XXXXL cycling kit

[CJ]

This is not for me, but a CTC member asked me the following question and I'm sorry to say I do not (yet) have an answer. He's not specific about dimensions (and I'm not going to ask), but if you know of any particular brand that makes what he's looking for in bigger than usual sizes, please let us know and I'll pass it on.

Just over three years ago, I suffered a very serious illness, a consequence of which is that due to a complete cessation of physical activity, I have gained a significant amount of weight. I have recently resumed cycling, but needless to say, my cycling clothes no longer fit me. Previously, my clothes of choice were more of the "sporty" lycra type. I have been looking around on the internet for new cycling clothes that might fit me (not necessarily lycra), but I am struggling. Could you offer me any advice regarding particular brands or types of clothing that might be suitable for the ampler proportioned cyclist? I need leggings/trousers, shorts, short sleeved and long sleeved jerseys. All of my cycling is on-road. For safety reasons, I do prefer the more visibly coloured attire for my upper body. I am a 59 year old male.

[anniesboy]

Found these shorts advertised in CTC Shop
http://tinyurl.com/dltms9

[patricktaylor]

I like very loose clothing and I've tried lots of different makes of bib shorts. I absolutely hate them when they're tight. The loosest I ever found for a particular fit size - eg XL - are Giordana Body Clone: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=32298

They're not cheap but nice and stretchy and very comfy indeed. They are available in XXXLarge.

[Big T]

I'm pretty big - currently 18st but have been 21st and get most of my cycle clothing from Decathlon. Their MTB tops are loose fitting and they do up to XXXL which fits up to a 50" chest. They also do XXL shorts which fit me OK.

There's also Love to Pedal:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/LOVE2PEDAL- ... eys-Shorts

who do jerseys up to 5XL

[paulah]

Landsend does some very large sizes for women in outerwear and activewear. I've never really looked at the mens stuff and its not cycling specific, but their wet weather gear and fleeces are always well worth a look.

http://www1.landsend.co.uk/cgi-bin/ncom ... gmenbr=361

[Beakyboy]

These guys do really big stuff too: http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/

[paulah]

This would be really good information to have on the ctc website, along with tips on starting cycling when a bit big.

[CJ]

My enquirer is grateful for all the useful tips posted so far. So thanks everyone and keep them coming!

[random37]

Speaking as a larger gentleman myself (I have a 54" chest, 42" waist and freakishly short arms and legs), the one piece of cycling specific clothing I've bought and liked has been my Lidl waterproof cycling jacket. It cost peanuts, IIRC no more than a tenner, and although it isn't as good as my goretex coat at keeping me dry, it was less than 1/10 the price.
If I'm riding a long way (20+ miles), tracksuit bottoms are hard to beat. Below that, I just wear normal clothes. A lot of the "technical" trousers have very stupidly designed seams or a weird looking cut, although army surplus lightweight type trousers are OK.
I won't wear anything with Lycra. I owe it to people that might want to talk to me.

[NUKe]

Remebered this particular post
http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/
seem to have some larger sizes. I think when I first bought fromthem they were advertising themselves as selling to real sized people. Only ever bought a pair of mitts of them which seem to have lasted well and are comfortable

[MacBludgeon]

Prendas.co.uk do some pretty big stuff and you can search by sizing on their site, they were also quite happy to help me by e-mail. I get hacked off at things like the Giordana, XXXL is for a 36-38 inch waist, that's nowhere near triple xl size in my book. A lot of the US sites do better sizing but the $, shipping and if you get stung on import can make it pricey. Have looked at Ground Effect as well, they seem to do some looser fitting stuff.

Agree that cycling forums would benefit by having a clothes 'sticky' covering makes, sizing etc. I've followed lots of links only to find the sizes max out at a 38 inch waist.

[srw]

As someone who veers between a XXL and a XXXL this is a pertinent question for me. Edinburgh Bicycle co-op and DHB (Wiggle own-brand) both can go pretty big, but in neither case is the quality anything to write home about. I've got suitably large Northwave and Nike tops, but in bottoms the only brand I've had reliable success with is Altura. Quality is good and sizing is pretty generous.

[MacBludgeon]

Well my first bit of kit has just arrived from Prendas, XXXL bib shorts, mainly black, white bib area and some logo/team bumph on them:-

Giro DItalia/Gazetta dello Sport Bibshorts TwistGel 2008

Doesn't mean much to me but can guess it may be a bit naff, out of date/unpopular team kit. However they seem very well made and are very comfy on, got them reduced to £40 which seemed to compare favourably with other web prices. They're certainly far comfier than the DHB waist shorts I got from Wiggle in the same price bracket. If they hold up, and wash, well then Prendas will be seeing more of my custom, naff logos or not

[paulinpompey]

Hello everyone.

I also have the problem of being built more like a front row rugby player rather then a lean, mean cycling machine!!

As much as I would like to look like Cavendish, Armstrong etc. the genes in my creaking body have dictated that this just 'ain't going to happen....

(however, to my credit, I used to be a front row rugby player!)

I have been trying to find any store that stocks the XXXXL altura clothing, but to no avail.

My stats are 50-52'' chest and 42-44'' waist, and I eat sensibly and cycle to and from work (10 miles a day).

Any tips where I could purchase Gilets/ cycle jerseys that would fit me would be most welcomed.

With kind regards and tight spokes to all,

PaulinPompey.

[Big T]

You won't find a normal bike shop that will do clothes to fit. MTB tops are a little looser fitting than road stuff but you'll be lucky to find anything bigger than 42-44" chest and 40" shorts.

That's why I buy all my cycling clothes from Decathlon. There's probably not one near you, though. The only other alternative is specialist internet shops, but you're always taking a chance on whether stuff will fit, because sizing is not uniform.