Cycling Gear for Big Guys - Page 2

01-03-2007, 03:36 PM

The Historian wrote:
> What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....

I've had very good luck with Falconi baggy shorts (padded) from an
ebay.com seller called: love2pedal

Their mtb shorts were a bit too diapery for me, but their lycra and
especially those Falconi baggy padded shorts are just the thing for me.
You might try one pair. I believe you can return it if not satisfied.

01-03-2007, 07:17 PM

On 3 Jan 2007 10:43:09 -0800, "The Historian" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
>for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
>pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
>into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
>cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....

You have to read the sizes carefully. As another poster alluded,
there are at least two XXL "standards," with 4-8" differences between
them. At close to your size, I've had good luck with Performance
(tops and shorts) and Voler XXL. Primal Wear is fun, too, but I prefer
an extra X (XXXL) in their sizes. Cannondale 2X was sized right for
me, but Nashbar has been sized small.

HTH!

Pat

Email address works as is.

01-03-2007, 08:05 PM

The Historian wrote:
> What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....
>

I am a bit taller and a bit heavier than you are, so I know your pain.

If you get a recumbent bike, you won't need the "padded" shorts at all.
That dodges a BIG part of the "riding comfort" problem. You don't even
need lycra shorts, because there's no "saddle nose" sticking between
your thighs to rub you raw. ....Upright bikes aren't comfortable for
anyone but they are especially poor choices for overweight people;
there's no way the tiny saddles can be anything close to enjoyable. The
padded shorts don't help all /that/ much.

On a recumbent, you also do not need to have "bicycling" jerseys and
jackets either. Jerseys and jackets made for upright bicycling are cut
extra-long at the waist, so they will not expose your lower back when
you are hunched forward--but on a recumbent you aren't hunched forward,
you are sitting in something that approximates a regular seat--so you
can wear normal shirts and jackets.

Cotton is not your friend--but it can be used if the weather is very
mild. Otherwise, you just need to go through normal sporting goods
outlets and look for synthetic clothing: primal, x-gear or whatever. You
need one outer "windbreaker" layer for cold weather and as many inner
shirts/pants as you wish. ...And they come in HUGE sizes. Have you ever
seen enormously fat rappers on TV wearing track suits? Ummm,,, yea.
There you go.

------------------

Of course--if all your hopes and dreams of riding involved a "normal"
bicycle, then you could just use the recumbent to lose enough weight
until you can fit into regular bicycling clothes. But once you get used
to riding in comfort, you may not see any reason to go back.
~

01-04-2007, 03:26 AM

DougC wrote:
> The Historian wrote:
> > What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> > for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> > pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> > into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> > cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....
> >
>
> I am a bit taller and a bit heavier than you are, so I know your pain.
>
> If you get a recumbent bike, you won't need the "padded" shorts at all.
> That dodges a BIG part of the "riding comfort" problem. You don't even
> need lycra shorts, because there's no "saddle nose" sticking between
> your thighs to rub you raw. ....Upright bikes aren't comfortable for
> anyone but they are especially poor choices for overweight people;
> there's no way the tiny saddles can be anything close to enjoyable. The
> padded shorts don't help all /that/ much.
>
> On a recumbent, you also do not need to have "bicycling" jerseys and
> jackets either. Jerseys and jackets made for upright bicycling are cut
> extra-long at the waist, so they will not expose your lower back when
> you are hunched forward--but on a recumbent you aren't hunched forward,
> you are sitting in something that approximates a regular seat--so you
> can wear normal shirts and jackets.
>
> Cotton is not your friend--but it can be used if the weather is very
> mild. Otherwise, you just need to go through normal sporting goods
> outlets and look for synthetic clothing: primal, x-gear or whatever. You
> need one outer "windbreaker" layer for cold weather and as many inner
> shirts/pants as you wish. ...And they come in HUGE sizes. Have you ever
> seen enormously fat rappers on TV wearing track suits? Ummm,,, yea.
> There you go.
>
> ------------------
>
> Of course--if all your hopes and dreams of riding involved a "normal"
> bicycle, then you could just use the recumbent to lose enough weight
> until you can fit into regular bicycling clothes. But once you get used
> to riding in comfort, you may not see any reason to go back.

Thank you for your information.

01-04-2007, 03:32 AM

Patrick Lamb wrote:
> On 3 Jan 2007 10:43:09 -0800, "The Historian" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
> wrote:
>
> >What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> >for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> >pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> >into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> >cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....
>
> You have to read the sizes carefully. As another poster alluded,
> there are at least two XXL "standards," with 4-8" differences between
> them. At close to your size, I've had good luck with Performance
> (tops and shorts) and Voler XXL. Primal Wear is fun, too, but I prefer
> an extra X (XXXL) in their sizes. Cannondale 2X was sized right for
> me, but Nashbar has been sized small.

Yes, that's what I found about the Nashbar items too. I hope to lose 15
pounds by March, so perhaps I can fit into them by then. If the weather
cooperates, I should be comfortable enough on my bike by then that I
can begin logging serious saddle time.

01-04-2007, 04:11 AM

The Historian wrote:
> What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....

Different brands have different sizing. European stuff like Giordana
tends to run very small. Pearl Izumi runs somewhat on the small side.
Canari runs large.

I have some "XL" Giordana jerseys that fit tighter than "Medium"
jerseys from Performance/Nashbar.

Some other buzz words are "club fit" (roomy) and "pro fit" (tight).

Art Harris

01-04-2007, 07:54 AM

"The Historian" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1167849789.869303.308220@k21g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....

I'm a big believer in loose fitting clothing. I figure I don't need to be
_that_ aerodynamic and chaffing has never been a problem for me.

I'm 6'2" and 185-190 now but I used to be 250-ish. I wear loose nylon
shorts and over size nylon t-shirts in summer and loose sweats with nylon
splash outer shell in winter.

01-04-2007, 08:03 AM

In article <1167849789.869303.308220@k21g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
> What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] has sizes up to 50-inch chest and 50-inch waist.

--
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Braze your own bicycle frames. See
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/build/build.html>

01-04-2007, 10:03 AM

The Historian wrote:
> What are some suggestions for sources of 'oversized' cycling clothes
> for oversized guys? The 2x stuff I ordered is too small for my 6'1" 274
> pound form. The jersey is far too form-fitting, and while I can get
> into the shorts, I feel like I am being divided in half. I realize that
> cycling clothes are supposed to fit closely, but....
>

I read all the posts to date. I hate to wear things that are too snug,
so I don't buy much online. I have adapted running gear for my cold
weather use. There are some running shops around so I was able to try
things on before buying.

I have temps pretty much covered around here and know how many layers I
need to wear to be comfortable. The only thing I have not invested in
is rainwear because it just doesn't rain much around here. So, unless
it is raining heavily, I wear what I already have.

01-04-2007, 12:46 PM

On 3 Jan 2007 15:56:08 -0800, "The Historian" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>> You don't need lycra for the riding you're doing at this stage. You
>> can wear what you've got that's comfortable and doesn't interfere
>> with the chain. You want to be aware early on of any chafing you
>> might experience while wearing normal clothes.
>
>I've been warned cotton is not my friend.
>
>> Lots of people don't wear lycra to ride. Hills, wind and bicycles are
>> never fussy about how you look.
>>
>> Perhaps a jock* and sweat pants will get you through another size
>> down so you fit into that new gear.
>
>I usually wear compression shorts and shirts to help with loose skin. I
>suppose those will work on the bike? I've worn them before when in the
>saddle.

I guess as long as they don't have seams that cause you discomfort
they're your base layer for anything else. Sounds good.

Cotton stays wet. Big deal. We're usually not on a survival course.

I wear cotton trousers or shorts over riding shorts or padded undies
all year. I wear cotton tee shirts either alone in summer or under a
wool sweater (and/or more insulation) and/or wind breaking layer all
year. Hasn't killed me yet. I ride to get places everyday.

Were I going for dedicated long ride I'd dress for more cycling
efficiency by wearing clothes that don't flap around or stay wet.
--
zk