I'm a newb, what do I wear?

[F13Bubba]

Hey guys, I'm about to get my first bike, and after reading quite a few threads here, I've realized that most people out on the trails are not wearing jeans and t-shirts. While I'm sure that riding clothes are certainly an advantage, I don't have the funds to purchase proper riding attire. Also, I'm a big fella, and I have yet to see any riding clothes in my size.

So I'm wondering what you guys would suggest that I wear on a trail? I have both a pair of cargo pants and shorts that are lightweight, and breathe well. I realize that getting long pants caught in the sprocket of my rig would be a bad situation, but I have some velcro straps I could use to keep the bottom cinched up.

Also, I cannot afford a good MTB helmet, but I do own a few nice dirtbike helmets. They are a bit heavier than a bike helmet, but they sure have a lot of protection. It's what I'll be using, but I'm slightly concerned i'll be....looked at funny out there I know it's stupid, but meh.

Any advice you wise peoples could bestow upon me would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[infested]

Helmet wise a dirtbike helmet would be over kill but then again how much do you value your head Id much rather go overboard on my head.
as for what the wear when i first started i just wore some basketball shorts and at one point i wore compression shorts underneath them. during winter i just wore leggings and shorts. buying cycling specific clothes is non essential to be able to enjoy your ride

[D_Rainman]

I would save up for a helmet prior to worrying about any other riding clothes.

[rafdog]

I agree with above. Get a helmet....you dont need to spend too much since the higher price usually means ligher and more vents, not better protection. They all need to meet certain standards. Try to find a wicking/breathable shirt (running shirts often cheaper). Cotton sucks for riding.

[Metamorphic]

Helmet is No 1. I HAD a professor in college. Brilliant guy. Wrecked his bike. Hit his head. No longer brilliant. I dont know about you but I'm already far enough behind the curve.

After that its a decending list of protection and comfort items.

Gloves - Mechanics gloves are a cheep alternative.
Protective glasses. The $3 model where you got the mechanics gloves work great.
Biking shorts - Nothing will motivated you to pass on a ride quicker than a sore bottom.

[b-kul]

some athletic/ gym cloths will be fine. but get a helmet, you can find a fine one for cheap, even walmart seems to have some ok stuff.

[anthonylokrn]

Not sure how big of a fella you are, but a bib is so much more comfortable than any shorts if you have a bit of gut.

[eatdrinkride]

Save for a helmet.

My buddy has been riding since '04 and he still shows up on a cold morning wearing Levis.

[mhmtbike]

Welcome to the sport!
Helmet first and for most. You do not have to spend alot of $$$ on bike helmet. Check with your LBS and see what they have on sale or even and old model/style. You can also search the web and find good deals. But, I would suggest trying it on first and buy what is with in your means and fits.

Then get yourself a pair of padded shorts. I wear UA shorts over my padded compression shorts.

Short list.
Helmet
Eye protection
Padded shorts
Gloves

Start with these items and build from there.

[Jim Holloman]

As mhmtbike said, there are 4 items that are essential:

1) Helmet -- new for $40 plus tax at LBS -- or less at Wal-Mart, Amazon.
2) Gloves -- Mechanics gloves at Lowes for $15-$16
3) Eye protection -- $3-$5 at Lowes
4) Bike shorts -- without them, you will have a very sore butt. But, they are not cheap. Figure $50-$100 for a good pair from a LBS. Cheap shorts can easily be a waste of money. The padding is worth every penny with good bike shorts. You can wear whatever you want to over them, but find something that is not thick and heavy like bluejeans. Bluejeans also have thick seems in the wrong places for a bike saddle.

It is foolish to ride without these four items because the cost of a trip to the doctor, or emergency room, is so much higher. And, having your butt sore can discourage you from riding and thus enjoying the bike.

If you are going into the woods, you will also need a trail map that is sufficient to get you out if you get lost (range from free to $16 per map). And, if you don't get out, you need some basic survival gear. Don't forget a mini-tool with chain breaker, master links, spare tube, tire tools, pain killers, band-aids, etc. and a backpack or saddle bag to carry them. To be safe, you have to spend some money. I would say around $200 minimum. Others will say you can get by with less.

For slacks over shorts, try large rubber bands (#19, I believe), instead of velcro strips, to keep you trouser leg away from the chainrings. Use about 4 spaced 1-2 inches apart.

[Jim Holloman]

Originally Posted by mhmtbike

...I wear UA shorts over my padded compression shorts...

Does UA = Under Armour?

[F13Bubba]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys! Don't worry, I won't be going out without a helmet, I'll be using one of our dirtbike helmets until I get a MTB helm, if I decide to. Tbh, I have taken a few falls on on the old dirt bike in my day, and I think I'd prefer the protection of a full motorcycle helm to a bike helm. Of course, I doubt I'll be saying that as it gets closer to the summer here in Phoenix.

I have gloves, and I also have eye protection, in the form of sunglasses, but I also have a pair of airsoft glasses that I think will do just fine. Or I could grab my dad's old road motorcycle helmet, lens built in haha.

As for the riding shorts, I'm currently 6'5" and 375 lbs. I don't know how serious I'll be getting into this sport, as I bought my rig mostly to ride around the neighborhood for exercise, as well as some light trail riding for the same reason. Plus, I miss riding out in the desert every weekend, and it's a helluva lot cheaper to go out on a MTB than a dirtbike.

Anyway, didn't think this post was going to go on this long. but again, thanks for all the help, and I'll talk to the guys at the shop when I go to pay off and pick up my ride this week

[SunGuy]

Wow, I didn't realized eye protection was so high on the list.

Is there an REI near you, check out their biking cloths section. Since it's out of season, you can find some killer deals. I bought two Northface biking shorts for $25 each. (reg. $80+)

[bigfruits]

Originally Posted by F13Bubba

So I'm wondering what you guys would suggest that I wear on a trail? I have both a pair of cargo pants and shorts that are lightweight, and breathe well. I realize that getting long pants caught in the sprocket of my rig would be a bad situation, but I have some velcro straps I could use to keep the bottom cinched up.

thats all you need. you can buy cycle specific clothes if you end up feeling uncomfortable during long rides and come across some extra cash. i ride in my hiking cargo pants with rubber band on right calf when not wearing shorts. might upgrade to velcro straps this yr

buy a $30 bell helmet when you get tired of your dirt helmet. if you have some more cash by that time, drop $80 bucks or so on a good AM style helmet for a little extra protection and confidence.

airsoft glasses might actually be better than sunglasses. most of my local trails are too dark to safely ride with sunglasses.

[drwx]

i ride in clothes that i bought at target and marshalls. I have a really thin pair of nike drifit workout shorts that really breathe. they fit well and aren't super baggy. if you get ones that are too baggy in the crotch, they will catch over the horn of the seat. I have 2 of the c9 workout shirts from target...one is the all polyester and i wear it in the summer. the other is thicker like a tshirt and i wear it more in the spring and fall. My wife bought the shorts for me, but I think they were probably around $10. You can get the c9 shorts at target for around $15. The shirts were $10 each.

I'm currently just using some c9 moisture wicking shorts under, but will be investing in some good padded shorts this spring.

socks are also important. If you ride when it is hot, cotton socks will feel like you are wearing washrags on your feet. I got some swiftwick #4 socks for riding and have a few more pairs on the way since i found some on sale. they are around $10 a pair at full price, but are worth every penny. try to get at least one pair of these.

i will also be replacing my helmet this year. i started riding again last february and just grabbed a $25 helmet at target. it fits ok, but i have beat the hell out of it and it never really was comfortable anyway.

[Will Goes Boing]

I would recommend a pair of basketball shorts and just a t shirt, I'm pretty sure you have those laying around somewhere. I don't understand why anybody would wear jeans to go riding, although I've had two newbie riding buddies that showed up in jeans on a hot day and I told them they would be suffering quite a bit... and they did.

IMO gloves are pretty important, you can find a cheap pair for $15. You can also find a cheap helmet perhaps at walmart for $15 (my friend bought a mongoose one for $9).

[swingset]

Helmet can be had very cheap, get that first and don't second guess it.

The only other thing that I'd REALLY consider picking up before venturing out is a good set of riding undershorts with a chamois protector. Nothing worse than riding and having THAT area in pain. It makes a huge difference.

The rest, honestly, is all just comfort and looks. I ride with a football jersey (perforated, tough as hell, and roomy). Better than any .mtb jersey, ever, and I don't care what anyone says to the contrary. Same with shorts, a good set of baggy shorts is a good set of baggy shorts, .mtb specific ones leave me very unimpressed. Gloves I just use mechanic gloves.

I do like having good spd shoes, or good flats for pedals, but that's not even necessary just nice.

If you hit the closeouts, ebay, even Goodwill you can score everything you need cheap. I have less than $100 in a Fox flux lid and a set of Pearl Izumi shoes. The rest is just stuff I throw on.

[ourobrs]

riding shoes

[Thiago7]

Originally Posted by Metamorphic

Helmet is No 1. I HAD a professor in college. Brilliant guy. Wrecked his bike. Hit his head. No longer brilliant. I dont know about you but I'm already far enough behind the curve.

After that its a decending list of protection and comfort items.

Gloves - Mechanics gloves are a cheep alternative.
Protective glasses. The $3 model where you got the mechanics gloves work great.
Biking shorts - Nothing will motivated you to pass on a ride quicker than a sore bottom.

+1 on the glasses. I forgot my Tifosi on top of my car and took off, when I realized I lost them it was too late.
I startet using my safety glasses from work and they are awesome for riding.

[LONO100]

you can get a decent lightweight helmet for 20 bucks. that would be priority one. if you plan on going on any extended rides, a dirtbike helmet might be a little too heavy and hot. ive been riding for a long time, and i guess my BMX roots keep me out of the mtb gear most others wear. i go under armor tights underneath a good sturdy pair of cargo shorts. cut off shirt, with a light sweater in my backpack if the weather might call for it. just get a decent helmet and everything else is preference. i dont even use my bmx gloves when im on my mtb, i use my fingerless weight lifting gloves!

[Rock_Garden]

I'll echo to get a helmet first. Spend about $30-40 and you'll be set. I wouldn't ever ride without one as I almost died because of a bad spill without a helmet.

After that, riding shorts would be my next suggestion, but they wouldn't be necessary really. If you're comfortable enough now with cargo shorts then go for it. If you find yourself getting sore, save up for a pair of baggy bike shorts. Performance has some for cheap (about $30), they're the ones I use on every ride.

If you find yourself getting too hot or sweating too much in a tee shirt, head to your local Target and get some of those Champion synthetic gym shirts. They're about $12 each and work very very well.

And if you're on the trails its worth getting eye protection. Just some safety glasses from Home Depot or Lowes are all you need.

[Moozh]

Most have been said here enough times..

1. helmet
2. gloves
3. eyewear
my 4th...boxer briefs (or regular briefs for you old schoolers).

Observed too much snobbery on my early forays in mountain biking that to me was just so silly. Riding gear can get rather expensive once you get the bug. Truth is that you can do just fine with your recreational/street clothes. Jeans, cargo pants/shorts, cheap cotton tees long/short sleeves..trusty old backpack or lite-weight shoulder sack to carry some sensible trailside repair tools, snack and water is all you need.

Ride..enjoy..in short order you will discover where you are deficient with reagards gear and apparel and plan to address that specific need as you have the funds.

There clearly are engineered apparel/gear that are tailored for the scene but I have gone for years without much of it and strangely am still alive to tell the tale.

I'll not be in skin tight lycra anytime soon to be honest. I regularly ride in cargo/camo pants, some old graphic tee, skater sneakers and do well...I do have cycle specific gear (shorts, base layer tops, skull caps, windproof jackets, bibs for winter riding that go under my camo pants. But I accumulated this over time and generally isnt my go to gear. Plenty of gravity riders out there rockin it in jeans, white tees, flannel shirt and cheap plastic sunglasses. Of course if it's boiling hot out, a pair of shorts instead of jeans..

Briefs/boxer briefs are so your junk isnt swinging about unconstrained...Boxers are great until you start acting hyper on and about a bicycle saddle and crack a nut...ow!!

[LONO100]

def at least go boxer briefs to keep the boys from flapping around. i go with the under armor. they work great and wick sweat. i agree, you wont see me any time soon in lycra tights, not that theres anythign wrong with it, but my BMX roots just wont let me!

some of the montain bike snobbery is what turned me off to the sport when i was younger. its kind of how it was for me when i was first learning how to snowboard. i didnt wear all of the coolest gear and have different snow outfits for each day i was out there, and most of the skier people and some snowboarders would give me the look like i didnt belong there. but dont worry about whether people are looking at you funny on the trails because you dont have the coolest fits. just wear what feels comfortable.

[RaptorTC]

I'm coming from a BMX racing background where I wore a full face all the time, even for dj, so that's what I feel comfortable in. Depending on how thick the brush is I might slap my old goggles on as well. After my tax return comes in I'm going to make the switch to a lighter, mountain bike oriented full face like the 661 evo rather than my current Shoei.

When I go out I usually wear my compression shorts leftover from my baseball days under some basketball short. They have some nice padding in key areas and they wick well. As a shirt I like to wear one of my polyester gym shirts, or at least an under armour compression shirt under a t shirt. As far as shoes go, I usually just wear some athletic shoes, but I'm switching to clipless soon since thats what I feel most comfortable on. Again, this goes back to my racing days.

[ltk1144]

You mentioned you live in phoenix. I do too and I would never wear jeans to ride here, because in the middle of winter its warm enough for some shorts. If your short on $, just get a helmet and gloves. Thats al thats really nessasary. Just make sure the fit super well, and you will be fine getting some for like 45 bucks for both.