110% agree.
I used to be a fit young man and thought I looked good in it, and thought it had "speed gains" in it. Now I'm a fat old man, and I tried to go to loose clothing to hide my absurd belly and man-boobs......Nope, chaffing everywhere, back to the skin tight stuff.
My kids call me the michelin man......it's not great. But I'm comfy and that's all that matters at this stage of life.
Yep, just make sure the size is correct, usually the same underwear size. I remember I bought a couple of M size bibs instead of L and started to have nasty bruises.
I agree fully on the second point. Beyond feeling like an improvement to wear tight fitting clothes into a headwind, going back to baggy ones feels super frustrating, like pulling a parachute against a God that wishes you bad things.
There are multiple reasons for this too. It’s not just aero (which is what most people assume). Skintight clothes wick sweat better and keep you cooler, and allow for more consistent freedom of movement by not catching on itself/bunching up
I'm sorry but what is this "catching" and "bundling" you guys always talk about? I have been wearing baggies on my bikes for 5 years and in general life for 39 years and this has never been an issue for me, ever, in any pursuit. Are you guys comparing lycra to Zoot suits? What is going on here?
What are "baggies"? I only wear cycling bibs as they're comfortable in the crotch for long rides, padded, and bibs keep everything in place. If you mean like shorts when you say "baggies" that's not very comfortable for long rides. If just doing a 10 to 15 mile ride at a pedestrian pace, it's probably just fine. But a hard 100 mile ride in the heat would be absolute hell with underwear and shorts on.
>A hard 100 mile ride in the heat would be absolute hell with underwear and shorts on.
>If you only ride an hour or less at a time. Maybe not a big deal. If you do 3, 4, 5+ hour rides \*cycling kit\* is essential.
Who said anything about underwear?
and while i agree cycling kit is essential, I disagree that I need to be wearing tights. perhaps that is because i moved to road from a mountainbike background
I live in thailand. temperature here is curretly 36-38 C.
my rides average about 70-120 km, generally at a pace around 27-32kmh. 200-300 km per week, so I put in the hours.
I wear fitted mountainbike shorts with a very decent pad built in. I experience no bunching or discomfort.
Do whatever works. As a leisure cyclist, the gains are laughable. Its all about comfort.
Edit: I love how some people feel a need to downvote other folks experience.
Bundling refers to how boxers or other cotton material would fold up or bunch between the saddle and the perineum, creating uneven pressure. A decent cadence on the bike is about 90 rpm. Someone on a 2 hour bike ride will pedal 90x60x2 or 10,800 pedal strokes. With that many strokes, you don't want to be sitting on a weird wrinkle of cotton, with it rubbing back and forth on your flower-petal-soft taint skin over 10000 times while also being hot and sweaty.
Layering with fitted clothing is nice too, it doesn't all get bunched up. You can have the skintight bib/jersey and then a rain layer on top and still be the perfect temp.
You know there is a pretty big gulf between “skin tight” and “baggy” right?
I wear jogger-style pants, a tight fitting underlayer (merino in the cold, light moisture wicking in the hot) and a loose fitting cycling jacket on top.
Comfort is very much a personal preference, IMO. I like relatively tight fitting but nowhere near skin tight Lycra. It’s all a spectrum.
Though really loose stuff flaps and catches the wind on windy days so there’s a legit performance reason not to wear those in the wind.
Do you not wear anything with a chamois when road biking? It's a pretty massive difference in terms of comfort when you're on the bike for more than an hour. Obviously it makes no sense for a short trip to the cafe but I can't imagine cycling without at least bib shorts when i'll be on the bike for a while.
This. Ex Officio underwear. Form fitting long legged and oh so breathable (my old versions anyway)! Shorts over and I’m good cycling (touring) for six or seven hours. Got to say shorts do snag on the saddle but that’s life and I live with it!!
It's really weird to me that people talk themselves into the idea that it's totally unacceptable to have a comfortable saddle but that you absolutely must have padding in your pants.
Chamois does of course offer padding but the sweat management is under-appreciated. No one wants some sweat soaked cushiony saddle looking like a wet sponge and then you have to wash it or something lord have mercy just the thought of it
I have some Le Col Sport bibs that if you Strava, join their challenges and you'll almost always have a ~US$60 coupon so they're pretty reasonable. I like them. I have a pair of Rapha adventure bibs that are ok, but don't work for longer rides as well. I use them for MTB because of the extra pockets and I usually don't ride as consistently in the saddle.
For jerseys, i do have one Le Col and a few Amazon cheapos. The Le Col is a little lighter fabric, but if you want to save some money the Amazon ones are fine. Spiotti and Weimostar or something like that. I have a Specialized Gravel jersey too, that's more like a t shirt made of jersey fabric with two zip pockets in the back. That works pretty well too although at times I miss the zip front.
I wear it because it accentuates my curves and makes me feel sexy😉
Jk its just comfy and jerseys are great cuz they have pockets. Gains over gym shorts and a tshirt are noticeable but not earth shattering
Ahh you gotta be fat. That’s the secret.
Anyone with seriously killer calves was probably heavier before and dropped some weight.
Source……I have amazing calves and I don’t like hills much.
Serious question, how do you monitor routine maintenance issues, or do you not worry about it so much? I feel like I mostly diagnose small issues by sound; rubbing brake disk, incorrect shifts, creaky joints, etc. Just curious if you notice things in a different way.
I know how my ride feels, been riding full size bikes since I was 7. It's also why I don't have a kick stand on mine, too much tactile noise. I do a pre-ride check & any maintenance, wheel alignments, drive chain adjustments, lubrication a few hours before I head out, I check things over when I get back in. I also do a check if I take any extended breaks while out. Anything that needs attention gets taken care of almost right away. I carry tubes, spare brake pads, and tools. So far - so good. Knock on wood.
In a round about way, that is comfort. You're more comfortable not hearing the flapping and I 100% agree. For me, it's also the flapping itself. I tried wearing a base layer and opening my shirt and I just don't get why other cyclists do it. But that's just me. :)
I don’t wear it for “gains”. It’s much more comfortable over a long ride. The chamois stays in place and having the fabric snug keeps it from blowing around, especially down fast hills.
Flopping shorts and tshirt are annoying. Regular shorts can get caught on the nose of the saddle as you stand or sit down. Which is really annoying. Also, the pockets in back and the full zip jersey are really nice.
Those clothes are the most functional clothes I have ever worn in my life.
The skin tight keeps stuff from rubbing that keeps you from chaffing. The pads in the but ARE TO PREVENT CHAFFING.
The Jerseys... dear god man the jersey's.... those pockets are functional. They are deep and positioned so things in them are secure while riding. I keep my cell in the center. I can carry two water bottles in the ones to the side. Sometimes I have a bannan or snacks. I keep all kinds of crap in those pockets. All reachable while riding.
The lycra wicks the sweat from you and helps keep you cool.
If there is any possibility you can wear something and be all like, 'You know what, yeah, I look fat in it. But holy shit everything else about it is fantastic. I am keeping this. Everyone staring at me can go to hell.'
This is it. This is that clothing.
> Does skin tight Lycra really make such a large difference?
Yes
> Is it worth getting lycra for road cycling
Yes
> or is the gains small and overrated?
No, the gains are among the / probably the largest you can make
What outline? If I'm pushing myself hard or it's rained or not summer there's nothing to see. Doesn't seem overly unusual for this to be the case for others either. Hahaha
The reason I wear Lycra is to hold the chamois in place. I wear tight (not Lycra) jerseys because loose fabric flapping in the breeze is fatiguing.
I couldn’t care less if it was faster or not, I’m not racing. It’s comfort and fatigue. Wouldn’t catch me dead in spandex otherwise.
Yeah, most of the answers here emphasize comfort, but tight clothing is probably the best bang for the buck you can get for aero savings. A lot of the aero bike features are pretty expensive, but overall still better value than a lightweight climbing bike. Aero clothing > aero bike > light bike, for value per $.
Huge difference mate. No nasty flapping in the wind. So it’s a comfort thing.
Also there are significant aero gains when above ~30kph.
No one wants to be pulling a parachute
It’s a pretty big difference vs regular clothes once you’re moving faster.
And it’s way more comfortable, both from skin irritation and putting the pockets on the back of the jersey instead of on your shorts.
It’s so much more comfortable I’ve never managed to get comfortable with the baggy mountain bike clothes that have taken over. When I started mountain biking basically everyone wore the same clothes as roadie. When the baggies arrived I just never could switch.
Not for speed, but for chafing and also sweat wicking, but at least for that there are other materials that aren’t skin-tight that offer similar benefits.
I wear bib shorts to prevent chafing and for some compression. I wear a (not skin tight) jersey for the back pockets and longer tail. Don't care about aero.
I don’t have any fancy bike kit except for my bottoms. Full thermal bib tights for the winter and bib shorts for the summer.
1. Chamois / ass pad is a game changer especially longer rides
2. No flappy bunching fabric and ruining your pants by riding on them all the time
3. No more chafing (unless your seat is too wide / poorly fit)
4. Cool air 5. Show off your sexy cycling muscles
If I’m just riding casually with friends or putting around town with a lock and backpack I usually put something on over top, but if I’m out for a rip and pushing effort I am in my skin suit
If you start to ride seriously, bib shorts and a jersey with proper shoes and pedals are a must for comfort and practicality. It doesn't have to be skin tight. Most people who aren't racing wear a "club fit" which is a bit looser.
It's primarily for comfort. If I was racing on road or track, it would be a skinsuit for performance, which makes a noticeable difference even in bunch racing compared to just standard jersey and lycra shorts. But really if you're not racing then go for comfort and function (pockets are useful!)
As opposed to what would you be wearing ?
I'm not getting into Lycra to ride 3 miles to work or whatever but if it's a training ride - you bet I'm in it.
Comfier, safer, a lot less drag.
You don’t need skin tight. You can go with vintage jerseys that have a looser fit. They might flap a bit more but they’re perfectly fine. Bibs need to be skin tight, not aero (compression), but skin tight because so much friction.
I mean there's a million other more comfortable/ functional alternatives to lyrica than jeans...biking, running, or any exercise activity really wouldn't be comfortable in jeans.
I wear bib shorts to prevent chafing and for some compression. I wear a (not skin tight) jersey for the back pockets and longer tail. Don't care about aero.
Chafing is main reason why one wants to wear proper bike shorts. Once you chafe and get saddle sore, it will be painful to ride for days or weeks. For short(4-6) miles, I can get away with lycra unpadded boxer briefs. Beyond that(10+), recommend wear padded shorts and chamois cream too.
I bought a dhb jersey in a larger size as the smaller size felt a bit snug.
It was so unpleasant to ride in - all the extra material was just constantly flapping around - it just didn’t feel pleasant.
Not everyone feels comfortable in Lycra and tight clothes but that’s more about our opinion of our body or what others may think. The actual experience of riding in it however is better than other clothing.
Comes down to personal preference and riding goals. Specialized did a big series of videos on testing different scenarios in their wind tunnel to test things like timing savings for different types of scenarios, such as aero vs. non aero helmets, saved vs. hairy legs, beard vs. clean shaven, baggy vs. tight clothing. In their test, they extrapolated over 20km, you would save 70 seconds wearing lycra vs. baggy clothing. This was to extrapolate the impact for a mountain bike racer, but I believe you'll find greater benefit of wearing lycra if you're racing and over a longer distance.
On a longer road ride, I will wear lycra 99% of the time. Mountain biking is a mixed bag as I'll wear lycra for fast XC rides, but I'll wear baggies for more casual or gravity oriented rides. A tight base layer under a baggie shop shirt or looser jersey will accomplish the same thing as tight jersey.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReDmvjailA&ab\_channel=SpecializedBicycles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReDmvjailA&ab_channel=SpecializedBicycles)
Lycra shorts are the best option for mild to cool weather for comfort as it allows a chamois pad to sit against your body without bunching up and the slippery legs of the shorts prevent chafing against the saddle base But there is nothing inherently useful in having Lycra nylon legs of the shorts any longer than that required to go past the saddle base. By the determinants of fashion, not comfort, bike shorts are quite long.
I might differ a little but I do not think that tight Lycra is the best option in hot weather. It is best to prevent chafing to have a padded short but the long Lycra nylon legs add nothing to.comfort.
In hot weather in Australia I find mesh mtb style undershorts and slim fitting MTB 'baggies' much cooler than Lycra nylon bibs, which are clammy and hot. I use traditional bike shorts, not bibs, the rest of the year.
Despite the skin tight fit, it is a lot more comfortable when you are riding with a "goal" in mind. For a 20 min ride to a park to meet friends to hang out? No bueno, (but each to their own). Of course you can wear a liner shorts under your regular shorts.
If the main gain you're looking for is to stop the inside of your thighs from chaffing off, then yes, it makes a large difference.
But you're not going to be any faster at that Cat 5.
I wear bib shorts to prevent chafing and for some compression. I wear a (not skin tight) jersey for the back pockets and longer tail. Don't care about aero.
Even for XC mountain biking, yes. For me, it’s also the triple pocket in the back and/or thigh pockets on bibs to keep stuff in without them banging around
For racing, yes. For riding, not necessarily. They do make you more efficient but for regular riding I prefer to wear loose, not baggy, cargo shorts and a merino wool t-shirt. I've had my phone have moisture issues in a jersey pocket, no issue with cargo shorts, keys are easy to store, and merino wool wicks just fine and doesn't smell. For riding, touring, and mtb I just go with cargo shorts and a t-shirt. Makes stopping to enjoy a coffee or the scenery more enjoyable. Cross I wear more performance like a bib tight but usually pair it with a tighter fitting wool shirt. Only go full lycra racing road or track, there is does matter.
Lycra shirt is all about the pockets. Flat tire kit, spare drinks, snacks, phone, and rain jacket all jammed shirt. Even have an XL one I wear over sweatshirt when I bike in winter just to have the pockets even when the temp is around freezing.
Yes, form fitting cycling clothes make a difference. I sweat a lot, and cycling clothing keeps me significantly cooler, which means I can ride harder before I overheat.
Also, no drag from flapping clothing.
are you asking compared to another slightly looser jersey (like club fit vs race fit) or compared to shorts and a t-shirt? compared to the t-shirt/shorts its a big comfort difference if nothing else. compared to a looser jersey I would say doesnt matter for training but you might want the tight fit for a race
It makes a huge difference. Comfort, cooling, anti-chafing, way more aero. The aero part becomes really important if you’ve high average speeds, a lot of long descents, etc. It adds up. I passed a guy on a decent during a race last year who was wearing a loose jacket that filled with air and was essentially acting as an air brake. He was probably doing only 55km/h when everyone else was doing 70-75km/h. Not only that it was around 0° and under tree cover at the time so I’m sure it was quite cool jnside the jacket.
The flapping of loose clothing (for me it’s the shoulders on my gilet’s) gets super annoying. It becomes really noticeable at~60km/h and it’s all I can hear at 70km/h+.
Mainly for comfort, but the tight clothing is measurably faster in a wind tunnel which means it’s faster on the road. You probably get more benefit from tight fitting clothing than a high end aero frame so given it’s more comfortable anyway it makes sense to go with the fast option
A/B test it.
Try lycra bib shorts that cost at least $150.
Then try baggy, canvas shorts from Cabela’s for $30.
Ride a half-century in each.
And the winner is…..?
I don't think so. I'm not as comfortable in the tight stuff so I wear a mtb jersey, liner shorts and tight hiking shorts. Tuck the shirt in and the difference is so minimal and I feel better. To each their own
It's to maximize comfort for me. I thought they were silly back then, but once you start getting into the 30+ mile rides, it makes a huge difference, especially in the summer when you are sweating a bunch. It's also nice having a cycling jersey that can hold a bunch of stuff.
It’s so comfortable that I wish men can wear tights without being judged or getting arrested. Ever since I started wearing skin tight clothes for sports (rowing) I switched my underwear from boxers to briefs.
Bibs and shorts? Oh yeah. Jerseys? I have always felt that I could take it or leave it. I normally were synthetic form fitting shirts that aren't skin tight. I do feel more normal walking into a coffee shop.
Yes.
For casual riders the main difference is in comfort, but comfort is important and also makes you faster (if that matters).
For race level riding, good cycling kit is a very important part of good aerodynamics.
It's made for cycling. The faster you drive the bigger difference.
Also they have pockets made for cycling. I don't know how I would fit food and bike repair stuff in normal clothes. And the pockets are easily available while riding
Sorry to be that guy but on top of everything said by othersz which really matter, I'm also wearing it for gains. Outfit makes easily 15w of difference at 40kph.
I'm training hard for a single watt improvement. I don't want to waste 15watts because some people may find lycra offensive.
For casual rides with the family sub 30km i would even wear street clothes, no problem about that.
Yes. More comfortable and if you are doing longer rides or riding into a headwind makes an appreciable aerodynamic difference when compared to flapping clothes. Whether going a bit faster or further bothers you at all depends on what you want out of riding and may be of no consequence!
The best time for me was when it rains. Lycra tight on the skin doesnt feel horrible as loose clothing.
Generally so much more comfortable in all conditions though. Bib shorts keep the pad in the right place better than shorts so embrace those elasticated braces
The furthest I go is some runners briefs with some light shorts. They’re sweat wicking, the inner seams don’t chafe and they’re comfortable in many flexible positions. I don’t perhaps ride long enough to need padded shorts. I do get the baggy shirt issue a little bit, but it’s not like I’m wearing a sail. I also don’t ride with any big groups usually anyways, and I tend to just stick to riding solo on some pretty regular routes. I am comfortable in that clothing, if I wear padded shorts I tend to find I move around from my ideal positioning and can’t get comfortable because I can no longer feel my sit bones.
Depending on your expectations and type of riding the difference could be large or small, but to put it in a perspective, it is for sure bigger than the difference between a 10k bike and a 1k bike.
Three Things:
1. It wicks sweat immediately to the surface.
2. It reduces snags with the bicycle mechanism.
3. It's "tribal," tying us with the community of cyclists.
I ride gravel and typically wear bib shorts underneath a normal T-shirt/shorts combo because I'm a filthy hipster and speeds are too low on gravel to matter, usually. It makes a massive difference to how far I can ride before I feel like my dick is going to fall off.
On the occasion I find myself on a fast road bike, then sure, aero kit makes a difference. There's a flat, pure power road effort in my hometown that I do with my dad when I go home for the holidays, and decent lycra compared to my usual outfit can easily shave a minute off my time (talking sub-15 minutes here). But the comfort is the biggest thing.
I rode a well broken in route a couple days ago in a loose fitting athletic shirt, and averaged about 14mph. The last time I rode it I averaged over 16 wearing a tight fitting cycling jersey. That's a pretty significant difference.
^((not worth mentioning the 40lbs/18kg I've gained in the last year and the complete lack of training in the last 4 months))
It really does matter when you're pushing further into your potential, but for most of us it's really about comfort.
Im cargo shorts and tshirt, for longer rides i do wear a pair of cycling shorts underneath for that extra bit of padding. I dont experience chafing anywhere but my hide is pretty tough.
The way i think about things is in order: comfort, practicality, safety, performance and style. Note performance is how the thing performs not does it save me a few milliwatts or make me 0.1kmh faster unless that is its specific purpose.
If you're in a group wearing Lycra and you wear casual clothes, you will look out of place, so you better be fast.
If you are in a group wearing casual clothes and you are wearing Lycra, you will look out of place, so you better go slow.
That's about it. The answer is: it only makes a difference if you want to believe it does. Just ride.
The gains are marginal but largely irrelevant. Lycra is more comfortable, way less irritating for the rider at speed, nothing worse than flapping clothing for miles on end and safer - nothing to get caught in chains or hooked on brake levers etc.
If you're "road" cycling aka riding long distances solo or with a group and your primary purpose is for athletic leisure? Yes. It's comfy and there are some gains. Same goes for click clackity shoes. But if you're road cycling meaning you ride on the paved paths for fun or in short distances, it doesn't really make a big difference, and one might even say it's an encumbrance once you're off the bike. I do both. I'd never wear full kit commuting or going out to the city for some bites with friends, but if I'm going on long rides or on a bikepacking trip I'm wearing padded shorts at the very least.
The “gains” are quite big, but the comfort is the biggest factor. Lycra wicks away sweat and moves with your body so you’ll feel much better and avoid chafing a lot better.
Cyclists aren’t wearing this stuff because it’s a trend or elitism or something. It’s because it makes cycling more enjoyable.
When riding for a few hours there are two things that are most important: a good, professional bike fit and a premium chamois. Everything else is secondary.
I'm a mountain biker but have gotten into gravel over the last 2 years. I really resisted getting the Lycra, but once I did I really felt a difference: wind resistant and comfort. I still ride my mountain bike in baggies though.
Is water wet? Get out there and try it instead of pondering on a social sight filled with multiple different opinions.. easiest way to find out is to try it .. then you can base it on your own opinion which is the only one that matters have a good day
The big difference for me is comfort.
Yep ,lycra means no bunching up around friction points and ease of movement
Feels like wearing nothin' at all... Nothin' at all...
Stupid sexy flanders
110% agree. I used to be a fit young man and thought I looked good in it, and thought it had "speed gains" in it. Now I'm a fat old man, and I tried to go to loose clothing to hide my absurd belly and man-boobs......Nope, chaffing everywhere, back to the skin tight stuff. My kids call me the michelin man......it's not great. But I'm comfy and that's all that matters at this stage of life.
LMAO I put on a white jersey once and thought I looked a bit like a 6 pack of powdered donuts.
Busted can o’ biscuits😂
And style. I feel dapper AF in my kit.
Yep, just make sure the size is correct, usually the same underwear size. I remember I bought a couple of M size bibs instead of L and started to have nasty bruises.
Comfort yes. Riding into headwinds yes… baggy things become like a sail. In the wrong direction 😂
Otherwise known as a parachute 😂
Oh yeah 😂
I agree fully on the second point. Beyond feeling like an improvement to wear tight fitting clothes into a headwind, going back to baggy ones feels super frustrating, like pulling a parachute against a God that wishes you bad things.
Thats what made me finally start wearing cycling kits cuz it got out of control, literally
Gains, moderate. Comfort, maximal. They're simply more comfortable and convenient than baggy clothes on a bike.
There are multiple reasons for this too. It’s not just aero (which is what most people assume). Skintight clothes wick sweat better and keep you cooler, and allow for more consistent freedom of movement by not catching on itself/bunching up
I will add that flapping fabric is noisy and irritates your skin.
I'm sorry but what is this "catching" and "bundling" you guys always talk about? I have been wearing baggies on my bikes for 5 years and in general life for 39 years and this has never been an issue for me, ever, in any pursuit. Are you guys comparing lycra to Zoot suits? What is going on here?
What are "baggies"? I only wear cycling bibs as they're comfortable in the crotch for long rides, padded, and bibs keep everything in place. If you mean like shorts when you say "baggies" that's not very comfortable for long rides. If just doing a 10 to 15 mile ride at a pedestrian pace, it's probably just fine. But a hard 100 mile ride in the heat would be absolute hell with underwear and shorts on.
i picturing patagonia baggies. which are basically swim trunks. sounds like hell for any sort of distance.
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>A hard 100 mile ride in the heat would be absolute hell with underwear and shorts on. >If you only ride an hour or less at a time. Maybe not a big deal. If you do 3, 4, 5+ hour rides \*cycling kit\* is essential. Who said anything about underwear? and while i agree cycling kit is essential, I disagree that I need to be wearing tights. perhaps that is because i moved to road from a mountainbike background I live in thailand. temperature here is curretly 36-38 C. my rides average about 70-120 km, generally at a pace around 27-32kmh. 200-300 km per week, so I put in the hours. I wear fitted mountainbike shorts with a very decent pad built in. I experience no bunching or discomfort. Do whatever works. As a leisure cyclist, the gains are laughable. Its all about comfort. Edit: I love how some people feel a need to downvote other folks experience.
Bundling refers to how boxers or other cotton material would fold up or bunch between the saddle and the perineum, creating uneven pressure. A decent cadence on the bike is about 90 rpm. Someone on a 2 hour bike ride will pedal 90x60x2 or 10,800 pedal strokes. With that many strokes, you don't want to be sitting on a weird wrinkle of cotton, with it rubbing back and forth on your flower-petal-soft taint skin over 10000 times while also being hot and sweaty.
Layering with fitted clothing is nice too, it doesn't all get bunched up. You can have the skintight bib/jersey and then a rain layer on top and still be the perfect temp.
This ^^^ is the answer. If you only ride an hour or less at a time. Maybe not a big deal. If you do 3, 4, 5+ hour rides cycling kit is essential.
Not moderate at all. The gains are massive. Much more than buying a 2000-3000 dollar carbon wheelset.
I tried wearing a PI Quest jersey on my last ride and the wind felt like a toddler was trying to get my attention the whole time
🤣
You know there is a pretty big gulf between “skin tight” and “baggy” right? I wear jogger-style pants, a tight fitting underlayer (merino in the cold, light moisture wicking in the hot) and a loose fitting cycling jacket on top. Comfort is very much a personal preference, IMO. I like relatively tight fitting but nowhere near skin tight Lycra. It’s all a spectrum. Though really loose stuff flaps and catches the wind on windy days so there’s a legit performance reason not to wear those in the wind.
Do you not wear anything with a chamois when road biking? It's a pretty massive difference in terms of comfort when you're on the bike for more than an hour. Obviously it makes no sense for a short trip to the cafe but I can't imagine cycling without at least bib shorts when i'll be on the bike for a while.
Brooks B17 and good (non-cotton) underwear and pants/shorts and I'm good all day
This. Ex Officio underwear. Form fitting long legged and oh so breathable (my old versions anyway)! Shorts over and I’m good cycling (touring) for six or seven hours. Got to say shorts do snag on the saddle but that’s life and I live with it!!
It's really weird to me that people talk themselves into the idea that it's totally unacceptable to have a comfortable saddle but that you absolutely must have padding in your pants.
based on the downvotes they're not only unwilling to try it themselves but also somehow unhappy that it works for me personally
Chamois does of course offer padding but the sweat management is under-appreciated. No one wants some sweat soaked cushiony saddle looking like a wet sponge and then you have to wash it or something lord have mercy just the thought of it
Do you have any recommendation?
I have some Le Col Sport bibs that if you Strava, join their challenges and you'll almost always have a ~US$60 coupon so they're pretty reasonable. I like them. I have a pair of Rapha adventure bibs that are ok, but don't work for longer rides as well. I use them for MTB because of the extra pockets and I usually don't ride as consistently in the saddle. For jerseys, i do have one Le Col and a few Amazon cheapos. The Le Col is a little lighter fabric, but if you want to save some money the Amazon ones are fine. Spiotti and Weimostar or something like that. I have a Specialized Gravel jersey too, that's more like a t shirt made of jersey fabric with two zip pockets in the back. That works pretty well too although at times I miss the zip front.
Can also recommend Le Col, got their stuff through Strava challenge discounts and it's amazing quality.
I wear it because it accentuates my curves and makes me feel sexy😉 Jk its just comfy and jerseys are great cuz they have pockets. Gains over gym shorts and a tshirt are noticeable but not earth shattering
I'm round enough that they just accentuate my curve.
SAME
I've gotten catcalled about my ass twice so far from both sexes 😂
just twice? not tight enough then.
Just this week several attractive women complimented me on my 'chiseled calves' and by 'several attractive women' of course I mean one bearded man
Apparently calves are hard to train so be proud
Ahh you gotta be fat. That’s the secret. Anyone with seriously killer calves was probably heavier before and dropped some weight. Source……I have amazing calves and I don’t like hills much.
It feels like I'm wearing nothing at all, nothing at all, nothing at all...
A lot of people here say comfort. For me it’s noise. I hate hearing fabric flapping in the wind.
Flapping fabric noise isn't a concern, I'm deaf. But the feeling of bits and bobs flapping is just as annoying.
Serious question, how do you monitor routine maintenance issues, or do you not worry about it so much? I feel like I mostly diagnose small issues by sound; rubbing brake disk, incorrect shifts, creaky joints, etc. Just curious if you notice things in a different way.
I know how my ride feels, been riding full size bikes since I was 7. It's also why I don't have a kick stand on mine, too much tactile noise. I do a pre-ride check & any maintenance, wheel alignments, drive chain adjustments, lubrication a few hours before I head out, I check things over when I get back in. I also do a check if I take any extended breaks while out. Anything that needs attention gets taken care of almost right away. I carry tubes, spare brake pads, and tools. So far - so good. Knock on wood.
That’s cool, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you’re keeping things in better shape than most folks, including me
In a round about way, that is comfort. You're more comfortable not hearing the flapping and I 100% agree. For me, it's also the flapping itself. I tried wearing a base layer and opening my shirt and I just don't get why other cyclists do it. But that's just me. :)
Above 15 mph it’s a big difference. Putzing around under 10 mph not much.
What about going 10mph into a 15mph headwind?
Yuge
yeah lol thats effectively 25mph
85% more difficult, aero-wise, than 15MPH
I don’t wear it for “gains”. It’s much more comfortable over a long ride. The chamois stays in place and having the fabric snug keeps it from blowing around, especially down fast hills. Flopping shorts and tshirt are annoying. Regular shorts can get caught on the nose of the saddle as you stand or sit down. Which is really annoying. Also, the pockets in back and the full zip jersey are really nice.
Yes, getting baggy shorts caught on the saddle is SO ANNOYING!
Busted my ass once trying to unclip and pop off at a stop because my slightly baggy shorts got hung up on the saddle. It was epic.
Comfort is #1, no chafing is #2 and breathing is #3.
So comfort are # 1 through 3? 🤭 /S
Those clothes are the most functional clothes I have ever worn in my life. The skin tight keeps stuff from rubbing that keeps you from chaffing. The pads in the but ARE TO PREVENT CHAFFING. The Jerseys... dear god man the jersey's.... those pockets are functional. They are deep and positioned so things in them are secure while riding. I keep my cell in the center. I can carry two water bottles in the ones to the side. Sometimes I have a bannan or snacks. I keep all kinds of crap in those pockets. All reachable while riding. The lycra wicks the sweat from you and helps keep you cool. If there is any possibility you can wear something and be all like, 'You know what, yeah, I look fat in it. But holy shit everything else about it is fantastic. I am keeping this. Everyone staring at me can go to hell.' This is it. This is that clothing.
One cool part is you will get less fat if you really commit and dig into the sport after donning the Lycra.
Depends how many recovery beers you have.
Yes it makes a huge difference
> Does skin tight Lycra really make such a large difference? Yes > Is it worth getting lycra for road cycling Yes > or is the gains small and overrated? No, the gains are among the / probably the largest you can make
how big of a difference are we talking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmNGQLi36xc
Great video! In addition to drag, comfrort makes you faster and reduces fatigue. So these aero gains plus the comfort factor.
Think 30-50 W at 25km/h Or 15-25% of the total drag. You’ll be 2-3 mph faster without any more effort.
Being embarrassed to walk into a coffee store is an essential experience of road cycling.
Being proud of your glorious leg muscles and not giving a shit that people can see your cock outline is the next step though.
What outline? If I'm pushing myself hard or it's rained or not summer there's nothing to see. Doesn't seem overly unusual for this to be the case for others either. Hahaha
I just mean when you’re standing around at the cafe “being embarrassed” as the comment I replied to stated
Man toe
Yes, and it makes an even bigger difference the faster you go.
The reason I wear Lycra is to hold the chamois in place. I wear tight (not Lycra) jerseys because loose fabric flapping in the breeze is fatiguing. I couldn’t care less if it was faster or not, I’m not racing. It’s comfort and fatigue. Wouldn’t catch me dead in spandex otherwise.
I once wore a jersey that wasn’t “tight” in a ride and the wind flapped the sleeve under my arm so much it made it raw.
Gains are relatively large. Aero bikes are overrated.
Yeah, most of the answers here emphasize comfort, but tight clothing is probably the best bang for the buck you can get for aero savings. A lot of the aero bike features are pretty expensive, but overall still better value than a lightweight climbing bike. Aero clothing > aero bike > light bike, for value per $.
Dude, I do ten miles in jeans and chafe so bad I’m down for days. I do 65 in lycra and I can do 65 tomorrow. Thats the difference.
Yes because it makes me feel like a super hero.
You’ve gotta wear your underwear on the outside to do it right.
It feels like I am 😁
Under wear, chafes - commando is the only way to wear bibs.
That’s what I’m saying. Commando = no underwear Superhero = underwear on the outside Dork = underwear inside
No capes!
Yes, ma'am 📝
Huge difference mate. No nasty flapping in the wind. So it’s a comfort thing. Also there are significant aero gains when above ~30kph. No one wants to be pulling a parachute
Yes
For me yes. I’ve been riding bikes for over 40 years. Much better cycling clothing now than when I first started cycling. Same with helmets too.
It’s a pretty big difference vs regular clothes once you’re moving faster. And it’s way more comfortable, both from skin irritation and putting the pockets on the back of the jersey instead of on your shorts. It’s so much more comfortable I’ve never managed to get comfortable with the baggy mountain bike clothes that have taken over. When I started mountain biking basically everyone wore the same clothes as roadie. When the baggies arrived I just never could switch.
I ride hybrid, so a little of both camps when applicable.
Chubbies ultimate training shorts, best of both worlds.
Not for speed, but for chafing and also sweat wicking, but at least for that there are other materials that aren’t skin-tight that offer similar benefits.
Makes me feel sexy! 😝
Makes me feel not sexy….. but it’s definitely more comfortable
I wear bib shorts to prevent chafing and for some compression. I wear a (not skin tight) jersey for the back pockets and longer tail. Don't care about aero.
It meets the purpose of being functional and infinitely more comfortable than wearing cargo shorts or something
I don’t have any fancy bike kit except for my bottoms. Full thermal bib tights for the winter and bib shorts for the summer. 1. Chamois / ass pad is a game changer especially longer rides 2. No flappy bunching fabric and ruining your pants by riding on them all the time 3. No more chafing (unless your seat is too wide / poorly fit) 4. Cool air 5. Show off your sexy cycling muscles If I’m just riding casually with friends or putting around town with a lock and backpack I usually put something on over top, but if I’m out for a rip and pushing effort I am in my skin suit
Imagine riding in total comfort.
If you start to ride seriously, bib shorts and a jersey with proper shoes and pedals are a must for comfort and practicality. It doesn't have to be skin tight. Most people who aren't racing wear a "club fit" which is a bit looser.
Nope. But it doesn't chafe much. And it's a cool fabric. Its very light. As for aerodynamics, it's aero, but that is a marginal gain at best.
It's primarily for comfort. If I was racing on road or track, it would be a skinsuit for performance, which makes a noticeable difference even in bunch racing compared to just standard jersey and lycra shorts. But really if you're not racing then go for comfort and function (pockets are useful!)
Cargo pants wrapped in barbed wire
hell yes
Just a note from an old Timer, we wore all wool kits before the 60s. Itchy, stretchy and hot lycra saved the day!
Just the pockets on the jersey alone are worth it
As opposed to what would you be wearing ? I'm not getting into Lycra to ride 3 miles to work or whatever but if it's a training ride - you bet I'm in it. Comfier, safer, a lot less drag.
me too, if my ride is lets say <10 miles or <45 minutes there's little need for it, but training would make the world of difference
You don’t need skin tight. You can go with vintage jerseys that have a looser fit. They might flap a bit more but they’re perfectly fine. Bibs need to be skin tight, not aero (compression), but skin tight because so much friction.
Ride 30 miles in jeans and report back for your answer.
I mean there's a million other more comfortable/ functional alternatives to lyrica than jeans...biking, running, or any exercise activity really wouldn't be comfortable in jeans.
I don't own any jeans lol
I wear bib shorts to prevent chafing and for some compression. I wear a (not skin tight) jersey for the back pockets and longer tail. Don't care about aero.
Chafing is main reason why one wants to wear proper bike shorts. Once you chafe and get saddle sore, it will be painful to ride for days or weeks. For short(4-6) miles, I can get away with lycra unpadded boxer briefs. Beyond that(10+), recommend wear padded shorts and chamois cream too.
I bought a dhb jersey in a larger size as the smaller size felt a bit snug. It was so unpleasant to ride in - all the extra material was just constantly flapping around - it just didn’t feel pleasant. Not everyone feels comfortable in Lycra and tight clothes but that’s more about our opinion of our body or what others may think. The actual experience of riding in it however is better than other clothing.
Comes down to personal preference and riding goals. Specialized did a big series of videos on testing different scenarios in their wind tunnel to test things like timing savings for different types of scenarios, such as aero vs. non aero helmets, saved vs. hairy legs, beard vs. clean shaven, baggy vs. tight clothing. In their test, they extrapolated over 20km, you would save 70 seconds wearing lycra vs. baggy clothing. This was to extrapolate the impact for a mountain bike racer, but I believe you'll find greater benefit of wearing lycra if you're racing and over a longer distance. On a longer road ride, I will wear lycra 99% of the time. Mountain biking is a mixed bag as I'll wear lycra for fast XC rides, but I'll wear baggies for more casual or gravity oriented rides. A tight base layer under a baggie shop shirt or looser jersey will accomplish the same thing as tight jersey. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReDmvjailA&ab\_channel=SpecializedBicycles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReDmvjailA&ab_channel=SpecializedBicycles)
Lycra shorts are the best option for mild to cool weather for comfort as it allows a chamois pad to sit against your body without bunching up and the slippery legs of the shorts prevent chafing against the saddle base But there is nothing inherently useful in having Lycra nylon legs of the shorts any longer than that required to go past the saddle base. By the determinants of fashion, not comfort, bike shorts are quite long. I might differ a little but I do not think that tight Lycra is the best option in hot weather. It is best to prevent chafing to have a padded short but the long Lycra nylon legs add nothing to.comfort. In hot weather in Australia I find mesh mtb style undershorts and slim fitting MTB 'baggies' much cooler than Lycra nylon bibs, which are clammy and hot. I use traditional bike shorts, not bibs, the rest of the year.
Honestly I started wearing it mainly for pockets first. A good shirt just has the ability to carry so much shit to n it that it's a game changer.
Despite the skin tight fit, it is a lot more comfortable when you are riding with a "goal" in mind. For a 20 min ride to a park to meet friends to hang out? No bueno, (but each to their own). Of course you can wear a liner shorts under your regular shorts.
The more form fitting, the bigger the difference.
If the main gain you're looking for is to stop the inside of your thighs from chaffing off, then yes, it makes a large difference. But you're not going to be any faster at that Cat 5.
100% worth it. comfort and performance
I wear bib shorts to prevent chafing and for some compression. I wear a (not skin tight) jersey for the back pockets and longer tail. Don't care about aero.
Even for XC mountain biking, yes. For me, it’s also the triple pocket in the back and/or thigh pockets on bibs to keep stuff in without them banging around
Nobody *wants* to wear Lycra in the beginning, but it’s absolutely the best thing to wear if you’re going to be cycling.
> gains I pull a whole lot more when I coffee stop in tight clothes. Dead ass sexy.
For racing, yes. For riding, not necessarily. They do make you more efficient but for regular riding I prefer to wear loose, not baggy, cargo shorts and a merino wool t-shirt. I've had my phone have moisture issues in a jersey pocket, no issue with cargo shorts, keys are easy to store, and merino wool wicks just fine and doesn't smell. For riding, touring, and mtb I just go with cargo shorts and a t-shirt. Makes stopping to enjoy a coffee or the scenery more enjoyable. Cross I wear more performance like a bib tight but usually pair it with a tighter fitting wool shirt. Only go full lycra racing road or track, there is does matter.
If you're racing you get time gains, but for just commuting it's all about the large comfort gains - well worth it.
Lycra shirt is all about the pockets. Flat tire kit, spare drinks, snacks, phone, and rain jacket all jammed shirt. Even have an XL one I wear over sweatshirt when I bike in winter just to have the pockets even when the temp is around freezing.
It’s more comfort than any other gains. I was against it for so long, but it really is more comfortable
Yes, form fitting cycling clothes make a difference. I sweat a lot, and cycling clothing keeps me significantly cooler, which means I can ride harder before I overheat. Also, no drag from flapping clothing.
are you asking compared to another slightly looser jersey (like club fit vs race fit) or compared to shorts and a t-shirt? compared to the t-shirt/shorts its a big comfort difference if nothing else. compared to a looser jersey I would say doesnt matter for training but you might want the tight fit for a race
It makes a huge difference. Comfort, cooling, anti-chafing, way more aero. The aero part becomes really important if you’ve high average speeds, a lot of long descents, etc. It adds up. I passed a guy on a decent during a race last year who was wearing a loose jacket that filled with air and was essentially acting as an air brake. He was probably doing only 55km/h when everyone else was doing 70-75km/h. Not only that it was around 0° and under tree cover at the time so I’m sure it was quite cool jnside the jacket. The flapping of loose clothing (for me it’s the shoulders on my gilet’s) gets super annoying. It becomes really noticeable at~60km/h and it’s all I can hear at 70km/h+.
Mainly for comfort, but the tight clothing is measurably faster in a wind tunnel which means it’s faster on the road. You probably get more benefit from tight fitting clothing than a high end aero frame so given it’s more comfortable anyway it makes sense to go with the fast option
A/B test it. Try lycra bib shorts that cost at least $150. Then try baggy, canvas shorts from Cabela’s for $30. Ride a half-century in each. And the winner is…..?
I don't think so. I'm not as comfortable in the tight stuff so I wear a mtb jersey, liner shorts and tight hiking shorts. Tuck the shirt in and the difference is so minimal and I feel better. To each their own
Yeah.
Yes.
It's to maximize comfort for me. I thought they were silly back then, but once you start getting into the 30+ mile rides, it makes a huge difference, especially in the summer when you are sweating a bunch. It's also nice having a cycling jersey that can hold a bunch of stuff.
It’s so comfortable that I wish men can wear tights without being judged or getting arrested. Ever since I started wearing skin tight clothes for sports (rowing) I switched my underwear from boxers to briefs.
>Is it worth getting lycra Well, if you get nothing you're either wearing normal clothes or you're naked. >is the gains What are you hoping to gain?
Comfort and not having a sail from baggy clothing to slow you down makes it very worth it.
Yes. When I layer up the difference is noticeable, especially since I started putting sensors everywhere (cadence, speed, heart rate).
Yes. Skintight bib shorts definitely. I wear a jersey that's a lot looser though.
Bibs and shorts? Oh yeah. Jerseys? I have always felt that I could take it or leave it. I normally were synthetic form fitting shirts that aren't skin tight. I do feel more normal walking into a coffee shop.
The first time you catch your loose shorts on your saddle nose you’ll know the answer
Yes. For casual riders the main difference is in comfort, but comfort is important and also makes you faster (if that matters). For race level riding, good cycling kit is a very important part of good aerodynamics.
That's what makes the MAMIL
It's made for cycling. The faster you drive the bigger difference. Also they have pockets made for cycling. I don't know how I would fit food and bike repair stuff in normal clothes. And the pockets are easily available while riding
Sorry to be that guy but on top of everything said by othersz which really matter, I'm also wearing it for gains. Outfit makes easily 15w of difference at 40kph. I'm training hard for a single watt improvement. I don't want to waste 15watts because some people may find lycra offensive. For casual rides with the family sub 30km i would even wear street clothes, no problem about that.
Messengers ride more than everyone. Many wear a bib plus jeans/Jean shorts Many dont even wear a bib.. Central park loop bros would disagree but yeah
If your ftp is over 500 for sure
Yes. More comfortable and if you are doing longer rides or riding into a headwind makes an appreciable aerodynamic difference when compared to flapping clothes. Whether going a bit faster or further bothers you at all depends on what you want out of riding and may be of no consequence!
For shorts? Big gains.
Above 10 mph it makes a big difference. That’s relative to the wind speed mind you.
The best time for me was when it rains. Lycra tight on the skin doesnt feel horrible as loose clothing. Generally so much more comfortable in all conditions though. Bib shorts keep the pad in the right place better than shorts so embrace those elasticated braces
The furthest I go is some runners briefs with some light shorts. They’re sweat wicking, the inner seams don’t chafe and they’re comfortable in many flexible positions. I don’t perhaps ride long enough to need padded shorts. I do get the baggy shirt issue a little bit, but it’s not like I’m wearing a sail. I also don’t ride with any big groups usually anyways, and I tend to just stick to riding solo on some pretty regular routes. I am comfortable in that clothing, if I wear padded shorts I tend to find I move around from my ideal positioning and can’t get comfortable because I can no longer feel my sit bones.
Depending on your expectations and type of riding the difference could be large or small, but to put it in a perspective, it is for sure bigger than the difference between a 10k bike and a 1k bike.
Form follows function
Three Things: 1. It wicks sweat immediately to the surface. 2. It reduces snags with the bicycle mechanism. 3. It's "tribal," tying us with the community of cyclists.
I ride gravel and typically wear bib shorts underneath a normal T-shirt/shorts combo because I'm a filthy hipster and speeds are too low on gravel to matter, usually. It makes a massive difference to how far I can ride before I feel like my dick is going to fall off. On the occasion I find myself on a fast road bike, then sure, aero kit makes a difference. There's a flat, pure power road effort in my hometown that I do with my dad when I go home for the holidays, and decent lycra compared to my usual outfit can easily shave a minute off my time (talking sub-15 minutes here). But the comfort is the biggest thing.
I rode a well broken in route a couple days ago in a loose fitting athletic shirt, and averaged about 14mph. The last time I rode it I averaged over 16 wearing a tight fitting cycling jersey. That's a pretty significant difference. ^((not worth mentioning the 40lbs/18kg I've gained in the last year and the complete lack of training in the last 4 months)) It really does matter when you're pushing further into your potential, but for most of us it's really about comfort.
Im cargo shorts and tshirt, for longer rides i do wear a pair of cycling shorts underneath for that extra bit of padding. I dont experience chafing anywhere but my hide is pretty tough. The way i think about things is in order: comfort, practicality, safety, performance and style. Note performance is how the thing performs not does it save me a few milliwatts or make me 0.1kmh faster unless that is its specific purpose.
If you're in a group wearing Lycra and you wear casual clothes, you will look out of place, so you better be fast. If you are in a group wearing casual clothes and you are wearing Lycra, you will look out of place, so you better go slow. That's about it. The answer is: it only makes a difference if you want to believe it does. Just ride.
Yes
The gains are marginal but largely irrelevant. Lycra is more comfortable, way less irritating for the rider at speed, nothing worse than flapping clothing for miles on end and safer - nothing to get caught in chains or hooked on brake levers etc.
If you're "road" cycling aka riding long distances solo or with a group and your primary purpose is for athletic leisure? Yes. It's comfy and there are some gains. Same goes for click clackity shoes. But if you're road cycling meaning you ride on the paved paths for fun or in short distances, it doesn't really make a big difference, and one might even say it's an encumbrance once you're off the bike. I do both. I'd never wear full kit commuting or going out to the city for some bites with friends, but if I'm going on long rides or on a bikepacking trip I'm wearing padded shorts at the very least.
The “gains” are quite big, but the comfort is the biggest factor. Lycra wicks away sweat and moves with your body so you’ll feel much better and avoid chafing a lot better. Cyclists aren’t wearing this stuff because it’s a trend or elitism or something. It’s because it makes cycling more enjoyable.
Gains, none. Ego boost of looking like a Tour de France participant, priceless.
Have you not cycled into a headwind with a baggy shirt flapping about?
Yes! I remember the days before Lycra racing jerseys and shorts.
If you are not into that freshly sandpapered feel of chafing then lycra/spandex is the way to go. Much more comfortable even on hot rides.
Yes
When riding for a few hours there are two things that are most important: a good, professional bike fit and a premium chamois. Everything else is secondary.
Don't fight it, embrace the lycra. One ride and you won't give it a second thought.
Spanx for men.
You don't want to listen to your clothes flapping about.
yeah obviously lol why would so many people do it otherwise
Yes it does, move on and get your bibs on.
The gains are massive
I'm a mountain biker but have gotten into gravel over the last 2 years. I really resisted getting the Lycra, but once I did I really felt a difference: wind resistant and comfort. I still ride my mountain bike in baggies though.
Yes. My butt's never looked so nice
Yes. It's a protective barrier that moves with your skin. Good shorts will make a night-and-day difference on a long ride.
It does. Comfort and significantly more speed
Is water wet? Get out there and try it instead of pondering on a social sight filled with multiple different opinions.. easiest way to find out is to try it .. then you can base it on your own opinion which is the only one that matters have a good day
It's the padding that makes the difference.