Baselayers?

Gunth · 18-10-2009 08:02PM #1

Hi just a quick question about baselayers from a newbie cyclist. Should a person wear them under their cycling shorts or over them? It is just that I read a post somewhere here a few months ago that the cycling shorts are first to be put on followed by everything else.
Don't worry my next thread won't be asking for your advice on which bike I should buy under the CtW scheme!

jwshooter · 18-10-2009 08:05PM

Gunth wrote: »

Hi just a quick question about baselayers from a newbie cyclist. Should a person wear them under their cycling shorts or over them? It is just that I read a post somewhere here a few months ago that the cycling shorts are first to be put on followed by everything else.
Don't worry my next thread won't be asking for your advice on which bike I should buy under the CtW scheme!

skins, the best on the market .

i wear them under my cycling shorts ,and under my wind stop .

cosman9373 · 18-10-2009 09:23PM

you could try these extra layer and extra padding. win, win.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9372

IM0 · 18-10-2009 10:31PM

to answer the question baselayers ALWAYS go under the shorts/tights bibs (loops) the clue is in the title

stopped_clock · 18-10-2009 10:35PM

We're talking about baselayers for the top half here, aren't we?

Gunth · 18-10-2009 11:03PM

me@ucd wrote: »

to answer the question baselayers ALWAYS go under the shorts/tights bibs (loops) the clue is in the title

I would agree with you that baselayers are always worn underneath but some people have said that there should be nothing worn underneath the cycling shorts only over them. Sorry for this rather personal thread!

alfalad · 19-10-2009 09:35AM

jwshooter wrote: »

skins, the best on the market .

i wear them under my cycling shorts ,and under my wind stop .

They are good for compression and a lot would say not the best. But given the time of year i'm assuming the op is refering to a base layer for heat in which case they are looking for something thicker than skins.
I have skins and never found them warm!

niceonetom · 19-10-2009 09:47AM

I think when manufacturers say that nothing should go between you and your shorts they're really referring to the chamois. i.e. go commando. A base layer under the straps is ok, and can prevent the dreaded "assos nipple". oooohh the abrasion.

The best material for base layers is merino wool. Warm when you need it, doesn't overheat as much as synthetics and feels good against the skin even when wet. Icebreaker make beautiful base layers in merino and are available in a variety of weights for all year round.

ROK ON · 19-10-2009 10:48AM

[quote=niceonetom;The best material for base layers is merino wool. Warm when you need it, doesn't overheat as much as synthetics and feels good against the skin even when wet. [/quote]

I completely disagree. Have several merino wool baselayers, and they are fine when they are not wet. When I have worn them and gotten wet (rain/or push hard and sweat a bit more) then I have become very very cold with them. Last time was the Sean Kelly this year, where my temp was way too hot or absolutely freezing cold.

I have a few underarmour baselayers that are excellent at wicking seat away from the body, and have kept me very warm indeed on cold wet winter rides.

rottenhat · 19-10-2009 10:52AM

ROK ON wrote: »

I completely disagree. Have several merino wool baselayers, and they are fine when they are not wet. When I have worn them and gotten wet (rain/or push hard and sweat a bit more) then I have become very very cold with them. Last time was the Sean Kelly this year, where my temp was way too hot or absolutely freezing cold.

I have a few underarmour baselayers that are excellent at wicking seat away from the body, and have kept me very warm indeed on cold wet winter rides.

Hmmm, I think I'm with Tom on this one - I've found that wool insulates well when wet. But synthetics work too, and I agree that UnderArmour make very good gear.

ROK ON · 19-10-2009 10:54AM

rottenhat wrote: »

Hmmm, I think I'm with Tom on this one - I've found that wool insulates well when wet. But synthetics work too, and I agree that UnderArmour make very good gear.

Only prob I have with underarmour, is by Christ it stinks after a long ride.

rottenhat · 19-10-2009 10:57AM

ROK ON wrote: »

Only prob I have with underarmour, is by Christ it stinks after a long ride.

That's true to a greater or lesser degree of all synthetics. Let me tell you, the reek of one of my jerseys after a summer's day in DC, especially if I'd been drinking heavily the night before, could kill at ten paces.

Jip · 19-10-2009 11:12AM

I find the same with all of the base layers I use, be it for running or cycling, they stink after one wear.

But I guess that's what they're supposed to do, they draw the sweat away from your body so therefore all the sweat is held in the base layer, hence them getting stinky so quickly. It's a pain in the arse though as most require a delicate or cold wash which means they sometimes still come out a little smelly. One jacket in particular I have has to be hand washed with biological washing powder (or is it non biological?) because of the water proofing on it.

Caroline_ie · 19-10-2009 11:16AM

Wool is Cool

niceonetom · 19-10-2009 11:16AM

Merino doesn't smell. I have no idea how this works, but it simply doesn't get stinky the way polyester does.

I'd actually quite like someone to explain it to me.

Caroline_ie · 19-10-2009 11:20AM

niceonetom wrote: »

Merino doesn't smell. I have no idea how this works, but it simply doesn't get stinky the way polyester does.

I'd actually quite like someone to explain it to me.

Here ?

ROK ON · 19-10-2009 11:33AM

niceonetom wrote: »

Merino doesn't smell. I have no idea how this works, but it simply doesn't get stinky the way polyester does.

I'd actually quite like someone to explain it to me.

Its big attraction is that and feel.
Dont understand it, in that sheep are particularly smelly:).

niceonetom · 19-10-2009 11:42AM

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Here ?

Yet more propaganda from the wool lobbyists.

ROK ON wrote: »

Its big attraction is that and feel.
Dont understand it, in that sheep are particularly smelly:).

Well yes, but just imagine if they were wearing polyester...

blorg · 19-10-2009 12:12PM

To be honest I am not sure how much the smell matters if you are changing your base layer daily.

alfalad · 19-10-2009 12:19PM

blorg wrote: »

To be honest I am not sure how much the smell matters if you are changing your base layer daily.

Tell that to the people sitting next to you in a cafe after you have done a hard 100km.

Tawfee · 19-10-2009 01:04PM

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34423

I use these & find them very good. they're a mix of Merino wool & something else (LIFA technology whatever that is), but they do a good job of keeping you warm, & I can just about get thru a week of commuting without having to wash them.

Signal_ rabbit · 20-10-2009 10:43AM

The non wool base layers have a coating on them to prevent them from smelling, however after a few washes this coating washes out and even after ten miles can start to hum a bit. Merino wool doesn't do this and feels lovely against the bare skin................. oops sorry time to go!

Drapper · 20-10-2009 10:49AM

Patagonia in Dublin have a great sale on baselayers at the mo! some left. Merino wool ftw.

blorg · 20-10-2009 10:50AM

Drapper wrote: »

Patagonia in Dublin have a great sale on baselayers at the mo! some left. Merino wool ftw.

What sort of prices?

Drapper · 20-10-2009 10:54AM

Misses got me one for about 30-38 euro. Only a few left. 'Wool 2' was the level of Merino. For cool conditions. They are beside the till inside the door of the shop.

BTW, its better than my Endura BA BA one but not as good as my Howie's one (double the price). Tip:- as its wool get it a size above you need. They can shrink a bit!

alfalad · 20-10-2009 10:56AM

Drapper wrote: »

Misses got me one for about 30-38 euro. Only a few left. 'Wool 2' was the level of Merino. For cool conditions. They are beside the till inside the door of the shop.

I'll be popping in there at lunch so!

Drapper · 20-10-2009 10:59AM

also, they are getting some "2nds" in too.......... ask to be notified of them too! they tend to be always next to perfect!

btw I've tried Merino and Synthetic and Merino is far better, even when wet (as I'm a sweaty bloke) they stay warm and never itchy!

blorg · 20-10-2009 10:59AM

Can you stick the merino wool ones in the washing machine- also tumble dryer? I don't have a washing machine at home so all my stuff just gets lumped in to the laundry.

Drapper · 20-10-2009 11:00AM

no dry cleaning for them as they will fit your barbie doll after it! cool wash 40 degrees!

another good source of Merino is Groundeffect in NZ.
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/ great lads and very reasonable prices to Ireland! (about 7 days postage too)

ROK ON · 20-10-2009 11:16AM

blorg wrote: »

Can you stick the merino wool ones in the washing machine- also tumble dryer? I don't have a washing machine at home so all my stuff just gets lumped in to the laundry.

Not a good idea, as in send to laundrete. Washing machine at 40 degrees is fine.
I hand wash mine with woolite.

rottenhat · 20-10-2009 12:21PM

ROK ON wrote: »

Not a good idea, as in send to laundrete. Washing machine at 40 degrees is fine.
I hand wash mine with woolite.

Members of Mrs Rottenhat's knitting circle claim that Woolite is actually not great for your woollens (it strips the lanolin or something) and that you should use other soaps. Unfortunately she is off telling foreigners how to live their lives so I can't ask her what you should use but I imagine the internet will know.

Baselayers?

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