations of this very well already. I just wanted to ...
- 15.5k
11
votes
Riding Comfortably in Cold Weather
You have struck on the basic challenge with dressing for cold-weather riding: you need to trap some heat, but not too much. How much is "too much" depends on your level of exertion, the ...
- 29.2k
10
votes
Accepted
Preventing staining of clothes when carrying bike
It might be a facetious answer on the face, but seriously - why are you carrying your bike at all?
Do carry a working mini-tube, pump, two tyre levers and whatever you need to get the wheel completely ...
- 121k
10
votes
How to keep my testicles from freezing on a recumbent
A double layered triangle of bubble wrap under the pants in front of the exposed bits. Cheap and effective! In days of severe cold I use the same method between base and medium layers on the upper ...
- 8,259
10
votes
Clothing advice for beginner
I didn't get proper bike shorts until I was routinely riding over 100km. Before that (and still for commuting) I just went for whatever I would wear in the gym. However cheap gel-padded (not foam-...
- 57.2k
10
votes
What makes the bicycles in Amsterdam suitable for riding with jeans on?
I've never been to Amsterdam, but I do remember reading a comment by someone from there once about what it was like. He said that people there tend to ride at a more leisurely pace, and everyone from ...
- 201
10
votes
Can frequent light bicycle commuting severely damage pants?
Absolutely. The seat of my favourite ever pair of trousers was ruined in a single journey, no more than about three miles. There was nothing wrong with my saddle. They were an unusual fabric and I ...
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible