What should be clothing for cyclists? Men's clothing for cyclists. Useful tips Why you need a bike uniform

Many years ago, the most eminent cyclists dressed like ordinary onlookers - in comfortable pants and a shirt, and even with a jacket. Time changes professionals. Athletic uniforms were shortened and became tight-fitting, and now strangely dressed cyclists in bandanas, tight jackets and shorts began to appear in the city.

Consider what modern cycling clothing is, its features and constituent elements. Let's touch on the shorts with diapers loved by everyone and the features of operation in the conditions of Russian frosts.

Does it make sense to use

We can say that all riders are divided into two camps in their attitude to modern cycling clothing, especially the male part of them.

One camp is the conservatives. For them, a bicycle is either a means of transportation that can be ridden in both a formal suit and casual jeans, or “just a bicycle” that is no different from others. sports activities.

These guys dress up sports trousers and shorts, sometimes they ride in camouflage, convenient for subsequent walks in nature. The "conservatives" usually include non-professionals - lovers of rare walks or experienced "severe" riders, whose riding style no longer requires any special equipment.

On the other hand, more and more cyclists are dressing in comfortable and modern clothes. Bicycle models are very technologically advanced, and a lot of money is invested in their development. Modern cycling clothing has many tasks regarding ordinary things:

• ventilate the body of the cyclist - cooling is very important, especially during intensive riding;
• remove sweat - wet skin is the main cause of discomfort when riding;
• mitigate the negative effect of the load on the body - various dressings and reinforcements will allow you to get tired less and not injure the joints and the musculoskeletal system;
• optimize aerodynamics - up to 80% of the air resistance when skiing falls on the body, and the drag force can be effectively reduced.

Both sides are right. Modern technologies make it possible to seriously simplify skiing and reach new heights, but this requires sacrificing both time choosing clothes and serious sums. A set for professional racing costs several thousand dollars. In addition, many simply do not like the look of modern sportswear, in which not male, but unisex models are more common.

Warm weather clothing

Usually they ride a bike in warm weather, very often in hot weather. It is clear from the operating conditions that the classic idea of ​​a bicycle uniform is created by the American meme MAML - middle-aged man in lycra (a middle-aged man in lycra), which appeared due to the abundance of many office workers in parks, on and embankments in the United States in recent decades, concerned about their health, who prioritize the maximum use modern technologies.

Summer clothes for cyclists are light, tight, made of synthetic materials focused on body cooling and heat dissipation. In addition to the classic T-shirt and shorts, gaiters and sweat-wicking bandanas are often used under the bike helmet.
In autumn and spring, as well as during adverse weather conditions, moisture and windproof windbreakers are used.

Additional elements in the cold

Looks special set for riding in winter. Cycling clothing is changed for the cold period completely. Even cycling pants, visually repeating the summer version, are lined from the inside with insulating materials and lose their ventilation pockets.

Separate type of shoes with Gore-Tex technologies and analogues, lightweight insulating insulation. Balaclavas and goggles for face protection, specialized gloves with an elastic coating of several fingers (for using the brake), warm jackets. Perhaps the market for winter accessories for bicycles is one of the most rapidly developing and not well-established. There is a constant exchange between the cycling market and the widest selection of sports equipment for skiing and snowboarding.

jerseys

Let's move on to the main elements of the veloform. Of course, it all starts with T-shirts and T-shirts.

What elements and features should you pay attention to when choosing a bike jersey?

• Material First of all, it is the sensations of the body. You will have to spend a lot of time in a T-shirt, and it should be comfortable and pleasant. Next is ventilation and sweat removal, which again depend on the material.
• Seam quality- a coarse thread and even small flaws will lead to problems after a couple of washes. The seams may come apart or start chafing the skin, making it impossible to wear the garment. It is especially important when it is women's cycling clothing.
• Cut at shoulders and waist- we should not forget that most of the time on the bike is spent with arms outstretched forward. The shirt should sit well with the body tilted and arms outstretched.
• Reflective elements is an important element of road safety.

IN winter time the convenience of the sleeves is important, since they have to come into contact with gloves, and the windproof properties of the material.

The subject of special love of all “conservatives” is cycling shorts. They are also "shorts with a diaper" or cycling shorts. Specialized models originally appeared for road racing on the respective bikes, but are now used in cross-country.

Although this element causes a smile, the "diaper" is a key part of the cycling shorts, which is responsible for absorbing the shock of the saddle and removing moisture from one of the cyclist's problem areas - friction constantly occurs between the legs and sweat accumulates, which needs to be removed.

Important factors when choosing cycling shorts:

• Availability and quality of execution of "pampers".
• The design of shock-absorbing silicone inserts - it is desirable that they not only be, but also be divided into several segments - this is how the greatest shock-absorbing effect is achieved.
• Fitting of the legs - they protect the leg from chafing and should not move.
• Elasticated waist or "braces" to attach to the shoulders - the shorts must not move or slip during use.

Separately, there is a class of cycling pants. These include both elongated shorts that are tight and remove heat and sweat, as well as versatile options. First of all, these are “gaiters”, which are worn under tight pants in winter or used separately in cool weather. By design, they are no different from shorts, except for the elastic band on the lower leg.

"Pampers on cycling shorts"

Universal cycling pants are pants with ventilation pockets that are additional to the “diaper” and often come unfastened at the leg. Pants are designed to protect the legs from moisture and cold for riding in winter and in rainy weather.

Thermal underwear and jackets

There is no separate class of thermal underwear for cyclists. Even professionals take underwear for active rest, but there are some limitations - you need to choose the size very carefully so that you can use underwear with tight-fitting elements of cycling clothing.

Jackets, on the contrary, are subject to a minimum of requirements. All-purpose windbreakers should protect the body, fit comfortably and not interfere with movement. Suitable for both specialized cycling models (more elastic fit, longer sleeves and lower back), as well as regular sports items of clothing.

It should be noted that jackets are clearly divided into men's and women's, as their cut is seriously different.

Accessories

As in other areas of the bicycle market, manufacturers pay special attention to accessories. They are most often bought, and they please cyclists incomparably more than new clothes of “large” items of equipment.

What accessories are useful from those offered by the market?

• Slimming leggings- a controversial element that is gaining popularity. Tightening the calf muscles is already used by professionals, but has not yet gained popularity among amateurs.
• Balaclavas and goggles for winter skiing are mandatory, without them there is no point in “going on the ice”, i.e. ride in winter period. This is both dangerous and inconvenient.
• Sweat-wicking underwear- additional elements similar to thermal underwear, but performing the opposite function - to cool the body and remove sweat, as do the elements with diapers. A rare and expensive pleasure.
• - there are separate articles about them, but it is important to select them in accordance with the clothes already used.

Conclusion

Cycling apparel is a big market with a huge number of designs coming into mass production from sports teams and their suppliers. Choosing clothes for cycling should be based on several basic parameters:

• material– depending on the tasks, it should be different;
• figure– any clothing for cycling should be comfortable;
• functions- each item of clothing has its own task, and this task must be completed, and the best example of this is diaper shorts.

By critically approaching the things in the store and evaluating them from all sides, it is very easy to choose the perfect thing for riding. Of course, if money is not an issue, cycling clothing, like all professional equipment, is not the cheapest product.

You can buy it on the website of our partners.

After looking at the price tag for similar pants in local stores, I decided to order in China, there was no great urgency. At least twice the price turned out to be offline, in my local stores. So please don’t write, like, but it’s cheaper here and why buy in China, since I bought it, it means it was more convenient for me.

The price tag seemed quite attractive to me, but I didn’t expect the pants to be so high quality, I was very surprised. Well, now in more detail

It was a bit of points, threw off until 17.97. Enslaves the store with its points :)

I will say right away that I am not a specialist in this area, so I will review these specific trousers based on my feelings

Material: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex. The material is quite pleasant to the touch. What is most interesting, the material in front is denser and slightly rough, the material in the back is softer and smoother. It’s overwhelmed that we have pants for autumn and winter, but I think this means the Chinese winter, so only autumn and early spring will be more relevant for us.

What was not unimportant for me when choosing these pants was the possibility of everyday wear, not just cycling. Or rather, the lack of a sewn-on diaper, well, I don’t like it, and my bike is mainly for city driving, I don’t wind a hundred kilometers a day.

The next important point is the choice of size, so as not to miss when ordering online. Decided not to insure, and trusted the table. I chose size XL according to my height and weight (78kg and height 180cm), it fit right next to me, although, as I understand it, cycling pants should not be loose.

Great price, just great.

There was no factory packaging, the pants were in a bag with the logo of the gearbest store

I have already accumulated similar packages, my wife adapted them to her clothing needs, since the packages are quite dense and have a clasp.

We take out the trousers, I did not find any foreign chemical smell, the factory tags are in Chinese.

The tags should have info on how to wash and so on. Here are the recommendations in our correct language:

Wash at temperature: 30 °
do not iron, do not tumble dry
do not bleach, do not iron

In short, you need to be extremely careful when washing so as not to spoil it. Although the stated pants are not afraid of cold, moisture, high temperatures, but are afraid of an iron and a washing machine with its terrible spin)

Here is a small measurement, maybe it will help someone with a further choice

The pants taper to the bottom, but there is a lock, which I quite liked, since I don’t really like very narrowed pants, although it’s quite comfortable when riding a bike, the legs do not interfere with the ride.

On each side there is a fairly deep pocket with a zipper, and one small one at the bottom. The palm will completely fit into the side

There are reflective elements, which is also quite useful when driving at night.

Well, let's see what they represent from the inside

Huge pockets

Leg bottom

The tailoring quality is good, there is nothing to complain about at all, but if only a couple of protruding threads)

Now it’s a little hot in them, but in order to take a picture I had to put them on.

After trying on, and walking down the street, I regretted that I didn’t take a brooch size, although maybe I’m not used to tight pants :)

The pants left a pretty good impression of themselves, it's a pity that there is only one color, I would take another one for myself. I'm also thinking of buying a sports jacket or a trowel for them to make a set. The material is good for its cost, but it is waterproof only in front, on the back there is another fabric that will still get wet. So far, unfortunately, I can’t check out all the charm of these pants, it’s not the season anymore.

Cycling shorts. How not to be shy about diapers?

From debate, friction and inconvenience, the crotch is protected not only by cycling shorts, but also by cycling shorts. They are of three types:

• Actually cycling shorts (swimming trunks or boxers) with diapers.
• Cycling shorts as part of the uniform - long and tight
• Loose cycling shorts with a built-in diaper.

Bicycle shorts are selected according to three parameters:

• Breathable material. The best option- a combination of spandex and man-made fibers, but such a piece of cycling clothing is expensive
• Croy. We choose seamless shorts that will not rub when riding. Cycling shorts are sewn from 4.6 or 8 strips of fabric. The more stripes, the more comfortable the fit.
• Size. First, you should choose your size. Secondly, check the convenience not only when walking, but also when landing on a bicycle. Of course, taking a bike into the fitting room is a bad idea, but it’s worth discussing with the seller the possibility of returning the goods after fitting “in the saddle”.

Now let's talk about cycling. This is the main component of cycling shorts, which distinguishes them from ordinary wardrobe items. It protects the delicate skin of the perineum from sweating and abrasions. That is why they do not wear underwear under cycling shorts or cycling shorts with a diaper.

Choosing cycling shoes

Cyclists use different shoes for trips:

• Non-cycling shoes (ordinary sneakers, sneakers, sandals, even slates)
• Cycling shoes
• Contact cycling shoes

Contact shoes are bought complete with similar pedals. On shoes and pedals, the pattern on the sole fits perfectly. The design is expensive, but when driving, the leg will not come off. Cons of contact shoes, in addition to the price - it is extremely difficult to move on the ground in them, they are only suitable for cycling

Cycling shoes are tight-fitting shoes without laces. The laces often get caught in the chain, so cycling boots are fixed to the leg with rubber inserts. Summer footwear comes with a slightly ribbed sole, and winter version cycling shoes are equipped with spikes.

Helpful advice:

Choose waterproof, non-staining shoes for skiing dark colors. In the new white Adidas, you may make a splash, but you will certainly get them dirty while driving.

And in order to keep your feet from sweating inside the shoes, wear light high socks. Some advise wearing footcloths so as not to spend money on special socks for cycling.

For travel and for work

Bicycle for you - not just entertainment, but the main means of transportation? Then in the choice of clothes you have to show imagination. It is clear that you won’t ride a bike in trousers and a jacket, but if the work dress code allows light jeans or cotton pants, go ahead with the iron horse. By the way, you can go to work in a bicycle uniform, and then change into a “suit of a decent person”.

Today, many brands are developing men's casual looks adapted to cycling. For example, the River Island brand creates jackets for everyday wear with reflective inserts and loops at the waist for attaching a bike lock. Levis has also developed a collection of jeans and jackets made of stretch fabric with reflective and water-repellent elements.

Russian veloform

The Russian national cycling team uses the form of Italian production. But there are also good domestic manufacturers that create clothes for cycling.

The most popular Russian cycling uniform for men is called, oddly enough, "Katyusha". The summer kit on the manufacturer's website costs 3800 rubles. The cycling jersey is made of 100% polyester, which will keep the body dry for a long time. Coolmax fibers are responsible for this, whose sections are four-channel, which increases the surface area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe fiber by 20 percent.

This fiber structure allows you to quickly transfer moisture from the body to the fabric, where it will evaporate. Clothing from Katyusha dries quickly and is well ventilated. In addition, these special fibers are two times softer than cotton, more pleasant to the skin. Bicycle shorts from "Katyusha" consist of polyester and elastane. The two materials provide good moisture wicking and elasticity. Domestic cycling shorts can be stretched 4-6 times, and it will return to its original state without folds. In shorts, a bicycle diaper is provided, we will cover the contours of the body.

An alternative to Katyusha was the Nalini cycling uniform. Cyclists immediately warn that when ordering via the Internet there may be a size mismatch, it is better to come to a specialized store and try it on. The Russians acquired the Nalini franchise in 2005, since then the form has gained great popularity in the market.

There are many sites on the Internet where they offer to order a form for a bicycle. If possible, take the form from a retail store, where you can try it on, in which case, return it.

Why is a cycling uniform better than regular clothes?

Of course, in a tight fit you can’t put a mobile phone and other important things in your pocket, but there are a huge number of pluses in wearing a bicycle uniform.

• Cycling T-shirt(Jersey). The more you move, the more you sweat. Polyester T-shirts quickly absorb and evaporate moisture. With moderate riding and light wind in a cycling uniform, the cyclist's chest will always remain dry. True, how to make sure that the back has time to dry before it fogs up, the developers of the form have not yet come up with.
• Glasses and helmet. Firstly, these elements of the form will distinguish you from athletes of other types. The glasses have a sun protection effect, and also protect the eyes from dust and debris. It is especially important to wear bike glasses when riding on gravel or in a column of cyclists.
• Gloves. Remember how after the first bike ride you rubbed calluses on the outside of your index finger? This wouldn't happen with gloves. In bicycle gloves, the steering wheel does not rub, sweaty hands do not slip off the control. In addition, the structure of the gloves redistributes the load on the hands, after a long trip they will not hurt.

Helpful Hints:

When choosing a form for cycling, pay attention not only to the size of the model, but also to its size.

Wear bike protection with your uniform:helmet, elbow pads

Wash your uniform a couple of times a week if you ride your bike every day. For the convenience of the “lower” elements of the form (pants, T-shirt, shorts) there should be several sets.

Don't wear a uniform that cuts you. Bicycle clothing should be tight but not tight.