I am a century rider in Houston, Texas who trains primarily for the MS150 which takes place in April. This means that most of my riding is done between October and April, which means I'm riding in temps down into the upper 30s at times( it doesn't get too cold in Southeast Texas).

The problem is that I can't find winter gear for big guys like myself (6' and 260 lbs.). I bought a Crossroads jacket and vest from Nashbar, and the vest fits great, but the jacket is too small.

Can anyone suggest a retailer that sells/makes jackets for big cyclist? I am on a budget, but would be happy to find anything that might fit someone with a 54-56 chest and a 44 waist.

I'm around your proportions and I live in Minnesota.

The bike specific manufacturers really are not that good at meeting cold weather needs. They are mostly developing for a warm weather activity so I don't expect them to be very good at it. Look for the people who are manufacturing for cold weather activities and get that stuff. Look for cross country ski and downhill ski wear. You'll find lots of choices and the size options are broader.

For value I get good results from Sierra Trading Post
Click this link
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/search_type.L2%7E4679/dept_id.L2~4679/size1./size2./gender.0/ShowImages.yes/sq.20/cont.1/header_title./special_type./sqlSearchStr./qx/prod_list_display.htm
It's men's sports wear long underwear (shirts and pants). I think you'll find your size and attractive prices in high tech fabrics.

Hope that helps
Scot

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/dept_id.L2~187/qx/prod_list_display.htm

Looks like they might have just what your looking for.

Biemme Coronado Winter Cycling Jacket (for Men)
This Biemme cycling jacket will keep you pedaling well into winter. Windproof and breathable shell has a soft thermal inner layer, a zippered rear pocket, and reflective trim.... More Detail
Price $79.95 Reg. $125.00 Save 36% # 25599

Size available: M, L, XL, 2XL, 4XL


Scot

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, the Biemme stuff runs quite small. Their XXXXL is still just an XL most places. I'll keep looking - Txroadie

Wow you train that much and are still 260? You must be one thick guy, I am a tad over 5'11" and weigh 160-162 haha.


Kyle

Wow you train that much and are still 260? You must be one thick guy, I am a tad over 5'11" and weigh 160-162 haha.


Kyle


Kyle, for pete's sake, grow up!! The world would be a much better place without a**holes like you.

that cycle clothing companies don't think that people our size ride bikes. I have found some xxl gear by Fox, IP and Cannondale that fits. I have a Bellweather vest that fits ( a little tight) that is a xl. I'm a 48" chest. I would like to try one of their xxl's, but so far have not found one to try on.

A Texas winter isn't that different than a Minnesota Spring/Fall. I wear high tech cold weather long sleve undershirts that I have for XC sking, a bike jersey over that and a non bike specific windbreaker over that. I was out last weekend in the low 30's (ice on the road when I left melted after the first 90 minutes or so) and wore an additional non bike specific polarfleece vest under the windbreaker and was fine while moving. I had arm warmers with me, but never felt the need to add them in the mix.

I wouldn't worry about getting bike apparel.

Scot

I'm 6'4" and 230, and I fit into an XL now, but I've lost about 40 pounds since July, so I know the problem.
Patagonia makes "Loose Tights" that in XL fit a 44-inch waist. They're expensive, but the Patagonia outlet in Reno does mail order, I'm pretty sure (it's down the street from my office, so I've never had to check), and at the twice-yearly sale they go for about $20 (50 percent off the 50 percent off outlet price). Those keep my legs warm down to 30 or so. REI also carries a lot of stuff in larger sizes, mostly not bike specific, but it works fine.
For the upper body, you can wear just about anything. Ross, the discount chain, often has XX and XXX fleece on its clearance racks, at least around here, and the prices are good--$10 to $25. That over a poly t-shirt with a shell on top (I've seen microfiber shells, windproof and water-resistant, for $20 at Ross, too), is good to the low 30s for me.
As somebody else said, bike stuff isn't made for us. A 6-foot, 170-pound guy is huge in this sport.

6'5" 270#... I understand

Kyle, for pete's sake, grow up!! The world would be a much better place without a**holes like you.

One of the reasons we have so many overweight children is that they don't face the peer ridicule like they used to. My sister was an overweight child and finally got tired of hearing the taunts and decided to lose the weight in high school by .....guess how, eating less and working out, it's magical. She's been without a weight problem ever since.

Wow Im sorry, that didn't come out near how it sounded in my head. I was referring to thick as muscular. I worked with a guy who had similar proportions, not fat, the dudes calves were the size of my head, he had trouble with regular clothes sometimes! Sorry to sound offending.

Kyle

One of the reasons we have so many overweight children is that they don't face the peer ridicule like they used to. My sister was an overweight child and finally got tired of hearing the taunts and decided to lose the weight in high school by .....guess how, eating less and working out, it's magical. She's been without a weight problem ever since.

At first I thought this was a red herring. Then, on second consideration, I realized it was just some jacka$$ flying the banner of stupidity. If ridule was her prime motivator, then I'd hate to see your sister's therapy bills.

It just pisses me off that you (as others have done) would make a sweeping generalization based on this guy's measurements. Some people were made to look like football players; others like cyclists. You automatically assume the guy is a real-life Michelin Man, and you haven't even seen him in person. Maybe he is; maybe not. But, I'll put a fat guy on a bike over a skinny guy with a bad attitude any day of the week.

Show some f@cking compassion: call your sister and tell her you love her. Then get off the fat kids' backs. Last thing any person needs is ridicule.


-O

Can anyone suggest a retailer that sells/makes jackets for big cyclist? I am on a budget, but would be happy to find anything that might fit someone with a 54-56 chest and a 44 waist.

I'm 6', 290lbs, almost the same dimensions you listed above.

Generally, I'm comfortable in anything Performance makes in a XXL or XXXL. This goes for jersey's, jackets/vests, and bib shorts. Nashbar has traditionally run smaller than Performance, for some reason so stick to Performance. The quality is acceptable, but not stellar, but they're cheap and they fit.

For cold weather riding on a budget, consider layering. I use REI's MTS midweight underwear as a base layer (rei.com, Item 656134). I haven't tried the bottom's yet (not quite cold enough). Anyway, a standard jersey over that and then a vest or lightweight jacket depending on weather. If the REI stuff is too pricey, then consider something akin to it from Sierra Trading Post.

For tights, I have used Nashbar's bib tights (For some reason the bibs are ok for sizing). They run a little tall in the upper body, but that's ok by me. Personally, I use a pair of custom-cut bib tights from Boure. Pretty expensive ($200), but comfy.

Don't forget long finger gloves and booties or some other shoe covers, and something to keep your ears warm.

Right now Performance is having a sale. Additionally both at Performance and REI, if you become a "member", you get 10% back (store credit at Performance, cash at REI).

If you have any questions, shoot me an email.

-O

At first I thought this was a red herring. Then, on second consideration, I realized it was just some jacka$$ flying the banner of stupidity. If ridule was her prime motivator, then I'd hate to see your sister's therapy bills.

It just pisses me off that you (as others have done) would make a sweeping generalization based on this guy's measurements. Some people were made to look like football players; others like cyclists. You automatically assume the guy is a real-life Michelin Man, and you haven't even seen him in person. Maybe he is; maybe not. But, I'll put a fat guy on a bike over a skinny guy with a bad attitude any day of the week.

Show some f@cking compassion: call your sister and tell her you love her. Then get off the fat kids' backs. Last thing any person needs is ridicule.


-O



Everything in this world can't be solved by hugging someone. Were raising a bunch of fat wimpy kids who by the time they reach adulthood have never had to face any difficult situations and are social cripples. I NEVER "assumed" anything about the original poster.

www.bikejerseys.com and www.bicyclinghub.com. They usually have 4, 5 and 6XL in team gear.

Everything in this world can't be solved by hugging someone. Were raising a bunch of fat wimpy kids who by the time they reach adulthood have never had to face any difficult situations and are social cripples. I NEVER "assumed" anything about the original poster.


Oh I'm sorry...my bad... I didn't realize this was a troll. But if it makes you feel better, I'll wave to you as I drive by you walking uphill in the show wearing barbed-wire shoes.

-O

Thanks for all of the tips.

I will give Perfomance a try. I agree with the comment about bibs being easier to find. I too have a pair from Boure and I love 'em. That's one of the first places I tried, because I remember that they made custom clothing. However, when I checked into it, I found out that they no longer offer custom fit services.

And for all of this talk about fat kids and fat adults, I'll throw in my two cents. I think the bigger issues relate to how kids are raised these days. When I was a kid, we used to spend all summer on our bikes riding all over the neighborhood, going to the pool, playing football or just being active. Now, kids often sit in front of the TV or play videogames alot. Part of the problem is that parents don't feel safe letting their kids roam the streets anymore. I have a one year old daughter, and I plan to get her involved in every sport that she will willingly participate in. I don't want her weight to be the defining issue in her life. It's tough to be a parent today, and even tougher to be a good one. I think raising a child that is confident in themselves and is proud of themselves will prevent this type of issue from dictating how a child lives, whether they are fat or not.

By the way, I am a mix of the football player build and the michelin man. I grew up playing football, and I use cycling to maintain some level of fitness. Believe it or not, I am the thin male in my family, as my Dad and brother are both well over 300 lbs. Also, my best friend and riding buddy is roughly the same size I am.

-txroadie

Wow Im sorry, that didn't come out near how it sounded in my head. I was referring to thick as muscular. I worked with a guy who had similar proportions, not fat, the dudes calves were the size of my head, he had trouble with regular clothes sometimes! Sorry to sound offending.

Kyle
Unless he's 10 foot tall a 44" waist means fat. Now if he said he had a 50+" chest and 36" waist then he'd be built like a brick sh*thouse.

Were raising a bunch of fat wimpy kids who by the time they reach adulthood have never had to face any difficult situations and are social cripples.
Woa. Who is "we"? I have taught 15-18 year olds for twenty-two years, and the vast majortiy of them are generally fit, tough-minded people. I've taught them, traveled with them internationally, SCUBA-dived with them, and cycled with them. Yes, staying fit is a national problem, but your generalization is way wide of the mark. - Jim

America is ensconced in a sort of psychotic body image schizophrenia. In the media all the models (role models) are "crack ho' skinny" -- no tits, no ass, and legs up to their armpits.

But you go ahead and order a Super Size meal at McD's and then sit down and look at the audience out there, not just in the dining room, look at the streets, in the stores.

America is FAT. FAT seems to be one of the major US health issues, right in there with smoking and dying. We're obsessed with the hard body image and living in the Michlen Man reality of the balloon tire belly.

And so there's a dialectic going on, of sorts. You'll see it in here more than most places. Roadies with 6% body fat, and people who ride and are working at getting under 300 lbs.

As for clothes. You can buy good stuff that fits if you let go of the idea that it needs to be "cycling" clothes. Spandex skin suits are great for racing, but most riders just need decent shorts and warm clothes. Lots of great warm clothing out there that works, but it's not specific to cycling.

I'd look at hiking, kayaking, camping, boating clothing.