Johnny Rad

Makes me feel like a Shleck bros...

canklecat

Never. I don't get that hot, even during Friday afternoon's ride in 108F temperature. And I can't ride no-hands reliably. My balance was messed up by a neck injury years ago. So I unzip only chest-height, which I can manage with one hand.

But it might depend on the jersey fabric. My favorite summer jersey is a Louis Garneau Lemmon II, by far the most comfortably fabric I've found for brutally hot Texas summer. Hard to describe, it's poly but feels like ultra-thin fine cotton or Merino wool. Wicks sweat so effectively that unzipping doesn't really feel any better. Looks and fits very much like a classic 1960s jersey, with subdued colors and graphics.

My Pearl Izumi race fit sorta-aero jerseys have plasticky feeling material on the shoulders and upper arms that would probably get sweaty in summer, so I might be tempted to unzip. But I wear those only in temps below 90F.

Also, there's nothing more terrifying looking than a skinny old man with a bony fish-belly-white chest. I don't want anyone calling a hearse on my behalf while I'm still reasonably upright.

canklecat

I think it's mostly a thing since full zip jerseys became the norm. The old school guys with sternum-length zippers unzipped as far as it would go. I sure did back in the 1970s with my short sleeve merino wool jersey. Wool was okay but it didn't wick any better than some of the best contemporary tech fabrics.

HTupolev

Occasionally while climbing on a hot day, especially on mountainous gravel where I might literally be slogging along at like 5mph for lengthy amounts of time. Mostly no.

Dean V

Who cares!

nomadmax 

I keep my jerseys/jackets zipped up for the most part, there doesn't seem to be much difference between up and down as it relates to cooling (for me). If I really hot and have water to spare I'll put some on my head which also soaks my jersey a little.

Regarding zippers; there is one thing I've done for many years based on something I saw in a road race during the 80s. My rain jacket is stored in my jersey pocket zipped up but only far enough to keep it from unfurling like a flag yet not so far that I can't get a helmeted head thru the hole. I watched a guy near me in a race pull out his slicker that was completely unzipped, the wind immediately made it about six feet long and put one of the sleeves into his front wheel/fork. I'd say it made about two revolutions before it sucked the whole thing in and launched him over the bars causing a hole in the peloton. The good news is I wasn't involved

Ghazmh

Nope, never. Unzipped a few inches at most.

noisebeam

Zipped to the top for comfort. I had one jersey that would always unzip ~1/2" so I threw it away.

noodle soup

Probably the OP.

DrIsotope

On the bike, the zipper stops at the HRM strap. No innocent eyes should be made to see the gut below. Hell, I don't wanna see it.

GlennR

Just remember to zip it up when you cross the finish line so everyone sees the sponsor's name

frankenmike 

I stay zipped ever since a stinging insect got me on the torso.

AdkMtnMonster

Ok, now that *THAT* is settled, how many riders here unzip the hem zips on the bottoms of their bib tights on climbs, while waving to other riders on the local multi-use path on their singlespeed steelies with tubeless tires, disc brakes, and Garmin varia radar, just before they upload their rides to Strava? Hmmm? How many?

Ilbiker

Only a few inches at most. Haven’t noticed any difference Unzipping more. As long as I’ve got air moving over me, I’m good. If it’s really hot, I’ll just find one of these water “stops”. Nice and cool, just gotta be ready for it.

NoWhammies

I've ridden through a couple of those on hot days. Reminds me of running through the sprinkler as a kid!

Seattle Forrest

I'll unzip my jersey to the bottom, but won't separate it, so I guess technically it's still zipped about half an inch. I have stuff in the pockets I want to stay put, and if the zipper itself has much mass I don't want it hitting the top tube when I'm in the drops. I had a carbon frame crack from repeated but very minor impacts.

355Mono

Most "flappers" are not wearing riding jerseys. Just tee shirts. So, I don't acknowledge them on rides. Sounds snooty, but I can't help it. I do unzip a bit in the heat. I also got my first sleeveless jersey, and found I really like it in the heat. What was the question?

rubiksoval

I stopped reading at bib tights.

Leg warmers. 'Nuff said.

AdkMtnMonster

Elitist. Typical.

Marci

I'm reading this thinking, its hot and they don't take they jackets off? The picture helped to clear exactly what you were talking about. That is not an option for me at all. It fact it would probably cause a few accidents. LOL

shelbyfv

Don't be surprised if people mistake you for a triathlete and refuse to acknowledge.

Clarinetrox

Shirtless is the way to go, so long as you won’t burn to a crisp

indyfabz

Hellz yes if it's warm, especially if I am pedaling a fully-loaded bike. Don't care what others think. Imma try to get as comfy as possible.

indyfabz

I have too when touring in Montana. Love them.

355Mono

Yup, swimming/biking/noshing! All 3!