Specific cycling clothes vary for their different uses and styles for the different disciplines in cycling. There are many clothing to choose from, including jerseys, shoes, socks,gloves,sunglasses. The two extremes would be from the lycra clad, Super-man suited road racing cyclist to the baggy shorted casual downhill biker who looks more like a cross between Californian surfer, a skate-boarder and a snow boarder.
Road Cycling Clothes
Comfort and practicality are the most important facets of cycling clothes for the road cyclist, and for the professional somewhere to put the name of his sponsor.
Keeping hot in the winter and cool in the summer are also important considerations and very specific materials are used for this reason. A more porous, like a tea bag, cloth is used for
summer jerseys and the option of a full zip for extra ventilation.
In the
winter thermal and wind-stopper are most popular choices for the upper body.
Lycra shorts are a must for all serious cyclists, with padding where the saddle rubs, either worn on their
own, in warm weather, or with leg warmers or under tights in the cold.
Cycling Clothes For Track Cyclists
Aerodynamics are most important on the Pista, so it's lycra one piece skin suits in as shinny a material as possible, with the all important padding in the seat of the shorts.
The must for all track cyclists is a good pair of
mitts; these can give protection in the advent of a crash and help to grip the handlebars for those important sprints.
Cross Country Mountain bikers
Mountain bikers usually wear the same sort of stuff as road cyclists, but have to remember that they may get very wet, very muddy and have the chance of getting very cold.
So they may not go out in there best kit just in case they fall off or the weather ruins this years prised Christmas present.
Warm sensible cycling clothes and if it looks like rain or your going up to altitude always take a waterproof jacket with you.
Cycling Clothes For Downhillers
'Down-hillers' are a breed of their own! Serious racers will wear padding on most of their bodies; they look more like gladiators than sportsmen.
From full-face
helmets to shin guards, shoulder pads and spine protectors, a Hollywood stuntman would be proud of the body armour they wear.
The others wear what they like, looking like downtown skate boarders, baggy shorts and T-shirts are a fashion statement with surfers and down-hillers.
All Cyclists
Cyclists should all wear a helmet; many countries have it in their road laws that it is mandatory, but not all.
If you have ever fallen off a bike or seen someone do it and hit his or her head, you wouldn't leave the house without one.
Mountain bike riders just don't know what might happen round the next boulder or down the next dip and if you are up that mountain on your own and have an accident!
Well your helmet might save your life. Cycling shoes are a must for all bikers, the difference is unbelievable, if you have never tried them it's frightening the first time, but after you get used to them you wonder how you ever lived before.
Who can go out these days without a mobile phone, if you can get coverage out on the tracks and trails then it's always a good idea to take it with you, it may just save your life!
