Mechanics clothing for fixing bikes

Always worn old trousers, tracksuit bottoms, sweater etc for fixing the bike. Inevitable that you’re getting oil, dirt ,sealant etc on them. Quite fancy a pair of overalls with lots of useful pockets for tools/parts, similar to these:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/portwest-texo-contrast-bib-and-brace-2015325/

Any other suggestions?

Speedos?

Easy to clean and people definitely won’t bother you when your elbows deep in a wheel tru

Englebert Strauss ES motions. Really hard wearing comfy work trousers from Germany. Lots of useful pockets. I’d wear them all day if I could – even for doing my computamonkey day job. They do lined ones as well should you have to work on a snowmobile or Pistenbully. Toastie warm they are.

for full German Sram technician mode they do dungarees. 

and lederhosen craftsman shorts

Always worn old trousers, tracksuit bottoms, sweater etc for fixing the bike.

This, or do you have a fancy shed or posh garage and need attire to match?

Park tool apron my preferred, Drop a hint for Xmas?

Why not go for something more modern looking?

No pockets.

Surely wearing a red jumper would cause the issues for the risk assessment!

On this subject anybody use the Finish Line workshop gloves or are disposables better? I normally don’t bother, used Swarfega to clean my hands for years , frowned upon now I guess ?Just bought a litre bottle of heavy duty hand cleaner from Screwfix for £9 , half the price of the bike specific ? Juice Lubes featured on here .

Those gloves don’t look much different from the ones you can buy in Screwfix or off Amazon for about £1.50 a pair.

No pockets.

Something inappropriate about “boldly going….”

http://This, or do you have a fancy shed or posh garage and need attire to match?

No normal shed thanks. There’s a reason mechanics wear the right gear, having lots of additional pockets and areas to store tools is really handy and having hard wearing gear that can take multiple washes is useful.

For the hands I recently bought a box of 50 disposable gloves from screwfix. So much better than washing hands and never quite managing to get them clean! Bought large to use as waterproof outer layers for regular gloves while commuting but my hands must be more manly than I realised as the gloves are snug fitting.

I don’t di enough mechanics to warrant proprr overalls & expect that box of 50 gloves will last a few years.

i got given a park shop apron a while ago..

https://www.parktool.com/en-us/product/heavy-duty-shop-apron-sa-3?category=Apparel

really nice, somewhere to wipe your hands when they’re grubby, and quick to throw over whatever you’re wearing (so I’m more likely to use it)

My grandpa always rocked his overalls when mowing, fixing the car or DIY.

https://www.workwearexpress.com/regatta-pro-stud-polycotton-fasten-coverall

Old stuff for the win.

I use disposable gloves. I used mechanic gloves from home base until they wore out, but they were unsatisfactory when cleaning with paraffin or servicing suspension.

Wear something bright and cheerful over the winter months.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ACwAAOSwSmlloR8j/s-l1200.jpg

Don’t know about anyone else but I’m terrible for covering my good clothes in oil/greese.
“I’ll just prep my bike for later, won’t take a minute.”
Before I know it an hour has passed and I’m  knee deep in fettling, looking down at my Rab walking pants that are now covered in shimano bearing greese…

I use thin gloves with a slightly rubberised textured palm/fingers. Screwfix sort of thing. No throwing disposables away all the time and far easier to get on and off if you are cooking or whatever at the same time.

Yeah, proper dad overalls ftw. I don’t have any right now so end up mucky usually, but think I need them again.

If in doubt, be like Kylie.

I’d go for a workshop apron, it can live in the shed and it’s just there to put on when you nip in to get something and end up starting that 5 minute job.  If you (or someone you know) can work a sewing machine there are loads of patterns out there so you can get a be-spoke design.  Mrs RJM made mine for me from re-cycled jeans so both low cost and eco-friendly.  The feature I use most is the set of loops that my Allen keys go into – no more wondering where I put that 4mm key down.

+1 for the Park tool apron (also a present)

What’s wrong with your best pair of jeans and a nice T-shirt ?  Usually oil on mine somewhere !

I bought these; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Utopia-Kitchen-Adjustable-Waterdrop-Resistant/dp/B01ND3Y00M?

£9 quid for 2.

Boiler suit is especially good in the winter if you are outside or in an unheated garage or shed.

Mine is one of my old MOD ones, at least 30 years old now

They don’t seem to make them anymore, but surely something similar to this….

https://content.rapha.cc/gb/en/a/story/mechanics-collection

“Site” clothing (no, there’s not an H missing) from Screwfix serves a purpose – I’ve got some of their work trousers and shorts for DIY/dirty stuff. Previously used old jeans etc but they didn’t last long before the knees would give up.

Can even buy kneepads that fit into them for kneeling etc.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/work-trousers/cat850376?brand=site

I was thinking wtf, special clothes for bike maintenance?  But

set of loops that my Allen keys go into – no more wondering where I put that 4mm key down

now you are bringing me around to the idea 🙂

I use, depending on garage temperature and level of commitment required for the task…

• What I’m already wearing, often leading to formerly “good” clothes joining…
• …old clothes
• Park tool apron I got really cheap to make up free postage
• Army surplus overalls off eBay

This sounds daft, but having dedicated clothes to do dirty work really does help. I’ve only recently realised this. I bought work trousers, shorts and waterproofs from B&Q which were cheap as chips and much better than old normal jeans, because they are much tougher and are cut much looser so they don’t restrict when you are crawling around under cars etc. Also I wear gloves wherever possible to keep my hands clean of toxic oily grimy crap.

However, for the bike I just wear an apron (some eBay one not a Park one, I’m not a poseur 😉 ) which is brilliant as long as I’m in short sleeves.

For the bike just old shorts and t-shirt / sweatshirt.
You don’t have to get dirty fixing it
I do use disposable gloves and some blue roll and rags

If you want quality for all day use then Englbert Straus, but a bit pricey for diy.

An apron or overalls do the job, or Site workwear from Screwfix.

I just wear much normal clothes and use disposable gloves I acquired at work, I normally finish a shift with several unused pairs in my pockets so they just go in a tub on the shelf for use at home.

I’ve got an old MoD surplus flight suit, like this

Got more than enough pockets for random stuff, the pen holders on each leg are great for stuffing Allen keys into and it’s loose enough to wear warm layers underneath if the temperature needs it.

I was thinking wtf, special clothes for bike maintenance?

Wait till we tell you about special clothes that mountain bikers wear for riding  🙂   wtf!!!

Apron with pockets, the amount of times I only had one hand free and needed a tool just out of reach made me buy an apron, all tools needed for the job nicely in the pockets.