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Clothing for the aerobellied - help!
A generously-proportioned reader is searching for cycling clothing to fit the larger rider - any ideas?
Look through catalogues of cycle clothing and you'll see nothing but svelte young models showing off the cycling gear. Yet there are a good number of cyclists and people returning to cycling who may be, for example, middle-aged men with a wider waistline - but still in need of quality raingear etc. And willing to pay for it...
So any ideas? Use the comments system to offer any suggestions - trade comments also welcome. This is a serious enquiry - he just wants some decent kit to ride in. Help the guy out!
PS What's an aerobelly? It's a sort of natural fairing employed by some recumbent riders to smooth the airflow over the front of the bike and rider, improving aerodynamics and, some say, speed. Much more on the subject can be found, for example, here.
Posted on 17 June 2004
Your comments ...| From: Seamus (etc) on 17 June 2004 |
I'm gonna do you Peter!
It was bad enough when Dan used the word, "Aerobelly," in a recumbent article in an other cycling magazine. |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 17 June 2004 |
It really is a perfectly genuine enquiry from a reader, who reads this site too and may even identify himself if he wants. I did manfully resist using any of the pictures I have of aerobellied riders...
PS have fixed your postcode Seamus. |
| From: Neil ([email protected]) on 17 June 2004 |
OK OK before I am outed tis I and if any manufacturer wants the goods tested for a review then just call me.
This is a genunine issue as Peter saysone manufacturer even defines XL as 36 waist not even M&S do that. So come on folks help a fat old fart out. |
| From: Silverback (@home) on 17 June 2004 |
I have found that wiggle.co.uk do some larger sized clothes. I have just brought an Altura Nevis jacket xxl and it fits me with a 38" waist (although my belly does hang over(fat lorry driver)a bit). A lot of their clothes are in large sizes.
Richard. |
| From: jack dekker ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
The issue of clothing is described in dutch on www.ligfiets.net/kleding. These were the results of extensive search for Cycle Vision (a recumbent fair). I am aware that not people can read this page so maybe a small story will do.
For recumbent riding sportsclothing in general will do. Cotton is not a good choice. When its wet it will loose isolation from wind. In Holland we have Tatteljee, near Amsterdam, they make clothing to measurement. For recumbent a Kanorak (canoo jacket) will do. Canoo clothing, because the recumbent position makes water not easily to run off your belly it is not handy to have zippers there. An anorak can be put over your head. In general you could also look to other sports material, not necessarily recumbent or cycle related.
I am afraid that an answer with an instant solution could not be easily given. But broadening the vision of search will certainly help. (sailing clothing etcetera.) |
| From: Posted by Peter Eland (on behalf of David Williams) on 18 June 2004 |
David Williams writes:
Corinne Dennis make cycle clothing for both sexes (www.SJSCYCLES.COM ://www.sjscycles.com/> stock their liners), although their XXL is 38", the company have made to measure in the past contact www.corinnedennis.co.uk ://www.corinnedennis.co.uk/> or [email protected] .
The other thing to do is to take the plunge and try some of the American Websites as they do stock these sizes. Try "Georgena Terry" www.terrybicycles.com ://www.terrybicycles.com/> as they do up to a 50" waist in their female range, but these are not so specifically styled that they cannot be worn by a male rider. Contact them for advice they are very friendly.
My advice however is :
1. Don't expect to pay the true (converted) dollar price. With conversion charges and import tax, the price in pounds will roughly be the same as the dollar price.
2. Be aware that the postage charges will usually be "continental" and may be greater for international postage.
3. As with any Internet purchase take precautions about releasing your credit details, and research before proceeding to payment - finally - always use a secure payment system.
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| From: Seamus (etc) on 18 June 2004 |
Shirts; don't use cycling stuff, prefer shirts from specialist camping shops. Favourite shirts are by Sprayway, made from some technical fabric got for twenty quid in a sale. North Cape do some good Coolmax t-shirts.
Waterproof jacket; same shop as above, goretex, not cycle specific, Sprayway I think.
Here's a thought, try the stalls at the York Rally or at Mildenhall as many suppliers will be trying to offload all the odd made-to-order very large sizes that customers declined to buy. Got a very large Freestyle jacket from York.
Cycle shorts; got some very large pairs from Freewheel in Sheffield when it closed down. Can't remember the brand but it was American. Hebden Cord make traditional touring shorts up to 48" waist but will do larger to order if you ask nicely. |
| From: Wobbly John ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
| Do I sense a 'Cycling clothing for the generously proportioned' article being lined up for BKN 22 ? |
| From: Neil ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
Very helpful comments from Daid William ty. I also use walking base layers, berghus in particular havea good range but outer shells are more difficult to fine and walking shells tend to be heavier.
A future page on well cut clothing now there's an idea Peter I await the commission ;-)
Where are all the comments from manufactureres who must read this site? |
| From: Seamus (the lab technician) on 18 June 2004 |
very slack week....
Today I set up a datalogger with 3 temperature sensors set in three mugs of hot water to see which keeps the drink hottest longest and is it a worthwhile difference...
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| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
| At the risk of getting sidetracked from clothing, did you include one of those stainless-steel double-walled ones? In my experience they are excellent for morning coffee due to typically being HUGE - and they keep the coffee hot for ages. |
| From: Tom ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
| They ARE good - I've been stealing Chris Hamm's for a couple of weeks. But Pete, sureley a big mug, with a smaller surface area relative top volume of liquid, might slew the results? ;-) |
| From: Seamus (the lab technician) on 18 June 2004 |
Orange plastic mug(PM) capacity 0.4litres
Posh melamine mug(MM) capacity 0.35l
Double-walled stainless steel mug(SM) 0.43l
Starting temp 72.5 degrees Celcius. Same volume in each mug.
15 minutes; SM=62.2, MM=59.7, PM=58.9
45 minutes; SM=42.0, MM=37.7, PM=37.2
60 minutes; SM=39.1, MM=35.2, PM=34.6
Conclusion;
SM keeps drinks hotter for longer than the plastic mugs but it's really only an advantage if you're in the habit of leaving your beverage undrunk.
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| From: S (etc) on 18 June 2004 |
In a previous, and much more technical, investigation it was found that far more heat was lost by convection than by conduction or radiation so if you want to keep your drink hot simply put a lid on it.
A suitably sized bit of Expanded Polystyrene ceiling tile will do the job nicely though this would be less useful out of doors on account of its tendency to blow away. |
| From: Neil ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
NO NO NO NO This is a fat person clothing threat go hither all you considering various mugs.
Just keep the Earl Grey coming. |
| From: The Dorg Collective (Pedal@[email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
Can I use a dirty word here??? Can I!!!!!
HALFORDS! There, I said it. They do cycling specific clothes called "Dirt Monkey" and as I am a fat, Lardy sort of Dog I tried the jumper and it is pretty good. S'even got a rear zip pocket so you can squash your cigarettes on the recumbentseat! |
| From: The Dorg Collective (Pedal@[email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
Can I use a dirty word here??? Can I!!!!!
HALFORDS! There, I said it. They do cycling specific clothes called "Dirt Monkey" and as I am a fat, Lardy sort of Dog I tried the jumper and it is pretty good. S'even got a rear zip pocket so you can squash your cigarettes on the recumbent seat! |
| From: luke ([email protected]) on 18 June 2004 |
| Here's an idea. Why don't we get some XXXXlarge technical fibre T- shirts made up with our own Aerobellies logo on them. Are there enough of us interested? One reason I like recumbent riding, as opposed to upright, is you just wear normal kit, no chamois, no skintightness, just real casual and much more civilised when sipping the first kir of the day in a sunny bar. By the way proper Hawaiian t shirts are made of easy care rayon and you don't need a hi viz vest on top and these come in enooooormous sizes. Pete the recumbent tandem has just come back from holidays in Holland. Becky rode her Pixie so I put a generously proportioned mate on the back and renamed the tandem 'Twice Tubbymobile'. One of the best holidays ever. Supersoakers are excellent weapons against overly miserable so called fellow cyclists! |
| From: Mary Arneson (not@racingweightyet) on 18 June 2004 |
| Calhoun Cycle in Minneapolis has XL and XXL sizes of recumbent jerseys. http://www.calhouncycle.com/apparel/jerseys.html -- They're nice guys and I suspect that they would export stuff. As the "Santa Claus" look is well-represented in our household, we do appreciate the ready availability of fashionable (?) XL and XXL jerseys in the US. |
| From: John Turvey (jt@notwrobellied(Ihope).com) on 19 June 2004 |
| Calhourn do do exports (certainly to the UK) - I have got many items from them over the last few years - my only problem is that they are long lasting, so no need to buy any more at present. |
| From: John Turvey (jt@cannotspellat all.co.uk) on 19 June 2004 |
| In last message, please replace 'w' with 'ae' |
| From: Simon Ward ([email protected]) on 20 June 2004 |
Wish I'd spotted this thread earlier ...
First of all, define "large" - I'm 44" waist, 50" chest and have had the usual problems getting hold of decent cycling gear.
My 'wardrobe' consists of:
Shorts/Longs: Endura MT500 or Fieldsensor shorts, plus 3/4" logs. Both XXL, both fit me fine. The straps on the bibs are a bit tight, but I have a long torso for my height.
Tops: I don't bother with LS tops, preferring SS with armwarmers. Polaris do their tops in XXL - just bought one, fits nicely. I also have an Endura Munro jacket/gilet (again, XXL)
Jackets: got an XL Shimano jacket, but I don't think their made anymore. Anything by Ronhill in XL fits me.
The short form is: if it's made in Italy you can forget about getting anything to fit unless you're a racing snake. French and American-made clothing seems to be sized more generously.
HTH. |
| From: Ralf Grosser (docreynolds531) on 20 June 2004 |
My problem with most cycling and other clothes is, that you either have something that fit’s people who are skinny, or really fat around the middle. There is not much that fits you if you are heavy with large shoulders and upper arms.
I always need to get my suits tailored, or modified to fit my shape.
There once were a line of cycling clothes sold by Brüggelmann for the heavy set rider, but they were made for people with a big gut and no shoulders.
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| From: luke ([email protected]) on 20 June 2004 |
An aerobelly advantage noticed in the rain today. Concave bellys collect water in the recumbent position but the aerobelly sheds water. Maybe someone should market an aerobelly insert for the less fortunate to shove the front of their waterproof.
Thinking about mugs, mirrycle mirrors make excellent mug/glass holders on trikes. See some of you in York. |
| From: David Williams (posted by PE on his behalf) on 21 June 2004 |
On a more serious note - do we have to assess "aerobelliness" - after all this could be a definite aerodynamic advantage.
Is there a new subclass here "unfaired, but aerobellied"? |
| From: Seamus (etc) on 21 June 2004 |
The US brand of cycle short I couln't remember the name of is Bellwether.
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| From: Matthew Brown ([email protected]) on 21 June 2004 |
How about Liposuction?
Then you can wear normal sized clothes like the rest of us. |
| From: Wobbly John ([email protected]) on 21 June 2004 |
| I'm sure the racer guy in the Cyclevision report (3 stories down) is wearing a fake aerobelly. |
| From: gNick ([email protected]) on 25 June 2004 |
How about a full faired trike (Quest/Mango et al) and Naturism?
More seriously how about getting something made up? I know of at least one friend who has done this with shorts (I bet you can't guess who Peter!). I'll find out who did the stitching.
Personally I find Bib shorts better because they don't get pushed down by the aerodynamic body extension which when coupled with the hem of the jersey being blown upward by the excessive speed can result in an unusual tan pattern.
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| From: S (etc) on 25 June 2004 |
youch! sunburnt belly.....or worse;-)
Back in the old days of DF's I once got very badly sunburned on one small patch of my back between shorts and shirt. |
| From: Pete ([email protected]) on 29 June 2004 |
| If you go to a smaller firm like Mardale and just ask they'll probably do something in a bespoke size for not much extra £s. Years ago they made a 6'8" friend of mine a special outsize fleece, and last year they ran up one of their normal Pertex bike jackets for me in visible-from-orbit yellow rather than the usual dull orange or blue. Did I want reflective tape? (yes please!), and where? (down each arm and front and back yoke, thanks!) Excellent piece of kit, and they only charged me an extra fiver to build it to my personal visibility specs. They're at http://www.mardale.com/ and seem to work on the principle that good customer serice is a Good Idea. |
| From: Eric Moss ([email protected]) on 04 July 2004 |
| For tops, it's easy. www.rivbike.com (Rivendell bicycles) has up to XXXL wool jerseys that are stunningly perfect. And expensive. But worth every penny, and then some. No joke. Buy one and be ready for bliss. |
| From: gNick ([email protected]) on 07 July 2004 |
I gather that Lusso will do oversized shorts - now to find a jersey maker...
I could do with something recumbent specific without those pockets to dig in. |
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