Non-hideous bike clobber

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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Si
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Post by Si »

another thread with more on this subject:
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=20079
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bigjim
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Post by bigjim »

The prices of this stuff! Nobody tried Primark. Selling yellow waterproof cycling jackets the other day for £16.
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Alastair K
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Post by Alastair K »

http://www.finisterreuk.com/

Best clothing I've ever bought. I can't afford to eat or clothe my children, but that's irrelevant.
If it ain't broke, keep fixing it until it is.
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glueman
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Post by glueman »

If you're prepared to pedal slowly enough not to sweat you can wear almost anything, as indeed people used to when bicycles were a general aid to mobilty not a pseudo-competitive device.
If the journey is under 4 miles - which many are - shirt, tie, skirt, mac will do (preferably not all at once). I'm tempted to begin a diatribe about these being the sort of journeys cycle lanes are aimed at but I shall resist.

Since the battle with traffic became obligatory and two legs and a hearty breakfast must compete with 3 litre V-6 engines, sweating is part of the deal. It's very difficult to find materials that'll shift moisture at the kind of rates cyclists demand and resemble normal clothing.

I suspect folk used to pong a bit more but nowadays we have to move from states of perfection - thrusting street athlete with gear to go to stylish and fragrant desk jockey. That means a handy shower.
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max
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by max »

Well I don't think you can beat merino wool tops, you can get them in various weights for very cold to quite warm weather - I like Smartwool as a make but Icebreaker is also good - a web search will find you suppliers - a lot of outdoor shops sell them. The great thing about merino is that it's not itchy and it doesn't smell, I've used it on a four day backpacking trip where I couldn't wash the stuff and it was fine.

Rob
Manx Cat
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by Manx Cat »

Please dont forget Corinne Dennis.

I find her website invaluable to me. I am a well, shall I say a chunky cyclist to be polite and she caters for both genders and for us larger ladies she goes up to a cyclist size 20 which when I needed that was a breath of fresh air.

I have just ordered her baggy shorts, and 3/4 leggings if they are as good as quality as the other items I bought last year, I shall be really chuffed to bits.

She wasnt sure if she had my size, so is sending me a 16 and an 18, and I have to send back the pair I dont want! She is so honest, and always has time when you make your order to chat about the cycling in your location.

http://www.corinnedennis.co.uk/

She is updating her website in 2 weeks time, I ordered tops and shorts that are not advertised on teh website just yet, they are new designs just in. Got them off a flyer in a magazine.

Mary
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Si
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by Si »

More info on women's bike clothes (that can be worn on and off the bike) in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24133
workhard

Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by workhard »

+1 Ground Effect.

lovely, lovely, lovely. http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/

Well made, well cut, highly functional, and given weakness of NZ$ against GBP stunningly cheap for the quality. Great company to do business with.
brush-head
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Re:

Post by brush-head »

GrahamG wrote:This is one of my favourite subjects!

If you really want to stand out, there's always... http://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk/dt/?page_id=43
:D


Nuthin' I used to wear plus fours & long stockings when I was a yoof - mind you that was a long time ago & Lycra wasn't even developed then (but I've revealed too much already!) :oops:
Experienced cyclist (pity the experience was 45 years ago!)
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andrew_s
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by andrew_s »

Water resistant jeans: Alpkit
san0
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by san0 »

Like you i needed to blend in the office, nothing too bright, but functional for the commute all year round. i like:

Endura Convert Jacket with removable sleeves.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... nvert-9121

Specialized BG Taho MTB Shoes
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... s-ec011619
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MikewsMITH2
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by MikewsMITH2 »

Water resistant jeans: Alpkit


I'm all for jeans. Looking at some photos of the eighties we used to tour in jeans with cotton teeshirts and fleece tops if cold. Back in the seventies my mum used to knit us chunky Aran and Fairisle sweaters for cold weather riding; along with matching wooly hats. Wool still works very well especially merino - I'm addicted to the stuff!
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Riverside
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by Riverside »

I'm 67 and ridden for over sixty years - remember Greenspot Nomad jackets, anyone? Seriously, I get away a bit from extreme Lycra styles with Lusso clothing (British) some of which is less aggressive than most styles today but very practical and not too expensive. Tudor Sport took over the old Tudor range of wool/cotton clothing a couple of years ago and their tights/leggings don't make you look like a refugee from the Tour.
pete75
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Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by pete75 »

Look at the some of the traditional country clothing. It's been worn for years by people like gamekeepers, farmers, vets, land agents etc who spend a lot of time in the open air in all sorts of weather conditions. Moleskin trousers are warm, windproof and seem to resist a lot of wet. Cords are warm, fairly windproof and good , thick ones take a fair while to let water through. Tweed shooting jackets look reasonably smart and are waterproof and breathable. A lot this sort of stuff is expensive but this site http://www.rydaleclothing.co.uk/shop/pc/home.asp sells it at reasonable prices even though much of it is made in the UK. I've had one of the Derby tweed shooting jackets for about 5 years now and it's still warm and waterproof and has hardly worn - Derby tweed is about the toughest fabric there is.
'Give me my bike, a bit of sunshine - and a stop-off for a lunchtime pint - and I'm a happy man.' - Reg Baker
Jonty

Re: Non-hideous bike clobber

Post by Jonty »

I agree with Mary about Corinne Dennis. I've got a pair of her cyling longs. Lovely fit, comfortable warm material, elasticated waist band rather than one of those silly cords which never tighten properly and then break, and zips at the bottom of the legs. Very stylist and practical. Never wear the others I've got.
British too.
jonty
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