Cycling gear. What do you wear?

Jem8472

I have been riding to work for about 6 months and recently have been buying some clothing to cycling in that is a bit easier and more comfortable to cycle in.

I have got a compression top that I wear under a zip up top while its still cold.

At the weekend I bought some running tights (they were on sale) to using for cycling in. Before I was just wearing cheap jogging bottoms and I had to tuck the legs into my socks to stop them catching in the chain.

These new running tights are rather tight and I was wondering what other men normally do that wear this stuff. Do you wear shorts over the top so everything is not on show? Or do you not worry about it and just cycle in what is comfortable.

Will the tights be enough to keep me warm as I have just seen that we are going to get another cold snap.

armyknife

I just ride in what I usually wear, with the proviso that I never use shorts, because coming off can make a real mess of one's knees/skin.
I find going at a reasonable pace, especially getting out of the saddle, means my legs always remain nice and warm, extremities are another matter.

sg1066

Used to wear jogging bottoms but changed to tights. Joggers for me were a lot warmer than the tights (even using winter tights)

Each have their advantages, joggers were okay for subzero temps but tights have a more padded seat which was most welcome.

Warmth I have found is down to the individual, I have seen people out in shorts & tee shirts while I am bundled up in waterproof fleece lined jacket, overshoes & heavy duty ski gloves.

stamina9008

The usual, but to me, the biggest thing (which many cyclists seem to avoid mentioning) is keeping the feet dry.
Ive got overshoes (they never last) have tried carrier bags etc...all useless..
The best way?

Imo, a pair of wellies...sorry but it's the only guaranteed method.

Jem8472

Thankfully if its raining really badly I tend to go in the car to work. I have been caught a couple of times in the rain and thankfully my water resistant trainers have done their job. But yes I imagine that having soaking fee it not nice.

But do you find your feet sweat a lot in wellies?

dandelionclock30

All the Men I know tend to wear cycling specific trousers or like you say tights with loose mountain bike style shorts over the top, or bibtights. If your concerned what you look like just get the shorts and then you can wear them in summer on their own on the bike.
No need to wear wellies in this day and age, with waterproof/gortex style shoes available or seal skin socks.

mrsjanebanbury2009

Jeans, cowboy boots, duffel coat :-)

Jem8472

I have just been out for a quick ride to see what the running tights are like and they kept my legs and a nice temperature. Really comfortable to wear and much much nicer than jogging bottoms.

saver_1_2

Water proof breathable lightweight jacket and same for bottoms. Buy the most expensive you can afford. Result arrive refreshed dry and warm

liz545

A lot depends on how far you're cycling and what kind of bike you're riding - what's comfortable for a 5 mile commute might not work so well for a 10-15 mile trip, and while you can probably wear jeans on a hybrid/MTB, they don't work so well on a road bike. OH swears by bib tights for his 10 mile e/w trip, I think he's got one pair from Aldi and another from Decathlon, neither particularly expensive. In cold weather he tends to wear a base layer underneath, jersey on the top, and then softshell jacket or rainproof, as well as overshoes. He doesn't wear baggy shorts over the top, but really, you're not going to be stationary long enough for anyone to get an eyeful!

Me, on the other hand, I've got a 4 mile commute so I just wear whatever I'll work in, with maybe a change of t-shirt :-)

Dekazer

I ride 8.21 miles each way to work (only just found out precisely using Runkeeper app on my phone this morning). I ride a road bike, and am training for a long ride, so doing longer rides at weekends.

I wear cheapo cycling gear. I didn't want to buy loads if I didn't like it, so went with some Muddy Fox gear cheap from Sports Direct.

I wear padded leggings, although I leave off the footstraps as I've heard they can cause knee problems. The padded bum is really helpful. On my old MTB I used a gel seat cover instead, but with the padded leggings I don't need one. I wear some shorts over the top for modesty reasons

On top I wear cycling tops. They're longer than normal t-shirts, so they cover your hips when you lean forward. They also have handy pockets at the back for bits of stuff

I always wear gloves, no matter the weather, as they protect your palms from bruising on long rides, and from grazes when you fall off.

I wear a pair of cheapo trainers (£14 from Sports Direct) which are light and luminous! They're not water proof.

I rarely bother with a jacket because i) I ride quick and get too hot and ii) I don't mind getting wet on short rides. I may get a water proof when I get to doing rides of more than 20 miles or so. I wear an old anorak if it drops below a degree or 2 over winter.

Whatever you wear, a good high-viz/reflective layer on top is a good idea, all year round.

happy riding