Cycling Gear for Big Guys - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

01-03-2007, 10:43 AM

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....

01-03-2007, 10:57 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....

You do not need gear to pedal a bike.
Wear whatever you have and is roomy for range of motion and air
conditioning.
Cool max material is good for wicking sweat and keeping you cool.
Anything in that would be okay for uppers.

01-03-2007, 11:20 AM

nash wrote:
> "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....
>
> You do not need gear to pedal a bike.

I realize that. That wasn't my question. But thank you for your
answers.

> Wear whatever you have and is roomy for range of motion and air
> conditioning.
> Cool max material is good for wicking sweat and keeping you cool.
> Anything in that would be okay for uppers.

01-03-2007, 11:38 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....

Are you asking about lycra cycling gear or are you just after some
padded shorts, 'cos you could look at getting some mtb baggy shorts.
They usually run to bigger sizes.

I have a mate who had a bit of a gut (oh no, that would be me) and he
finds that bib shorts sometimes fit better and are less restricting.

Gut's now gone (well almost, Christmas set me back a couple of months),
but I still prefer bib shorts.

laters,

Marz

01-03-2007, 11:58 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'm a 2X bicycle rider, so I can sympathize with your plight.

I've never purchased anything from this company but they do offer cycle
apparel in (very) large sizes:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

--

Paul D Oosterhout
I work for SAIC (but I don't speak for SAIC)

01-03-2007, 12:11 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....

The XXL stuff may have been small Italian sizing. I'm 6'3", 220 and
Italian 3-4XL is what I need. Also known as 6 or 7. At one point I was
265 and I still could use some 7's. Bibs are much more comfortable, as
they don't slide down as much, a problem with a gut. Unless you are
exceedingly pear-shaped, 6'1" and 275 isn't that bad, I think tall
skinny folks (6'4", 170lbs, etc) have a harder time finding stuff that
fits. I got some XXL jerseys from Nashbar once that were baggy in the
gut even when I was 265. House brand, maybe that is worth a shot.

Tight-ish fitting shorts help a lot in the comfort department. Not for
the padding, so much as chafe-restriction. Baggy shorts don't help
there. This is particularly important when you have flabby thighs. If
you are concerned about your appearance, you can use cycling shorts
under some light baggy shorts.

Good luck!

Joseph

01-03-2007, 02:28 PM

I hover around 250 and have had my best luck with Nashbar or
Performance on a consistant basis, though it still takes some careful
searching and patience to find something suitable. For years I've
quickly bought whatever fit that I could afford, one year noticing that
I was now "the purple man", not being able to be comfortable and
choosey at the same time. Things are a little better these days.
Cannondale and Bellwether sometimes have something; Italian stuff is
pretty much out. In the winter, layers of wool or polylike stuff is
good from Campmor or Sierra Trading Post, though often not bike
specific. Northface makes a great jacket for winter riding that's kind
of stretchy and durable, probably for skiing. I finally found some very
generic looking Shimano shoes in a 50 and Lake makes some too that are
fine. Zappos can be of help for street shoes and sometimes bike shoes
with free shipping both ways and mondo sizes. Some things that should
fit just don't and some things don't always stay the same. If something
fits great and you want to take no chances, then handwash and hang.
Hope this helps.

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....

01-03-2007, 02:32 PM

just another biker wrote:
> I hover around 250 and have had my best luck with Nashbar or
> Performance on a consistant basis, though it still takes some careful
> searching and patience to find something suitable. For years I've
> quickly bought whatever fit that I could afford, one year noticing that
> I was now "the purple man", not being able to be comfortable and
> choosey at the same time. Things are a little better these days.
> Cannondale and Bellwether sometimes have something; Italian stuff is
> pretty much out. In the winter, layers of wool or polylike stuff is
> good from Campmor or Sierra Trading Post, though often not bike
> specific. Northface makes a great jacket for winter riding that's kind
> of stretchy and durable, probably for skiing. I finally found some very
> generic looking Shimano shoes in a 50 and Lake makes some too that are
> fine. Zappos can be of help for street shoes and sometimes bike shoes
> with free shipping both ways and mondo sizes. Some things that should
> fit just don't and some things don't always stay the same. If something
> fits great and you want to take no chances, then handwash and hang.
> Hope this helps.
>

Sidi and Diadora make shoes in large sizes too. I haven't used the
Sidis, but I do ok with Diadora 50's. I use 15 US Nike running shoes.

Joseph

> 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....

01-03-2007, 03:46 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 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.

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. By that time it will be warmer,
you'll be riding further and faster so you might appreciate wearing
technical fabrics.

(Originally invented for "bike jockeys" hence the nickname and brand
name "Bike" being an American manufacturer of athletic supporters.)
--
zk

01-03-2007, 03:56 PM

Zoot Katz 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 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.

By that time it will be warmer,
> you'll be riding further and faster so you might appreciate wearing
> technical fabrics.

Agreed.