Is cycling clothing too loose/short? - Page 2

Agree 110%. The only thing that keeps me somewhat ok with New England is snowboarding. But I would trade it for year-round riding in a heart beat.

Uh-huh. I'll tell you what: spend a week pedaling in air temps of 110°+, i.e. times when temps at rider level on the road are 140°-150°, then come back and report just how happy you were with it.

Everything's easy when you've never done it.

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Simple: look at the size of the casual wear market compared to the size of the bicycle wear market. One is a couple of orders of magnitude larger than the other. It's simple economics.

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That doesn't matter. If there is a market for tall sizing, the manufacturer should meet it. Just bc cycling clothing is a smaller market doesnt mean they shouldn't do business.


I was in Las Vegas when it was 140 on the sidewalk. I honestly didn't mind it, walking in it.

And don't tell me I haven't done it. It has been 105-110 degrees and humind in the sun here on a few days a couple years ago. I remember biking in it, and yeh it wasn't the best riding weather, but I still would take it over 40s. If I was time trialing or doing tempo riding, that's another story. I can't (and I think most riders too) ride hard in temps over 100 for very long.

And if it's 110 for a high temp, then I could ride in the evening/night when its in the 90s. Nothing wrong with that at all. Maybe you ride at the peak heat of the day in 100% sunlight no shade? That's the only time you'll see 140.

If you ride at the peak heat of the day here in the winter, when it's 35, it's still only 40-45 in the sun, and still freeze your butt off on downhills or in the shade. Not to mention all the clothing one has to wear. Did I mention snow/ice/sand/salt in the winter? Frostbite?

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The faster you go, the fewer passing cars

Texas State TT championships: August 8th and 9th this year. I get sick remembering some of those threshold workouts in July leading up to the race. 2x30 minutes at FTP. 30 mph head wind. 105+ degree heat index. Get right in there. Those workouts sucked. I think I went through 4 water bottles an hour on those rides.

See, you guys are doing endurance workouts in that heat. Of course it's rough.

I'm a sprinter we need to be hot.

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The faster you go, the fewer passing cars

Again. It's called economics. Exactly what motive does a company have for making clothes for a small segment of an already small market? It doesn't matter what you think they should do. The manufacturers do what they think they should do. Business isn't altruism. You'll notice, also, that there aren't many bike clothes made for the overweight rider nor for midgets. Also, the manufacturers typically don't service people that are over 7' tall.
Well, that changes everything then.......

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Riding a bike at 120bpm (fast walking pace) is always going to be 'cooler' than walking at that same exertion level since you have the wind moving over you. So for this example it is relavant. I did mention that fast riding would be unbearable in such extreme heat. I don't plan to do TTs when it's 100+ degrees.

So you're telling me that there is not a worthwhile segment of skinny/tall cyclists? Well, that's kind of the reason I created this thread, to see the responses about it. I do see your point about this issue, but I feel there may be a worthwhile segment. Afterall, how much more costly is it to add one addition 'tall' size to a lineup of small, medium, large, XL, XXL? Maybe I'm wrong, maybe there are only 10 or 20 cyclists in the world who desire a 'tall' fit.

Dude, I said I would take 110 over winter temps. If I had the choice I'd take 90 over 110. Yes, I can have more specific preferences.

What is your problem with me saying I'd prefer hot temps over cold temps? Oh wait, we're on cyclingforums where it's common to argue over ridiculous things to make ourselves feel better.

The point I was originally trying to make was that I'd prefer a southern TX climate yearound over a New England climate yearound for MY STYLE of riding. Are you really here to challenge that? This is silly.

That's fine if you prefer the opposite, but I still say I'd take 110 high of day temps over 30 high of day temps.

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"friendship, family, religion. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business!" -Mr. Burns
The faster you go, the fewer passing cars

Back in June I was visiting my friend in FL, it was 100+ in the sun and humid and I did tempo for over an hour, in the direct sun. I wasnt overheating at all, although I got some sunburn. It was VERY comfortable.

Here's a thought:

Maybe my body is more suited for biking in the heat? I'm always freezing in the winter, indoors, outdoors, anytime I'm not wearing 10lbs of clothes or exerting myself.

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The faster you go, the fewer passing cars

Obviously, that must be it. Clearly.

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Would you like to prove your theory? You know you're starting to move onto ground where subjectivity doesn't really work.

No, those are your words. I was explaining one likely reason for not seeing shelves overflowing with clothes as you describe. Did you not understand the economics part?

Oh, that must be it. Clearly. Really.

Yes, you've said as much.

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I'm sorry I don't have studies to back up my theory, I just have my relevant personal experience, which matters a whole lot more to myself.
On the hottest day at school it was near 100. I got out of class and walked 8 minutes to my car, was sweaty and uncomfortable at that point. I got my bike out of the car and changed, went riding. I was much more comfortable riding my bike at a slow pace than I was walking.

Does it make sense that 120bpm at 18mph would be more comfortable than 120bpm at 3mph? Yah, I don't need studies to prove that point.

I said I agreed with your economics part of it. If the company won't profit from the option, then they wouldn't do it.

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"friendship, family, religion. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business!" -Mr. Burns
The faster you go, the fewer passing cars

Well, if you said, it must be true. And it's important to only ride at 120 bpm. For the sake of the gods, we wouldn't in any circumstance exceed that. Clearly.

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Pain is Fun
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Lol

Have you ever ran, with your heart rate above 170bpm in such heat?

And have you compared that feeling to cycling at the same exertion level in such heat?


I know, I know, another useless comparison.

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"friendship, family, religion. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business!" -Mr. Burns
The faster you go, the fewer passing cars

The supply and demand curves of clothing size cease to matter when it is over 100 degrees outside and you're doing intervals. Large bibs, medium short sleeve summer jersey and you're good. And I measured my arm length, and I'm 32 inches from wrist to neck. You, my friend, have some freakishly long arms That being said, you move down here and the climate eliminates the necessity for long-sleeve clothing. You might need to make some custom arm-warmers for when it gets cold, but no big deal. My coach made some awesome plaid ones while he was in Belgium. I'm sure I could ask him to dig up the patterns he made.

And yes, the same level of exertion will always feel better traveling at 20 mph than 0 mph. It is because you've got more air flow to aid the body's most efficient cooling mechanism...evaporative cooling of sweat. Need proof of this? Get your trainer out. Set it up in a parking lot and spin for 20-30 minutes. You will sweat more than you've ever sweat in your life, but it really won't help keep you cool. Then jump off and go for a spin and feel the loving embrace of the equivalent of a 20 mph breeze as it pulls the sweat from your flesh.