I know cyclists tend to be very fashion conscious and that drives a lot of clothing design. But why is gravel clothing all dark colors like black, brown and dark green. Gravel rides often take you on pavement where visibility can be the difference between being hit by a car or not and also places where hunters may be. I actually had a hunter come up to me and say “you are dressed like a bear and it’s bear season”. I’ve started trying to find brighter colored stuff, but it’s not easy. There’s plenty of bright roadie stuff but I personally don’t find skin tight, race fit Lycra jerseys and pants comfortable.
I wear off-road motorcycle jerseys, mostly from Klim. They're well made, tough, and available in a wide variety of colors. Unfortunately many have logos more prominent than I prefer.
I agree with the OP; I ride with bright colors as I often see hunters during their various seasons. For a long time my motto has been that nobody is not going to hit me and tell the cops they didn't see me. I bought a jacket that is mostly blaze orange that I found on clearance; a bit more than I would normally buy but for gravel it makes me feel a bit more comfortable. Rapha for one certainly seems to think gravel stuff should be subdued..
I feel like clothes marketed specifically for gravel are just that--marketing. If you want to have bright clothes (as I do, generally), there's plenty of road stuff that will fit the bill.
Jumbo wrote:I feel like clothes marketed specifically for gravel are just that--marketing. If you want to have bright clothes (as I do, generally), there's plenty of road stuff that will fit the bill.
Yep; totally agree though I will say that "cargo" bibs which I believe are pretty much a gravel related invention, are pretty awesome. I do much longer rides on gravel than road so I find the cargo pockets to be handy. I put my phone there so I can easily adjust volume etc; I never ride with headphones on the road..
Yep; totally agree though I will say that "cargo" bibs which I believe are pretty a gravel related invention, are pretty awesome. I do much longer rides on gravel than road so I find the cargo pockets to be handy. I put my phone there so I can easily adjust volume etc; I never ride with headphones on the road..
@SWGraveler can you provide a link to the cargo bibs you use, or some general suggestions? This sounds really good. I like loose jerseys, given my less-than-chiselled waistline. Not the best for loaded pockets. Assume this means the pockets are on the bibs instead?
You can find them on the Pearl Izumi site as well as the Rapha site, they are called Cargo Bibs. I have a pair of the PI's and a pair of the Core from Rapha. Core is Rapha's value line. I'm happy with both though I will say the Rapha's feel a bit sturdier for some subjective reason. What they offer is having a pocket on the outside of both legs that is basically just a pouch; they are big enough to hold several gels, packet of chews etc. I keep my phone there for easy access to the volume control as I find I adjust it frequently due to the changing surface noise level. Both of these also have pockets on the back of the bibs, essentially where the two shoulder straps meet. I haven't used these much as access isn't quite as easy but if one wanted to wear t-shirt or whatever in place of a jersey, it would facilitate that as they offer about the same storage as two typical jersey pockets. Rapha also offers a more expensive version and cargo tights. I just bought La Passione cargo tights but have not needed to wear them yet as it is still warm here..
Great. Thanks very much. I didn't know these existed. The PI bib shorts are available where I am (Switzerland), and I see that Rapha also makes a winter tight with cargo pockets, though it's pricey. Much appreciated -
I like to wear hi viz, especially during spring planting and harvest time. Lots of truck traffic on gravel roads, and they're usually not expecting to see someone on a bike out in the sticks.
Great. Thanks very much. I didn't know these existed. The PI bib shorts are available where I am (Switzerland), and I see that Rapha also makes a winter tight with cargo pockets, though it's pricey. Much appreciated -
Welcome; yeah, the price of Rapha's cargo tights led me to try La Passione which are a bit more than 1/2 of the price of the Rapha's. They arrived quickly; I'm in the U.S., and they seem like a quality piece based upon trying them on and feel/appearance. It's still too warm to ride in them here in sunny Az! I called PI to ask if they were coming out with any before buying and was told that they will for next winter which I thought was surprisingly slow, but oh well.. AFAIK, only Rapha and La Passione currently offer cargo tights. Having lived in the SW for 12 years now, I am acclimated and truly hate being cold; I'm sure many here would laugh at what I wear to ride when it is 50 degrees out..
Mark_S wrote:I'll look forward to the PI version. The Rapha tights are ~350 USD here...!
I rode yesterday in tights and a winter jersey, also 50. No shame, and I wasn't the only one ;-)
That's the same price they are here. The La Passione cargo tights are $180 and if you sign up for their email barrage you'll get a 10% coupon and it still meets their free shipping threshold.. I can't imagine the PI's will be much if any less than that.
Hawaiian shirts in the summer and flannel shirts for the winter offer an extremely wide range of bombastic color choices for the swanky & urbane gravel cyclist.
La Passione has 30% off on some items today and tomorrow. Not sure which items are part of that but the blue cargo bibs are.. You can sign up and you'll get the code which is BF30..
SWGraveler wrote:La Passione has 30% off on some items today and tomorrow. Not sure which items are part of that but the blue cargo bibs are.. You can sign up and you'll get the code which is BF30..
Sportful also offers bib shorts & tights w' pockets. I have the shorts & like them but haven't worn them yet. Sized up one size to L over the size M that I wear in all other brands.
I really love these pants. They're super comfortable, allow you to move easy, ascent is unhindered. The pockets are dead the proper spots, excellent size for all types of things. I actually have several pairs of those and nearly each color. They work very faithful size, in my opinion. laundry is easy, simply flip them within out and thru them in with the color cleaning. The 5.11 whole of jeans is additionally spectacular and that I have purchased many pairs of those. The belts from 5.11 are nice as well. The brand gets high marks from me, I have ne'er had a retardant with something of theirs.
If you want to ride in street pants both 5.11 and Duluth Trading make good ones in light, flexible, quick-drying fabrics. Duluth makes trim sizes which fit me better and I'm not trying to hide any guns.
I mostly ride in bike messenger long shorts or knickers made by Chrome. They're expensive but are comfortable and wear very well.
