Doing an event that starts chilly (low 50’s) lots of climbing on bike so more chilly on top. Considering both, arm warmers or long sleeve jersey, any opinions?
Also, any recommendations on arm warmers appreciated. Also recommendations on a mid thickness jersey, I may just buy both.
For long sleeve jersey I have thin ones, and thick thermals (for cold) but I don’t have a good medium temp jersey, any recommendations are appreciated.
I’d go with arm warmers (warmth wise all the ones I’ve tried are very similar), a ss jersey, an undershirt and a vest. That’ll provide you the most flexibility and warmth. With that combo you won’t need a thick jersey, just a standard one will be fine.
I prefer wearing arm warmers with a ss jersey. I have Capo arm warmers that I bought from bonktown for ~$20. they are warm, fit well, and the elastic keeps them in place.
For races I use the poor man arm warmers, tube socks with ends cut off. Then I can use for the start of the bike and just toss them at an aid station when I am done with them.
My sugoi arm warmers are warmer than my championsystem arm warmers. On cold days I prefer the sugoi product. If I know it will warm up slowly throughout my ride I will wear two sets of championsystem warmers and peel one off when I start getting hot.
I always choose l/s if, for no other reason, protection from the sun.
I was just in this situation last week at a race. Conditions were mid 40’s at the start and a high of mid 50’s…but later in the day during the run. In my T1 one bag I had arm warmers and a long sleeve jersey…and opted for the arm warmers. I wished I had used my long sleeve jersey!
I’d go with the jersey as well. You wouldnt believe how cold it gets when your going 20mph in 50 degree weather
Coming into this from a cycling background, I almost always opt for arm warmers. It isn’t until the temps start getting below freezing that I consider much else. Base layer, SS jersey, arm warmers, wind vest, bibs or bib tights.
Ever since arm warmer choices became more common on the market, I haven’t gotten any new L/S jerseys (other than a really heavy one with wind panels on the front, almost more what I’d call a jacket except it’s cut to fit snug). Can’t beat the flexibility… I’ve had a few early-start rides where I expected to ditch the arm warmers later on, only the clouds never burned off enough so it ended up being a de facto long-sleeve day all day; other rides, I’ve rolled them up/down several times as conditions change climbing & descending.
For brands… I like the DeFeet armskins (they are a knit tube like a sock, so no side seam running length-wise like the others) and have a longer sort of roll-top so I haven’t had issues with them coming down. The Capos are also nice for a more conventional style (got them on closeout in a different color when I’m looking for the Euro flash), and their silicone gripper holds them up nicely. Also have an older pair of Pearl Izumi… fairly cheap and OK, but the gripper isn’t as good so they’ll slide down on my arms a little after awhile.