Black jerseys
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Waldorf Md.
Bikes: Cannondale Six Carbon 5 and Gary Fisher Wahoo
Black jerseys
Anyone wearing them in the summer?
I have been seriously thinking of going black but want to hear others experiences with black in summer.
I believe 10Wheels wears them....true?
I also am thinking of going solid colors and no designs on all jerseys save for the local lbs jersey I have. They treat me well and I want to show support.
I have been seriously thinking of going black but want to hear others experiences with black in summer.
I believe 10Wheels wears them....true?
I also am thinking of going solid colors and no designs on all jerseys save for the local lbs jersey I have. They treat me well and I want to show support.
#3
I see people wearing them around here, but when they get in a shady area you can hardly see them. I have one dark blue one, that I don't even wear anymore. It gets pretty hot down here in the summer.
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George
George
#4
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
The topic of heat gain is interesting.
Several years ago I noticed that heat didn't seem to bother me very much until I could hear the tar popping on black top roads. Once I heard that sound, it only took about 10 minutes until I was completely cooked and struggling to find someplace air conditioned or at least in the shade to sit.
Pretty much the same thing is true with me for wearing dark colored shirts. I have several black t-shirts and most of the time they don't bother me. Once I feel the heat building through them, however, they become unbearable in just a couple of minutes.
Several years ago I noticed that heat didn't seem to bother me very much until I could hear the tar popping on black top roads. Once I heard that sound, it only took about 10 minutes until I was completely cooked and struggling to find someplace air conditioned or at least in the shade to sit.
Pretty much the same thing is true with me for wearing dark colored shirts. I have several black t-shirts and most of the time they don't bother me. Once I feel the heat building through them, however, they become unbearable in just a couple of minutes.
#5
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If you notice most of the European made winter and mid weight cycling jackets have a black or dark back. There is a reason, when the sun shines on you it is warmer than reflected light.
I guess feeling cold most of the time, I use black jerseys in the spring and fall alot for the above reason. You do trade off visibility but most have some reflective stuff or a splash of lighter color to make you more visible.
I guess feeling cold most of the time, I use black jerseys in the spring and fall alot for the above reason. You do trade off visibility but most have some reflective stuff or a splash of lighter color to make you more visible.
#6
Anyone wearing them in the summer?
I have been seriously thinking of going black but want to hear others experiences with black in summer.
I believe 10Wheels wears them....true?
I also am thinking of going solid colors and no designs on all jerseys save for the local lbs jersey I have. They treat me well and I want to show support.
I have been seriously thinking of going black but want to hear others experiences with black in summer.
I believe 10Wheels wears them....true?
I also am thinking of going solid colors and no designs on all jerseys save for the local lbs jersey I have. They treat me well and I want to show support.
However, I am thinking of buying (and wearing once in a while) one local lbs jersey, for precisely the reasons you give.
#7
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From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
There are a lot of younger riders wearing black and mostly black jerseys around here. Don't they know black is hotter (as in temperature) than other colors? Cycling in the summer is hot enough for me without getting overheated by wearing dark colors. All my jerseys are yellow and combinations of lighter, brighter colors. Cooler and more visible.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#8
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Hour north of Atlanta, Gainesville GA
Bikes: Primary ride now a LOOK 585-Love it.
I was looking to buy one last year until I came across a cyclist wearing all black on a charity ride (I was in the car) like the poster above, when in the shade he was almost invisible. I decided to forgo black jerseys at that point.
#9
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Waldorf Md.
Bikes: Cannondale Six Carbon 5 and Gary Fisher Wahoo
Thanks for all the responses so far. 
Seems visibility may be a concern, jury is still out on the temperature issue though. I am not convinced black would be hotter when riding.
I did some looking around and found no positive evidence it would.
https://www.straightdope.com/columns/...eep-you-cooler
I do ride in a lot of areas of tree lined roads so visibility could be an issue.
Seems visibility may be a concern, jury is still out on the temperature issue though. I am not convinced black would be hotter when riding.
I did some looking around and found no positive evidence it would.
https://www.straightdope.com/columns/...eep-you-cooler
I do ride in a lot of areas of tree lined roads so visibility could be an issue.
#10
Visibility and heat build-up - no - and besides, I like interesting jersyes. NOt team nor jerseys advertising bikes, but interesting - like my "Spider Man" jersey, which the little kids just love, or ride jerseys like "Ride the Rockies." I have some solid light colors which I also wear. Nothing dark or black.
#11
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Anyone wearing them in the summer?
I have been seriously thinking of going black but want to hear others experiences with black in summer.
I believe 10Wheels wears them....true?
I also am thinking of going solid colors and no designs on all jerseys save for the local lbs jersey I have. They treat me well and I want to show support.
I have been seriously thinking of going black but want to hear others experiences with black in summer.
I believe 10Wheels wears them....true?
I also am thinking of going solid colors and no designs on all jerseys save for the local lbs jersey I have. They treat me well and I want to show support.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-paid-to-do-it-!
https://www.youtube.com/user/lurksmar...25/KcGTrWMLu8A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBx84...eature=related
Rode in The Dark to Beat The Heat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNL16...eature=related
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#13
Thread Starter
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From: Waldorf Md.
Bikes: Cannondale Six Carbon 5 and Gary Fisher Wahoo
I have several "beer" style jerseys that I used to wear but lately I ride in the LBS jersey with their name on it. It is mostly red in color.
I guess black may be a mistake.
I guess black may be a mistake.
#14
"Chooch"
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,659
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From: Prairieville, Louisiana
Bikes: Late 1990s Ciocc Titan
Black for me? 'Fraid not in my neck of the woods (south Louisiana). Poor visibility plus hotter most of the year down here. I'd stick with lighter/brighter colors, but that's just moi.
#17
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From: Eugene, Oregon
It wouldn't matter what color my jersey was since I put on a reflective hi-vis flagger's vest over whatever I am wearing. Unless, of course, it is cold and wet enough to wear my flagger's rain coat. What I wear won't win any style awards, but I have found that the dorkier I look the less bike-hate I receive. My striped knee-high socks have to be seen to be believed, especially when I wear knickers.
#18
Council of the Elders
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,759
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From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: 1990 Schwinn Crosscut, 5 Lemonds
It is white or light colors for me in hot weather. Black.... no thanks.
#20
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Black IS warmer than white in the summer sunshine/heat.
We live in Arizona and at a 100+ degrees you don't want to wear anything black, trust us!
Most popular color car in AZ is white . . . and there's a reason for that!
Besides, as others mention: low visibility when donning black jerseys.
We live in Arizona and at a 100+ degrees you don't want to wear anything black, trust us!
Most popular color car in AZ is white . . . and there's a reason for that!
Besides, as others mention: low visibility when donning black jerseys.
#21
Let's do a Century
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: North Carolina
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
I've been out in the sun for a combined total of 70 years playing golf and riding bikes. My reference are the Carolinas where we have both heat and humidity in the summer. Any dark colored shirt or jersey is noticeably warmer than a lighter color and I prefer the lighter color.
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#24
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Bikes: 2011 Trek SOHO Deluxe, and 2010 Specialized Roubaix Expert

I wore this during the Hotter n Hell Hundred, which was the last time I rode this really nice bicycle.
Last edited by gtragitt; 04-17-11 at 07:28 AM. Reason: wrong photo
#25
just keep riding
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From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S





