(Part 2) Top products from r/ladycyclists

I am a very plus sized girl with a very big butt.

I have used many different saddles, but have finally settled on a Brooks B17s.

Don't fall into the "my butt is big so I obviously need this super wide saddle" thing. It's not true and who cares if your butt completely swallows the saddle, as long as it's comfortable for you.

Brooks saddles can be expensive and since you're a beginner, I doubt you want to pay that much for a saddle. My second favorite has been a Selle Respiro.

When I started out, I didn't use padded shorts. Once I did start to use them, it was a life saver. I am now at the point where I don't need to use them, but I will if I know i'm riding for a longer period of time or if I do two semi-long rides two days in a row.

Plus sized womens cycling clothing is a little hard to come by at a good price sometimes, so I ended up buying some men's padded shorts. My favorite so far has been these Canari shorts. I am pretty big with really big thighs and a 2x fits me pretty well.

With these shorts, you'll probably want to use some anti-chafing cream. I use Her Butt'r, but I'm sure anything you find at your bike shop should suffice. I haven't ever used anything else, so I don't know how they compare.

I found this company called Aerotech Designs that does some plus sized womens cycling clothing. My favorite shorts are these commuter shorts, which i'm actually wearing right now, because i'm about to go for a ride.

As an overweight person, your first instinct might be to wear loose clothing and you're obviously welcome to find out for yourself, but tighter fitting clothes are definitely better while riding. As long as you're comfortable and safe, it doesn't matter what you wear, though.

Also, this has nothing to do with weight or size, but since you're a beginner and i've already typed a large wall of text, I thought i'd throw it in there. I'm assuming you'll be using flat pedals. Make sure the shoes you choose to wear don't have a super cushy sole. You want something that is a little harder. I still use flats and I wear trail running shoes. These Nike Air Terra Kigers in particular. They are kind of expensive, but the sole is nice and hard, but still comfortable. Plus, the sole is very grippy and provides extra slip resistant while using the flat pedals. And they're great for when I want to get off the bike and walk through the woods.

On top of these things:
-Make sure your bike fits you. It won't matter what you wear or what seat you have, if your bike doesn't fit you.

-Give it some time. You will be sore at first no matter what seat you use and what padded shorts you wear. But it's worth it.

-If your hands get sore, try looking in to some grips that give you different hand position choices. I used Ergon grips until I got a bike with drop bars.

-Also, going off the last one, don't be afraid of drop bars if you do get more into cycling and start looking at different bikes. I have a touring bike which has a more upright geometry than most road bikes and I love it.

That's all I can think of right now. I know I wrote a huge wall of text, so I apologize if it's too much. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Also, I just want to add that I don't get money for those Amazon links or anything. I just buy a lot of stuff from Amazon so I had the stuff in my purchase history lol

I ride for fun, commute, and used to deliver and my gear essentials are

• A floor pump for presta and shraeder valves (if you go on long rides far from your place, it's worth it to have some CO2 canisters if you don't want a frame mounted pump since they don't ever get your tube up to the right PSI)
  
• 2 Tire levers
  
• patch kit
  
• spare tube
  
• chain gauge
  
• multi tool allen wrench set. this is the one i have, any will do.
  
• Toe cages/straps or if you've got the $$$ then clipless pedals and shoes
  
• Helmet
  
• Pizza rack/panniers for lugging stuff around
  
• Gloves (I've got 3 pairs, one for sub zero temps, one for 30-45, and one for lining or any time it's sort of too chilly to ride but not yet 45) A good alternative though is barmitts, which I've used and enjoyed. If you have drop bars though, it prevents you from using the drops so I don't recommend them for that.
  
• a good rain coat and possible rain pants. try a military surplus or hunting store and get one of their waterproof pant and jacket over wear things. Never had one but several of my coworkers did and it worked so well.
  
• helmet
  
• bike lights!!! i'd go w/ the cygolight rechargeable ones, but any front and rear should do
  
• a u lock or chain lock
  
• a rag and bottle of chain lube so u can clean your chain!! (if you don't know how then: peddle so your chain is moving and make sure to hold the rag in place so it cleans not only the sidewalls but the rollers as well, for very gritty chains use a toothbrush. when all the grit is gone, take your bottle of chain lube and hold it maybe at a 45 degree angle or something where the cassette/freewheel is and while peddling make sure to apply lube on the rollers not the sideplates. once you've done that, wipe it down with a rag a little bit (not as much as the first time), and you're good to go. Do this maybe once a week, or every time it rains)
  
  if you're not into racks then definitely consider a fanny pack or backpack that's waterproof to store essentials you don't want to get ruined if you're riding in the rain. check out montrose stitchery, she's awesome and local to me and totally worth it.
  Other than that, for fun stuff if you've got money to blow there's things like boombotics or other bluetooth speakers, a really pricey but still comfortable for you saddle (i'm talking brooks offerings especially the cambium or like the titanico selle anatomica), a second bike, bike tools (stand, spoke wrenches, metric wrench set, 3rd hand tool (for adjusting brakes when no one else is around to help you)), and any time I get a flat I like to keep those tubes and cut the valve part out so I can use them to tie stuff down or to replace bad upholstery on chairs.
  
  Sorry if that's a lot, I just thought I'd comment since bikes are kind of my job and then also a huge hobby for me.
  
  EDIT: Definitely check out co-ops, I actually volunteer at one in my city and we have a ton of stuff. Other than that, I like to check out ebay, occasionally performance bike (but i really try to support my LBS because of my friends), craigslist, and nashbar.com.
  

I like this style of balaclava for full out winter riding.

1. Full coverage. Ears! Neck! Mouth & Nose!
   
   
2. I can move it off my mouth & nose after I warm up - maybe a mile into my ride. I can also put it back over at long stop lights with ease.
   
   
3. 0F Outside - I still sweat. I don't like the fleece ones because I am gross.
   
   I use ear warmer head bands or handkerchief over my ears in the 40-50F range. I heard wonderful things about the 180 - but personally haven't used them because I have a Bern Helmet and don't think it would be very comfortable under it.
   
   *Reference - I bike in Chicago about 5.5 mile one way trip (on the streets - it is chillier on our wonderful Lake Front Trail).

Can I get some advice for a bike saddle? I'm looking at these -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015RASS6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A1JCLQZW8GDOJ4&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C17N9I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1JCLQZW8GDOJ4&psc=1

My sit bones tend to get really sore - maybe at around 15ish miles(right now I'm using a huge comfort bike seat which isn't really helping my performance I think). I'd love something supportive and useful.

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Do I need a regular pump and hand pump for my tires? How often do you check/pump your tires? Should I just bring c02 cartridges while I'm out riding? I have used foam tires in the past so I am pretty clueless on this...

I just bought a Liv Alight 3 bike. I was in the same boat that I didn't want to spend much and wanted the bike to be comfortable. Liv is made by Giant, so if you find a bike shop that sells that brand, take it for a test drive. I swapped out the seat for a $30 seat on Amazon that is much more comfortable and I've been doing 8-9 mile rides comfortably.

Speaking from experience you absolutely don't want to shave it off since when you're riding it will increase the friction between your lady bits and your bib/shorts and be uncomfortable for the duration of the ride. Also if you're riding when it starts growing back in, the hairs will stick through the shorts and create an very uncomfortable feeling.

For a longer ride I recommend buying a good chamois cream and applying it directly on your inner thighs, and around your bum and other high friction areas.

I personally use the Assos Chamois Cream on a regular basis and absolutely love it. I've also had the same jar of it for close to 2 years and still have a lot left.

Since Tuilere recommended a thicker pad, here's a pair that's not super expensive, but still has a thick pad: http://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Panel-Professional-Cycling-Shorts/dp/B00545PNWG/ref=pd_ys_iyr23. It's like wearing two mega maxi pads. lol.

https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-No-Pressure-Bicycle-Seat/dp/B000DZGLVY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1475097746&sr=8-8&keywords=bike+seat

That would be my recommendation, especially since you are just doing short rides/riding for pleasure. I had one awhile back and found it pretty easy on the pubic bone, once you got used to the weird feel of no center piece.

We're similar, you and I!

I'm strongly considering a peg board for my tools and such, because I think it looks nicer and keeps stuff handy.

Right now most of our spare parts are in boxes and a cloth shopping bag. We're considering a drawer system, kinda like this one or something like that on the wall.

I’ve also seen things like this Cross Bar adapter at my local bike shop. Could be helpful?

I was also skeptical about bike shorts and now I love them. I wear them so much that I've been washing them about three times a week. Here are the ones I use, they are about $20.ea : http://www.amazon.com/Canari-Cyclewear-Womens-Padded-Cycling/dp/B001K50ZSG/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1406746849&sr=8-6&keywords=canari+bike+shorts

Vmagic is, well, magic.

I have a similar rack and we just hang my bike a bit inclined (I have a sloping top tube, not full step through). However, I know there's a frame adapter for these things, haven't used it personally https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Bicycle-Carriers-64005-Adapter/dp/B000YZG8JS

HTH

I have the Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow and rode it all the way across the USA. Plan on putting it on my new bike to ride across Canada this summer. But everyone is different so you have to test ride a saddle before committing.

Also, the reviews at REI for the Lady Flow are so-so...

Hy husband and i both use the Cateye Wireless Computer

Its also a bit more accurate than Strava, i feel anyways.

this thing. I feel so wrong posting this here because I am not a woman, I feel like I've just joined a conversation in the ladies restroom when sneaking to use one of the stalls because the guys bathroom was at capacity. I swear I'm not a creep, bye.

GPS or the pedals?

I use these for pedals on both my road bike and hybrid. Shimano PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform Bike Pedal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MZ2AGO?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf I found shoes at a local bike shop for $100. I definitely say to try them on before buying.

As for the GPS— I bought a used Garmin Edge 500 for $50 from someone in my bike club. Prior, I used Strava on my phone but it was a real battery killer.