Honestly, I was at a tri store today and these skimpy spandex shorts were like 55 dang bucks and the top that is hardly anything that goes with it was 50 bucks as well. Isn’t there like a cheaper brand that will do the trick just as well? It was a zoot outfit, which I guess is a high quality brand, but still, that is ridiculous.
no idea but same question as why bike tires are almost as epensive as car tires
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Because they can…
Give www.ghsports.com a try.
Why is other clothing so cheap?
I can only speak for some of the manufacturers in the technical sports apparel sector, but part of the cost is that some of the stuff is actually made here in North America by people making real North American wages.
Fleck
yeah, it’s getting pricy. I’m a big DeSoto fan and you can look for closeout deals on their website.
Just wait until Nike decides to sell tri stuff…
Have you ever seen the price on high end womens swimsuits or underwear? Dollars per gram they rival illegal drugs. They’re both probably worth the money too.
But certainly if you’re an iron distance triathlete, this can’t be the first time you’ve priced a pair of bike shorts. $50 for a pair of bike shorts is actually relatively low end. There are plenty of shorts over $100 and a couple over $200.
Why is other clothing so cheap?
Actually a very good point.
Guess we will have to wait for Wal Mart to get into the performance sports wear line.
Actually Walmart has some decent dry-max type short and long sleeve shirts for about $10.
surely you jest…
$55 is for the cheapo Performance shorts I am sure, try Castelli for some quality bibs
Try joining a cycling club, our has gear for much less than the mags, Squadra stuff, very nice. I run through $700+ worth of clothing a season (like 4 sets bib/jersey and 2 skinsuits, etc., depending on how much I crash) and this would be closer to $900-1000+ without the deal, I think.
Just got a great deal on Javelin team clothing, ordered 4 sets for $200 of the Sugoi tank/tri-shorts.
I wouldn’t go cheap on the shorts, but you can usually get an Under Armour sleeveless heat gear top for like ~20 bucks at Sports Authority. As long as you don’t need pockets those tops work really well. Plus then you can say stuff like “We must protect this house!” 
The higher end stuff does last a long time if you take good care of it. I have a closet full of Sugoi, bike run and tri gear from my days working there and 5 years on and it’s still in great shape.
I have seen cheap cycling shorts shredded in 2 - 3 washes. So it can often be a question of save money now and pay more later, or just get the good stuff now and enjoy it for years to come.
Fleck
I jest not. Made by Champion or somebody like that.
Usually the more expensive brands use higher quality fabric which really does cost the company more. But the thing to keep in mind is that you get more in terms of effectiveness and durability because of that better fabric. I have a lot of gear that I have used the hell out of and haven’t yet had to retire any clothing but shoes, socks, and sunglasses. If I buy some pearl izumi cycling shorts for $100 and they last 10 years I think it is worth every penny personally…
check out Performance Bike or Nashbar, you can get cheap cycling gear but the saddle sores seem to pop up more often, they wear out much faster, and they just don’t feel as nice.
join team javelin. you’ll get a sugoi tri suit for gratis.
or get a job at a tri/bike/running store and do a huge employee purchase order covering your needs for years to come…