Bike Clothes Guide
To really enjoy your cycling and get the most out of it you need to be comfortable. Your equipment and what you wear plays a big part in that.Shorts
Shorts are the number one purchase for cycling comfort. Cycle shorts have an insert or chamois that creates some extra cushioning between you and the saddle. They are anatomically shaped to prevent chaffing or pressure points.
While Lycra shorts may not be the most flattering look cyclists wear them for a reason – there is nothing to rub, chafe or catch on any moving parts. They provide complete freedom of movement for the legs and are cool when you are exercising hard. However if Lycra really isn’t your scene there is a large range of ‘baggy’ or leisure shorts that have a thin Lycra short with insert inside the more relaxed looking baggy outer. This way you can be comfortable and stylish whether on your bike or enjoying a pint.
Layering
The most effective way to stay warm and dry when pedaling is to layer up. As you get warmer layers can be removed to maintain a comfortable body temperature. The most significant is the base layer worn next to the skin. From that you can build up with either a short-sleeved jersey for summer or long sleeve for winter. Man-made fabrics have the best wicking ability.
Styles of clothing vary depending on the type of riding you aim to do. A traditional road jersey will feature a high collar, mid-length zip and back pockets for your food and tools. These are tight fitting not just for aerodynamics but for comfort as they stretch and move with your body.
There are also plenty of casually styled jerseys that still feature the most up to the minute technical materials - but without looking like you are off to ride the Tour de France.
During spring and autumn it can be hard to decide what the weather is going to do, it might be just too chilly for short sleeves but too warm for long. At this time of year a vest (also know as a gillet) is a great intermediate product – it protects your chest from wind and rain but without being as warm as a full jacket.
Base Layers
What you wear immediately next to your skin plays a critical role in keeping you warm and dry. There is no point investing £100 on a waterproof outer layer if you team it with a plain cotton T-shirt. Base layers are specially designed to ‘wick’ sweat away from the skin – this means it carries the moisture through its fibres to the next layer of clothing to be dispersed to the air. If you wear a plain cotton T-shirt next to your skin it will end up damp from sweat and wearing breathable outer layers is wasted.
Wearing a base layer or jersey made from breathable wicking material enables your body’s thermoregulation system to work properly. By leaving sweat on the skin your body stops producing moisture and you gradually over heat, moving moisture away from the skin enhances the cooling effect of evaporation. In winter a warm base layer is invaluable as not only does it help move sweat it helps trap warm air close to your body as part of a layering system.
Eye Wear
Sunglasses and clear glasses are an essential part of your safety equipment and not just a fashion statement. Wearing glasses protects your eyes from flying insects or any debris thrown up by your wheels. They also help stop rushing wind which can make your eyes water. Glasses can also be fitted with different lenses to enhance your visibility.
Lenses come in a variety of tints, from brown for sunny days through to clear or yellow lenses which enhance visibility on cloudy days. Some styles of glasses allow lenses to be changed for different conditions so are one of the best choices if you are riding daily. Look for lenses that wrap around the face to provide optimal protection from grit and wind rush while keeping your peripheral vision as clear as possible.
Shoes
The first thing to consider when purchasing shoes is whether you want to use them with a clipless pedal system – where a cleat on your shoes locks you into your pedals – or with flat pedals.
If you choose flat pedals any shoe with a grippy sole such as a trainer or skate shoe is fine if you are only pedaling short distances, If you will be riding your bike for longer and want a shoe pedal combination that offers a bit more control and performance a clipless pedal system is your best choice.
A clipless pedal system consists of a cycling specific shoe with a cleat fitted to the sole, which then ‘attaches’ to a pedal with a binding mechanism (similar in concept to a ski binding). The benefits of being attached to your bike via this system is that it increases your control (shoes can’t easily slip off the pedals) and the amount of power that is transferred to the bike is increased. Clipless pedal systems are very safe allowing the rider to ‘unclip’ by twisting their foot sideways.
Shoes to use with cleats and pedals range from trainer style shoes with soft soles and recessed cleats so you can stroll straight into the café to carbon soled super stiff shoes for the racing cyclist. If you are commuting or want to keep a casual image a flat shoe with recessed cleat is the way forward – if you will only be riding your bike then a more performance orientated shoe will suit you.
Winter Clothing
Modern technical clothing is so advanced that cold wet weather is no longer an excuse for not riding! Outer garments made of materials such as Gore-Tex are as close as you can come to waterproof and a well fitting, well-designed jacket will keep you dry in the wettest of conditions.
On days that are simply cold, not wet, a thermal jacket is ideal. The best material is a Windstopper fabric. This fabric is lightweight and easy to wear but will keep out even arctic gales. Look for jackets that have ventilation zips under the arms or on the front of the body so that you can control your temperature.
Whether you are wearing a thermal jacket or wet weather gear you need to be wearing the right material next to your skin. Layering is the key to winter comfort. Base layers need to be lightweight and wick sweat easily away from your skin – if they don’t you will end up damp and clammy however good your outer layer is. Base layers come in a variety of weights and materials, picking the right one will ensure that you stay a comfortable temperature throughout your ride. If it is very cold the best thing to do is slip on another layer between your base and jacket, a mid-weight fleece or long sleeve jersey is ideal. Layers need to be close fitting to trap a warm pocket of air close to your body and to allow any moisture to pass through to the next layer.
Tights may look odd (and some men feel self-conscious in them) but their close fitting, fast drying material is perfect for winter. Fleece lined Lycra tights keep the legs warm but remain stretchy
for ease of pedaling. Some tights are treated to help the water bead and run off rather than soak through the material. These are ideal for wet days. Wearing ordinary trousers on a bike in the wet can be very uncomfortable as they chafe and become heavy with water. If you commute or don’t want to wear tights the next best thing is a set of waterproof over trousers that pull on over your ordinary clothes to protect them.
Hands and feet can get really cold in the winter and however warm your body is if your extremities are cold you won’t be comfortable. Gore-Tex, neoprene and Windstopper are used to good effect in gloves and over shoes.
Cycling specific winter gloves will give you mobility in your fingers and thumbs to use brake and gear levers.
Overshoes are similar to large socks that pull on over your cycling shoes.
