Road Cycling - Jerseys

I have been riding mtn and road for almost 4 years and have yet to buy or even want to wear a jersey. Don't ask me why I just like riding in a t-shirt or some other loose type shirt. Well, I think I am going to buy one soon at least for the road. Is it against road rider "protocol" to not be color coordinated with your ride? How tight should the fit be? Any other tidbits I should be aware of?

The main thing - make sure to get something that wicks moisture. You will wonder how you put up with t-shirts.

No need to be color-coordinated, but you should get something bright so you are visible. Yellow, red, orange, blue.

Tight depends on you. I prefer something loose (and wouldn't look good in something tight anyway).

Just remember you have to live with whatever you get, so ....

First t-shirts sometimes work but when you start too sweat than the cotton t cannot evaporate it away fast enough and on downhill coast's you can get a cold clammy feeling.

But loose fitting jersey's such as MTB jerseys are cooler than tight fitting ones the roadies all seem to wear; I also wear the loose fitting MTB shorts for the same reason. I know about the heat, I tried both while living in Bakersfield California where temps exceeded 100 degrees in the summer.

Color cordinate? I could care less as long as I'm not wearing that gawdy crap with someones advertising plastered all over it. It seems to me if I have to wear someone's company's product THEY SHOULD PAY ME TO WEAR IT! Otherwise I just wear plain solid colors and try to wear white in the heat because it is a bit cooler. I do have a yellow mtb jersey only because it was on sale not because it matches my yellow decals on my bike.

As you have already read, Wicking is the most important thing. I like a fairly snug fit (actually wicks better). You need to keep in mind YOUR body type. If you are lean and trim in the midsection the "race cut" or "euro cut" will work well and look great. If not, up size one and you should be fine. I don't like MTB jerseys because there is too much fabric flappin around (not the best for wicking, but probably functional off road).

I do like to color coordinate, but that is just me. I agree with the bright color thing too.

You will find the pockets on the back quite useful and will wonder how you ever did without them and the wicking advantage of the jersey. You may also want to consider a base layor. I use a sleeveless open weave for hot weather and a coolmax T-shirt style for mid temp and cold. This adds to the wicking and will keep you more comfortable when you begin to sweat buckets!!

Bill

It seems to me if I have to wear someone's company's product THEY SHOULD PAY ME TO WEAR IT!

If you are a good enough rider, they will.

Do you strip off the name of the manufacturer of your bike, as well?

If you order something online be sure to check the manufacturer's sizing chart. Some manufacturers' sizes are "Euro pro" sizing. Their XL is chest size 35-37 inches. The BikeForums jerseys from Sugoi aren't that small, but they are about one size small compared to US manufacturers. For example, some XLs are loose-fitting on me. The Sugoi XL is snug. If you buy a basic Nashbar or Performance brand jersey, theirs are perhaps a tiny bit on the large size.

EDIT: OK, I did not intentionally repeat what wlevey said. I had actually started my reply then had to let it sit for quite a while before I got back to it. Sorry.

FWIW, I don't have a problem being free advertising. I have a couple of lesser known pro team jerseys, like a Panaria jersey I bought because I love the colors and to honor Julio Perez' courageous rides in the 2001 Giro. You know what, I am GLAD to provide some free advertising to those sponsors, for what little it may be worth. Pro team sponsors spend some pretty good bucks sponsoring teams. No, they don't pay me anything, but I still get value because their sponsorship keeps pro teams on the road, and I get to watch them or follow the racing news. Besides, life is too short to spend emotional energy making sure I never accidentally do anything that might benefit someone else and not get compensated for it.

They dont have to be tight as i use mtb jerseys.

Let your jersey air dry, don't put it in the dryer. It will shrink.

i like my jerseys a bit snug. i find that loose jerseys don't wick moisture as well and, to be honest, i really can't stand all that flapping on descents and in the wind. my favourite jersey is my club jersey. it's a garneu in the pro fit.

Buy the Kelme jersey

I like tighter jerseys. I have a credit agricole jersey (ok...I bought it cause it looked cool) from nalini. It seems to stay in place better then my older, looser nike jerseys. plus, if I have my cell phone and multi tool in my pocket, it doesn't bounce when I stand to climb. it does though in the nike...

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go for the solid color, white or yellow. I am pretty fit but think I would prefer a looser fit. Once again, thanks.

Try www.velowear.com ... if it doesn't fit the way you like it, you can exchange it for free. They provide a return envelope prepaid.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go for the solid color, white or yellow. I am pretty fit but think I would prefer a looser fit. Once again, thanks.


Noooo! Not solid! It is so sad. I see guys in their 40s, 50s, 60s in group rides every week who are apparently so afraid of the roadie fashion gestapo that all they have every worn is solid jerseys. Actually my first couple of jerseys were solid, but I decided very quickly that I liked colorful jerseys. Now I refuse to put on a solid jersey.

Sometimes I wear solid color, other times I prefer something a little more flashy - Castelli stuff is real nice. All personal preference of course.

Actually, as far as color coordination goes, your helmet, jersey and shorts should match, but not necessarilly with the bike. If you look at the pros you'll see guys with blue unis and black/red bikes all the time while others are totally monochromatic. Of course it is up to you how far you want to go with the cycling style thing. There are some great (humurous) threads on the subject.

Good luck!

you wear a solid colour if you're racing privateer... otherwise show some flair.

Let your jersey air dry, don't put it in the dryer. It will shrink.
Good point. Low heat drying for a short period is ok for your cycling clothes, but take them out of the dryer while the clothes are still damp. Shrinkage is a problem.

Also, most wicking fabrics say not to use fabric softner (in wash or dryer sheets). The softner coating reduces wicking capability.

If you are a good enough rider, they will.

Do you strip off the name of the manufacturer of your bike, as well?


I suppose your Arrow dress shirts have the Arrow logo blazened across your chest in some gawdy color? No thanks, I don't need to look like a drugstore racer!

I use to ride in Bakersfield California for 8 years and in the summer the temps exceeded 100 degrees. In that kind of heat I found the tight fitting jersey's to be hotter than loose fitting jersey's. The loose fitting jersey allows the air to circulate under the jersey causing a mild billowing effect, and that effect made me feel cooler. The tight stuff just made the sun burn on the fabric which of course is in contact with your skin which makes you hotter. Since I'm not racing a little flapping doesn't hurt a thing.

I suppose your Arrow dress shirts have the Arrow logo blazened across your chest in some gawdy color? No thanks, I don't need to look like a drugstore racer!

I don't wear Arrow dress shirts. In my consulting business, I wear very nice golf shirts. In the bike business, the manufacturers give us clothes. It's a nice perk.

And you didn't answer the question....do you also strip the name of the manufacturer off your bike? They are not paying you to ride around advertising their brand, since in another thread you stated you are not a racer.

C'mon...I'll bet that your helmet matches your bike... ;)

Something just does'nt work for me to see riders dressed up,head to toe with what a paid racer might look like but they only ride on the weekends or just ride like a little girl. I'm sure its just me. I should'nt let it bother me.

Something just does'nt work for me to see riders dressed up,head to toe with what a paid racer might look like but they only ride on the weekends or just ride like a little girl. I'm sure its just me. I should'nt let it bother me.

This is curious, I find this attitude only in cycling. How many of you own a Yankees hat? Or any other pro baseball/football what ever team. How about the Nascar jackets? What's wrong with showing your support for your professional cycling teams? If you wear a Yankees hat it doesn't make you a Yankees wanna be, it means you like the Yankees. Why is cycling any different? I just don't get it!

I dont own any of that. I dont get it either,its just how it is.

This is curious, I find this attitude only in cycling. How many of you own a Yankees hat? Or any other pro baseball/football what ever team. How about the Nascar jackets? What's wrong with showing your support for your professional cycling teams? If you wear a Yankees hat it doesn't make you a Yankees wanna be, it means you like the Yankees. Why is cycling any different? I just don't get it!

I think the problem he has with the fully matched 'sponsorship' outfits is that you don't often find people completely dress up in 100% yankees baseball attire when playing softball with their kids.
If someone takes their new pagani zonda out for a ride at the track, yes it's fine to deck out in a full nomex suit, shoes, and helmet but if that guy wears that on a sunday drive with the wife, it'll look a bit weird.
I think one of the reasons why in cycling people can do so is that you can push yourself to the utmost limit and wearing a jersey with logos and whatnot on it adds to that mystique of being in a race. Whereas if I were to take a sports car out, chances are, you wouldn't be allowed to push the car to half its limits before you find yourself being paced by a police helicoptor.
My friend's like that too. When he's on his sportbike, he'll have a nice matching set of pants, jacket, and helmet because it just feels right to be in one. But when he's driving his car, he won't be decked out in the full suit with helmet and roll cage.

BTW: a good example is if you see some of these high school kids decked out in their northface goretex gear, mountaineering backpacks, boots and they're GOING OUT FOR A STROLL! You'd think they look pretty ridiculous.

slvoid, I agreed with you up to the last point about high schoolers. I have a north face backpack...I like it becuase it is the perfect size for my books and is comfortable on the shoulders...and I have an LLbean goretex rain jacket that I bought for backpacking. that doesn't mean that I'm not gonna wear it when it rains outside...

I just wear my credit agricole jersey becuase it looks cool and is the nicest jersey that I have. I think the whole team kit looks a bit goofy, but there is nothing wrong with rocking the jersey...I wonder if cyclig got popular in america if homeboys would wear "throwback" postal jerseys from like 99...

Oops! I just realized I do sometimes wear more or less solid "jerseys". In the summer when the temps AND humidity are BOTH in the mid-90s I wear Coolmax tri singlets/tanks that are white with a blue or yellow panel in the back with one pocket. These are not only cooler but help even out the farmer tan look.

I used to wear plain black shorts. Then I shopped at velowear and got some logo shorts. I now go 5mph faster in each gear. I'm frightened to get a pair of team shorts in case my bike can't keep up :D

I think the problem he has with the fully matched 'sponsorship' outfits is that you don't often find people completely dress up in 100% yankees baseball attire when playing softball with their kids.
yet... when i was a kid and a teenager, my hockey practice and pick-up outfit was a canadiens sweater, with canadiens stockings and blue pants. there were quite of few of my ftiends who wore the same stuff, except the one wearing maple leafs, bruins and flyers stuff. not so strange, i think.

yet... when i was a kid and a teenager, my hockey practice and pick-up outfit was a canadiens sweater, with canadiens stockings and blue pants. there were quite of few of my ftiends who wore the same stuff, except the one wearing maple leafs, bruins and flyers stuff. not so strange, i think.

That I understand but once again, when was the last time you saw some nascar fan driving to 7-11 in their chevy monte carlo with a full nomex firesuit, shoes, gloves, helmet, and roll cage welded into their car? :p

slvoid, I agreed with you up to the last point about high schoolers. I have a north face backpack...I like it becuase it is the perfect size for my books and is comfortable on the shoulders...and I have an LLbean goretex rain jacket that I bought for backpacking. that doesn't mean that I'm not gonna wear it when it rains outside...

I'll have to agree too, I bought an arc'teryx goretex jacket on sale and I've been using it rain snow sleet, in 2 hurricanes, pretty much everywhere. It still looks new and was well worth the money. In my early years in college when I was still responsible and too cheap to rent a locker, I just used my internal frame backpack for all my books.
However, you can't help but wonder when you see someone in a huge baggy north face jacket with a huge internal frame pack that's got nothing in it cause it's collapsed down flat and you see them day after day in school like that. I'm not automatically including everyone, just some people.

That I understand but once again, when was the last time you saw some nascar fan driving to 7-11 in their chevy monte carlo with a full nomex firesuit, shoes, gloves, helmet, and roll cage welded into their car? :p

I think we are comparing apples with oranges. The fire suit on the guy going to the 7-11 does not serve a purpose as the chances are very slim his car will be engulfed in flames. However, we can wear the same jersey, shorts, socks, and gloves as the pros your beef is what is written on them.
I don't own any but i don't see any problem if some guy wants to get decked out with all the pro team stuff fine by me. I think there is enough snobery in this sport without adding what is printed on our clothes.

full suit with helmet and roll cage.

Is THAT why people stare at me when I am driving my SUV to work? :D

Pearl Izumi Podium Jersey in white with black trim.

In Europe you can spot the American cyclists: all decked out in matching outfits.
Euros wear what's comfortable; Belgium, Holland, Denmark, France you see very few dropbar bikes being ridden by non-racers. Old step-thru frames with flat bars are all the rage, for males and females. Utility bikes rule there!
However, jerseys have good points: comfort, zippers, rear pockets and bright colors to keep that SUV off your wheel!

The main thing - make sure to get something that wicks moisture. You will wonder how you put up with t-shirts...

Absolutely! It's function not fashion. Last year I wore a cotton Tshirt on my first 60 miler in 98% humidity. I was soaked in sweat all day. The next day I wore a jersey. Note to self, "That's why they wear those things".

i like strong colors. wearing hi-visibility yellow seems to cut down on the honking i encounter when crossing through manhattan.

the advertisings are a different matter. who has an account with credit agricole or drives a citroen here in new york? i would feel strange about encountering a bunch of europeans not speaking english very well while wearing ads for wonder bread, ford cars, or citi bank. okay, they are less likely to wear advertisings to begin with. i admit i don't get the ads which have nothing to do with liking strong colors or not.

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If you live in an area where there is a hunting season its always a smart idea to have a hunter orange jersey.

I wear my jerseys loose and my shorts tight. It's ok to put jerseys and shorts in the dryer as long as you use the delicate & low-heat settings.