JC 911

This coming season will be first racing. What do you normally wear (i.e., bibs, shorts, jersey, skinsuit)? I know the pros wear skinsuits and my club offers a skinsuit for CX but I also know people just wear shorts with a jersey.

flargle

Anyone short of a Cat 1/Pro wearing a skinsuit seems to me a bit like, um, dress-up. That said, a lot of folk wear 'em so you wouldn't be alone.

Bib + jersey works great for me.

SpongeDad

Also, since most cx bikes don't have bottle cages mounted, if the team skinsuit has no pockets, you might want to go with a std jersey so you can put stuff like gels or a small water bottle in there for your warm up laps.

JC 911

Sounds like good advice - I'll stick with the jersey/shorts and not get the skinsuit.

availpunk9

Skinsuit all the way... One does a ton more upper body movement in CX racing and the jersey doesn't stay put. It would ride up my back.

Pockets aren't needed; unzip the skinsuit's neck and stuff the bottle down your back. It's fine for warming up & exploring the course.

SpongeDad

I've done 25 races over the last 2 seasons, including plenty of falls, and never had a problem with my jersey moving around or riding up. Now, I am wearing bibs. I would definitely prefer a skin suit over non-bib shorts.

I leave it to the OP to decide whether sticking bottles, power bars, gels or what-not down their back is a tractable solution.

Finally, in terms of pinning a number on, I think a jersey would be easier, but that's more of a logistical issue. I certainly know guys who have their team mates pin the number on and it's not a big issue.

uptight

The skinsuit covers your back when the mud is flying. A jersey can creep up and wet cold mud on the bare skin doesn't feel so good. Unless you don't race in the mud. Then again, going to the porta-potty with a skinsuit is just a hassle.

fietsbob

If not bibs , add suspenders to your shorts, perhaps?

ronbridal

Who really cares. Wear what you want. I've raced in both and prefer a skinsuit to the jersey/bib combo. But again, it doesn't make that much of a difference to me.

Debusama

I didn’t think aerodynamics was enough of a factor to justify a skin suit…. Apparently people use them though. In the cross races I’ve watched I’ve also seen people in tutus and superhero costumes as well, so there doesn’t seem to be much of a dress code.

CliftonGK1

I'm with availpunk9 on the skinsuit. I'm far from being a Cat 1/2, but I'll be rockin' the skinsuit for the upcoming season. My team's order is arriving at the end of this month, and I've got the suit and a set of bibs/jersey for training.


JC 911 - What club do you race with? I ride with Soft Like Kitten, and I saw some of the B'ham gang from Donkelope sporting skinsuits at the Midsummer Night's race last month.

Cynikal 

I'm in the jersey and bibs camp on this. I like pockets and gear I can use when I'm not racing. Some of my teammates rock the skinsuit but I like options. At least here in Nor Cal there are some races where I need to carry water for at least a couple of laps.

Andy_K 

You just need more mud. Once the pockets start filling up, a jersey stays down just fine.

Seriously though, I've never had a problem with my jersey creeping up and we've got plenty of mud in these parts. I'll be trying bibs instead of just shorts for the first time this season.

mr.smith.pdx

You may need to do more 12 or 16 oz. curls. This will help you develop the 'CX vest' (sometimes crassly referred to as a "beer gut" or "love handles") The 'CX vest' helps to keep the jersey from creeping up.

Where I race, the big jacket I wear to keep warm pre-riding has enough pockets for anything.

Skinsuits are for super heroes.

RacerOne

I go with the bibs and jersey, that way when you crash, fall and rip your stuff, you only have to replace half your kit.

Cynikal 

Also, none of this applies if you are in Portland. You need a tu tu and fishnets if you plan to race there.

eddubal

^ If you're not racing with a team, should you avoid tu-tus with logos on them?

Andy_K 

That's only true in the men's races. The women usually race in team kit.

Farmer Dave

mr.smith.pdx

I resembled that remark when I road the Astoria Halloween Crusade race in a King of the Mountains Podium Girl outfit. Looked great until I went over the bars and got my dress all muddy.

Of course the irony of it all is that as a clydesdale, I am definitely not KoM material.

Cynikal 

Pics or it didn't happen.

mr.smith.pdx

How's this?

I am the guy in the skirt... on my back... in the mud.

bmck

Definitely need pockets--where else are you gonna put the cash handups?

Cynikal 

That's what the garter staps are for...duh.

Gummee

Inside the top of your skinsuit. Least that's where I shoved the prime I got at the Tacchino (sp?) race.

Me? Skinsuit says you take cross somewhat seriously. After all, where else are you gonna ride one other than on the track?

M