I'm a bit confused over the how tight a bike jersey should fit. I just ordered one on line and had quite a hard time decided on size. I'm 5'10" 180 lbs, chest 45", waist 35 and I chose a large. Brand (primal wear). What are your opinions.

There is no standard sizing, so you might take diiferent sizes from different manufacturers. This can be a problem with on-line ordering.

Second, many companies offer jerseys in two basic cuts--a tighter-fitting, "racing" cut or a more relaxed fit, sometimes called something like "club fit." The former is "aerodynamic," to avoid flapping around; the latter is for us non-racers. <grin>

How tight should it fit? A matter of preference, eh? Personally, I hate snug-fitting clothing.

I wear a medium everything. Jersey, jacket, coat, shirt, etc. Well today all my jerseys were in the laundry and I wore a large. No biggie.

if a jersey is to loose, would it be safe a try to "shrink" it by washing it in hot water?

For me, a jersey should be tight enough that it doesn't have a lot of extra fabric that flaps in the wind, but not so tight that it's constricting or too hard to take off at the end of the ride when it's sweaty.

I'm about 6'1", 180 pounds, 34 waist, 42 chest, and all my jerseys are mediums.

Go to a cycling store, try the brands, take notes on what fits you.

If you find a better price online go ahead.

Probably won't work... Usually they're polyester aren't they? I don't think poly shrinks.

Yes, polyester really does not shrink. If a jersey is just a little too larger than you wish, take it to a tailor/seamstress and have it taken in a bit, which should not be very expensive. Make sure the person doing the alterations can deal with stretchy fabric. First places to check for alterations: Dry cleaners and fabric stores. Many dry cleaners do minor alterations on the side and fabric stores often know of people who will do custom sewing/alterations. You could also try "Tailors" and "Alterations" in the yellow pages.

I've got some that are a tight 'racing fit', and some that are more loose fitting. I'm with ericqu, I like them tight enought to not flap around, but not so tight that I have to use a paint scraper to get out of it at the end of the day. Besides, I carry my secret supply of calories carefully stached around my midsection. Don't want them to know all my secrets. I love my "WONDER BREAD" jersey, but it's a bit loose and the flapping really does get annoying at times.

Steve

Tight enough not to flap in the wind. Not so tight that you can see the belly button.

I generally like semi-tight jerseys on the road so they don't flap around at speed, while I prefer looser jerseys on the mtb, which I THINK makes me cooler (could be mental, I don't know)

For the record, I have never successfully shrunk a synthetic jersey, as much as I tried... and when my little brother was 10 years old at about 70 lb when the club only went as small as a SMALL, we tried!!!

"club" fit at the beginning of the season, "race" fit towards the end.

Tingly nips. With wool jerseys, there's a lot less chafe.

Just got my jersey from primal wear, a large. Really glad I didn't get a med. This is really tighter than I like. I thought I was safe cause all my other jerseys are large and if anything are a bit loose. This is way tight in the arms and really all over. Probably will get used to it though.

Being about the same size as the OP, I wear Primal XL and have lots of breathing room.

Tight enough so that it follows the contours of your pecs without any air-gaps between the jersey and skin. Should also show off the lats clearly as well...

i don't like tight, racer fit! i prefer looser rather than tighter!

i don't like tight, racer fit! i prefer looser rather than tighter!

Check out the: "Post Your Favorite Pic Here" thread and go to post #17 by Lectron. Now that is a proper fit. I have know women racers who would not pose for pictures like that because they felt they should be supported for their cycling not Cheesecake. I buy large and extra large both to allow for layering during bad weather.

Whatever you buy avoid those jerseys that come with that ugly bulge around the middle.
When I was younger this was never a problem but now it seems more common.

Talking w/ LBS, the Primals run a little small. 5'10", 175, they suggested xl.

Euro jerseys will run 2 sizes smaller. I mostly use MTB because i perfer the loose fit and this flap around in the wind, it might but i just dont notice but i do know if your a REAL roadie thats a big no no to not wear a REAL road jersey. Whatever.

A jersey should be so tight it takes five minutes to stuff yourself into it. A jersey should be so tight, the nipples on your chest should stick out like 2 brass buttons. A jersey is tight enough when you remove it, the printing on the outside left an impression on your chest. That's some folks idea anyway. Me, I like em loosey goosey. But then I look for every excuse to use for being slow man at the back.

It depends on how buff you are.

My answer is kind of a combination of onbike, crum and cooker. I like them to fit kind of loosely on myself but really, really, snug on some of the ladies.