how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (2024)

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T

Toby_2009

Well-Known Member
  • 7 May 2009
  • #1

So, does lycra actually make much difference or is it just that cyclists like to wear what look right?

Cheers,

Toby

Dave5N

Über Member
Location
Outside The Little Nibble
  • 7 May 2009
  • #2

The right clothes for the job.

alecstilleyedye

nothing in moderation

Moderator

Location
the post-brexit wasteland
  • 7 May 2009
  • #3

brainiac once did a test whereby a lycra clad bloke on a scooter raced someone (richard hammond) in normal clothes.

the aerodynamic lycra won the day.

John the Monkey

Frivolous Cyclist
Location
Crewe
  • 7 May 2009
  • #5

The big plus is that your clothes aren't flapping around like some kind of sail once you get to a decent speed. Lycra gear also tends to wick sweat away from the body more effectively, so you'll be more comfortable.

Horses for courses really - I wouldn't ride more than 5 or 6 miles without proper kit, but if you didn't mind pottering a bit, or don't get sweaty, normal clothes would probably be fine.

Dave Moulton has a good article on this here;
http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2008/4/25/what-to-wear.html

alecstilleyedye

nothing in moderation

Moderator

Location
the post-brexit wasteland
  • 7 May 2009
  • #6

dodgy said:

I can see a flaw in that test...

yes, i should clarify that they were both on a little motorised micro scooter, at full throttle.

J

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
  • 7 May 2009
  • #7

I rode a 100km once wearing a loose jacket. Bloody hell it was like towing a parachute.
Close fitting clothing - "be slippery".how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (5)

G

Greenbank

Über Member
  • 7 May 2009
  • #8

Toby_2009 said:

So, does lycra actually make much difference or is it just that cyclists like to wear what look right?

It makes a big difference in comfort. I don't wear it for looks.

It dries quickly if it gets wet (try riding in soaking heavy jeans or cotton trousers) and is much lighter when wet.

It wicks away sweat from your body, better for keeping you cool on a hot day than other fabrics.

ChrisKH

Guru
Location
Essex
  • 7 May 2009
  • #9

I could show you my chaffed bits from using shorts, as opposed to lycra, if you so wish.

In fact I'll probably do it if you request it or not. how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (7)

Globalti

Legendary Member
  • 7 May 2009
  • #10

Blimey, that Dave Moulton article - it wasn't long ago, certainly the early 80s, when we were still buying Army surplus trousers and turning them into knee britches for mountineering, stitching the leg material onto the bum for reinforcement. How times change.

Flyingfox

Senior Member
Location
SE London
  • 7 May 2009
  • #11

ChrisKH said:

I could show you my chaffed bits from using shorts, as opposed to lycra, if you so wish.

In fact I'll probably do it if you request it or not. how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (10)

Too much information and just wronghow much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (11)

ChrisKH

Guru
Location
Essex
  • 7 May 2009
  • #12

Flyingfox said:

Too much information and just wronghow much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (13)

Please see my member title. I'm obligated. how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (14)

E

ed_o_brain

Guest
  • 7 May 2009
  • #13

Lycra next to the skin is good for keeping comfortable in a wider temperature range. It's also easy to layer up or down as it stows away easily. It chafes a lot less.

It washes and dries quickly.

I do tend to reserve it for my longer rides tho.

R

rob7222

New Member
  • 7 May 2009
  • #14

I do it for the ladies... how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (15)

MajorMantra

Well-Known Member
Location
Edinburgh
  • 7 May 2009
  • #15

Greenbank said:

It makes a big difference in comfort. I don't wear it for looks.

It dries quickly if it gets wet (try riding in soaking heavy jeans or cotton trousers) and is much lighter when wet.

It wicks away sweat from your body, better for keeping you cool on a hot day than other fabrics.

+1. More comfortable, greater freedom of movement, fast drying. Also, you can admire your quads as you ride.how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (17)

Matthew

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how much difference does lycra actually make? | CycleChat Cycling Forum (2024)
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