Wondering if anyone can help - I am in desperate need of some new gear but have a problem I am not average size. I am a size 22.
I have bought tights and shorts from Decathlon but the pads are not very good and am suffering with sores. I do not have the figure for lycra but it's the only thing that will fit. I would also love to be able to get a pair of baggies but to no avail and I hate going into shops and asking the male assistant!
I can so sympathise with you - I was a similar size and there's just nothing out there - even mens XXL is often not big enough!! When will manufacturers wake up to the fact that we are not all size 10? Now at the risk of sounding really smug, I have actually lost over 3 stone and can now (just) squeeze into a 16 if I'm lucky - but even those are few and far between, and not always big enough.
I did find the best thing was to get padded undershorts and then you can wear anything over them.
Sorry. not a lot of help, but a lot of sympathy!!!
Okay for bottoms, try men's endura stuff. The 3/4 bottoms in XL will fit and be comfy, it's what I live in when on the bike and I'm hardly a stick insect. I like lycra even if lycra doesn't like me, I can't see myself when I'm riding so who cares what I look like as long as I'm comfy when I'm out riding. I also have a pair of endura longs, but find I do a good impersination of nora batty as I'm not quite tall enough to justify the leg length:0) Other than that they're fine. Also a good saddle makes all the difference to saddle sores as well as a good pair of bottoms. I've just started banging out a lot more miles than I've been used to and up until recently I've been so sore I could hardly bare going out until the pain subsided... however I tried a saddle I used to ride years ago and found it much more comfy than the new one I had on. So from recent experence a good comfy saddle that suits you makes all the difference as well as some comfy bottoms, which is why I live in my endura 3/4's.
Top section I usually wear a good base layer with either a windproof gillet, ( waistcoat bought from outdoor shop, bargain) or a waterproof jacket, depending on the weather. To keep my top half in check I use a sports jock bra, great, no more black eyes. Like the idea of baggies, know pretty well it'll be a fruitless task trying to find some that will fit and let me ride my bike, so I stick to what I know.... If you're after more girly orintated stuff,Corrine Dennis www.corinnedennis.co.uk do some gear catering for human beings, not my bag I'm afraid but I've heard good reviews about it also Team Estrogen, www.teamestrogen.com an American site points the way to user friendly girl gear in human sizes too. Hope this helps.
Im a new member, recommended from another forum user from C2C.
You and I have the same problem! Its horrible isnt it not getting clothing to fit. I am now a size 18, reduced from a size 20 when I started riding my bike last September.
I HATE riding in mens cloths. Im still doing it. I shall add, that I have recently found a site who only makes stuff for women cyclists and they do cater for the 18+ sizes but you need to speak to the lady who runs it. Her name is Debbie. The site is
www.minx-girl.com
They are very good, a tad expensive, but Id pay anything not to be wearing mens stuff! I mean even the womens cycle gear for skinnies is really a slimmer version of mens wear.
Today, I got all excited (now Im an 18, and not a 20) when the Evans catalogue popped into the mail box. Nothing over a size 16, and even their version of a 16 is not what I call a size 16 on the highstreet, but more a 14, so well out of my league.
I am so pleased to be not the only cyclist who enjoying being fit, would like to be slimmer, but Hey, it aint happening.... lol
ps. Ive tried Corinne Dennis stuff and its very good quality, I love her gear. Especially her cycling shorts under the dreaded lycra. Ideal for long distances.
I can also recommend Minx as a really good site to use and Debbie is really friendly and helpful!
I have been on a very strict diet for the past month and have managed to lose a stone and 2" off the waist taking me down to just under a size 16, which means that for my riding (DH mainly) I am not wearing a pair of mens Race Face 3/4 shorts in a size L, though because they're designed for men they are lower slung on the waist and slip down when I'm riding (having to do a homemade belt loop job on those as we speak)! To combat that problem I bought a Thor girls race jersey which was a bit longer than any other girls fit jersey I had found yet still had a touch of femininity (without butterflies and flowers I must add), however, having a G cup bust it is quite a snug fit in that area!
Lycra hates me (and I'm not lycra's biggest fan) so I'll only wear that when it's really cold under baggies anyway!
northwave xl 3/4 length tights, dhb cycling shorts xl very cheap!! altura xl shorts too. Baggies wise , I find the cut on womens not right and buy mens altura & sombrio, i find that with boobs tops are always a problem
Hi, I'm new. I'm slowly getting into my cycling and I love it but going uphill is so tough! Even slightly uphill. I have a Kona mountain bike with slick tyres for the summer. Does a road bike make a real difference? I did a mini triathlon last year and did far better on the cycle than the swim or run so I want to get better at cycling.
I'm a size 16 bottom half and a size 18-20 top half. I've started buying my kit from Eve Activewear online. The website is www.eveactivewear.co.uk
They are really good and got back to me quickly. I sent them a message as I was after a size 20 jacket and they found me one from a US brand (they sell american stuff which I haven't see anywhere else in the UK). They have more larger sized Terry cycling stuff than Minx but they're more a general sportswear site.
Ive tried Corinne Dennis stuff too and I think its fab!
I switched to a Road Bike from a Hybrid (though I thought it was a fairly fast hybrid) for my commute and found it did make a difference-I am guessing the bike is lighter, more gears and a different riding position all helps and I have a fair few hills... But I know from other posts that you can get 'hybrids' which are basically road bikes with flat handlebars (Specialized Vita-Carolyn?? see the post about commuting in 'Chat'?) Depends what you want to spend, consider if the bike will have a dual purpose-hybrid might be more flexible? Try and ride one definitely-drop handlebars are a bit different I have found..
SD - thanks for the advice. I'm slowly getting to grips with this site and all the useful information in here. I will look into hybrids ready for the next time our bike to work scheme comes round.
Jen - top shopping! Maybe I should email them and ask for some commission
