http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Clothing - 'normal' v 'special' en Sun, 31 May 2026 23:10:47 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195116 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 21:09:07 +0000 Stickman 195116@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The striped one looks like something from Flash Gordon. And gembo is right about the whiff of fascism about it as well. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195112 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:52:59 +0000 MediumDave 195112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Millar jersey looks rather like it came from the wardrobe of Dr Evil. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195111 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:32:03 +0000 gembo 195111@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Millar stuff there looks good but presumably without realising how much it taps into facist design. Vulpine a lot cheaper than Rapha and quite willing to engage in banter around their refer a friend stuff etc.</p> <p>David himself has kept very skinny and also used a fair bit of gel on his hair. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195103 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:57:31 +0000 paddyirish 195103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wouldn't call myself a gentleman, but I won't be buying anything from the Millar range. Never mind that I am rather more "cuddly" than Millar (ribs last visible a long time ago), but more importantly, I had to stop reading this <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/david-millar-and-castelli-launch-cycling-clothing-range-chpt-iii-x-castelli/">article</a> before I got ill. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195101 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:17:11 +0000 stiltskin 195101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em><blockquote>Do any of the gentlemen on here like that David</em> Millar stuff?</blockquote></p> <p>Without getting into all the Hi-Viz argument...Of all the colours I would choose to have cycling gear in, Mid/Dark grey is the worst. Talk about making yourself deliberately inconspicuous. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195100 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 16:57:38 +0000 fimm 195100@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I just (due to forgetting I had an appointment to have my eyes tested) had to ride my road bike (horizontal cross bar) while wearing a short (but fortunately tight but with the right level of elasticity) skirt. I did wuss out of trying to ride SPD-SL pedals in the little slip-on shoes I keep under the desk, and wore the proper shoes, taking the smart ones with me and changing into them when I arrived at my destination. </p> <p>Do any of the gentlemen on here like that David Millar stuff? It isn't to my taste but a) I'm not the target market and b) I believe men are actually allowed to have differing opinions on clothes too... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195097 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 16:12:19 +0000 Neil 195097@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycling in normal clothes and shoes on the hybrid with flat pedals is fine but it's not nearly as comfortable as "full lycra" and spd shoes. It's more than fine as a means to get about when it makes more sense for whatever reason, but I wouldn't choose to cycle like that for fun </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195083 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:25:29 +0000 amir 195083@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wear cycle specific clothing 99% of the time. But then I try to use the commute as training (useful counterpoint to a sedentary job). When I was a teenager, I cycled everywhere in jeans and shirt. But then I didn't have to cope with the oil-stains and I hadn't heard of cycle specific clothing anyway.</p> <p>If my standard commute was shorter and less hilly, I might well try "normal" clothing but I also might walk (better for health?) or cycle the long way. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-195067 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 13:14:19 +0000 SRD 195067@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>David Millar taking on rapha and vulpine?</p> <p><a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/millar-castelli-show-cycling-some-sartorial-style-44950/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/millar-castelli-show-cycling-some-sartorial-style-44950/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065&page=2#post-193996 Sun, 26 Jul 2015 18:59:16 +0000 Neil 193996@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I now regularly use my commutes to get in a longer cycle and shower at work. Showering at work actually makes navigating the toddler chaos at the home end simpler :P I didn't use to shower at work and wore mtb baggies but have progressed over the years to almost invariably lycra-clad (albeit with legs so hairy it looks like I'm wearing a badly-knitted woolen baselayer).</p> <p>For general getting about, or work days where I need to visit another site and won't be able to change, I wear normal clothes and use the flat pedal hybrid.</p> <p>I like lycra, it's like I'm cycling naked with my junk cradled gently but firmly by a troop of angels. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192473 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 00:34:53 +0000 Snowy 192473@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I like this weather. Normal shorts n t-shirt on the bike, but as always some tri-shorts underneath (seams again...)</p> <p>Being another human radiator though, my average speed has had to take a hit this week so that I don't arrive looking like I've just been rained on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192350 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:46:23 +0000 MediumDave 192350@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For short distance normal clothes (usually German moleskin trousers and a cotton shirt) plus cleated shoes and a cycling cap. </p> <p>For touring padded shorts, ronhills and jersey. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192349 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:36:08 +0000 paulmilne 192349@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Strictly non-cycling gear for me, I'm afraid. I try not to work harder than I would be when walking - bikes move you faster and farther for the equivalent energy expended by walking. I wouldn't put running gear on when I leave the house even if I'm late and know that I'll have to sprint for the train, why should I act differently when on a bike?</p> <p>Also, I'm pretty much a short distance person on my bike. Over 10 miles on a bike? Fugeddaboudit! But even if I did I'd still just use ordinary clothes, on the principals above. (I might use some padded pants, though, for longer trips.) And shorts/trainers, but what I'd use if walking a long(ish) distance. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192278 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 18:47:45 +0000 sallyhinch 192278@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I always (40+ miles and counting) cycle in my everyday clothes. Whether they count as 'normal' clothes I'm not sure - a lot of what I wear now on or off the bike does reflect the fact that my means of transport does not have a roof but then again, it has other benefits too (merino is amazing for anyone living &amp; working in a damp stone cottage, regardless of whether they cycle). The only real concession I make between a cycling and a non-cycling day is whether or not I'll wear Levi's as the seam does not work well with a Brooks saddle (they're okay for short hops though), and I've had to sadly concede that an Akubra does not stay reliably on my head on the bike. On the other hand, you can get away with less practical shoes if you're cycling rather than walking so it's swings and roundabouts </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192277 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 18:11:08 +0000 wee folding bike 192277@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Craghoppers almost all the time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192255 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:33:28 +0000 threefromleith 192255@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>paddyirish - we must be twins! Temp gradients affect me the same way.</p> <p>As does expending energy when wrapped up warm in winter. I soon start to get too hot and I'm the one with sweat dripping down my face whilst others are freezing and dry.</p> <p>My ex used to refer to me as 'the human radiator' because of the heat I gave off, and complain that I gave off so much heat when I slept that she found it uncomfortable. (She was grateful in winter as she used to put her painful ice-block feet against me in bed to warm them up!!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192254 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:23:00 +0000 paddyirish 192254@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I wish I could cycle in 'normal' clothes, but I naturally run hot and will sweat crazily even if it's slightly warm and I'm doing something as simple as a gentle walk."</p> <p>Yep- recognise that. </p> <p>I find temperature gradients impossible to deal with as well. In winter it is pleasantly cool outside and the second I set foot inside an overheated shop/office/train etc, I am raining sweat. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192248 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:00:52 +0000 threefromleith 192248@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wish I could cycle in 'normal' clothes, but I naturally run hot and will sweat crazily even if it's slightly warm and I'm doing something as simple as a gentle walk.</p> <p>Hence it's lycra due to the wicking qualities and the fact that I ride just short of 10 miles each way to and from work, so am generally soaked through and ready for a cool shower at each end! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192242 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:42:56 +0000 crowriver 192242@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My rule of thumb is as follows:</p> <p>Under 10 miles: normal clothes<br /> Over 10 miles but under 40 miles: "outdoors" clothing (flat seams), maybe some items of cycle specific (e.g.. windproof jacket).<br /> Over 40 miles: Lycra. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192232 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:01:08 +0000 steveo 192232@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think there is some truth to that. I've found my work trousers don't wear so badly with the leather saddle than they did with the sports one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192226 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:42:21 +0000 Roibeard 192226@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Given that I'm generally doing short distances (although with vehicular cycling sprints and speed when without the kids) and work attire is combats (I like the pockets) and t-shirts, I have avoided cycling clothing on the whole.</p> <p>Exceptions have crept in - waterproof jackets are now vented shells. Last one was cycle specific, current one is more generically "active". Waterproof trousers are cycling specific, but then used for everything - the calf and ankle are much slimmer fit to avoid catching in the cranks/chain.</p> <p>Finally, I did switch to cycling shoes (and changing) as I was finding that the commute was wrecking my brogues (sole breaking on stabilising foot).</p> <p>I do find that trousers are wearing out sooner, due to cycling specific holes, rather than wearing out at the knees. That might suggest cycling specific trousers eventually, were the combats not quite so cheap. I've just ended up with a large, disproportionate pile for "rough" work. It was much easier on the farm where good clothes could end their days as farm clothes, but when there isn't much rough/muddy/oily work happening in proportion to the cascade it seems wasteful!</p> <p>Come to think of it, these issues are indeed a function of distance cycled, but not acute distance, rather chronic distance, and even a small commute, carried out daily, will take its toll on "ordinary" clothes.</p> <p>Maybe the solution is found in Brooks instead of cycling specific clothes?</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192222 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:27:45 +0000 nevelbell 192222@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I sometimes combo the commute with a cycling jersey with regular shorts. The jersey has an elastic that run across the bottom which helps to hold my shorts up, saving those behind getting a view of my behind! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192220 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:22:24 +0000 SRD 192220@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>if i'm going to wear pink, i do quite like it to be lurid rather than either babyish or barbieish.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192210 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:41:08 +0000 fimm 192210@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I like the shoes. You've all reminded me that I want some new shoes... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192206 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:35:51 +0000 Claire 192206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ooooh, interesting. The blokes' shoes are a little bit different. I think my purple is a bit louder? In typical shrink and pink style, the other woman's shoe is bright, lurid pink. </p> <p><a href="http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/cadet-womens-shoe-ec069904">http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/cadet-womens-shoe-ec069904</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192202 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:30:24 +0000 wingpig 192202@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I discovered the zippy pockets and hard-wearing durability of cycle-clothing-manufacturer-manufactured baggy cycling shorts in the early 2000s; they have now supplanted other sorts of baggy pocketed shorts as my default clothing for all activities, with their zippy valuable-retaining pockets and hard-wearing knees, as ideal for scraping around floors in pursuit of offspring or scraping past nettles in allotments as they are for bicycling with things like phones, keys, cards and cash in pockets. The large side-thigh pockets of the Endura Humvee ¾ are particularly useful. For rides longer than a couple of miles I wear lycra bicycle-padding shorts beneath them, though have never worn lycra shorts unaccompanied as they just don't have the pocket space.<br /> I didn't get a bicycle-specific upper-body garment until 2004, when I tried a Revolution [fancy-name-for-polyester-and-nylon] T-shirt, which was a revelation in terms of its ability to allow air to pass through it to cool the wearer down whilst in motion and its ability to not appear as horribly sweaty for anywhere near as long as a normal cotton equivalent during and after any activity more strenuous than sleeping in any temperature above freezing. As someone who turns into a sweaty mess without any provocation (even when cycling slowly in winter) I now wear bicycle- or running-vaguely-specific T-shirty tops most of the time, though like the shorts they are all normal-T-shirt-baggy. I have a couple of long-sleeve things which look a bit more cycley for use if it gets sufficiently cold.<br /> I didn't move into bicycle-shoes until a few years ago, but the Vibram®-soled chunky-trainer waterproof Shimano things I currently use are pretty much the same as the Merrell Moabs I wear the rest of the time, except for the cleat attachments, and can be worn for most foot-based activities including scuttles up rocky hills. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192201 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:29:28 +0000 Claire 192201@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suppose it will also depend on your sweat level and the speed you go. For utility/commute I average about 10mph (wheeeee!) and am not too much of a sweaty betty. An emergency scoosh of deodorant can come to the rescue... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192198 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:27:30 +0000 dougal 192198@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Definitely more about speed than distance. Twenty-odd miles is fine in civvies if you've got the time to stop and smell the roses/eat the ice cream. But 6 minutes mad dash for the station is horrendous in heavy jeans and wooly jumper.</p> <p>+1 for purple shoes. Is this going to turn into another purple shoes thread :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192197 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:27:14 +0000 fimm 192197@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I note that a couple of the men in the office, who do a very similar bike-train-bike commute to what I do, like to get changed for it while I am happy to cycle in my office clothes (and a non-cycling-specific coat if required). I think this is because they feel that they get unacceptably sweaty, while I don't. </p> <p>(I do sometimes get a bit hot &amp; sweaty, because I'm paranoid about getting cold and so tend to overdress... maybe men are more concerned about being sweaty/smelly? Or maybe it is just me that isn't bothered!!)</p> <p>For any kind of sports/distance cycling, I'm straight into full lycra. Any sort of transport cycling, normal clothes. (The one exception is if I'm cycling to the swimming pool, when I tend to wear Ron Hill running longs, simply because they don't have to be clipped into cycle clips like my normal trousers.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15065#post-192196 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:23:21 +0000 jdanielp 192196@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just to clarify that my standard commute is around 7.5 miles and that by wearing cycling/active clothing, and then changing into normal clothing at work, I get away without feeling the need to shower on arriving at work. </p>