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Just done it tonight and got some right weird looks off proper roadies.
What can I wear that won't make me look like an mtber on the wrong type of bike without resorting to lycra as I look like a badly packed sausage in it 
Rode my CX bike on the road wearing a wife beater last week! Real man right here!
Don't bother, the sport's got a bad enough image as it is.
How do you mean ??
Always happy to look like an MTBer on the 'wrong' bike when I hit the tarmac. Even keep the peak on my helmet...
You usually get a nod rather than the full hello roadies usually only reserve for the spandex clad or the silent treatment usually handed out the those on knobbly tyres.
I always wear shorts over my lycra when on the road bike. I'm a mountain biker and proud.
I do however, have a peakless helmet as that gets in the way when I'm on the drops
Full MTB clothes when I road ride, baggies, peaked helmet, even use flat pedals 😈
baggies here too and a loose fitting top with no pockets.
Probably because baggies on a road bike is a pain in the arse.
Flapping about, restricting movement and not as comfortable as just bibshorts.
In the case of roadie clothes it's all about function with the tight fittingness. As much as it makes you look a Berk, you're s comfortable Berk.
MTB clothing is bad enough on a MTB...
Wear whatever you want. Nobody cares.
How about a girdle, then Lycra?
I wear baggies when riding to something that I don't want to appear at wearing Lycra. Tomorrow my 60mile commute will be on my singlespeed road bike, in baggies as I have a dinner after work.
Embrace the lycra! I used to s**** at roadies in lycra but i have been converted since getting my cx bike and doing a lot of road.
Why? Would you wear a rugby kit to play cricket in?
I just don't get this, "oooh I'm a mountain biker, look at me riding a road bike in my mountain bike gear"
Full MTB clothes when I road ride, baggies, peaked helmet, even use flat pedalsSame here. Mainly because I'm tight and don't ride a road bike much. Flat pedals because I'll want to get off and walk normally at some point. Whatever works for the individual. I'm not a racer and I'm normally riding to a destination.
*don't currently own a road bike. Just have a Stache, that gets you funny looks from everybody.
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Wot Simondbarnes said.
Do what you want.
Just going through this now Renton, it's all about trial and error and have a shop round. I'd rather wear the mtb clothing but it's just not comfy on the road bike. My physique leaves me looking like I have a rubber ring round the midriff but I found some De Marchi bib shorts and the Pearl Izumi jerseys work fork me.
In all honestly the only person that really cares how you look/feel is you, wear what works you and enjoy the ride 🙂
[quote=simondbarnes ]Wear whatever you want. Nobody cares.
THIS
Never gonna wear baggies on the road bike though
it's all about trial and error
Nope, surprisingly folk have figured out what works best.
This subject comes up time and again and there is a market for clothing that both works and causes less anxiety to the fuller figured gent.
The answer certainly not mtb clothing though.
Wear Lycra, but buy it 4 sizes too big, so it's baggy. As a lot of folk on my commute do.
Looks awesome.
Peaks aren't a great idea when you're on the drops.
Proper mtb clothing is road kit!
Try something like the vulpine hoy top and a smartish well designed pair of fitted shorts like the vulpine gravel short over your bibs. That's what I go for on my gravel bike. Sort of in betweenie....
It was road clothing that made me decide to lose some weight.
Wife bought me a nice Morvelo jersey in orange (one of my 2 fave colours along with lime green) but my belly made me look like a Terry's chocolate orange! Lost 5kg to get it to fit & now it looks much better although loads of other kit is now too big...
But yeah, wear whatever you want although close fitting Lycra is much nicer on the road imho. No flapping about, easier movement of the legs etc... I do still remember the '90s when we rode mountain bikes in pretty much the same kit...
Why? Would you wear a rugby kit to play cricket in?I just don't get this, "oooh I'm a mountain biker, look at me riding a road bike in my mountain bike gear"
This
I went the opposite way last night, i was out in mostly lycra on the MTB but riding only on the road ! Was testing out riding kit for this weekend... Still undecided. I think i need 2 pairs of padded shorts !
I normally commute on my cx bike in baggies. In my eyes it's a lot less weird than the mutants who somehow ride in long sleeved hi vis jackets year round.
It also means I can go into the office without fear of distracting the ladies.
I saw your ride on Strava I think Weeksy, fair old ride like.
Embrace the lycra! I used to s**** at roadies in lycra but i have been converted since getting my cx bike and doing a lot of road.
TBF, most of your MTB kit fitted like lycra anyway 😆
Lycra works, it may not be flattering but it is the right tool for the job. Have a look at https://fatladattheback.com/, good bike gear for the larger lad/lass.
Wear whatever you want. Nobody cares.
Tru dat...
However, it works both ways...
Wear MTB clothing on the MTB because it's a bit tought, 'affects the ride less', and covers the body more..
Wear full on lycra on the road as it's more comfortable, faster, and has pockets as needed on the back...
You don't NEED to wear baggy clothes on a road bike, just to stick two fingers up at da man you know!
DrP
I get more refusals to say hello when riding my mtb in lycra /peakless helmet etc. I'm clearly not gnarrcore enough to be acknowledged 😥
The only one I don't understand is how many people use road SPD's. Mtb / touring double sided spds are more suitable for 90% of use cases, but don't win style points for I am a pro.
I find road pedals and stiff shoes with carbon soles less likely to give me issues with hot spots, numbness etc on longer rides than mtb ones, even with supposedly stiff soles shoes. More support I guess.
Plus I have several varus shims under the cleats to correct my knee tracking, can't get the same amount of adjustment with 2 hole cleats.
I used to wear my mtb kit because it was what I was used to but I find actual road kit puts me in a better frame of mind for that kind of riding.
Still a long way from the white bibs/sunglasses/no jersey/no crash helmet look favoured by the Italians last week
Our bike shed is a good 250m from the changing building at work, even the full on roadie commuters wear mtb spd shoes.
Well fitted baggies make a huge difference, every bit as comfy as lycra.
Wear what ye want.
Strange types the cyclists who see themselves as mtb-ers
Still a long way from the white bibs/sunglasses/no jersey/[s]no crash helmet[/s] look favoured by the Italians last week
I actually considered that when it was ridiculously hot, but then I considered rab c nesbitt's string vest and thought again.
One minute "it's all cycling", the next it's as different as rugby and cricket. So confusing.
Strange types the cyclists who see themselves as mtb-ers
Why, because they're different to you?.
If you're after a comfy compromise, the Gore Alp X 2 in 1 bibs are a good option. I have a couple of pairs and use them for relaxed road use and touring, gravel riding etc.
Ive got double sided touring pedals but wore my Shimano DX shoes!!
Any other recommendations on road stuff suitable for a fat lad 38/40 waist !
Lycra stretches, you know 😉
My clubmate road races in sworks spd shoes and double sided pedals, and he's won 2/3 races wearing a peaked helmet 😀 . He's well on his way to 1st Cat and wins a lot of expert mtb races too.
Wear what you feel comfortable in. But decent bib shorts, even under baggies, are a great choice for any cyclist.
[i]decent bib shorts, even under baggies, are a great choice for any cyclist.[/i]
Except maybe those who don't like bib shorts...
New to road biking here after years and years of mountain biking, so my wardrobe is very much filth oriented.
At the moment, I wear the same Gore bib tights that I wear under my baggies, but I leave the shorts at home. I then wear a TdY jersey that looks a little less mountain bikey and I find that noone gives me a second glance. I grudgingly admit that having less baggy kit on is much more practical for both road and mountain...
Shoes are still SPDs - no hurry to buy silly shoes at this point and the ones I have are nice and comfy. There's a few few others at our club riding on SPDs, so it's by no means unusual.
I actually considered that when it was ridiculously hot, but then I considered rab c nesbitt's string vest and thought again.
It's a very strong look 🙂
Bibs are for babies
Probably because baggies on a road bike is a pain in the arse.Flapping about, restricting movement and not as comfortable as just bibshorts.
Why are they a pain?
Yes, they flap a bit, but the don't restrict movement & they are more comfy IMO. I find anything tight around the crown jewels uncomfortable.
Plus, i'm not buying any more kit, just to ride my road bike, that's slightly different, just because that's what people do.
Militant people being militant shocker.
In my 20 years on this forum I think the OP may be the first to wear baggies on a road bike. Wow, what a rebel.
Wot clothes for a gravel bike?
^^^
iainc - Member
If you're after a comfy compromise, the Gore Alp X 2 in 1 bibs are a good option. I have a couple of pairs and use them for relaxed road use and touring, gravel riding etc.POSTED 1 HOUR AGO #
My road bike has flat pedals.
I wear my MTB clothing when on the road bike 'cos I don't have any Lycra. I also use a rucksack.
I am comfy and can carry all my gear. Including a MTB helmet.
DGAS what folk think of me as long as I am happy.
I used to ride my road bike in Lycra shorts and a bike jersey hat was loose ish without being baggy. Comfortable to ride in and didn't look too stupid.
Since then I've put on a bit of weight and no-one needs to see that son been riding to work either with said Lycra shorts on with just normal sports shorts over the top and a similar biking top, ornive been wearing my endura humvees.
Have to say I haven't found baggier shorts an issue on the bike - although I've only been commuting about 9 miles each way to work a few days a week.
When (if) I get slim enough I may brave wearing the Lycra shorts uncovered again on the road bike.
Not that anyone else actually cares in the slightest.
Shoes are still SPDs - no hurry to buy silly shoes at this point and the ones I have are nice and comfy. There's a few few others at our club riding on SPDs, so it's by no means unusual.
Quite a few full blown roadies I know ride on SPDs rather than waddling about like Pingu when at the cafe/clubhouse. It makes no difference to comfort and very little to performance.
Loose shorts will be uncomfortable and slow you down, and a loose top will not be usable for supplied in the back pockets and will also slow you down. And as others have said a peaked helmet will be uncomfortable.
That said, unless you're riding the wrong way down a one way street at me (when one block either way is a one way street going that way) I'll say hi/nod/wave as appropriate regardless of what bike we both happen to be on. Wear what you like, those that care what others look like don't deserve
I am comfy and can carry all my gear.
What gear do you need on a road bike that you can't fit in a saddle pack and jersey pockets? Genuinely interested.
I'm quite round, I wear baggies so that people don't think I'm a performing seal!
As long as you're comfortable who cares what you wear. I don't see mtb gear being restrictive. Unless you plan on dancing or something.
Although I avoid urban areas and shops/eating and drinking places in mine.
And if you're just out for just riding some miles then you shouldn't be bothered about things like aero.
so basically no reason for lycra
imnotverygood - Member
Wot clothes for a gravel bike?
The usual MTB gear; flannel shirt, baggies, MT91's.
Always wear baggies, although the ones I tend to wear on the road or CX bike are slightly slimmer but stretchier fit (might be Altura, if not then might be DHB).
Generally wear a jersey with 3 rear pockets when MTBing, so no different when on road.
Have a mini camelback too.
Rebel, and wear what you like. The Rules are there to be broken. Life would be boring if you have to conform.
SPDs all round here. Can then use 1 set of shoes. That's not rebelling, it's just being sensible.
I normally wear bibs and a not-as-loose-as-it-used-to-be road top that is generously sized, but only if I'm riding a full loop without stopping anywhere where there will be lots of people.
Nobody deserves to have that image burnt on to their retinas! 😯
But it is more comfortable for riding with less flapping fabric and if I go fast enough then I don't offend anyone for a prolonged time.
If I ever get down to the svelt figiure that I convince myself I can achieve then I may take a short ride to a busy cafe on a sunny day so I can pose in front of everyone.
But then that's probably never going to happen.
Nobeerinthefridge - Member
Strange types the cyclists who see themselves as mtb-ersWhy, because they're different to you?.
Not at all; strange because they themselves label themselves as different ... I'm someone who cycles, that label is good enough for me
and if you're just out for just riding some miles then you shouldn't be bothered about things like aero.
I could apply the same argument about riding anything beyond a BSO - or even riding rather than going for a jog. But most people can appreciate that going a bit faster means you can go a bit further and enjoy it a bit more.
Of course if your self definition of "A manly mountain biker that can't wear tight clothes" prohibits visible lycra that's fine, but nobody else really cares and you're just making it harder for yourself.
What gear do you need on a road bike that you can't fit in a saddle pack and jersey pockets? Genuinely interested.POSTED 4 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
Depends. If out all day I have a First Aid kit, OS map and may even take a sandwich. 😀
I don't even shave my legs.
But most people can appreciate that going a bit faster means you can go a bit further and enjoy it a bit more.
what a load of rubbish, I enjoy slow rides I enjoy fast rides the speed has **** all to do with it.
Depends. If out all day I have a First Aid kit, OS map and may even take a sandwich.I don't even shave my legs.
I don't either, takes up too much time & you need a source of water. I do it when I am at home.
Each to their own. The one thing I'd say is that flappy, loose clothing is just unpleasant on long, fast, alpine descents when it flaps about noisily and billows. Less of an issue in the UK, but quite nasty over a really extended downhill ime. Flappy windproof tops were designed by Satan.
But I honestly don't care if other people want to wear layered crinoline petticoats as long as they're happy.
When these conversations come I always end up thinking who are all these people who use mtb kit for road riding?
I'm in one road club and familair with lots of riders from another road club and I was until recently in a mtb club.
So I know lots of people for who cycling is a big part of there life.
I dont however know anyone who rides a road bike with anything other than spd sl.
I dont know anyone who wears mtb clothing to ride road.
I dont know anyone who has discs on a summer bike.
I do know lots of people who wear lycra on mtb( try any competitive xc event).
This is all fitness/club/race rides btw if your commuting or going to the pub people will wear whatever.
So good I said it twice!
atlaz - Member
What gear do you need on a road bike that you can't fit in a saddle pack and jersey pockets? Genuinely interested.
You can get full picnic kit and a book in your pockets?
🙂