Am trying to find some undershorts that will actually fit me but I'm a proper size 18 and having no luck at all. The sizes are a nightmare and XL seems to be about a 12 so maybe there's someone out there who does the cycling equivalent of "WHALE" size?!
Also, shoes. Have bought some Specialized Riata in a size 42 but they're a bit too small. Does anyone know of a maker who does any larger or will I have to go for mens?
Any help would be appreciated!
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| Edited: 31/07/07 15:37 |
Claire - have you tried the Terry range of clothing? You may have some luck there, will need to Google for stockists. Also it might be worth asking Debbie of Minx-girl.com if she would be able to order anything for you.
I'm afraid that cyclists are all assumed to be a size 10 but don't give up, you will find something. Sizes do vary an awful lot. It might be worth checking out Ground Effect in New Zealand as their shorts certainly come up generous. Their prices are very competitive and delivery is quick.
As regards shoes, I always wear men's as I have wide feet. Never a problem.
Good luck.
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Thanks very much, will check them out now.
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 Claire, you're right about sizes, I could rant for ages and I'm "only" a 14.
As for shoes, I am normally a size 8, very wide feet. After much trial and error and trying on lots and lots of shoes, I wear Lake mountain biking shoes in a women's 42 and Shimano road shoes in a 44. Shimano shoes tend to come up small.
I was dissapointed too that Specialised women's 42 was too small, as I really like the Motodivas. I have quite low Achilles heels (common in women) and I find that men's shoes are often too high at the back (women's shoes are cut back at the heel for this) so I always get women's shoes when I can.
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I'll check out the women's Lake shoes in a 42, maybe they'll be ok, was really disappointed about Specialized too. have seen some men's Northwave that I like and read well but again I'm not sure about sizing!! I have very wide feet too, usually buy normal shoes from Evans due to it.
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I find the Shimano men's (more trainer style for MTB) fit me well whereas I have just bought some Northwave men's and found the toe box to be a bit "pointy".
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 The sizing of cycling stuff is really annoying, isn't it?!
I ordered something the other day which was described as Size 10-12/LARGE!
Why do they think everyone who rides a bike is stick thin?
On the shoes front, though, I think it's good to be able to go for men's shoes - there is much more choice! My feet are too small to do that, and I keep seeing all these lovely Sidis but they are men's!
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 I have some Nike Shorts which are size Large, they are a little tight and I am a size 10-12.
On the other side of the spectrum, I have some Harlot shorts which are a small and are massive. So these may be a good bet, Debbie from Minx will know!
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Hi Clare,
I tried on a pair of Altura 3/4 trousers in a 16 the other day and they were on the big side.I'm a size 14/16 and I thought that these were more 16/18.
They should also do undershorts seperatley, I was in JD Cycles in Ilkley,you could contact them and ask.
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| Edited: 03/08/07 09:43 |
I hate the thought of buying clothing! I am about a size 14, and have large thighs. I am in need for some trousers for the winter and want something that is full length. All I can see is skin tight leggings which are a definite no no for me. What do people around here wear? Also I find that cycling clothes are so expensive!!! Thanks for the links to the minx site! It looks fab!!!!!!!
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Totally agree about the sizes, stick thin, no boobs and five foot nothing! Trouble is I;m not stick thin, have boobs and and five foot something. Altura ladies are the closest sizes I've found and can be on the big side like Liz says. Also try the blokes stuff, just bought some XL endura bib leggings, and according to their sizing I should be a 44 inch chest 6 foot chap, but my 5'10" size 14/16 body fits in them rather nicely. Forget Pearl Izumi ladies Claire, and the same for Gore and Northwave. Check out Evans cycles sale for a few bargins, also Wiggle are doing some good deals at the moment. It's really simple to send stuff back if it doesn't fit and they refund really quickly too.
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Thanks for the tips! I will keep an eye out for the Altura range.
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JoeyEmma The reason why you can only see leggings for winter is that a lot of people find that long "baggies" are too flappy to ride in properly. A few manufacturers make them though, with lots of straps and flaps to hold down the lower leg. They're more of a downhilly bit of kit. I am a similar large-thighed 14, and I wear 3/4 lengths (Lucy Lefty's by Hypnotic Designs, pricey but worth it) as late into the winter as I can, and then move into leggings, which are much, much warmer. I have some windproof ones now too, which are so toasty!
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Thanks for the messages, still having no luck so think I need to get on my bike more often and slim down abit!! Where do I get the time!! Boyfriend's doing the South Downs Way in a couple of weeks so might do part of that with him and his friends - they're doing it all in a day again though so no way I'll make it!!
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Ooohhhhh!!!!!!!! I'm so excited I saw other people talking about Decathlon on another thread and decided to pop down there this weekend. Anyway, they had 3/4 length tights (womens specific) with chamois for £20 and they are really comfy! I'm defo merging onto a size 14, and they described their XL as a 12-14 (the cheek of it, a size 12 is extra large!!!), however, I found that they were really generously sized and got away with a L sized pair. I still hate my thighs in lycra, however anything else that fits and is big enough for me costs about £60, which I don't have at the moment. I loved Decathlon BTW, they had loads of cool stuff dirt cheap. I got a little bag to attach onto my saddle for £3.30 and a pink base layer tshirt for £5! Thanks for the tip off whoever gave it!
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- Aye, it was probably me who siad about Decathlon. I've posted a couple of things about them. I love Decathlon , but they're a bit like Ikea - you go in for one thing, and come out £200 later with nothing costing more that £4!
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Yes I too use Decathon quite a bit since discovering it, I also go in for one thing and come out with lots of other stuff. They have some neat ideas, like attachments to fit a bottle cage where there are no bosses. Whilst not exactly stick thin i do tend to come into the 10/12 category. Some years ago mail ordered small size of 3/4's and found on delivery they would not even go over my thighs!!!!!!! (Not Decathlon). Have bought a pair of those £20 3/4's (BTwin for anyone else interested), they are wonderfully comfortable in nice soft stretchy fabric. I rarely wear 3/4's as find there is probably only a 2-3 week window in spring/autumn when I might wear them between needing to wear just shorts or full longs. But this summer seem to have lived in the 3/4's, gone back for a 2nd pair and have had mine admired so much by other mum's at the junior club have been buying up stock to pass on to them. The only downside is they seem to have only one outlet per region and it means travelling to Stockport. And if you do over spend at least you get points toward money off vouchers so you can go back + spend even more 
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Do those BTwin ones still have a handy zip pocket in the back? I am saving up all my "things I need to go into a city for" jobs and will make it Sheffield to go to Decathlon if they do.
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 I need another pair of 3/4 so next time I am passing through Stockport I might nip in. I'm the opposite of you Sharon, I wear 3/4 more than anything else. In the middle of winter I actually wear them under my longs when I'm commuting, otherwise my knees get so cold.
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 I always found the padding the wrong shape in the Decathlon stuff, which was a shame as it's so cheap and I didn't live terribly far from the one in London.
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