Do I really need a jersey?
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Do I really need a jersey?
I live down here in hot & humid North Carolina, and I ride, a lot! I do NOT race, nor would I last two minutes in a pace line, but I love to get out on the back roads and just ride. Taking a road that I have never ridden or driven on is a great way to spend a few hours lost and happy. BUT...I have been wondering lately if a jersey (rather than my usual cotton T-shirt over my bibs) is the way to go. I rarely ever carry any protein bars etc., but do carry a cell phone and a pouch for change. These usually go into my saddlebag. Let me knows the pros and cons of a jersey, and help me out. (By the way, need one for a 50" chest) THANKS!
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A jersey is just a tee-shirt that is optimized for riding a bike. It doesn't hang weird or flap while you are in a cyclist's crouch, and it gives you a place to put your things so you can ditch the saddle bag and fanny pack, god forbid. Wearing bike shorts with a tee-shirt looks weird. The jersey helps to make it look less like you're hanging around in your underwear.
I had to pry my dad's fanny pack out of his hands.
I had to pry my dad's fanny pack out of his hands.
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A jersey might seem a bit dorky, but no one would ever recognize you on the streets, or call you out for it, well, some might, but since you already wear a bib/cycling shorts, the looks part is unimportant. A T-shirt is great for laid back riding, but when you're putting in miles, a jersey cuts down wind and makes you more aerodynamic, having your T-shirt inflate like a flapping sail for two hours can be pretty irritating.
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100% cotton is like a sponge for your sweat, and if you happen to get caught in the rain you're soaked the rest of the ride.
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Pros - Wearing a cycling jersey is a big upgrade from a cotton t-shirt. It will keep you dry and cool you down when you put down the zipper. It usually has 3 pouches at the back to hold whatever you would need during a ride (spare tubes, tire levers, pumps/CO2 cannisters etc..) Which means you wont need your saddlebag.
Makes you look ...cool.
Cons - None that I know of.
Makes you look ...cool.
Cons - None that I know of.
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Pros I've found are the it helps wick away sweat better than a T. The tight fit is nice for not having any loose material blow around. Pockets are great for whatever you need to keep at hand. I've now done away with a saddle bag entirely. Major plus tho is you can unzip the front for added ventilation. (HUGE WIN)
Cons- Cost, tho you really do get what you pay for. (up to a point)
Cons- Cost, tho you really do get what you pay for. (up to a point)
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A good jersey wicks sweat, has pockets for carrying stuff, has a zipper, is cut longer in the back so it fits properly in a riding position, and doesn't flap in the wind. Doesn't that sound better than a cotton t-shirt?
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+1 - Wear whatever you want, but there is a reason all of us dress like idiots. At the end of the day though - riding the bike is always better than not riding it so wear what makes you comfortable.
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I just rock some c9 (target brand) performance tees or under armor. If you're comfortable then who cares.
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Lord knows we riders buy a lot of silly, redundant crap, but a good jersey isn't one of them.
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Make sure it is tight. I have a flappy jersey and it is annoying me.
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If you're a big fattie then keep wearing the big giant tent size t-shirt for everyone's sake! Also I hear black is slimming. Under Amour carries them in loose fit. That will be an upgrade as you won't feel like you're wearing a wet mop during you're scenic tours of NC....
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NO, When a younger man and slim , muscular and fast I would wear shorts sans jersey.....While doing tri's I would sport the at the time "padded speedo" no shirt. Now older, fatter, slower and grey I wear long sleeves.....loose fitting T's.....and beat the pro kit guys.
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I resisted for a long time getting the lycra shorts and the high-vis cycling jersey but eventually gave in to the "dark side." You should wear whatever is most comfortable, and I think you'll find that for long ride the lycra shorts and cycling jerseys are the most comfortable.
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If you're a big fattie then keep wearing the big giant tent size t-shirt for everyone's sake! Also I hear black is slimming. Under Amour carries them in loose fit. That will be an upgrade as you won't feel like you're wearing a wet mop during you're scenic tours of NC....
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I like the zipper in the front of the jersey, easy to cool down on hot days. The pouches on the back are also growing on me. I highly advise a jersey. But, if you REALLY don't want one, at least get a tech running tshirt (cheaper than a jersey), something synthetic that would deal with sweat better than cotton.
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You don't necessarily need one of those skin tight jersey. But a quick-dry, not cotton shirt, should at least help wick some of that sweat away.
But you'll find the jersey more useful anyways.
But you'll find the jersey more useful anyways.
#18
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If you don't care about pockets, and wind resistence, a "technical" t shirt (i.e. synthetic fabric that wicks moisture) works well.
Mountain biking with a camel back (obviating the need for pockets) I'll wear a t shirt.
Mountain biking with a camel back (obviating the need for pockets) I'll wear a t shirt.
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No.
But ditch the cotton.
But ditch the cotton.
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Summer cycling in North Carolina? I don't know how you can fare in that humidity with a cotton anything when sweating is no longer enough to cool your body down.
No NEED for a cycling specific jersey, as already stated above. You have plenty of options with technical fabrics.
No NEED for a cycling specific jersey, as already stated above. You have plenty of options with technical fabrics.
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As said above, you don't need it, but you'll be more comfortable in it.
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#23
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#24
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A modern "wicking" fabric will feel much cooler.
When I wear MTB shorts I can wear a T-shirt since the shorts have pockets for sunglasses, wallet, keys. With bike shorts, I like the jersey to have a few pockets. Its especially handy for the MP3 player (phone), so its easily accessible.
When I wear MTB shorts I can wear a T-shirt since the shorts have pockets for sunglasses, wallet, keys. With bike shorts, I like the jersey to have a few pockets. Its especially handy for the MP3 player (phone), so its easily accessible.