To think male cyclists can be fat but female cyclists can't?

[csigeek]

Looking for padded shorts to wear, I'm on the larger side and they come up small so I'm looking really for at least a size 18 and all the mainstream cycle clothing companies cater only for up to size 16.
So I look for men's instead....most of theirs go up to 4XL! What the actual?
So if you're a woman and you want to get fit through cycling then tough you can't wear the proper clothing, but if you're a man then go ahead!
Is it me or that actually unfair?

Less demand, so demand & supply? I could ask a friend about what she buys to cycle in (size 18+), but that would feel rude. You should just buy what fits & don't care if it's tagged male or female?

(no, I don't find 'female' shorts to be a nicer fit than blokes ones).

Mens clothing options have always been better. Look at the difference in quality between mens warm coats and womens shitty fashion coats. Ditto jeans and hoodies. I habe taken to buying mens tshirts and hoodies because sizes and materials are much better quality. Is so unfair.

This is sportswear generally. At a size 14 I find I'm often bigger than a large in most gym kit. Yesterday my daughter tried on 2 swimming costumes. The age 14 was too baggy but the age 16 (exact same style) was too tight as presumably now needing to be a thin woman.

I'm a size 18 and have cycled a lot. I found that a pair of bib-shorts would be much more comfortable than shorts, they don't cut you in the middle and are much more forgiving.
Don't be put off by all the websites selling them having the models topless in the photos (wiggle.com I'm looking at you!) they really are a much better fit for a larger cyclist!

Are bollocks/gouches more vulnerable to saddle-bump than vulvas/perineums? Maybe, but I suspect as you do that the actual answer is a delightful cocktail of sexism and sizeism. Maybe order some mens to try on?

Try 'Fat Lad at the Back' - they have a women's section too and include larger sizes. Not cheap though

@Verbena87 lots of women have issues with saddles.

Liv make some clothing in larger women's sizes (up to 48 inch hips - that must be bigger than a 16?). They also have models of different sizes on the website so you can see how it would look on someone who's not skinny.

Second fat lass at the back suggestions. Unless you have a man's bottom, mens shorts might not fit you.
Suspect it's to do with supply and demand. There are far more male cyclists anyway, but fat women are probably too self conscious to wear lycra, whereas fat men just don't care

The issue of sportswear for over size 16s came up on Women's Hour this week.

I’m a size 14/16 cyclist, and usually have to size up in cycling gear. I get my shorts from

Fat Lad and Lass at the Back (the name is very tongue in cheek and the branding very subtle]]. They go up to a size 24 I think.

Pearl Izumi I wear an L, so if yes 16/18 would be an XL

My best ever cycling shorts, in which I rode 100 miles in a day, are from Rapha. They were stupendously expensive. I wear an XL, so not sure if they is a larger size.

You could try contacting Velo Vixen who specialise in women’s cycling kit, and can advise on how different brands/styles fit.

I also prefer bib shorts.

I was also going to suggest fat lass at the back they start at size 14 and go up to size 26.

I think it's a problem in a lot of sports clothing retailers - generally, women get far less choice and what there is has got to have pink on it. Martial arts stuff particularly bad for this - suits only available in a men's cut, pink fucking boxing gloves, women's chest guards in a range of 3 whole sizes, etc etc.

Sorry OP, not helpful, but had to have a rant.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Am new to cycling so finding it a minefield and a little unfair!
Maybe if I can cycle enough to get rid of some mumtum (aka cake belly) then I'll fit in more clothing!!

Lol @oldsockeater you're right the MAMIL's just don't care! Haha

Fat Lass at the Back (FLAB!) clothing is brilliant. I’m not much of a cyclist but I have one of their tri suits and it’s top quality material. I’m a size 14 so can get into some other sports clothing ranges too - albeit as an XL and their tri suit was by far the best.

Fat Lad at the Back are brilliant, and their stuff is cut with actual boob room. Its fantastic quality as well

TBH, theres not an awful lot of choice for large blokes either - my Dh is 6'3 and can only buy from a very few places as its cut so small