Types of Bicycle Clothing

From a clothing perspective, bicyclists can be broken down into three categories:
  • bicycle enthusiasts
  • occasional riders
  • professional bicyclists.
The type of bike clothes you choose depends on the type of cyclist you are. An occasional rider, for example, probably wears everyday clothing, while a bicycle enthusiast probably has only the essential bike clothes in his closet. The professional cyclist, however, knows the importance of quality clothing in relation to aerodynamics, performance and comfort.
 

Reasons to Wear Cycling Clothes

Experts recommend that all riders, from beginners to pros, wear appropriate bike clothing to:
  • ensure safety
  • improve aerodynamics
  • improve a rider's attitude by dressing the part
  • maximize comfort and style
  • promote optimal health.
Cycling experts also recommend that all riders, regardless of their riding frequency or experience, dress in layers. This fundamental principle of bike clothing helps riders adjust to changing temperatures without carrying multiple changes of clothes.

Types of Bike Clothing

Here are some of the different types of bike clothing options available to cyclists:
  • fleece jackets: To stay warm in brisk temperatures, riders sometimes top their undershirt and jersey layers with a fleece jacket. Bike jackets are closer fitting than normal jackets and contain waterproof panels.

  • gloves: Gloves are recommended for all bike riders to protect the hands, fingers and underlying nerves.

  • jerseys: Jerseys, whether long-sleeved, short-sleeved or sleeveless, are a staple to any bike rider's wardrobe. Made of flexible synthetic fabrics, jerseys have high necks in the back to prevent sunburn, zippers in the front and pockets for carrying small items. The chief benefit of jerseys is that they move sweat from the rider's skin to the outside of the jersey.

  • long pants: Long pants for biking are made with and without padding and come in varying thicknesses. They are made from Lycra and feature several types of lining.

    Riders typically choose thinner pants for warmer weather, medium-thickness pants with a lining for cooler weather and fleece-lined biking pants for cold weather.

  • rain jackets: Cheap plastic rain jackets are available to bikers. However, serious bicyclists prefer versions that allow the skin to breathe and transport some perspiration from the skin to the surface of the jacket.

    The right rain jacket should be longer in the back, so the rider can tuck the bottom underneath herself to protect from rear wheel spray.

  • rain pants: Some riders add waterproof rain pants over their other bicycle clothes on wet days. Others find that rain pants leak and are more cumbersome than beneficial.

  • shorts: Bicycle shorts are made from Lycra and are shaped differently for male and female riders. Bike shorts are flexible, seamless and padded, making them more comfortable and appropriate for riding then regular shorts or pants.
Resources
 
Bicycle Clothing (n.d.). Home Page. Retrieved December 6, 2006, from the Bicycle Clothing Web site.
 
About.com (2006). Why Wear Bike Clothes? Retrieved December 6, 2006, from the About.com Web site.