I understand that you should spend good money for good cycling shorts. I also undestand that you should have a tight fitting tri-top for races.
I recently picked up a $25.00 cycling jersey from Performance (their brand). It fits good and is super comfortable.
Aside from looking like a team rider and riding with a billboard on your back, what are the reasons to drop $80+ on a bike jersey? (I do understand the need for fashion or function in some areas. I wear Canali suits to work when a suit from JC Penny would probably get the job done).
Also, I am talking about for summer training. I get why you would want to spend money to stay warm.
Because aesthetics (and aero) trump training.
I get why you would want to spend money to stay warm.
And you don’t get that people would want to spend money to stay cool? Not all jersey fabrics are the same. Why buy $2,500 Zipps when $1,000 wheels will do just the same (or damn near).
That sir, is my question.
Is a $80+ jersey that much more comfortable than my $25 one? Will it last longer? I feel that my cheap-o Performance Jersey is able to keep my pretty cool thus far. Is a pricey jersey going to be that much more comfortable?
I totally understand the bling factor of having the higher end stuff. I am curious if there is “function” factor with higher priced jerseys?
(FWIW - I wear either a Desoto Forza or SLS3 FX top for races).
because you love America.
Ok, I’ll come out and say it. When you ride your bike, you have a choice to make. You can look like a dork, or you can look like a TOTAL BADASS. Which will you choose?
And you don’t get that people would want to spend money to stay cool? Not all jersey fabrics are the same.
I do many rides in thin (i.e. old) long sleeve cotton T-shirts and never have a problem with sweat, heat, etc compared to a jersey and find them more comfortable than a synthetic long sleeve. Lived in many hot places and many humid places - not a problem. I like long sleeve for sun protection. I spend $5-$10 on short sleeve jerseys on ebay.
As long as my jersey matches my bike, I’m cool.
That sir, is my question.
Is a $80+ jersey that much more comfortable than my $25 one?
Why just jerseys? Are $150 cycling shorts more comfortable than $50 tri shorts?
Not in my case. I’ll never buy another pair of expenssive shorts again.
Ok, I’ll come out and say it. When you ride your bike, you have a choice to make. You can look like a dork, or you can look like a TOTAL BADASS. Which will you choose?
^^This
It’s also my experience, not just with cycling but clothing in general, that if you buy the cheap(er) stuff you’ll be shopping again much earlier. Fabric and design is king, if you have a rotation of 2-3 jerseys you’re wearing each jersey 1-2 times a week and washing them after each use (at least in my sweat-like-a-pig case). 6 months, a year down the road the nice jersey simply holds up better, it still fits the way it originally did, the colors haven’t slowly run off, etc.
In the end the nicer jersey’s hold up longer and in general they fit, feel and breate better too.
We all look like dorks to all non-cyclists.
Spandex/Lycra shorts with what looks like a giant maxi pad?
Funny shoes attached to our pedals?
Helmets full of holes?
A shirt with some company logo on it. And that company did not PAY YOU to wear it?
A bunch of “stuff” bulging out of the pocket in our jersey?
Shaved legs?
Do-Rag under your helmet?
Gloves?
Arm warmers/coolers?
If I am going to look like a dork to 99% of people that pass me in their cars, I may as well save a little $$ while doing it.
Ok, I’ll come out and say it. When you ride your bike, you have a choice to make. You can look like a dork, or you can look like a TOTAL BADASS. Which will you choose?
If that’s sarcasm, it’s not that funny. If you are serious about looking like a badass in spandex and a cycling outfit, then that IS funny. For my own amusement, I’ll assume you are serious.
We all look like dorks to all non-cyclists.
What’s a ‘non-cyclist’ and why should I care what this imaginary person thinks?
Ok, I’ll come out and say it. When you ride your bike, you have a choice to make. You can look like a dork, or you can look like a TOTAL BADASS. Which will you choose?
+1.
Is it bad that I do not even own a pair of cycling shorts? Tri shorts for everything!1 I get a lot of static from my roadie buddies for it but oh well…
I ride 2-3 days a week with the roadies. If you show up there in a t-shirt or Performance jersey everyone assumes you don’t know what you’re doing. I prefer to prove first hand that I don’t know what I’m doing.
Is it bad that I do not even own a pair of cycling shorts? Tri shorts for everything!1 I get a lot of static from my roadie buddies for it but oh well…
I don’t know if I would say it’s “bad” but if you own and ride a ttx I would say it’s unusual.
Bib shorts are awesome
Full zip jerseys are a great match for bibs, though I concede that full zip is not a necessity
Not many full zip jerseys for $25
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Bib shorts are awesome
Full zip jerseys are a great match for bibs, though I concede that full zip is not a necessity
Not many full zip jerseys for $25
But with a full zip jersey the boys in the bike club can zip it down all the way while making that epic category zero climb and show their lilly white sunken chest, just like the pros do on TV.
We all look like dorks to all non-cyclists.
Spandex/Lycra shorts with what looks like a giant maxi pad?
Funny shoes attached to our pedals?
Helmets full of holes?
A shirt with some company logo on it. And that company did not PAY YOU to wear it?
A bunch of “stuff” bulging out of the pocket in our jersey?
Shaved legs?
Do-Rag under your helmet?
Gloves?
Arm warmers/coolers?
If I am going to look like a dork to 99% of people that pass me in their cars, I may as well save a little $$ while doing it.
I agree, you do look like a dork…only thing worse than a “Do-rag” is a mullet.