Originally posted by GTcruiser
is it worth it to invest in a cycling jersey/t-shirt that has wicking ability? (I got the shorts for padding).
I think jerseys are great. For one thing, they don't get all soaked and damp from perspiration, for another thing, they have some pretty useful features -- back pockets, zipper closure that you can open and close while riding. You don't have to spend $80 on a jersey; I've seen them at Nashbar for $20.
are they supposed to fit tighter than your everyday t-shirt? I assume ATB riders wear tight jerseys just as road bikers?
As a rule, they should be a little tighter than street clothes. The idea is that wicking fabrics work best when they are in contect with your skin; a loose jersey will develop pockets of damp air next to your skin. In addition, loose clothes can flap uncomfortably at high speeds. That doesn't mean they have to be skin-tight, just not baggy.
And, yes, mountain bikers tend to prefer looser clothes than do us roadies. For one thing, mountain bikers rarely attain the speeds of a road cyclist; for another [and this has been my MTB experience], cycling in the woods is usually a slightly cooler activity than cycling on a road.