Gravel bike clothing

[Rockbus]

rockbus
Full Member
I know I’m opening up myself to ridicule and/or wear what you want responses!
but I’d like some recommendations on gravel bike clothing.

I’d like to get some shorts and tops for gravel bike riding. Preferably stuff which will look ok if I pop in to towns or pubs on my ride.

So yes probably closer to hipster than Lycra clad cyclists

[redefined_cycles]

Not ridicule at all... Very good Q and one of the reasons I mainly ride on my own or with mountain bikers is cos there's (slightly) less chance of being in a lycra clad crew (each to their own). For me, all cycling clothing consists of a (loose but not baggy) fitting Ra&pha Merino jersey or similar - I like the rear pockets and a set of baggy mountain bike or similar fitting trousers or 3/4s...

Tightest pants I probably own are the Madison Zenith but they're just more like a slim fit trousers and I happily go town or the masjid in em... If you look up Endura Humvee there's some right deals to be had for the 3/4s at the mo

Hope that helps and as always, you'll get varied opinions. But the main thing on here (this forum) is that others opinions are generally respected

[voodoo_simon]

I do like Crikey, how much, their trail shorts of slim fitting. Perfect for riding in and popping into the pub/cafe whilst on a ride but I wouldn’t wear them for casual pub visits (does that even make sense?!)
https://www.Crikey, how much.cc/gb/en/shop/mens-tr ... ct/TAD01XX

Pair it with a 3/4 Crikey, how much top
https://www.Crikey, how much.cc/gb/en/shop/mens-tr ... ct/TTQ01XX

Or a road top if I’m doing a road ride (rear pockets are handy on road but don’t fully trust them off road)

Sportspursuit is great for Crikey, how much stuff at the moment

Padded boxer shorts too, merino wool by Vulpine have worked well
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/pr ... id/1714794


Of course, you can wear literary anything riding a bike before someone grumpy comes along and tells you this but I find slim fitting baggy stuff is nice on the gravel and mountain bike Doesn’t flap in the wind or rain

*links are all to ‘Mens’ clothing but the Crikey, how much stuff is available in ‘women’s’ fit too

[Lazarus]

Given how badly i will smell I am not at all concerned by my style points off the bike. Alpkit do check shirts and the like

[Alpinum]

Here's a suggestion.
Think about why exactly you're riding a gravel bike.

If speed is of a high relevance, wear lycra.

If style is of a high importance, read fashion magazines and wear what's shown there.

For lycra I can highly recommend Assos. Well worth the price. There's gravel specific Assos stuff, but just go with the Millet series bibs and road jerseys. Jersey are tight and full aero , don't matter how you look, enjoy the speed and lack of flapping fabric. Embrace what you love doing and the shapes of functional clothing that come with it.

I find rear pockets on not tight fitting jerseys to be rubbish for speedy offroad riding (risk of stuff hopping out of pockets when hopping roots etc).

[PaulE]

That sounds about right to me Alpinum.

I tend to wear road gear on the gravel bike, except for MTB shoes & gloves. Might swap the jersey for a fitted base layer with a water resistant lycra gillet (with back pockets) but baggy gear feels wrong at constant speed.

That said, on a longer tour/multi-day ride I would think about very light fairly fitted shorts so I didn't have to carry spare clothes.

[Specialist Hoprocker]

I have a couple of pairs of Madison Roam shorts that don't look out of place in the pub. They have a slight herringbone pattern. On the top I opt for a cotton mix or 'tech' fabric casual tee that looks civilian but doesn't hold sweat.

Underneath are hidden bib shorts...

[psling]

I'm grumpy.

See ^^^ for my answer

[RIP]

^^^ And I'm Snow White - for gravelling I'd wear a comfy apron and some shiny red lippy .

Oh sorry Peter, or did you mean you're frumpy? That'd explain the old barbour jacket (*) and cords for riding in .

(*) Nowt wrong with a barbour - many years ago I used to MTB in one, complete with matching hat.

[Alpinum]

Sorry Reginald, no exclusion intended. Happy to add the obvious to my first answer.

If a certain fairy tale is of a high relevance, wear a snow white costume.
If a specific childrens novel from 1865 is of high relevance, wear a rabbit suit.
If wanting to feel like a DH racer is of high relevance, wear a body hugging pijama and full face helmet.
If the michelin man is your idol, wear a white down suit.
And if feeling the air moving around all your body parts is important to you, ffs wear nothing.

Etc.

Good thing is, some dress ups may cover multiple topics, but you might have to cover up eg. scars or so.

[ton]

i ride my bike, on gravel daily.
my usual cycling attire is, a cheap checked cotton shirt from mountain warehouse. £8.99 i have 3. nukeproof baggy shorts £25 crc sale. Keen targhee sandals. £50 Keen sale.

i dont tend to wear cycling clothes. general outdoor clothing works better i think. i may be wrong.