Bike clothes

The time has come that I finally have to invest in some bike clothes. I will be going on a 15 day bike trip through Vietnam, so I'm thinking anything that is breathable, keeps sweat from me somehow, and doesn't make me look like a parrot would be useful.

However I have no clue what to look out for, and where I should buy it. The bike stores in the neighborhood have a huge variety of clothes and shockingly everything is really expensive considering how ugly they are.
Where should I start, what should I be looking out for? How many sets do I need? I find that these dry-fit shirts smell really bad after a day or two.

Any advice would be welcome! Thanks!

Subject: bike clothes

Paragon, on-line very cheap go to bonktown.com, campmor.com. Moisture wicking very very important. depending on how many miles a day, shorts with chamois very very important. chamois butter very very important. do not go to R and A unless you want to pay 5 x what you should (except for the sale bin)...same goes for jack rabbit. i would say try on at paragon and buy online if you have the time. have a great time!

www.nashbar.com

not the secret website!!!

Awesome, thank you!


(A&R is across the street from me and I try to avoid that placce although they've been nothing but nice to me in the past.)

I think any shirt would smell bad after a day or two of biking, no?

So are you saying the Tour de France guys in the park in the morning have at least 7-10 neon shirts in rotation? Scary stuff. I can't believe I'm doing this (and I can't wait).

I bet the Tour de France guys in the park go home and immediately wash out their shirts so as not to be caught looking unfashionable the next day.

Jerseys clean easily, cold water in the sink and drip dry and they are fine. I can't believe I forgot to mention the most important.... SOCKS! bike socks are the best!

I would have never thought of that. What's so special about them?

talk about things that don't get nearly as stinky as their non-task specific counterparts!!!! the question really is what isn't so special about them?

Wool is great to wear year round as it keeps feet cooler in heat due to it's mesh and warmer in the cold because of its thermal properties.

That sounds like an amazing trip you're going on! Please report back.

Here are 2 websites you may want to check out. Athleta is a Gap company and they have yoga/travel type clothes (not sure if they have biking specific clothing):

http://athleta.gap.com/

Also, I got some of my safari clothing through this company. They're known for their indestructible hats that I believe comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee (you may need one to protect your head from the Vietnamese sun). They have travel socks and travel underwear (you can wash them out in the sink and they dry within an hour or two). Some of their clothing is stodgy but they're getting better:
http://www.tilley.com/

Safe travels!

Thanks! I'm not going until January but I'll start my clothes collection now when I can already wear it and see how it works out for me.

MeredithB wrote: www.nashbar.com

Thanks for the link - I just bought a jacket and some thermal tights. I've been a little peeved with this cold, shitty weather and not being able to comfortably commute this week (I only rode once), so getting some proper apparel has me a little pumped.

Shit - forgot the gloves...