COMMUTE IN STYLE
Riding a bike doesn’t have to mean Lycra. Cyclists can be stylish too!
For those days when you ride to work, but don’t want to go full Lycra, we’ve rounded up a selection of outfits from the likes of Endura, Giro and Rapha for some on and off-bike style.
Ask a non-cyclist what a cyclist wears and they’re likely to say, “Horrible, lurid leotards that show off far too much and put me right off my sausages and potatoes…”
Of course, most of us do proudly and practically wear Lycra. If you are riding any kind of distance it’s the only way to go. But putting on bib shorts for a trip to the shops or meeting your finance director in your vintage Mapei jersey after a short ride to work? There’s got to be another way.
There is – just wear normal clothes! Plenty of experienced cyclists are more than happy to make short trips by bike in nothing more exotic than a cotton shirt and a pair of chinos with one leg rolled up to avoid getting them greasy.
But if you really don’t like the idea of riding in casual clothing there’s also an ever increasing range of civvy-style cycling specific apparel out there to choose from.
It’s now possible to buy anything from skinny fit jeans with added stretch, reflective detailing and waterproofing, through to super-smart shirts woven with merino wool and Lycra that will wick away your ride-to-work perspiration quickly to leave you feeling fresh for the boardroom.
Over the next few pages we’ve rounded up some of the smartest urban cycling clobber currently available.
1 FOX WILSON HOVE JACKET £149
Styled and shaped like a classic trucker denim jacket, the Hove uses Swisssourced Schoeller’s 3XDry fabric, which is water and stain resistant. A clever vented back, with mesh lining, and deep, structured folds offers freedom of movement on the bike, but looks ‘normal’ off it.
2 RAPHA LS SUMMER WICKING SHIRT £100
Made from seersucker gingham with lots of stretch, the fit is still on the form-fitting slim side. Details include the double button cuff and vented shoulder panels with mesh inserts to help regulate your body temperature. It performs well on the bike and looks smart for the office.
3 FOFFA T-SHIRT £35
Simple and understated this tee from urban bike brand Foffa fits well, does a decent job of wicking if you don’t work too hard and doesn’t give off a stink after a ride. It also boasts subtle reflective detailing.
4 ENDURA URBAN JEANS £89.99
Cut slim to avoid flapping, a high rear waist to prevent a gap, reflective details on turn ups and pocket ‘flag’, decent stretch, a d-lock belt loop and a seamless crotch mark the Urbans out as truly excellent biking jeans.
1 CADENCE AGENDA HOODED SWEATER £69
The Agenda is made from a 75 per cent non-piling cotton, with a terry lining, so it’s soft, lighter than normal hoodies and more breathable when working hard. The body length is cut for riding and the elastic cuffs keep sleeves in place.
2 HOWIES SENINO MERINO HENLEY TEE £65
Super-soft, superlight and hugely comfortable, the Senino also benefits from merino’s wicking, quick drying and antiodour properties. A pleasure to wear on and off the bike.
3 CRANKK STRAAT PANTS 119
Good looking, slim cut slacks from Poland with a neat, bike-specific trick – a removable pad that slots in and out of the crotch. Pop it in for the ride to work and then remove so that you’re not wearing a nappy in the office!
1 FOFFA HARRINGTON JACKET £180
The Foffa Harrington has a 10k hydrostatic rating, so it’ll see off pretty heavy rainfall. Taped seams and a sealed zip help. You won’t get too sweaty thanks to a ventilated back. We did feel the fit could have been a little bit more flattering though. Like the Foffa tee, the Harrington has reflective detailing.
2 CHAPEAU POLO £34.99
Not especially bike specific, but if you’re in the market for a polo shirt this summer Chapeau offers a nice selection. And when someone quizzes you about the hat logo you’ll be able to explain the whole cyclist and ‘chapeau!’ thing in great depth!
3 GIRO TRANSFER JEANS £79.99
These semi-skinny fit indigo jeans feature classic fivepocket styling with studded seams and button fly. The midweight denim is infused with elastane to offer plenty of stretch when riding, and the crotch is reinforced for durability. They also feature reflective cuffs for added visibility when riding at night.
1 VELOBICI ZIMONE ZIP THROUGH £175
We love the retro track-top styling of the British-made Zimone. It’s a slim, stretchy fitting merino cardie with thumb loops and two buttoned rear pockets for proper riding practicality. But yes, it is pricey.
2 SWRVE KEIU GILET £135
Three-layered polyester and taped-seams provide ample protection from the ‘welcome rain’ from which this gilet takes its name. Three zipped pockets - one on the rear – aid the on-bike practicality.
3 CRANKK ROUBAIX TEE 35
A pretty simple cotton t-shirt, but it does have a small reflective patch on the rear as a nod to its urban riding credentials. It does have a nice slim fit, though, and we liked the longer length that meant it didn’t ride up as we rode.
4 RAPHA ALL DAY SHORTS £100
Stretchy, slim and light shorts that look completely normal off the bike. There’s no padding, but they move with you as you ride and are super comfortable. They also have a useful waterresistant finish.
RAPHA 1 LOOPBACK JACKET £130
Part trucker jacket styling, part Harrington, the Loopback uses high performing Pertex fabric for wind and water resistance. A micro suede collar lining, hi-vis pink panel under the collar and reflective straps on the button cuffs are quality details.
CAFÉ DU 2 CYCLISTE ARMELLE SHIRT £109
A combination of merino wool and cotton gives the Armelle a little more natural stretch than ordinary work shirts. The merino also helps wick sweat, dries quickly and, yes, stops smells!
WARM GRAY 3 GIRO TECH TEE £29.99
The Tech tee blends cotton with polyester to wick sweat faster than cotton alone. It’s well cut and soft to the touch.
FOX WILSON 4 HEATH JEANS £89
These UK-made strides use the Swiss-sourced Schoeller 3XDry denim, as in the Hove jacket. Add in a waterproof zip fly and you’ve got a slick pair of jeans that will still look good if you get caught in the rain on your commute.