You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Noticed the last couple of days the number of people riding in T-shirts.
Anyone else noticed this?
Are people being "inspired" by the likes of Danny Nac or is just because bike specific gear is getting too expensive ❓
A T-shirt? For me, it just doesn't work. It soaks sweat on the clmbs and chills you on the descents...... and as for roadies who wear a T-shirt under their jersey....amateurs! 🙂
Locally I ride in hoody and jeans if it's a bit on the cold side or t-shirt and shorts if it's warm. I save my "proper" riding gear for posing at the trail center.
I'm not buying bike specific shorts anymore, ripped 2 pairs lately at forty quid a shot. T shirts? Nah get too cold with all the sweat i pump out!
only this guy can get away with it
[img] 
[/img]
quite often just wear my work polo type t shirts, part polyester so don't soak up so much sweat, did 32 miles in one today and didn't die. I am quite tired though, perhaps something more expensive would have left me feeling fresher.
Don't get the cotton T thing for all of the above reasons.
Are people being "inspired" by the likes of Danny Nac or is just because bike specific gear is getting too expensive
maybe some folk just haven't had the misfortune to buy into it.?
I know plenty folk that love cycling.. and have done for decades.. that would feel pretty foolish buying bike specific clothing.. or the magazines that tell us to wear it..
Poly T-shirt - cotton gets nasty with a pack on.
45 quid for most cycling jerseys, unless you want very small then the price comes down, now why dont Primark and Matalan do cycling jerseys.
Lidl and Aldi do
You can easily get a decent cycling jersey for less than £45 btw .... even if it's in the sales.
No way would I wear cotton unless I was plodding along on the road.
DH, dirt jumping or just messing around in the woods I will.
You can easily get a decent cycling jersey for less than £45 btw
+1
Doesn't even have to be cycle specific - I've picked up lots of wicking T's from Nike Factory type shops for ~ £15 or less. The only bonus cycling specific ones give you is rear pockets, which are a pain IMHO if carrying a pack...
Local loops / rides - T-shirt and jeans. Anything longer than a couple of hours - wicking T-shirt (Berghaus, Craghoppers, whatever £12 thing I can get).
Not every ride is serious.
Not every ride requires full cycling getup.
For shortish rides in temperate environment it dose not matter.
I did not wear a cotton T-shirt on my short ride today but did wear cut off jeans.
The shame.
DH, dirt jumping or just messing around in the woods I will.
+1
Some people ride XC in t-shirts, some people ride XC in body armor - I know who look more stupid
why not ? I quite often wear t-shirt out on the bike - doesn't everyone ?
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Kev
Sometimes I wear a proper jersey, sometimes just a t-shirt, just depends where I'm riding, how much stuff I want to take (e.g. if I need the extra pocket room!), and what the weather is like, and who I'm riding with!
Nowt wrong with wearing a cotton t-shirt on the bike.
Always ride in a hoody/tee depending on the temperature and adidas track suit bottoms, get some interesting looks at glentress and the likes, but it works for me and it doesn't slow me down...
Use my motocross gear if it's really muddy, but the reinforced knees aren't great for peddling all the time.
Depends on the material. Cotton is pretty poor for riding where as my lovely Howies Marino one is perfect:-)
I did 30 miles yesterday and 20 miles today In a cotton T shirt and Baggy shorts. If Its cold ill wear a hoodie or occasionally a running jacket. IMO biking specific clothing is overpriced , there does seem to be a lot of snobbery if your seen out In non cycle gear at GT. **** them I say , fight the power. 😉
Only time I wear a 'technical' top is underneath a jacket. T-shirts are the way to go, just not 'cyling' t shirts. Had my 'Roots Canada' one on today, dont want to look like too much of a 'cyclist', although riding an expensive bike is a bit of a givaway.
I've picked up lots of wicking T's from Nike Factory type shops for ~ £15 or less.
Plenty to be had for that price or less in Go Outdoors. Don't see much reason to wear anything else, they're the same prices as a t-shirt and I'm going on a bike ride, not a fashion shoot.
The only stuff I wear other than that (depending on weather) is a proper Scott long-sleeved cycle jersey that was down to sub-20 quid from about 80, or a thin Nike running tee, both from TK Maxx.
Try [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/breathable-fit-cycling-clothes-850981/ ]Decathlon.[/url]
Cheap, comfy, serviceable and £7.99.
They go up to [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/ss-jersey-7-graphic-green-grey-172065022/ ]£39.99 [/url]for the really posh ones. 🙂
No, it's not as good as Gore stuff, but it's amazing value for the price.
The Aldi stuff will be in the shops in the first week in May BTW.
I like it, I've got loads.
Didn't think the Lidl stuff was any good though, TBH.
JJB sports normally does good deals on clima cool Under Armour Tees for about £15. Also old football tops again climacool Nike or adidas are normally fairly cheap.
Some people ride XC in t-shirts, some people ride XC in body armor - I know who look more stupid
Who?
Try Decathlon.
Oh, nice one. Good spot, thanks for the link.
We've got quite a bit of walking, climbing, cycling and camping stuff from there Cougar.
Not tried the more pricey stuff (breathable walking jackets, hiking boots etc) as I tend to stick with what I know, but the basics are superb and very good value - fleeces, shorts, base layers, jerseys, water bottles etc.
Their energy drink mix is very good value too and tastes fine.
The tents are excellent as well.
Terrible website though.
We? Do you work there?
I like roots Canada T's 😉 Don't like cotton T shirts myself as I get chilly, even just messing about. However if it's a little cold I like to ride in a t shirt and hoodie / jeans too for messing about, local little rides. that's fine as the hoodie stops the chill. never just a t shirt though for offroad.more often than not for longer xc I use lidl and aldi specials!
No, no connection at all!
I've got a partner and she buys some stuff from there as well.
And no, we don't do matching outfits 😀
I just object to the ridiculous prices of some of the bike specific brands:
Have got a couple of items of Gore clothing, and yes, it's superb.
However, some of the Decathlon/Aldi stuff is just as good in the real world for a fraction of the price.
I've always ridden in t-shirts and don't own any cycling specific upper-body wear. Can't say I've ever had a problem (been a bit sweaty under a rucksack, but that's no big issue) so haven't seen the need to compromise my pricing and fashion principles. Mind you, unless it's a warm summer's day I'm generally wearing a LIFA base layer underneath.
sports direct have some cycling bits too.
My cycling wardrobe for every discipline consists of:
t-shirt (or hoody covering a wicking base layer), and cargo type shorts.
It's only riding a bike about some dirt!
If i'm doing something epic, like an all day XC type ride, then I'll wear something more appropriate if the weather requires it.
But seriously, I see people getting out of their cars at Stainburn with hi-tech cycle specific goretex kit on head to toe, in spring.
Get all my tops (long & short sleeve) from mountain warehouse 10 - 15 quid tops.
anyone waterproofed jeans successfully?
Apart from the sweatiness issue, I don't know how people who wear cotton tops cope when they get a sudden downpour, or even persistent low-level drizzle - apart from staying wet for the rest of the ride of course.
A while back I got soaked by an unexpected heavy downpour during a road ride, I was actually wearing a long sleeved Brooks running top, about ten minutes after the rain had stopped my top was bone dry.
Amazing...!! 🙄
Well it would have been amazing if I had been wearing a long sleeved cotton top.
Jerseys can be had from Decathlon for about a tenner and seem to dry off the sweat much quicker than a normal t-shirt (which are also more expensive).
dont want to look like too much of a 'cyclist', although riding an expensive bike is a bit of a givaway
yeah me too. on the occasions where i have worn all cycle specific stuff i catch a look at myself in the mirror and think "jeez, you look like a muppet!".
People who say that fashion shouldn't come into it are on a different wavelength to me. I'm not going outside looking like a tool, whether i'm on my bike or not 😆
I quite like looking like a cyclist, what with being one and everything. I feel more of a tool riding it in 'normal' clothes than in specific kit.
I spent a fortune on my bike (for me, anyway) and I'm happy to spend a little bit more on proper kit for myself to make sure I'm as comfortable as possible when I ride, so I can enjoy it as much as possible.
Mainly loose fitting MTB tope and baggies, but occasionally dig the skinny lycra out from my old racing days if I want to feel all Euro....
I always just chuck on the t-shirt that's about due a wash.
backhander - MemberSome people ride XC in t-shirts, some people ride XC in body armor - I know who look more stupid
Who?
well it's hardly going to be the ones wearing a t-shirt.
I find football tops perform just as well as cycle gear so I buy last season's tops for about £10-£15.
Sometimes I ride in a t-shirt, sometimes I ride in flip-flops, sometimes I'm really not going very fast.
But it's ok to just go out for a gentle pootle, sometimes.
I've started riding in cotton T-shirt for medical reasons!
Have discoid excema (sp!)on my back. Only developed it in the last couple of years :-/
Always used to wear bib shorts(under baggies of course) and merino or technical top. This was making my back VERY itchy, hot and sore. Tried riding in non-bibs, and wearing a cotton T.
Sooo much more comfortable for me.
Might be different if worn under a jacket, but on its own a cotton T is fine. Doesn't stink, doesn't take any longer to dry, etc. etc.
It's the way forward !
Some people ride XC in t-shirts, some people ride XC in body armor - I know who look more stupid
The people wearing T-shirts.
Wearing a little protection from injury seems pretty sensible to me. While wearing a sweat-soaked cotton T-shirt up in the hills, like typical fashionista idiocy.
Unless you're wearing a hand knitted merino skin suit you're not trying hard enough.
buzz, I suppose you describe XC as an 'extreme sport'? 🙄
Mr Nutt +1 (as long as it has integrated socks)
A mankini is the only thing I wear come sun or snow. Why the hell do you need a t-shirt or a top??? You dry off a treat after the rain so no probs. Bloody soft you lot are!!
wearing cycling gear makes you ride faster otherwise you look like a slow prat 🙂
If it's hot I ride (MTB) in a loose technical tshirt - never cotton.
"Cotton kills!" if you get wet, your bike fails and you lose a limb. Hypothermia and all that.
I dance on the edge in a 50:50 polycotton t-shirt. Dries quickly but feels fresher. I prefer merino to synth when in gets colder, but I find the merino a little warm for the balmier months.
Maybe the DJ/BMX scene is overlapping a little with mtb, or people just don't know? I used to ride in jeans, t-shirt and hoody (when cold) before knowing about technical clothing.
I always wear a t shirt (and usually cut off jeans too) - it brings a little less attention than riding without 😉
in holland i commuted wearing only shorts and a camelback on a trials bike. Probably that looked weird
anyone waterproofed jeans successfully?
Alpkit.
As others have said if i'm doing some downhilling or dirt jumping then I'll wear a t-shirt. I'll usually wear jeans if it isn't hot too. I usually wear a jersey (all of mine cost less than £15...) if I'm riding XC in the summer otherwise I sweat too much. In the winter I usually wear a t-shirt (I think I was one of few wearing a hoodie on the dyfi winter warm up :lol:).
Not sure I used the word 'usually' enough in that.
I'm a big fan of the Howies term: stealth-tech. I love my merino t shirt from Finisterre: looks like a normal cotton t shirt, but works like only merino can. Yum.
I find football tops perform just as well as cycle gear so I buy last season's tops for about £10-£15.
Plus you have the added bonus of really offending the delicate sensibilities of many STWers. 😀
Don't get why you'd do it..
Cost has been ruled out, you can get a proper jersey for next to nothing.
Looks? Can get jerseys that look pretty much exactly like a plain t-shirt.
Cotton is rubbish as a material for exercise, someone even said they wore a wicking baselayer under a hoody, what exactly is the point in that? Where's it going to wick to?
If I'm going for a ride, I want to enjoy it, so why not choose something that will be the most comfortable.
"buzz, I suppose you describe XC as an 'extreme sport'?"
No not at all. A bit more skills/risk than year-round hillwalking perhaps. It might depend on what you think XC is. For example, that lovely looking Enduro DH racing course on the home page, looks like a typical XC trail to me. I included two DH tracks in this morning's XC ride - enjoyably challenging for my ability level and on Boardman HT, but not extreme like say, hard Alpinism or big wave surfing.
Cotton T-shorts are sh1t for active sports; everyone knows that. I don't understand your reasoning behind that snide XC remark. Apart from a FAIL at being snide.
project - Member45 quid for most cycling jerseys, unless you want very small then the price comes down, now why dont Primark and Matalan do cycling jerseys.
I;'m a medium and I've never paid more than £25 😕 Fox, Altura, Raceface, Royal... Seems to me you'd have to really go out of your way to spend more than that.
I've been known to ride a bicycle while wearing a cotton shirt. With cuff links. I am yet to die.
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4982523892_80808e482f.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_mc/4982523892/ ]No hands![/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/mike_mc/ ]miketually[/url], on Flickr
I remember when I was a kid I used to bomb around the woods on my bike all day, and go for long road rides all in cotton t-shirts and jeans and my school daps, and it was fine.
I've been known to ride a bicycle while wearing a cotton shirt. With cuff links. I am yet to die.
I assume you work in IT?
I assume you work in IT?
Why do you assume that? I [i]teach[/i] IT, but I don't work [i]in[/i] IT.
Pft. You work in IT, Miketually, don't pretend you don't.
It's like, if you're a teacher, school secretary, local education authority administration, dinner lady etc, you work [i]in[/i] 'Education'.
Sorry, but that's how it goes. You work in IT. Ha ha! 😆
(Points and laughs in a cruel and unkind manner)
Is that an IT-shirt you've got on there?
(See what I did there? Good, in't it?)
I work as a teacher, in a sixth form college. I'd say that means that I work in education, right?
I don't even own a Skoda or an Audi, so I can't work [i]in[/i] IT.
Hmm...
I'll have to think about that one....
And I failed my GCSE in IT 🙂
...No, fair enough you work in Education. I'll let you off.
If you worked in some tech centre type hole, I'duv had you.
Why such disdain for IT anyway? I mean, so many jobs and professions come under the IT umbrella, so why the hate?
Probbly some sort of class indicator thing that we seem to love and loathe so much.
Cos you've got yer high end fields, like yer Politics, Finance, Law, Medicine and that, then yer Education, Health Care, Engineering, Design, and IT, and then after that, yer Catering, Hygiene, Retail, Transport and Construction.
All of them have socio-economic stratification within themselves, but there does seem to be certain status attached to particular fields, above others.
I mean, I know someone who worked in Hygiene who made a fortune and is quite wealthy, but also people who work in Law, who are scraping by. Funny, the significance we attach to professional fields, innit?
I can think of 2 world class XC riders I've ridden with who wore t-shirts occasionally WHILE RIDING BIKES. shameful. if only they'd known that synthetic trail centre gods would be judging their non-armored feebleness
world class XC riders I've ridden with
WOW you're AWESOME.
Behold the new surf mat.
If you worked in some tech centre type hole, I'duv had you.
It's even in a big old building and used to be a grammar school. Should wear tweed really.
I've recently fallen in love.
http://www.primalwear.com/p-331-the-ritz-blue-ls-cycling-jersey.aspx
WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT.
normal t shirts dont have useful pockets, zips, they get wet easily and dont dry, they flap about, and are generally annoying.