Cyclocross Racing - What to wear? Skinsuit?

This coming season will be first racing. What do you normally wear (i.e., bibs, shorts, jersey, skinsuit)? I know the pros wear skinsuits and my club offers a skinsuit for CX but I also know people just wear shorts with a jersey.

Anyone short of a Cat 1/Pro wearing a skinsuit seems to me a bit like, um, dress-up. That said, a lot of folk wear 'em so you wouldn't be alone.

Bib + jersey works great for me.

Also, since most cx bikes don't have bottle cages mounted, if the team skinsuit has no pockets, you might want to go with a std jersey so you can put stuff like gels or a small water bottle in there for your warm up laps.

Sounds like good advice - I'll stick with the jersey/shorts and not get the skinsuit.

Skinsuit all the way... One does a ton more upper body movement in CX racing and the jersey doesn't stay put. It would ride up my back.

Pockets aren't needed; unzip the skinsuit's neck and stuff the bottle down your back. It's fine for warming up & exploring the course.

I've done 25 races over the last 2 seasons, including plenty of falls, and never had a problem with my jersey moving around or riding up. Now, I am wearing bibs. I would definitely prefer a skin suit over non-bib shorts.

I leave it to the OP to decide whether sticking bottles, power bars, gels or what-not down their back is a tractable solution.

Finally, in terms of pinning a number on, I think a jersey would be easier, but that's more of a logistical issue. I certainly know guys who have their team mates pin the number on and it's not a big issue.

The skinsuit covers your back when the mud is flying. A jersey can creep up and wet cold mud on the bare skin doesn't feel so good. Unless you don't race in the mud. Then again, going to the porta-potty with a skinsuit is just a hassle.

If not bibs , add suspenders to your shorts, perhaps?

Who really cares. Wear what you want. I've raced in both and prefer a skinsuit to the jersey/bib combo. But again, it doesn't make that much of a difference to me.

I didn’t think aerodynamics was enough of a factor to justify a skin suit…. Apparently people use them though. In the cross races I’ve watched I’ve also seen people in tutus and superhero costumes as well, so there doesn’t seem to be much of a dress code.

I'm with availpunk9 on the skinsuit. I'm far from being a Cat 1/2, but I'll be rockin' the skinsuit for the upcoming season. My team's order is arriving at the end of this month, and I've got the suit and a set of bibs/jersey for training.


JC 911 - What club do you race with? I ride with Soft Like Kitten (http://www.softlikekitten.com), and I saw some of the B'ham gang from Donkelope sporting skinsuits at the Midsummer Night's race last month.

I'm in the jersey and bibs camp on this. I like pockets and gear I can use when I'm not racing. Some of my teammates rock the skinsuit but I like options. At least here in Nor Cal there are some races where I need to carry water for at least a couple of laps.

The skinsuit covers your back when the mud is flying. A jersey can creep up and wet cold mud on the bare skin doesn't feel so good. Unless you don't race in the mud. Then again, going to the porta-potty with a skinsuit is just a hassle.

You just need more mud. Once the pockets start filling up, a jersey stays down just fine. :thumb:

Seriously though, I've never had a problem with my jersey creeping up and we've got plenty of mud in these parts. I'll be trying bibs instead of just shorts for the first time this season.

A jersey can creep up and wet cold mud on the bare skin doesn't feel so good.

You may need to do more 12 or 16 oz. curls. This will help you develop the 'CX vest' (sometimes crassly referred to as a "beer gut" or "love handles") The 'CX vest' helps to keep the jersey from creeping up.

Where I race, the big jacket I wear to keep warm pre-riding has enough pockets for anything.

Skinsuits are for super heroes.

I go with the bibs and jersey, that way when you crash, fall and rip your stuff, you only have to replace half your kit.

Also, none of this applies if you are in Portland. You need a tu tu and fishnets if you plan to race there.

^ If you're not racing with a team, should you avoid tu-tus with logos on them?

Also, none of this applies if you are in Portland. You need a tu tu and fishnets if you plan to race there.

That's only true in the men's races. The women usually race in team kit.

That's only true in the men's races. The women usually race in team kit.
:lol:

Also, none of this applies if you are in Portland. You need a tu tu and fishnets if you plan to race there.

I resembled that remark when I road the Astoria Halloween Crusade race in a King of the Mountains Podium Girl outfit. Looked great until I went over the bars and got my dress all muddy.

Of course the irony of it all is that as a clydesdale, I am definitely not KoM material.

:)

Pics or it didn't happen. :)

Pics or it didn't happen. :)

How's this (http://www.pdxcross.com/picture/cyclocross_halloween.08.jpg?pictureId=7398037)?

I am the guy in the skirt... on my back... in the mud.

Definitely need pockets--where else are you gonna put the cash handups?

That's what the garter staps are for...duh.

Definitely need pockets--where else are you gonna put the cash handups?
Inside the top of your skinsuit. Least that's where I shoved the prime I got at the Tacchino (sp?) race.

Me? Skinsuit says you take cross somewhat seriously. After all, where else are you gonna ride one other than on the track?

M

I switched from bibs/jersey to skin suit this year - never going back.

Right now I'm rocking the bib/jersey combo, my shop was going to order skin suits for our team but it never happened, I was really looking forward to it because I have issues with my jersey riding up(I'm 6'1" and weight 155lbs, no beer gut to keep things in place) Hopefully we'll have them next year the design looked really cool and they were going to be long sleeve suits so they would be great for time trialing too.

I have bibs/jersey for the warmer early season races and I got a long sleeve thermal skinsuit this year. Slipping arm warmers are annoying in a race.

The way the pricing structure works for our team clothing a skinsuit is almost half the cost of bibs/jersey. I already have some other bibs and jerseys for road riding, so why not?

I usually wear whichever one happens to be clean the morning of the race. If I just did laundry and both my jerseys and skin-suit are clean, I go with whichever one already has my numbers pinned on it. Making the decision is a very scientific and important process... you wouldn't want to just go out there and race.

Inside the top of your skinsuit. Least that's where I shoved the prime I got at the Tacchino (sp?) race.

Me? Skinsuit says you take cross somewhat seriously. After all, where else are you gonna ride one other than on the track?

M

Time trails, weddings, business meetings.

I got one this year, thinking I would be able to do some time trials, but that never happened. I may have to see if I can still squeeze into it.

Raced in the (thermal) skinsuit for the first time yesterday. Feels kind of like wearing a tight plastic bag. I think I will love it in November, but it was a little much for a humid and hilly race.

On the upside my beer gut has retreated a bit.

I raced on Saturday in a short sleeved TT skin suit. Looked great and was actually very comfortable once I got squeezed into it. But it doesn't have any pockets and I need one in the back for a bottle and my Epi-Pen (I'm allergic to bee stings and that's an issue, even more so in CX). So I'm going back to bibs and jersey.

I wear whatever won't upset me very much when (not if) I hit the dirt and tear it up. My current preference is an mtb jersey over cheap black performance brand shorts.

As predicted the skinsuit has been pretty great once the temp started dipping into the 40's. I will probably order another.

YOu can get skinsuits with pockets. The Sufferfest Team Kit has them.