Taking a Cycling Jerseys Why are bicycling jerseys essential? Why can't I just ride in a t-shirt? Those are good questions, considering the fact that most cyclists wear regular cycling clothing. But bike jerseys are important for ventilation, comfort, the removal of moisture, and the reduction of wind resistance while cycling. Cycle shorts are built of materials that are designed to wick away perspiration, meaning that the perspiration breathes through to the exterior of the clothing, where it can escape. Not only does this help keep you cool on hot days, but it also provides insulation and helps keep you dry on cold days, which helps keep you warmer. And standard clothing whips around in the wind like a parachute, which slows you down and can rub you. Cycling jerseys are cut long in the back to accommodate the rider being bent over so much. After you wear a jersey a couple times, it will stretch out to fit your body better. Any pockets on the jersey are set on the back panel because front pockets tend to spill when you bend over. The zipper on a men’s jersey is frequently constructed very long so that the rider can open up the jersey when he gets hot. Cycling jerseys are available for men and women in a wide variety of colors, designs, and fabrics. The most commonly used materials are cotton, polyester and nylon, though wool is starting to mount a comeback. Cotton looks wonderful and is the most comfortable material when dry, but, since it doesn’t wick moisture away as well as the other fabrics, it can get uncomfortable when it's wet. Nylon jerseys are a terrific blend of micro fiber and spandex. This fabric is known for its great ability to absorb dampness, keeping you cool and comfortable. Nylon is durable but doesn’t hold dyes well, so its color fades with time. Polyester is comparable to nylon and performs even a little better than nylon for moisture management, because polyester is more hydrophobic. Nylon threads absorb more moisture than polyester, so nylon will feel colder when wet and will stay wet longer, which impedes its breath ability. But Polyester is less durable and retains more odors than nylon.
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CycleClothingXpert.com 2011
Many cyclists used to think wool too abrasive to wear, but the new merino wool jerseys are comfortable and soft. They are non allergenic and have better wicking properties than the artificial materials. They also don't get as smelly when you ride as synthetic jerseys, but they're more costly and don't shed the wind as well. The weave of the material is very important. If the yarn on the outside of the garment is thinner than the yarn on the inside of the garment, capillary action will pull water to the outside. The increased surface space of the thin yarn gives the water more space to spread out, increasing the wicking capabilities. Both nylon and polyester feature this structure in certain brands. You need to get a jersey that fits snugly but doesn't constrain your movements on the cycling and running tights. If it is form-fitting, it will stretch to fit you to some extent. You will have other choices to make, such as the thickness of the fabric; thick fabric is warmer and lasts longer, but skinny fabric is cooler on hot days. Read the reviews of jerseys that interest you. Best of luck to you.
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CycleClothingXpert.com 2011