A newbie gear question

[Felix52]

Hi All

I'm in the process of collecting gear so I can start test-riding. I just bought a Dririder jacket and gloves, and am struggling to find a helmet (apparently my head only fits the expensive ones )

I'm looking for cordura pants, and was wondering if it's more normal to wear them over the top of other pants, or on their own. I'd likely be riding to work, so I could get changed into jeans once I got there, but it'd obviously be easier just to strip the top layer off. Does it mess with the comfort/safety to wear other pants underneath?

Cheers for the help

[<Rhino>]

I'm looking for cordura pants, and was wondering if it's more normal to wear them over the top of other pants, or on their own. I'd likely be riding to work, so I could get changed into jeans once I got there, but it'd obviously be easier just to strip the top layer off. Does it mess with the comfort/safety to wear other pants underneath?

Cheers for the help

Thats a good question, I've just got a pair of cordura pants. I just wear shorts under mine coz I get to hot and find too many pairs of pants = more restriction. I dont think it lessens their safety though??

[fatzx10r]

have a good shop around, you should be able to find a good helmet that fit's you and won't break the bank to much. i wear jean's or other layer's under my riding pant's when it's bloody cold or im going to work or what ever, not a problem

[FJRider]

Hi All

I'm in the process of collecting gear so I can start test-riding. I just bought a Dririder jacket and gloves, and am struggling to find a helmet (apparently my head only fits the expensive ones )

I'm looking for cordura pants, and was wondering if it's more normal to wear them over the top of other pants, or on their own. I'd likely be riding to work, so I could get changed into jeans once I got there, but it'd obviously be easier just to strip the top layer off. Does it mess with the comfort/safety to wear other pants underneath?

Cheers for the help

Regarding helmets... such always seems to be the way. Look around all the helmet outlets. How cheap is your head...???
Most of these type of pants have lining which can be removed without any safety issues. I wear similar gear with trou. underneath...no problems.

[TimeOut]

Shop around for helmets they all fit differently

I usually polyprop under my pants even in summer just take the thermal lining out then. For short trips I don't think it would matter what you wear under.

[Griffin]

Its a personal choice as to whether you wear other clothing beneath your gear. A lot of the time it depends on what you're doing or where you're going. I wear my work pants under my bike pants if Im going to work, jeans under it if Im going for a ride and might stop off and take the gears off (The bike pants for those of you with gutterminds ) and if its a hot sunny day and Im going for a cruise then I just wear shorts under my bikepants. Unless I just wear jeans and no bike pants for a shorter cruise.

When you try some on, try them with and without a pair of jeans / trousers and see if you find it constricts you too much.

[fizbin]

Helmets you could get a cheap one from onehunga... but like people say how cheap is you head.

as for the gear i commute every mornning and wear my work clothes underneath with no issues. once it get cold like it is now the gear gets a little on the tight side with a shirt, thick jumper, linings, and jacket but it is not uncomfertable just make sure that when you do buy you take into account that you may wear cloth underneath the paint and jacket.

[mazz1972]

Felix

Don't be fooled by the "cordura pants are breathable" line that the manufacturers spin. Most people do sweat in them since they are pretty much fully synthetic with a supposed "breathable" waterproof layer in between the outer and inner layers. Some do have zip airvents on the legs and in the jackets but you are hardly going to get full ventilation in the pants.

It is highly recommended to wear something underneath your pants - even on a stinking hot day I always wear a pair of thin track pants or the like underneath as I can't stand the "pants sticking to me" feeling and having to peel them off at the end of the ride.

I find a jacket ok, probably because you can get a bit more ventilation up sleeves, around neck/down back etc by loosening cuffs and usually you would be wearing at least a t shirt anyway.

You wont be washing a cordura jacket and/or pants all the time so if you wear nothing underneath and do get sweaty, the corduras might walk off by themselves, if you get my drift.

As someone else mentioned, bear in mind when trying on that you might want to wear extra layers underneath in winter so allow a big of room.

[DarkLord]

I have a pair of cordura pants which have a black warmer lining on the inside which can be removed, so I took out the lining and wear the corduras over the top of my jeans/work pants. I wouldn't worry about the heat aspect too much - I used to find it a bit hot as well but as time went on I got more and more used to it.

[captain_andrey]

I wear mine over jeans in winter, but I took the lining out as it was a tad hot. In summer its over shorts, but now that I have kevlar jeans I will probably just wear that.

[gunnyrob]

Be aware there is a gear sale on at motomail this weekend, so you may find cheaper gear there.

if you can afford it, get trou with removable linings. Keeps you warm in winter, and you won't die in summer. Trou with vents are even better.

In summer, some like wearing Draggin jeans that have kevlar around the knees and butt. If this seems like you, make sure you get the slip in soft knee armour that costs about another 30 bucks.

If you're feeling mercenary, get sized up for expensive helmets at your local store, then buy one for about half price from the USA. Plenty of on line stores, and some of the ladies stuff looks really hot.

[MarkH]

am struggling to find a helmet (apparently my head only fits the expensive ones

My advice:
Buy a good helmet that fits well. If it costs 6 hundy or whatever then take care of it, don't drop it, don't bin the bike. It should last you many years - you will feel the pain of parting with a wad of cash for a little while, but you will appreciate a good comfortable helmet for a long time.