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Having recently bought myself a lovely Airdrop off here I’ve started riding a lot more Enduro style stuff and riding in pads (knee and elbow). The problem being most of my cycling wardrobe is lycra rather than baggies and pads + lycra is a fashion transgression not even I can overlook. That being said I don't like riding around in flappy stuff, can anyone suggest some gear that’s more at the fitted end but wont look at odds with pads?
[title edit! of course I want them to be seperate entities, not part of some continous spectrum]
Endura singletrack pants. Good fit, go over pads. Not waterproof at all. It’ll be cool enough again soon. ;(
Endura have lovely cosy winter pants too for really cold days.
Plenty manufacturers have fairly fitted baggy shorts. The shorter trend is a pain though if you’re tall. The dreaded pad gap. A sartorial no-no.
Again Endura seem good, grey looks good, although black washes like new be warned that light shorts often get indelible spots from pervasive mud. Endura 3/4 maybe, but if so, do try with your knee pads.
Don’t bother with liners. Your Lycra is gone for that.
Tops. BAM have some suitable bamboo half zip tops. Comfy.
Discrete colour ways. Bit cheaper than bike specific “enduro” labelled stuff.
Merino is best though. Shop around. Icebreaker and Finisterre are top quality but expensive. Sales?
On one sometimes have bargain merino. Black is best.
Plenty manufacturers have fairly fitted baggy shorts.
Yep, the folk that moan about 'flappy baggies' have obviously just bought the wrong shorts.
Madison shorts, most lbs sell them, well fitted, loads of choice.
I like LS compression tops personally, not bike specific tops.
Morvelo tops are nice and fitted I find, though I've not tried their shorts. They do seem to make me crash more though.
I quite like my endura humvee outer shorts. I don’t rate thre liners so much on long rides - taking to riding with my road dhb Lycra shorts underneath rwhich are better.
For riding tops I don’t like anything too garish or expensive - I tend to buy fox technical tees as they stay pretty cool / can be had in fairly subtle colours and you can get them for £20 or less if you look around. If the weather is colder I then later underneath them with either a summer or winter baselsyer and then a water / wind proof on top when required (I quite like my royal racing matrix jacket - I just wish the hood was packable / removeable for riding).
be warned that light shorts often get indelible spots from pervasive mud.
The horror! 😂
Sorry, carry on.
Yep, the folk that moan about ‘flappy baggies’ have obviously just bought the wrong shorts.
It's all relative though everything is going to feel flappy coming from lycra. I've got a pair of Alpkit floe shorts which I'm reasonably certain I got the right size in for my waist. I think something with an integrate bib like the alp x short gore used to do would be great but I struggling to find anything like that!
On top I'm normally wearing HH Lifa stuff and or cycle jerseys, for you guys wearing LS compression style stuff are you wearing that over of under pads?
I've got some plain black Fox trousers that are my favourite bit of kit. They feel like soft, sexy, weightless pyjamas. Tight cuffs that don't flap and plenty room for knee pads.
7Mesh are the kings of this kind of kit. The fit is ace, with enough room to move but never feel overly flappy. They avoid the ghastly MX-inspired designs other brands seem obsessed with too. Not cheap, but incredibly durable (my first pair of their shorts still look like new after 2 and half years use and as I say the fit is beyond good. A set of Glidepath shorts and Eldorado jersey would be my tip!
for you guys wearing LS compression style stuff are you wearing that over of under pads?
I don't wear elbow pads, but they'd fit under my tops no probs.
It’s all relative though everything is going to feel flappy coming from lycra.
I'd disagree, if you get a pair that fit both your waist AND thighs, and made from a nice stretchy material, when your in a riding position, they'll be just as fitted. It's why a lot of brands have the waterproof section at yer arse, so the rest can be a bit less boil in the bag and be flexy.
I tried on the Alpkit mountain bike stuff when I was last in Keswick - it's really nicely fitted and a far cry from the short n fat Alpkit fit of yore.
Also have a look at Ground Effect for some discrete and some slightly louder stuff.
Morvelo (tops & shorts)
Madison
Fox
All make fitted kit, but then so do pretty much all bike manufacturers these days.
I'm a big fan of Madison shorts. Not to expensive, can be found on sale most places. Also come with a lifetime warranty.
Tops, tech shirts here for me. Mountain warehouse ones are pretty food for the cash. Not really brand loyal but I did get some lovely endura tops this spring with a tiso voucher my Mum got me for xmas.
Endura 3/4 maybe
No!
3/4 baggies is a weird singlespeed thing.
Sir HC
When you’ve got 37” inside leg 3/4s are a gift. Just below knee length on me.
I'd love s pair of shorts that looked like a normal pair of shorts with normal pockets that just didn't soak up wetness.
I have singletracks and don't see the point in them other than materials. They have stupid pockets, except thd magnetic hip pockets. They are baggy enough to require the supplied velvro cuff thing that makes them that then just rubs.
Shorts wise, the endura mt500 with the waterproof gooch are both ace and a nice close fit. Tho admittedly I’m a fair bit bigger than you.
Top wise, wear whatever you want. Short sleeve Lycra is normal for me, tho if I’m wearing pads up top (unusual) sometimes slim fitting loose layer over the top, or a thin wind proof like a featherlite.
I bought some FWE (Evans own brand) shorts yesterday that tick all the boxes. Half price at £22.50, charcoal grey, look like a normal pair of casual shorts. Not too long. Hidden zip pockets.