What clothing to wear?

[Skippy]

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to pick myself up a new Carbon road bike through the cycle to work scheme. So far I've only managed 8 rides on the bike due to family stuff and work etc and have ridden just shy of 250 miles. I'm after some advise as to what type of clothing people wear on their rides as at the moment I've been wearing a short sleeve jersey and at times felt quite cold.

I have recently got myself an Endura windchill gillet which has been a godsend on the colder days when I've ridden. I have been using an old saddle bag from my mountain bike to stow the gillet in when I'm not wearing it, but the saddle bag is quite large. I often see others cycling wearing only a jersey and they always seem to have a tiny little saddle bag! Does this mean they don't pack any additional layers should the weather change? or am I missing something here? also should I be wearing a wicking vest beneath my jersey?

Sorry for all the noob questions and I appreciate your input

 

[vickster]

They use their jersey pockets most likely

Wear a wicking vest if you feel the need? Maybe get some arm warmers, they roll up small if not needed

Get a saddle bag in a size that suits your needs. Forget what others do, do what works for you and ignore any stupid 'roadie' rules. We all feel the heat or the cold differently. My arms get cold even on quite warm days

 

[Skippy]

There is no way I could stuff my gillet into my jersey pocket though, it's too thick
I will stick with the saddle bag I'm using then, as it suits my needs. I can usually get a spare tube my gillet and multitool in there. I think I might look into getting some type of vest then to fend off the cold.

 

[cm2mackem]

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to pick myself up a new Carbon road bike through the cycle to work scheme. So far I've only managed 8 rides on the bike due to family stuff and work etc and have ridden just shy of 250 miles. I'm after some advise as to what type of clothing people wear on their rides as at the moment I've been wearing a short sleeve jersey and at times felt quite cold.

I have recently got myself an Endura windchill gillet which has been a godsend on the colder days when I've ridden. I have been using an old saddle bag from my mountain bike to stow the gillet in when I'm not wearing it, but the saddle bag is quite large. I often see others cycling wearing only a jersey and they always seem to have a tiny little saddle bag! Does this mean they don't pack any additional layers should the weather change? or am I missing something here? also should I be wearing a wicking vest beneath my jersey?

Sorry for all the noob questions and I appreciate your input

This is the most common type of bag i see,https://www.evanscycles.com/topeak-...--FUCnUhuGHxoDep6CTRHqyio6clQN4TjXRoCgr_w_wcB , don't know about others but i always have a base layer on, mesh in the summer

 

[Skippy]

This is the most common type of bag i see,https://www.evanscycles.com/topeak-...--FUCnUhuGHxoDep6CTRHqyio6clQN4TjXRoCgr_w_wcB , don't know about others but i always have a base layer on, mesh in the summer

Thanks for the link, I might pop into evans cycles this week sometime to pick up some cycle mitts, so I'll check the saddle bags whilst there too. I think I'm leaning towards some kind of wicking vest as I was freezing on my last ride when the wind blew against my damp jersey. It didn't help though that I spent 20 minutes in a country lane fitting a new tube due to a puncture (about 15 of those minutes were spent trying to get the tyre back on).

 

[cm2mackem]

Thanks for the link, I might pop into evans cycles this week sometime to pick up some cycle mitts, so I'll check the saddle bags whilst there too. I think I'm leaning towards some kind of wicking vest as I was freezing on my last ride when the wind blew against my damp jersey. It didn't help though that I spent 20 minutes in a country lane fitting a new tube due to a puncture (about 15 of those minutes were spent trying to get the tyre back on).

If you've got a decathlon near try there,

 

[ianrauk]

I always wear a wicking vest, hot or cold, wet or dry.

 

[BrynCP]

I am still wearing long sleeve jerseys at the moment, although today that proved far too hot with a full base layer too!

Best for me midday at the minute is: wicking vest, long sleeve jersey, shorts. Wind proof lightweight jacket rolled up in my jersey pocket. Evening I wear a thicker base layer.

 

[Kajjal]

Best to wear a few thinner layers as you can take one off if you get a little warm or put one on if colder. What you don't want is a single thick layer as you will either freeze or boil alive. It takes a few rides but eventually you get used to what suits you and check bbc weather to help with temperatures, wind and weather.

To give a comparison in the winter i wear a gore long sleeve base layer, a specialized roubaix Jersey and a gore alp-x jacket with windproof gloves and castelli velocissimo bib tights. All bought in the sales or off ebay. They are fine down to freezing.

In the summer i wear a short sleeve jersey and bib shorts but carry a lightweight windproof / showerproof jacket in the Jersey back pocket.

At the moment mainly bib shorts and a long or short sleeve jersey depending on the temperature.

Just have a hunt round the sales and ebay, plenty of quality kit at reduced prices.

 

[steveindenmark]

I use one of these on my Carbon bike. If you can find one.

https://www.alpkit.com/products/airlok-xtra-tapered

 

[mjr]

Although I mostly ride in ordinary clothes, I do often carry a buff and a thin jacket or a thin waterproof (depending if it's already raining when I leave) in my rack bag. Sometimes I wear arm warmers for the first bit if it's forecast to warm up.

 

[biggs682]

wear what ever you are comfortable in

 

[midliferider]

What you wear depends
1. Weather and your ability to tolerate extremes of weather
2. How far you cycle
3. Your view on cost/ value

I usually wear a thermal layer unless temperature is above 20 C. Then on top of that I wear a long sleeve cycling top. Thickness of that depends on how cold it is. In the winter, I will wear a soft shell and in the autumn and spring a much thinner layer. Sometimes, if it is raining, just the cycling jacket over the thermal.
If it is short ride, say 20-30 mikes and back home in 1-2 hours, I do not bother to peel off while I get warmer.
All these items you can buy for varying prices. I am quite comfortable with Decathlon and Aldi.

 

[cyberknight]

Depends on the temperature.
Morning commute has been base layer , SSjersey , arm warmers, gilet , shorts + leg warmers as its chilly early on .
I tend to wear full finger gloves unless its above 18 degrees and armwarmers as i have cack circulation in my fingers.

My gilet is basically a thin windproof material that will easily fit in a jersey pocket .

 

[MichaelW2]

Gillet or full sleeve shell, windproof or waterproof to suit (don't use a waterproof as a windproof, too sweaty). You can carry both. Pertex style fabric is light and packable.
Inner wicking layer and light mid-layer as required.
Neck buff, long gloves, long leggings in this summer.