Cycling Gear Question - Sweat

jArgHA

Hello all I'm new to cycling and just started cycling to and from work every day recently (4 mile trip each way). I just had a general question - I tend to sweat a lot on the journey and when I arrive I have a change of clothes before starting work. However I was just wondering whether there is any kind of gear available that can be worn to basically absorb sweat as you cycle...?

I reckon I will always need a change of clothes on arriving at work, but if there was something I could wear to help absorb the sweat it would be great as even my jacket is wet on inside after a trip.

Lumen

Wear fewer clothes.

ednwireland

Lumen wrote: »

Wear fewer no clothes.

fyp

Morgan

Cycle slower.

And wear fewer/no clothes.

Raam

Walk with the bike.

And wear fewer/no clothes.

daragh_

Lumen

Daragh, that saddlebag is obscene.

ThisRegard

What clothing are you currently wearing ?

edit: that sounds perverted doesn't it, like one of those heavy breathing phone calls the wimmin get.

Raam

ThisRegard wrote: »

What clothing are you currently wearing ?

edit: that sounds perverted doesn't it, like one of those heavy breathing phone calls the wimmin get.

You sound like a very polite, matter of fact caller.

Surveyor11

You're going to have to embrace sweat as a cyclist, but it's what happens to this that is important. As the weather gets colder, you don't want it remaining on your skin as this will cool you down. You'd be surprised how little clothing you need when cycling. It's all about layering and not being too overly insulated. But then again your cycle is relatively short, so you may get away with just wearing less under your jacket - experiment with different combos and bring an additional layer in your bag in case you get it wrong!

You'll see many recommendations on this forum for clothing - one thing, avoid cotton as it will absorb sweat. People talk about a base layer (merino / synthetic), jersey then a windproof and breathable jacket as being sufficient for this time of the year. You can spend a modest to a huge amount, but I would say buy the best you can afford - I scour the like of Chain reaction, wiggle, etc as well as the likes of TK Maxx for bargains. I also found this useful:

http://www.grantthornton.ie/Publications/Guide-to-cycling

jArgHA

FFS I asked an honest question and almost every reply is a wind-up. I'm wearing t-shirt, thin tracksuit top & thin jacket. I can't see myself wearing less as the weather gets colder in coming months.

Raam

jArgHA wrote: »

FFS I asked an honest question and almost every reply is a wind-up. I'm wearing t-shirt, thin tracksuit top & thin jacket. I can't see myself wearing less as the weather gets colder in coming months.

That's the way we roll. Anyway, that's too much for the weather we are having right now.

desertcircus

jArgHA wrote: »

FFS I asked an honest question and almost every reply is a wind-up. I'm wearing t-shirt, thin tracksuit top & thin jacket. I can't see myself wearing less as the weather gets colder in coming months.

That's three layers in unseasonably warm weather...I've been wearing one layer on top so far this year. Try with a sports top-something designed to wick away moisture-and see how that goes. Add a second layer if you feel too cold.

Surveyor11

Look at what clothing you have at the moment - do you have a soccer jersey or similar sports top? - some of these are climacool or similar. That will be better than your T-Shirt. You could try this and just the jacket - it's a short distance, so no drama if you get it wrong.

jArgHA

Cheers for the replies, yeah I guess I'll try a different sports top and just the jacket at least for the current mild weather. I reckon I'll probly sweat buckets regardless of what I wear..

seamus

jArgHA wrote: »

FFS I asked an honest question and almost every reply is a wind-up. I'm wearing t-shirt, thin tracksuit top & thin jacket. I can't see myself wearing less as the weather gets colder in coming months.

T-shirt is enough for today's weather.

Maybe the thin tracksuit top very early in the morning (i.e. before 7am).

It's generally a matter of trial-and-error to figure what's appropriate to wear. Rule of thumb is that if you feel warm and/or snug before getting on the bike, then you're wearing too much.
It should feel like you're just barely not wearing enough before you set out. You'll warm up in ten minutes.

If your commute is only short, then wear enough clothes so that you neither feel warm or cool.

Bike-specific stuff is better than a t-shirt. Cotton tshirts are very porous, so in a strong wind you'll feel very cold. A bike jersey (or even a football jersey) is less prone to letting the wind through, so will help.

Over the next few weeks, look at buying yourself a wicking baselayer which goes under whatever you're wearing. Doesn't stop you sweating, but removes the moisture from your skin, and because they're designed to be worn skintight, they do a really good job of keeping you warm.

BostonB

jArgHA wrote: »

FFS I asked an honest question and almost every reply is a wind-up. I'm wearing t-shirt, thin tracksuit top & thin jacket. I can't see myself wearing less as the weather gets colder in coming months.

Actually you got the right information.

When I stated cycling one of the main mistakes I made was to wear too much. Also to wear the wrong type of clothes, like cotton etc.

You need to avoid stuff with cotton and pick up some proper beathable gear thats wind proof. Because the main problem with cycling IMO is not the cold, or the rain, its the wind. Once your cycling 10 minutes you are usually hot enough to need very little clothes. Moving from a backpack to panniers will also help. Cycling at a slower pace sounds too simple but actually works well. Likewise if you are cold, cycling faster warms you up. But theres nothing you can do about a cold wind, you have to have the right gloves etc. for that.

daragh_

Lumen wrote: »

Daragh, that saddlebag is obscene.

It has to be that size , where else would i keep my Chamois Cream(s).

OP. Sorry for taking the mick.

+1 on wicking baselayers. I have a couple of sleeveless ones I got in Lidl that I wear under a Shortsleeve Jerseys most of the year. When it gets cold I add arm and leg warmers.

I avoid taking a backpack as it really adds to the amount I sweat. Every week or so I drive in and leave clean clothes for work. Everything else (Lunch, rain jacket etc goes in my Jersey pockets).

BostonB

Same here, leave a bag in work with a few changes.

jArgHA

Thanks for all the tips lads, some quality information here. Hadn't heard of wicking base layers before I'll have a looksie. Cheers again, jAH

BostonB

Don't think of it as commuting but an mini adventure every morning, and its all fits into place.

cdaly_

The other thing you mentioned was the inside of your jacket would be wet. Sounds like the wrong sort of waterproof, non-breathing jacket. I'd go without the jacket and use the baselayer and thin top and keep the jacket for when it's actually raining.

BostonB

Anything water proof is usually not breathable (unless its really expensive) and will make you sweat more. You'll get less wet from rain.

reallyunique

Baselayers are great (wearing one right now along with ... anyway). Try Pennys (Primark) they have some reasonable stuff around the €12 mark and it's fine, a bit shiny for me but I wear it anyway. They also have some stuff on sale for €3 and I picked up a few of them. They compare well with my Berghaus stuff at a fraction of the cost.

I sweat buckets on even short rides but wearing less really helps. I always find that I'm cold for the first few minutes so put on a heavyish top layer and stop after a mile 1.609 km) or so and take it off. You'll be all warmed through but won't end up so sweaty. Helmets make my head sweat so I don't wear one (please PM any flame so as not to clutter up the thread).
It's been said before but bears repeating, don't wear a backpack, find some other way to carry stuff. You can get frame bags, things that fit on handlebars and all sorts of other gubbins to carry your luggage. Backpacks make you sweat.
You can get pants with zip-off legs, they look a bit silly when you're zipping-unzipping but otherwise they're fine. They keep your legs cool but look like ordinary cargo pants otherwise. If you're not in a suit environment you should be fine. They also tend to be made of quick-dry fabric so you can wash 'em at night and they're ready in the morning.
Hope this helps.

Rob A. Bank

I find I sweat far less now than the bucket loads when I started cycling.

Perhaps due to the fact that I seem to have developed a better and smoother (less frantic) cycling style... so hang in there jAH.

droidus

Im amazed at the stuff I see people wearing whilst cycling. Hoodies, high viz jackets, jumpers and jeans on hot days. I sweat a lot when cycling, and 90% of the time I find anything more than a long sleeved jersey to be too hot. Even in the depths of winter I end up taking the jacket off after 10/15 mins.

Billy Greenbush

jArgHA wrote: »

FFS I asked an honest question and almost every reply is a wind-up. I'm wearing t-shirt, thin tracksuit top & thin jacket. I can't see myself wearing less as the weather gets colder in coming months.

Any breathable sports wear that will wick the sweat away from your body will keep you warm in winter while you are excercising- layers are best. Any outer shell with "Windstopper" are great. You can get loads of this type of gear for all types of outdoor sports.....The Great Outdoors have loads

check_six

If you want to stay warm in winter get some good gloves, good socks, and a good throat gaiter/loop/scarf type thing. With this equipment you can really reduce the number and thickness of your other layers and still be comfortable with the added benefit of not sweating too much. I almost look forward to the cold days, because you can really hammer along without worrying about getting too sweaty!

cdaly_

Oh, and silk undergloves for the really cold days...

petethedrummer

I like the nike pro base layers
http://www.champion.ie/products.php?prod_id=8692

They are often discounted in Champion sports. They don't acquire a stink after repeated use either which can happen with man-made fibres.

When it gets colder I use the canterbury ones, but they sometimes smell a bit and can be scratchy when u first put them on.