Clothing

TheBandit

Hi, I commute from tallaght to blancardstown from work and am going to begin training for the wicklow 200. I was just wondering are cycling clothes, tights etc. necessary and what is their benefit. I was looking for articles on the net but only found reviews. Any advice or links would be appreciated.
Cheers

Raam

Benefits: comfortable over longer distances (padded shorts) , tighter fit for aero advantage. Have pockets for storage and ease of access to food.

Lumen

FWIW I just got some dhb finchdean bib shorts and a jersey, and they're disappointing given the price and rave reviews. The pad in the shorts is uncomfortable, the inside thigh/grippers are ill-fitting, and the jersey feels unexceptional.

Biggest advantage for me is the heat retention and how the material doesn't make your back all sweaty. And the pockets at the back are handy too.

dave.obrien

the difference between sports gear in general and cycling gear in terms of what it does is pretty nominal: if you compare an under-jersey/base layer for soccer to a cycling one, they do the same thing, remove sweat from beside your skin so you don't get cold. this is pretty important for a cycle where you might be out for 4+ hours, especially if the route has some downhills where you won't be working hard, and a lot of air will be hitting you. the advantage of cycling specific gear is in the fit, and the padding. a cycling jersey will protect your kidneys from the cold, shorts will keep your behind a bit happier and the general tightness reduces drag.

i'm not one for spending loads on it though, i just pick up stuff when i get it on the cheap, and have recycled my base layers from rugby, with a cycling jersey over that to keep the kidneys from giving out to me.

jebidiah

dave.obrien wrote: »

a cycling jersey will protect your kidneys from the cold

huh? really? is that a specific design feature on better jerseys (i just have a few aldi ones)

dave.obrien

even the aldi ones came down low on your back, which helps your lower back from getting cold. this is where your kidneys are, if my biology is right! having gone out cycling in non-cycling tops, you'd notice the difference between having a big air vent at the bottom and not.

BostonB

I've noticed is that cycling gear tends to be windproof and water resistant. Other sports gear generally isn't. Its also smaller and lighter for keeping in a bag. Personally I don't like tight fitting stuff, and I haven't really got base layers working for me.

NeilMcEoigheann

less "flappyness"

TheBandit

I borrowed my brothers cycling trousers(of the aldi variety) today. I was really impressed I have to say. They were comfortable if unflattering. I enjoyed the cycle more with them on and they are indeed less flappy. The bum cushion was an added bonus too

Ghost Rider

In the future, one can only hope that evolution will provide us with some kind of built-in foam perineum protector.

TheBandit wrote: »

The bum cushion was an added bonus too

Vélo

Lumen wrote: »

FWIW I just got some dhb finchdean bib shorts and a jersey, and they're disappointing given the price and rave reviews. The pad in the shorts is uncomfortable, the inside thigh/grippers are ill-fitting, and the jersey feels unexceptional.

I got these also and don't think much of them. The padding on them feels a bit like cardboard or something like that. I bought them after reading the reviews aswell. I suppose it just has to be Assos from now on and maybe a bit of Rapha.