Best place to physically shop for commuter gear in Ireland.

patmahe

Looking at doing more cycling commuting (have done some on and off). Commute is about 16k each way, some greenway, some urban, some rural.

I'm looking to get some office friendly cycle gear, skin tight lycra isn't going to cut it :) I'll have shower facilities at work and plan is to change when I get there and again for the trip home so just need something acceptable for the initial stroll through reception and down the hall.

Where is the best shop in Ireland north or south to go and try on some gear to get a feel for what suits and what doesn't? I'm based near Athlone but don't mind travelling a bit if the shop is excellent as its likely to be a one off effort.

CramCycle

I thought the same but after a day or so no one pays attention but if you don't feel comfy in it, probably MTB/commuter shorts. Endura would be aa reputable brand to start with, most places will sell their gear. Where are you actually based roughly, might be easier as there are decent stockists in Belfast, Dublin, Cork and everywhere in between. Shopping local is safer if you have an issue.

Squidgy Black

Decathlon has some decent MTB gear as well. But I'd agree with CramCycle in that nobody really pays any attention, and I'd much rather take the chance of an odd look for the short walk into the showers compared to a bit more discomfort for the length of time you're on the bike

at1withmyself

I'd agree with Cram and use Endura gear, they have good commuting trousers whick look causal enough for the office.

standardg60

As above office friendly cycle gear is a bit of an oxymoron, be far more interested in something comfortable and breathable.

I love nothing more than a trawl through the racks in tkmaxx if there's one down your direction, they can have some great cycling gear.

monkeyslayer

Could just wear cycling shorts under football shorts or something, no one cares tho after a day or two.

Macy0161

Quick dry hiking shorts over bibs is another option. I seem more conscious now office is getting fully! I park and cycle, and find the extra pockets in the over shorts handy as well tbh. This may change in the winter when over shorts are just an added wet layer.

ARX

Just bring a trench coat with you to cover up the Lycra after you get off your bike.

positron

Decathlon. Find what you might like online and try it out in the shop.

On the plus/flip-side, even if you didn't get what you came for, you probably will go home broke after buying all of other stuff.

Randomly I picked up some generic sports tops in Dunnes recently for a 5er each. Nice fit actually loose but not flappy and soft, stretchy material and seem quick to dry and this is coming from mr. sweaty. Had no intention of wearing them on the bike really but have only been doing short spins in recent weeks after covid and they are ideal for that kind of ride with or without a base layer under. I wear a base year round. Kind of thing you could buy 5 of for the weeks commute and wash them at the week end.

I have worn one twice in the same day on the rare days I'm in the office and I know it's a problem with some cheap stuff with the material mix in my experience in that it can stink pretty quickly if you sweat in it but these were absolutely fine on the home leg. I've paid a lot more for worse cycling stuff.

secman

FFS just wear proper cycling gear.. its a one day wonder, the Stephen Roche jokes quickly die a death. .. my experience anyways.

Mr. Cats

Get yourself one of these and no one will notice your clothes

otherwise Cyclesuperstore in Tallaght have a good selection of all types of gear.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396933#Comment_119396933

Giving your age away there or the age of your colleagues at least lol 😂

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119397008#Comment_119397008

The slightly younger group get Lance and the newbies get Sam Bennett.

secman

My age unfortunately 🤣,could have said Bernard Hinault or Eddy Merckx 😃

magicbastarder

is this the right thread in which i spot an opportunity to give away all the old shorts i don't wear anymore?

patmahe

Thanks all for the suggestions and humour :) I'll check out the options mentioned and see what suits me best.

I understand the just go ahead and do it people will get over it suggestions, but my office is quite conservative/old fashioned about these things, one of the guys wore in a pair of shorts during the recent heatwave, still hasn't heard the end of it from some. I'd rather just avoid giving them the ammo for 'smart' comments if I'm honest.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119398312#Comment_119398312

Good God, easy to tell you're out wesht as they say..i'd be arriving in in full skin tight lycra so, that would raise a few blood pressures!

My sister has a holiday home in Leitrim and when the kids were young she'd sign them up to the local gaa/rugby clubs while they were there for the Summers. My nephew arrived for a first training session in a pair of pink Nike football boots. First comment from the coach, 'you might get away with them in Dublin boy but not down here'.