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Men's Quest Shorts
$60.00
$15.00
MEN'S ROAD CYCLING FOR BEGINNERS
RIDE LONGER FROM DAY ONE.
New to road? Start here. We'll kit you in essentials that vanish in motion - fit, layers, and comfort dialed - so your first miles feel simple, fast, and honest. No fluff, just function, built for riders who'd rather ride than talk about it.
Start simple: the right kit, fit, and layers so your first road miles feel easy.
START HERE
What to buy first
| First ride | First month | First season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottoms | Padded shorts or bibs | A second pair so one is always clean | Thermal tights for cold days |
| Tops | Any jersey that fits close | A base layer | A thermal jersey |
| Hands and feet | Cycling shoes | Gloves and cycling socks | Winter gloves and shoe covers |
| Outerwear | Skip it, or borrow one | A packable wind jacket | A water-shedding shell |
You can ride in whatever you already own. Padded shorts change the experience more than anything else on this list, so if you buy one thing, buy those.
SHORTS & BIBS
Shorts or bibs? Your call. Shorts stop at the waist; bibs use shoulder straps to ditch the waistband, ease breathing, and keep the chamois locked where it should be. The chamois - breathable, multi-density foam - smooths road buzz while compressive panels support muscles and fight chafe. Yes, bibs can slow a pit stop, but for long road miles they're the comfort pick. Pro tip: wear them next to skin - no underwear.
JERSEYS
Your jersey should vanish: sleek fit, fast-wicking fabric, a drop-tail for coverage, and low rear pockets you can hit without looking. It's also your signature - colors and graphics that play with your socks and lid. Fit guide: Form-Fit for aero, slightly compressive, zero flap; Standard Fit for close-to-body without the squeeze; Relaxed for extra room to move.
GLOVES
Hands are one of three contact points - treat them right. Go light padding to mute road buzz without dulling feel; too much pad = sloppy grip and faster fatigue. Fingerless for hot days. Full-finger for wind, wet, and cooler temps so you can still work the levers. Our 3D-shaped pads place pressure relief exactly where you rest on the bar - more control, less numb.
SHOES
Your power starts at your feet. A proper road shoe is stiff for clean power transfer, snug (not tight) with wiggle room up front, and a locked-in heel that doesn't lift. Classic road soles (nylon or carbon) run sleek and efficient with 3-bolt cleats - fast on the bike, awkward on foot. Not ready to commit? A gravel-friendly shoe is the one-quiver move: walkable tread, 2-bolt cleats, still plenty stiff, and it won't kill your road vibe.
JACKETS & VESTS
Stay warm, stay (mostly) dry. Unless you live in rain, skip "waterproof" sweat buckets and carry a light, DWR-treated wind jacket instead. Snug fit = no flap, packs to a pocket fast. BioViz® details pop in low light. Start with the Quest Barrier Convertible: relaxed fit, blocks wind, shrugs off light rain, and the sleeves zip off when the temps spike or the descent bites.
BASELAYERS
A baselayer will help keep you in the comfort sweet spot as temperatures fluctuate, but especially in cooler weather. They fit close to the body, under your bib straps, and pull sweat quickly off your skin. In warmer temps when you're sweating more a baselayer will improve your cooling, to a point. We don't recommend them above 90. In cooler weather, the baselayer keeps you dryer and warmer. Choose a polyester Transfer base for all condition use, or cozy Merino wool for cooler rides.
WARMERS
Rides often start early and end some 20 degrees later. Arm warmers and leg warmers slip over limbs, allowing you to adjust your thermostat as the temperatures change. They are easy to pull off and tuck away into the jersey with little fuss. Like bibs and jerseys, arm and leg warmers come in a variety of sizes. Find the right fit for your guns, as you don't want the warmers to slip off. To help prevent them from falling down, layer arm and leg warmers under the jersey and bibs.
SOCKS
Socks are not just another way to dial in your look; bright colors help drivers see you. They come in many lengths, and around 7 inches at mid shin is the current road standard. Whatever height you choose, skip cotton, which holds sweat and causes blisters.
Men's Road Cycling Beginner FAQs
What do I actually need for my first road ride?
Padded shorts or bibs and a jersey. That is genuinely it. Everything else on this page improves the experience, but those two change it. Ride in trainers and any gloves you own until you know you are sticking with it.
Do I really need padded shorts?
Yes, sooner than you think. A road saddle is narrow by design, and without a chamois your sit bones take the pressure directly. Most riders find anything over about an hour uncomfortable in unpadded shorts.
Shorts or bibs when starting out?
Either works. Bibs use shoulder straps instead of a waistband, which eases breathing and keeps the chamois locked in place on longer rides. Shorts are quicker to get on and off. Both use the same chamois, so it comes down to preference.
Do I need cycling shoes to start?
No. Flat pedals and trainers are a fine way to begin, and plenty of riders stay there. Cycling shoes add stiffness for better power transfer and a locked-in heel, which matters more as your rides get longer.
Do I wear underwear under cycling shorts?
No. Shorts and bibs are designed to be worn next to skin. The chamois manages moisture and friction, and underwear seams create exactly the pressure points and chafing the chamois is there to prevent.
What should I wear on a cold morning ride?
A base layer, your jersey, and a packable wind jacket, plus full-finger gloves. Dress so you feel slightly cool at the start, because you will warm up within a few miles, and carry the jacket for descents.
How should my first kit fit?
Closer than feels natural. Cycling kit is cut for the riding position, not for standing up, so it can look odd off the bike and feel right on it. A jersey should lie flat without flapping, and shorts should feel supportive with no sag.