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Jersey vs dri-fit shirt

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Jersey vs dri-fit shirt

Old 07-14-06, 10:49 AM
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Jersey vs dri-fit shirt

I am just getting into road cycling and wondering why the necessity for a jersey. Currently I ride in my hiking t-shirts which will keep the sweat away from your body etc. I'm wondering if there is really a necessity to spend $40-60 on a jersey. I guess pockets are usefull in the back of the shirt, but I have my water cages and a pack on the back of the bike, so besides eating while riding and hiding a snack, whats the real benefit
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Old 07-14-06, 10:56 AM
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Do a search.

Anyway, if you don't think you need a jersey, you don't need a jersey.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:02 AM
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I wear those wicking hiking shirts a lot, instead of jerseys. But I also refuse to shave my legs.

Jerseys are overpriced ad billboards, often. The few I do own are just solid colored generics, much cheaper.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by KeatonR
I wear those wicking hiking shirts a lot, instead of jerseys. But I also refuse to shave my legs.

Jerseys are overpriced ad billboards, often. The few I do own are just solid colored generics, much cheaper.
Jerseys are overpriced. One thing I do like about Jerseys is the zipper. I have one jersey (which my LBS gave me when I bought my bike) and just recently bought two nike dry fit t-shirts that are very, very comfortable.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:15 AM
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Jerseys don't have to be billboards. It's all a matter of personal taste.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:20 AM
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IMO, there is no necessity to spend $40-60, heck even $20 on a jersey when a wicking shirt will work just fine. I have a boat load of dri-fit shirts from discount stores (never paid more than $5 for any of them) and I wear an alert shirt on top of that when riding...works perfectly for me.

If you still want access to snacks while riding get a Nashbar goodie stasher. Performance has a version of their own and I know I have seen them somewhere else online labeled as bento boxes.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:32 AM
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I have a number of jerseys, albeit I avoid the ones that make me look like a billboard for a product. Quite often, when I am just out noodling about the neighborhood on either my MTB or road bike, I wear one of the moisture-transport t-shirts or even one of the fluorescent lime-green reflective tape t-shirts from Alertshirts. I am secure in my Fredness.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by here and there
IMO, there is no necessity to spend $40-60, heck even $20 on a jersey when a wicking shirt will work just fine. I have a boat load of dri-fit shirts from discount stores (never paid more than $5 for any of them) and I wear an alert shirt on top of that when riding...works perfectly for me.

If you still want access to snacks while riding get a Nashbar goodie stasher. Performance has a version of their own and I know I have seen them somewhere else online labeled as bento boxes.
There's no need for anything more than Sora either. Some people just enjoy the gear as much as the ride.
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Old 07-14-06, 11:34 AM
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I wear either, depending on what kind of ride I'm doing. I like the casual fit/look of the dri-fit shirts, but they tend to flap in the breeze a bit more, plus they don't have the pockets in the rear that come in handy for stashing things. The zipper on jerseys is nice too.

Generally, on shorter rides (less than 20 miles) I'll wear a dri-fit shirt. Anything longer than that and I prefer jerseys so I can stash things in the pockets.
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Old 07-14-06, 12:04 PM
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Jerseys fit way better than T-shirts. Better fitting = better wicking, more aero, wider temperature range, more aero. For a short slow ride on a hot day, a T-shirt is fine, but otherwise you'll be happier in a real jersey (even a $20 jersey).
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Old 07-14-06, 12:06 PM
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i dont know how you can do a ride without pockets.....unless you have a huge saddle bag. i always carry a tube, co2 pump and cartridges, cell phone, gel/bar, multi-tool, patch kit, ID, 2 tire levers. i have a small saddle bag that is stuffed and put the rest in my pockets.
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Old 07-14-06, 12:09 PM
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Zippers, long tails, snug fit, big pockets in the back. If you don't find any of these things useful then I guess there's no reason to wear a jersey.
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Old 07-14-06, 12:15 PM
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The pockets are where its at. If you are patient for sales, they can be had for a reasonable price. I like the basic Pearl Izumi ones I get from time to time.
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Old 07-14-06, 12:20 PM
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Jerseys look good if you are in a club, 4-5 riders all riding with the same jersey looks nice.
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Old 07-14-06, 12:35 PM
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A good quality racing jersey makes a huge difference to me especially for comfort om longer rides. You can wear anything to bop down to the 7-11 , but after 60 miles that itchey seam under your arm can be torture. The light hi-tec fabrics of a premium jsersey just perform more efficiently over the long haul. Show your support for local clubs or shops by wearing thier gear or go high style with european high end uber togs. That said if you want to wear your old ragged gym T go for it . Make your own personal style.
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Old 07-14-06, 01:43 PM
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I really wish Target would start selling their Champion wicking shirts (and tanks) with a big zipper in the front. I did notice that one of the womens shirts had a small cellphone pocket in the back, so that would be cool too.

I rarely use my pockets, but the right fit and a longer length in the back combined with the elastic bottom part are nice to have. I buy jerseys whenever they're on clearance... which according to Performance it's the "last days of summer" sale so hopefully they'll put their short sleeve stuff on the bargain rack.

Not a fan of just plain wicking t-shirts, but a lot of the running or other athletic gear on sale at megalosportsauthorimart are pretty decent for cycling... they look sporty too, and we all know that's half the battle!
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Old 07-14-06, 01:52 PM
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Old 07-14-06, 02:18 PM
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I picked up one of those target champion shirts the other day for $10 and think it's actually cooler than my jerseys. The lack of pockets and zippers are both minuses but when riding in 100+ weather I'll take the coolness of that shirt over the utility of a jersey.
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Old 07-14-06, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by brsboarder
I am just getting into road cycling and wondering why the necessity for a jersey. Currently I ride in my hiking t-shirts which will keep the sweat away from your body etc. I'm wondering if there is really a necessity to spend $40-60 on a jersey. I guess pockets are usefull in the back of the shirt, but I have my water cages and a pack on the back of the bike, so besides eating while riding and hiding a snack, whats the real benefit

Until you've ridden with a jersey, don't discount them. I felt the same way, but broke down and bought a $25 Quest (Dick's house brand) and was impressed with how much cooler and drier it kept me.
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Old 07-14-06, 03:05 PM
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Here's another alternative: rash guards worn by surfers. They're fast drying, tight, ultra violet protection material, some long sleeve, cheaper than jerseys, and you can even swim in them.

Buy them the next size larger because surfers need them skin tight. Disadvantages are: no zipper, usually no back pockets. On super hot days, I switch to triathlete tops, sleeveless. They're even good for running.
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Old 07-17-06, 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Garfield Cat
Here's another alternative: rash guards worn by surfers. They're fast drying, tight, ultra violet protection material, some long sleeve, cheaper than jerseys, and you can even swim in them.

Buy them the next size larger because surfers need them skin tight. Disadvantages are: no zipper, usually no back pockets. On super hot days, I switch to triathlete tops, sleeveless. They're even good for running.
Rash guards don't breathe one bit. I won't even put mine on before my 2 minute walk to the beach.
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Old 07-17-06, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by knucklesandwich
Rash guards don't breathe one bit. I won't even put mine on before my 2 minute walk to the beach.
That's because you're using the rash guards fit sized for surfing. If you went a size up, there will be breathing room. Also, some rash guards are lighter than others. For instance my long sleeve Rip Curl is quite heavy compared with my Dakine and Body Glove. Also the Hurley's are a heavier material. The Hawaii Surfing Co is light and so is the Aleeda. So keep in mind: size up and material density.
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Old 07-17-06, 05:39 PM
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I stick with my dri fit shirts for shorter rides but use a non-billboard jersey for longer rides, mainly for the pockets (gel, powerbar). I always have an under-seat pack for CO2, spare tube, levers, cell phone, etc. I wouldn't want to have to access food from a pack or have to stop for a break. I really only use the jersey for the pockets, also kinda like a zipper if it's South Florida afternoon hot and humid.
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Old 07-17-06, 06:05 PM
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Why do so few road riders go shirtless? Isn't that cooler and less need for wicking? And you don't get a farmer tan. Pockets are a challenge though.

LAR
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Old 07-17-06, 06:44 PM
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You have obviously never hit the pave at 35mph. Clothing, top and bottom, is a very good thing. I have a burn (i.e. road rash) from mid-April that is still healing.

And to the people who say "Oh, I don't want to be a billboard for some company": if you wear their jerseys, and race in them, they often compensate you in return. It's a nice trade-off that some people apparently forget about. I paid $50 for my bibs, two pairs of socks, and two jerseys this year. Well over a $200 value. I get a 15% discount on everything in the store. It adds up.
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