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What to wear MTB
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
I've been back riding for a year now and figure it's time to get some riding gear.
At the moment I ride in board shorts & tee shirts. Now that it's winter that's not too good!
So I'm wondering what people wear and why.... I.e is it for 'fashion' only or are there specific things that improve the riding experience?
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Just say NO to Lycra! Unless you're of the opposite sex and fit-ish it's just not right.
I ride in shorts and shirt. Usually I double up on the shirt when it gets cool with the 1st layer being a moisture wicking shirt of some sort. Works well. If there's holes in the clothing all the better. My theory is you never see a latte sipping roadie in dingy gear...so bring it on!
If it's really brisk (like yesterday...brrrr) the base layer is a long sleeve thermal.
Bought some Fox shorts with padded knicks built in but really I don't think they're needed for a 2-3 hour ride. I can't really get over the adult diaper feeling, too.
generally i do wear lycra - its close fit and breathable design helps sustain comfort whilst riding (lack of chaffing etc, especially with padded shorts). If its really chilly, I've got a thermal long sleeved base layer if its really chilly.
....but at the end of the day it's what is comfortable for you - better off probably upgrading the bike/components for a better/faster/easier ride rather than clothing for fashion only purposes ;0)
I recommend you buy the most expensive Lycra knicks you can afford and wash them well after every ride. Ignore all comments about knicks versus baggys, (unless you're a weak willed person easily influenced by peer pressure.)
Lycra if you want comfort and practicality,you won't hook up on the seat either ,dry quicker too
I tend to agree that wearing lycra with nothing else on is womanish/roadies
(sorry roadies)
But Skins, 2XU's underneath some baggies and a hula shirt if you wanted, for mtbing would work.
It's been working a treat for me during this chill... especially the long sleeve tops.
Quite cheap on CRC ... sorry LBS's but I dont understand why something made in Oz is twice the price on a UK website??
loose & baggy over the top-I wear some winter 3/4 knicks & thermal singlet underneath then go loose over top
It's a slippery slope indeed, I was "you won't see me in Lycra on a mountain bike" that was until I did a 5 day event and found the comfort in the saddle and lack of getting hooked up on the seat just made Lycra so much the better option.
Generally; I wear Lycra for events (Lycra at the red bull rampage...?) and mtb shorts for social/fun rides.
Do you see surfers wearing boardies over their wetsuits??? No!
I wear exactly the same gear on my Mtb as I do on the roadie.
Actually, I'm only having a dig. I understand that most aren't comfy with Lycra alone so feel the need to wear shorts. But really, they're a copletely unnecessary item of clothing!
The wakeboard set are starting to wear boardies over their wetties. Looks a bit silly to me.
But what would I know, I wear boardies over my knicks on the mtb. Similar look the mtb shorts but gives me an extra pair of knicks for the road and an extra pair of boardies (my wife claims I'm in need of neither!). I tend to wear jerseys on top. I like the rear pockets for phone etc and wear a thermal (NZO, cheap on T7) when it's cold.
http://www.bikes.com.au/ have a deal on knicks and jerseys at he moment. Get bib kncks, the non bib knicks tend to feel a little uncomfortable around the waste.
You can argue the good quality cost thing all day. For me, i look for the deals and jump on them when they come. You can spend between $30 - $250 on a pair of knicks. You'll be pretty pissed if you stack and rip a hole in your assos shorts thats for sure.
Change your gear regularly. Buy 2-3 sets, and then change them at the end of each year.
NZO sell good stuff. They are almost local and the stuff lasts forever.
When it comes to jerseys think more about the cut that you want. baggy or snug, up to you. I like baggy shorts over knicks, they tend to keep a little more skinn on the hips when that inevitable stack comes along.
The best $30 I've spent on gear. On the flip side though definitely cannot recommend Fox shorts. Spent $150 and now only wear the inners under an old pair of boardies. Overpriced and over rated.
Like others I'm not brave enough to wear lycra on it's own.
I also like bike jerseys with the rear pockets. Easy to soak in warm soapy water and then rinse for use again next day.
I swore I would never wear lycra but after a few saddle sores its lycra only now for me along with butt cream.
You can't beat lycra knicks with a decent chamois for comfort, whether its a quick blast or an all day effort. I wear NZO Dobies over the knicks for trail riding and enduro racing because they protect the knicks from, excuse the pun, nicks from branches etc and if you fall off, sit on a rock for lunch etc. I also find it much easier to access gels, panadol etc from the side zipped pocket while riding than it is to get stuff out of jersey pockets (mainly because I use a hydration pack), which is important for keeping momentum up while pretending to race. I've got a pair of tights and some 3/4 length knicks for the colder weather.
On top I need a loose fit top. Underneath depends on the weather - I've got long sleeve thermal tops for this time of year which I wear under the jersey and a couple of sleeveless undershirts for mid temps, a wind cheater vest and a lightweight jacket. The last two are good because they fold up really well so can be stashed easily if it warms up. Short sleeve jersey tops with a good length zipper for the warmer weather.
As mentioned earlier, I just wear lycra knicks. My legs don't tend to get cold. Up top in winter I wear the enduro base layer, short or long sleeve top and sometimes both. Recently I purchased a 2XU vest. This is great as its open at the back, provides wind protect on the front and if it warms up a little it has a full zip on the front so you can simply unzip to let the cool air in. It also has pockets on the back so this is by far the best top I've got
Wear what comfortable. I always go function over fashion
Boardies and T shirt are fine but no where near as comfortable as some of the cycling specific stuff once the rides get longer.
Bum sox(AKA nix)... Well a lot of people find them comfortable and if that's you go for it.
Personally I don't chaff so I don't bother.
and shaved legs, its the only way forward.
I would not consider wearing anything else at all. If your going Lycra try and get bib shorts because no one wants to see your bum crack from your Lycra shorts without bibs. Other good thing with knicks is, cause they are tight you can shove Gels up your legs for easy access as well.
Capo Gear looks pretty pro imo, I would recommend that stuff.
I can't believe that people actually wear lycra
I'm pretty sure I don't look like those dudes in the photo when wearing my lycra, but If you are wearing lycra shorts they must be black!
Another vote for bibknicks. Keeps the padding in place better and reduces chafing. I also use Assos butt cream.
For social rides I wear them under NZO mtb-specific overshorts. Boardies are too prone to catching on the saddle = OTB fail.
Boardies and T-shirts +1
Feels comfortable to me and its easy, but I have never had chaffing and if my bum gets sore is just cause i haven't been riding as much as I should.
And I where the same all year round, once you start moving you warm up pretty quick.
It aint no fashion contest.
I cant believe dont where Lycra.
As one of my riding buddies says, if you are not any good, you at least have to look good.
"For social rides I wear them under NZO mtb-specific overshorts. Boardies are too prone to catching on the saddle = OTB fail"
Ah, so that's your excuse for spending more time rolling round in the dirt than pedalling on Sunday morning!
No, hawkeye was just so focused on not OTB'ing that it was inevitable
MTB specifc gear has been designed with a purpose, particularly the baggy shorts. They have less of a crotch, which means that they are less likely to get caught on the seet when manouvering over the bike.
if you ride for 45 mins to 2 hours, boardies and a tshirt are fine, they are not ideal, however they are fine (dressed that way myself for a good decade of riding), anylonger and the extra bit of comfort, design features can make the ride that little bit more enjoyable.
Get onto the NZO website and have a look, ground effect stuff is pretty good as well.
.....don't want to wear lycra. If you are trying to hide a small package then you would naturally rather avoid lycra. If on the other hand you have nothing to hide, then you are more likely to subscribe to the "if you've got it, then flaunt it" type of lycra supporting mantra
So the next time you see a MTB'er in baggies, spare a thought for their insecurity and please behave sympatheticallly!!
People actually admitting to and defending the wearing of lycra.
Its good in a way though, the lycra crowd ensure that MTB broadcasts a terminally uncool image that prevents the lifestyle clothing companies from overexposing the sport, unlike say, surfing, which has almost been destroyed by overexposure.
It's cool to be uncool. Surfwear has been done to death, in fact, surfwear is now considered conservative, a uniform, the same as a suit and tie in the 1950's.
Lycra is the New Black.
Its also funny how we seem to be focusing on baggies or lycra when he was asking about clothing suitable for winter riding
.
It's more amusing to pay people out for wearing lycra than to talk about winter woolies though!
sorry its off topic, but its fun on a dismal day.
Are just jealous of how awesome I look in it, with my tan legs and euro white kit.
I've noticed that the only time i can catch up to a Lycrarider is on the down hill sections as they are quite slow. Might be because their lycra doesnt protect much other than the butt if they are to come off... Or they just ride how they look.
Only like to see lycra on my mrs!
For most riding I prefer lycra. Doesn't get caught on the seat rolling down steep stuff, lighter, more comfortable, keeps your temperature down.
Baggies are better when you are going to be messing around and there is a chance of a fall as lycra is not exactly robust in a crash. Also in winter wear baggies over lycra for a bit of warmth.
Meh, it's like when Sam Hill turned up the the world champs a few years ago in the skin suit in a time when flappy pajmas over body armour was cool.
"Weren't you worried that lycra isn't cool and what would have happen if you crashed with out armour" he was asked
"I came here to win a race not a fashion contest." he replied "And I wasn't planning on crashing"
Was Sam Hill wearing lycra when he injured himself training for the upcoming world cup??
Nope, can't use the baggy shorts excuse - I was wearing the NZOs at the time.
I'm blaming being nervous in the presence of such distinguished company.
This happening?
http://yfrog.com/z/kl7q6wdj
Na both Sams big injuries have come after the UCI fashionazis banned the skin suit from DH and forced him to wear baggy pajamas. Coincidence?
ouch ,so next time I am going to jump a barbed wire fence I'll wear bagies!
this thread is hilarious It could go on forever .
Nacho, when you rode with me you never got close enough to catch me on the downhill
i wasn't reffering to you. Your in a leage of your own...
When i rode with you i only seen you when got there.
mountain goat!
This whole thread is hilarious! I am of the personal belief that Lycra is for undergarments only. Out of interest do you lycra blokes meet for a latte or frappacino post ride?
Anything else however is good.
I model myself to try and look as Euro as this guy:
http://youtu.be/Jn0FF1KwL4I
I've never seen the point of coffee after a ride. Coffee is to wake you up before a ride. Beer is for after a ride. Or maybe an electrolyte drink, followed by a beer....
Looking through some event photos, I'd argue two points.
1- Lycra use at MTB events is on the increase. (time for a poll?)
2- there is more Lycra at the pointy end of the field.
Please show some compassion for your fellow man, the general public should be spared the sight of people in lycra. Wearing it in the privacy of your own home is OK, I guess.
definately coffee pre ride beer post ride,
@ Logan, strangely enough that bloke does have a resemblence to you ,I think your serious.well done!
Its quite a funny video all the same, in all seriousness I was actually considering ordering that White Capo Gear, cause it does look pretty good!
That video is the answer. I want to look as cool as that guy... Might even get the hair cut...
Loving all the comments.... Still confused but lots to think about now....to Lycra or not to Lycra