Q: My jersey feels
tight when I stand up but seems to loosen when I am on my
bike. How should it fit?
A: The best jerseys are designed to fit snugly when
you are in the full tuck position, hands on the handlebar
drops, on your road bicycle. To wick perspiration efficiently
your jersey must remain in contact with your skin. Thus it
should fit you snugly while you are in a riding position.
Consequently, it will feel tight across your chest and under
your arms when you stand up. Always check a jerseys fit by
sitting on your bike.
Q: How can I tell if my
shorts fit?
A: Shorts should fit snugly but not tight. The leg
grippers should feel snug but have enough give to tuck four
fingers under the band. Likewise the waist should be snug but
not tight or constricting. No extra loose pockets of material
should appear behind your legs. Like a good quality jersey,
shorts must fit you while you are riding. Always check their
sizing by sitting on your bike.
Q: Are shorts with
suspenders more comfortable than regular shorts?
A: Generally yes. Shorts with suspenders, commonly
called bib shorts, tend to fit better and feel more
comfortable. By doing away with the waist band a major source
of discomfort is eliminated. Like a jersey they should fit
you while.l you are in the full tuck position. Off the bike
and standing upright it is common for the suspenders to feel
tight and dig in to your shoulders. On the bike, they loosen
considerably and feel much better.
Q: Are bib shorts
hotter than regular shorts?
A: Usually not. Most of the newer bib shorts use an
open mesh or Coolmax Lycra back which breath beautifully.
Older bib shorts had all Lycra backs which made them feel
warmer on hot and humid days.
Q: How should a cycling
glove fit?
A: Snugly, but not tight. Check the fit by curling
your hand or gripping a handlebar. A glove should feel tight
when your hand is flat and snug as you curl your palm. Good
gloves are designed not to bunch or pinch when your hands are
on the bars.
Q: How much padding
should gloves have?
A: This is usually left to personal choice. However,
the more padding in the glove, the more it is prone to
bunching. Generally a moderately padded glove is the best
choice for most purposes. We have found that it is more
effective to add padding under the handlebar tape than to
increase padding in the gloves. Le Tour makes a Bar Tape
Comfort Kit which is featured on our Handlebar Tape page. It
works well and allows you to customize the thickness of shock
absorbing layers under your bar tape.
Q: Are tights with
suspenders more comfortable than regular tights?
A: Generally yes. Tights with suspenders, commonly
called bib tights, tend to fit better and feel more
comfortable than regular tights. By doing away with the
traditional waist band, a major source of discomfort, is
eliminated. Like a jersey they should fit you while you are
in the full tuck position. Off the bike and standing upright
it is common for the suspenders to feel tight and dig in to
your shoulders. On the bike, they loosen considerably and
feel much better.
Q: Do stirrups add to a
tights comfort?
A: Yes. Think of them as suspenders for your feet.
They prevent your tights from twisting, bunching or pulling
up. They add significantly to overall comfort.
Q: Some tights have a
chamois, but mine do not. What is the advantage?
A: Tights that do not have a chamois require you to
wear shorts underneath them. Tights with a chamois can be
worn alone and are significantly more comfortable. Wearing
shorts and tights is a little warmer, but there are easier
ways of adding warmth without sacrificing comfort.
Q: Can you explain to
me how cycling shoes should fit?
A: Yes. We currently do not sell many shoes but we
have sold them for over 20 years. A cycling shoe should fit
much more snugly than a sneaker or street shoe. Ideally,
there should be between 1\8 and 1\4 of an inch room between
your big toe and the end of the shoe when you are standing
upright. Your big toe should never touch the end of your
shoe. Width wise, your foot should be snug; not pinched nor
loose. The heel is the least important part of the fit.
Ideally it too is snug; not tight nor loose. If you flex your
foot, your heel will usually pull out of your shoe because
the sole is stiff. This is not an indication of a poor fit.
When you pedal, your foot just moves up and down. It will not
pull out unless you have a very loose fit. Some shoes have
full grain leather uppers; those will stretch. Most however
are Lorica, a synthetic leather which does not stretch.
Although it is often difficult, the best way to buy shoes is
at a well stocked bicycle shop. Every brand fits a little
differently. It is best to try on several before making a
purchase.
Q: Should socks be worn
with shoes? I find that my feet are cooler if I do not wear
them.
A: Your feet may feel cooler because the perspiration
is evaporating directly from your skin. However by wearing
socks your feet will actually be cooler. Perspiration is more
easily transported and evaporated by the sock fabric than
bare skin in contact with leather or plastic. Additionally
socks will cushion your feet, help to prevent hot spots and
reduce chafing. Leather tanning chemicals and plastic glues
are prevented from contacting your skin directly also. Be
kind to your feet and always wear good, clean socks when
cycling.
Q: The price of cycling
shorts seems to cover a wide range. Are the very expensive
ones really that much better?
A: Unfortunately yes. The best cycling shorts can
easily cost over $100.00 pair. However, you usually get your
money's worth. They are cut from premium blends, use super
comfortable chamois and tend to last for years with minimal
maintenance. Just ask any rider who has a pair. Most swear by
them.
Q: I heard that you can
damage shorts or tights by putting them on like a pair of
pants and pulling them up to your waist. Is this true?
A: Yes it is. When putting on a pair of shorts or
tights with a chamois you must use extra care. First insert
one leg at a time and gently pull the garment up to your
knees. Then place your hand under the padded seat and gently
push the shorts in place. Finally, pull on the suspenders or
pull up the waist. If you simply pull the shorts on like a
pair of jeans the chamois will often bind against your inner
thighs. Further pulling to get the chamois in place can
literally break the seams between the chamois and shorts
material. Stitches can break and the may tear. The more
expensive the chamois, the better it grips your skin and the
more likely it is that damage will occur. Therefore use
caution when putting on good quality shorts or tights and
they will last you for years.
Q: I finally found a
pair of shoes, shorts and a jersey that fits me perfectly.
What advice is left for me?
A: Finding something that fits perfectly is difficult.
Once you do, we strongly urge you to purchase another
matching pair of shoes, shorts or jersey. It may sound self
serving for us to say that. However, styles and models change
very quickly in our industry. What fits you perfectly today
may not even be available 6 months down the road.
Q: Any comments on
helmet fitting?
A: Helmets are easy to properly size. Most come in
only two or three shell sizes. Then you switch pads to
customize the final fit. Ideally the crown of your head will
fit snugly against the inside crown of the helmet. When
trying on a helmet, stand in front of a mirror and look
through the helmets vents to see where your crown is. A
properly fitted helmet will usually cover the top half of
your forehead and sweep just over the tips of your ears. Pads
are used to take up any side to side or fore and aft
looseness. Every manufacturer molds their shells differently.
A well stocked bike shop is the best place to try on several
brands to see which one fits you best.
Q: Last but not least.
I am confused about sock sizing. Does size 9-11 socks
correspond to men's shoe size 9-11?
A: No. Sock sizing can be very confusing. The
numerical sizes do not always correspond directly with men's
shoe sizes. For the record USA sock sizes fit USA shoe sizes:
- Sock size 7-9 fits:
Women's shoe size 7 or smaller.
- Sock size 9-11 fits:
Women's shoe size 7 1\2 to 10.
- Sock size 9-11 fits: Men's
shoe size 9 1\2 or smaller.
- Sock size 10-13 fits:
Men's shoe size 10 to 13.
- Sock size 13-16 fits:
Men's shoe size 13 to 17.
