nathand

Do you find it hard to resist buying another jersey, vest or pair of gloves even though you already have too many? Does indecision about what to wear delay your rides? Or, do you have a few favorite items of cycling gear that you wear all the time, and you only buy replacements when necessary? I thought I was being a minimalist about cycling clothing for years - a few jerseys, a few pairs of shorts, one pair of gloves (from Giro, that have held up quite well) - but somehow I've accumulated a collection of jerseys larger I'd ever need between loads of laundry. I'm thinking about buying another pair or two of gloves (fingerless, to try something different). I've almost never thought "I wish I had a vest on this ride" but I keep seeing my fellow riders with vests, and my sister tells me a vest is her favorite item of cycling clothing, and I've found one on sale (online, so I can't try it on first) that's tempting... none of these are terribly expensive compared to a bike, and they don't take up much space, but will they actually increase my enjoyment in cycling, or will more choices just give me more things to think about before leaving on a ride?

Iride01 

In the case of cycling clothes N will just be wrong and probably smelly.

tomato coupe

Yes, everyone needs one more sock.

gpburdell

No. No. Yes. Depends on your decisiveness.

GhostRider62

My fetish is tires.

But, I do own 6 or 7 skinsuits, none of which get used very often.

pdlamb

I wear out gloves, shorts, socks, sweatbands, so when I buy another it's in the expectation I'll fit it into the rotation at some point.

I've only ever worn out one jersey, and my wife threatens me when she looks at the stack I've accumulated. So if she thinks there's a really cool one, I let her buy it for me. But me buy another one? Last time was when she gave me the choice of two about three years ago, and then bought the one I picked out.

It's a very nice jersey, BTW.

caloso

Yes, you want a good windvest. I use one nearly every ride from October to March. Here's what to look for:

windproof front
breathable back (mesh is best in my experience)
high collar
pockets
two-way zipper
reflective bits

As far as indecisiveness, if there's any chance I think I might want it, then I'll put it on. They're easy to take off and stow in a jersey pocket.

oris

I honestly view cycling apparel as fashion and plan out what I'm going to wear the night before. I have kits to wear for seasons and for whatever I feel like matching for the day; bike, friends, etc.

A good vest and jacket is something I think everyone should keep in their wardrobe; they're great for layering in transitioning seasons even if you don't like venturing in foul weather. A personal favorite is the Rapha Brevet vest. Rapha as a brand is already polarizing however FWIW it has a windproof front, mesh back insert, pockets, two way zip and reflective materials; plus it packs down easily during rides.

Rolla

"I don't wear cycling gear, I just wear T-shirts, cargo shorts, Birkenstocks, and a fanny pack" in 3... 2... 1...

Germany_chris

I'm not an N+1 with anything to include clothing

mihlbach

I like spending money on bike parts. I hate spending money on cycling apparel, maybe because I can't lean clothing against the wall and stare at it. I wear good stuff, but only purchase clothing as needed. I never impulse buy clothing.

tomato coupe

Just skip the laundering step ...

CAT7RDR

I get it. I find myself devolving into a proud Fred too.
Does not matter what I wear as long as I finish the ride.

Ogsarg

Here in Norcal, you can start a ride in the low 50's and return in the low 80's so having lots of layering pieces is important and I often think of other pieces that might be nice, but at this point, I've gotten about everything I need except maybe gloves. You can never have too many gloves or maybe that is just me. It was the same when I was motorcycling. Had 7-8 pairs and was always thinking I needed more.

pdlamb

​​​​​​​Man, I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read that!

soyabean

You should be ashamed to ask.

This axiom always apply to all things cycling.

Besides, apparel is way easier to store than steel bikes, so no excuses there

BlazingPedals

OF COURSE n+1 applies to cycling clothes too. I tend to get at least one new jersey each year, and since I joined my club and started riding regularly 35 years ago... Well, I need a separate dresser just for my most-used bike duds. The others are boxed in a closet; you know, just in case I want to wear something more unusual.

WhyFi

Yes, yes it does. Or rather, it can. It depends.

Stuff that looks nice, fits well, and functions well is awesome and I enjoy it. Personally, it can be tough to justify additional articles of clothing when I've already got enough to last a reasonable laundry cycle, though... but I won't hesitate to replace something that's worn out or that doesn't fit well anymore.

Vests are pretty great. I'm a fan. I'm also a big fan of neck gaiters - gram for gram, they're right up there with vests in terms of utility.

Rolla

I like to buy shoes, helmets, gloves, and winter gear. The rest of it really doesn't interest me much.

And +1 to WhyFi -- a neck gaiter is among the most critical pieces for cool and cold temperatures. Likewise arm warmers.

SpedFast

Where does it all come from?

Mojo31

Surprised Larry Sellerz hasn’t chimed in. Seems like he’d be a N-1 guy.

nathand

At this point I have 3 kits from the group I used to ride/commute with, because it's fun to match everyone else, although I acquired at least one of those after I stopped riding with the group regularly but liked the kit design and still wanted to feel included. Then there's two long-sleeve jerseys - one Ibex, one Rapha (bought cheap off Craiglist, original owner had crashed and ripped it, then had it patched) - for cooler days, and a really lightweight jersey I bought a while back for hot days, and two Ornot jerseys from their sample sale last year (one lightweight, one a bit warmer), and a heavier weight wool/nylon jersey from Cedar Cycling (short-lived local company) that friends recommended. I think that's most of the jerseys I intentionally acquired. My sister gave me a few more that don't fit her, that she received from events she did, and I have 2 really old Descente cotton jerseys (made in Japan!) that a family friend gave my dad years ago, but were too small for him.

By the way, in case anyone is wondering, I'm looking at Bellwether's Velocity Vest, since I own several other Bellwether items that fit me well - any vest fans have opinions on this one?

caloso

I’ve never seen a windvest with front pockets.

cyclezen

Man, we are different...
I try not to do 'inventory', the idea scares me. I have way TOOO much kit. Counted my arm warmers a few days ago while looking for one particular pair... 14 pr...
... arm warmers are ESSENTIAL for life !!! I wear them with EVERY THING ! On in the morning and off at 10:30 - 365.
same can be said for cycling vests...
socks of every height and fabrication, in all essential colors,
Jerseys, Shorts Bibs - fugetaboutit !!!! I mean, I always wore cycling kit to work (in the last 2 decades of same) - it's always the most comfortable stuff I own (that and WoolX stuff for skiing...)
and base layer tops, I mean THAT is the most essential stuff to get right for the expected conditions. gloves, same deal.
5 prs of shoes - not counting the new MTB shoes and the Adidas road shoes just ordered...
so ok, Larry Sellerz and I are polar opposites... LOL!
life is short, riding in a stinky t-shirt is like dying just a little, every time you go out...
Ride On
Yuri
EDIT: ... I didn't wear Bibs or cycling shorts at work...
and YES, neck gaiters, essential ! I've also adapted my longer XC ski head tubes for use as thin neck gaiters that also cover the ears and fit under the helmet. great for really cold rides (yes we have some cold mornings out here - Month of Dec had morning temps in the low 30s everyday - took til 9 am to get into the mid 40s)
like this...

Gus Schmacher, using stretch head tube/gaiter

rsbob 

Cycling vests are the best. I bought one here for cheap and it works great with 3 back pockets.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...rch-mainSearch