So, you are thinking to get serious about cycling. You’ve seen people wearing cycling clothing and you have casually browsed cycling gears at the store. You probably wondered why do these clothes look that way? How do I even pick them?
Here is everything you need to know about cycling apparel.
Jersey
Cycling jerseys are made to wick moisture, improve speed and provide wind resistance. They are usually made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, or natural materials such as Merino Wool. These materials eliminate moisture quickly to absorb sweat and retain warmth. They also keep jerseys in fitted shapes, which allows riders to cycle without being dragged by the wind.
Jerseys feature pockets in the back, where cyclists are able to store small items such as snacks and extra tubes. The cut for shoulders are wider for cycling jerseys than regular tops in order to accommodate the arm-forward position. The back of the jersey is longer than the front for extra back coverage when cycling. Some jerseys also feature reflective trims for those who ride at nights.
In summer, short sleeves or sleeveless jerseys are desirable due to its moisture wicking ability. Long sleeves jersey with thermal fabrics are available to keep cyclists warm. Finally, zipper lengths also vary from full length to just a few inches in order to provide different levels of ventilation.
Jackets
There are three main factors to consider when choosing cycling jackets — wind, water and warmth.
Many cycling jackets are made from polyester or nylon. They block wind and keep jackets lightweight. They can even be folded to a small pocket for easy storage.
Furthermore, it is also important for cycling jackets to be waterproof so that cyclists are protected during rainy weather. However, keep in mind that waterproofness and breathability are tradeoffs, especially for cycling jackets made from less expensive materials.
Finally, cycling jackets provide another layer of insulation. However, due to the importance of windproof, waterproof and weight, most cycling jackets only offer limited insulation. To keep warm, cyclists usually rely on base layers under their jerseys and tights.
Just as jerseys, cycling jackets have longer rear cuts for more back coverage. They also often offer more protection at shoulder and front area for more protection against wind and water. Some jackets can be converted to vests with zippers at sleeves. You may also see jackets with hoods that are large enough to fit helmets in the hood. These hoods are specially designed to offer better peripheral visions when cycling compared to regular jackets.
Bottoms
Cycling bottoms may look weird, but they are important for serious riding. It wicks moisture, enable movements, and improve comfort at the crotch area.
To best enable movements, cycling bottoms are constructed with panels. Higher-end bottoms usually consist of 8–12 panels. These panels ensure a comfortable fit to your legs. Also, padded linings are also important for cycling bottoms. With pads built in in the crotch area, the bottom will wick moisture, decrease friction and relieve sore.
You may also notice that many cyclists choose to wear bib shorts instead of regular shorts. That is because bib shorts do not have waist bands, which allows the waist area to feel more comfortable when in the riding position. Bib shorts also decrease potential frictions between the pad to your body, which, again, provides additional comfort when riding.
Besides shorts, cyclists also wear tights during cold weather so that their entire legs are covered. These tights blocks wind, and usually feature reflective fabric to boost visibility for night rides.
Shoes
Compare to regular exercise shoes, cycling shoes are a lot more stiff so that paddling can be easier. Ensuring a comfortable fit is critical when choosing cycling shoes, because the stiffness will further worsen the discomfort when the shoe has a poor fit. Mountain bike shoes are less stiff than road bike shoes and feature rubber soles for better grip when walking.
Clipless cycling shoes have holes for cleats on the bottom, which allow cyclists to snap into pedals. Cleats are usually supplied with pedals, not shoes. It’s also important to be aware of the number of holes the shoes have, as it needs to be compatible with the style of the pedal.
Clipped shoes can be directly attached to pedals. The advantage of these shoes are that they facilitates more steady power transfer, making going up and downhills more easily.
Accessories
Gloves — hand protection is important when cycling. Cycling gloves wicks sweat from your hands and protect them against wind. Moreover, they have pads that eliminate frictions between your hands and the handlebar, and reduce vibration in order to protect your waists. There are also gloves designed for warmth with an additional lining inside the gloves for cold climate.
Hats — keeping the head warm is essential when cycling in cold weather. Hats need to be able to fit under the helmet. Many cyclists choose thin beanies, headbands, short-brimmed caps and neck tubes.
Leg/arm warmers — these warmers are useful during winter. They are usually made from a fleece and are smaller in size, so that you can pack them in your pocket. By wearing these warmers, you can convert your short-sleeve jersey and cycling shorts into long-sleeve jersey and tights.
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