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In December, I was able to share with you all things winter cycling from kit to how to cycle in the cold and this past month I was aiming to help you find motivation to opt outside despite the elements. You may have recently wondered “Why the heck is she talking about cycling shorts, it’s winter!” I tell you there is a rational! To wrap up the month of all things new year of motivation and kit to help you think about getting out there, I wanted to give a last push to help you understand cycling kit function to help inspire braving the elements.
While I have been attempting to brave every element this winter, I can’t stop thinking about how to make cycling more comfortable by looking into the function of every kit garment there is. Being comfortable on the bike is fundamental to getting the most from your own efforts. There are so many ways to cycle but what remains a constant are the conditions that we face the moment we step out the door. From sun, wind, rain, and cold, we can be certain that in seasonal changes, even between the days, we need functional gear and some preparation.
So in today’s post, I’m going to share with you what I’ve learned in the last few months about the purpose and technology of the material in our kit. The goal is to help you understand how cycling kits function and what you should be looking for when you’re considering how to manage each element. Hurry summer!
I know in the overall cycling community, some gasp at the thought of cycling in spandex or cotton. For cycling kits, there are a number of material types, compositions, and finishes that are developed to battle key elements and provide fit for movement, warmth, breathability and waterproofing to make cycling more comfortable in every condition.
Materials And Finishes
When it comes to materials, engineers and material scientist consider all the properties function of each material and make their recommendations based on the purpose of use. They also analyze every option available for a garment so it’s helpful for us to understand how they function when selecting kit for your own specific needs as a cyclists.
Starting with common materials in cycling kit, woven materials are hard wearing and offer good resistance against abrasion whereas knitted fabrics are generally lighter weight and offer a naturally high level of stretch, fit and comfort. Mesh goes one step further to increase the aeration properties of the fabric to once again improve the overall comfort.
In cycling kit, you will find synthetic composites that provide specific advantages compared to natural fabrics, for example polyester drys faster and offers good moisture management compared to cotton and wool, polyamide increases durability and abrasion resistance with elastin, increasing the stretch of the fabric to provide a better fit to the body.
How a fabric is finished or used together in a layered construction is also important, depending on its intended final purpose. A durable dater repellent (DWR) coating may be added to the outer layer of the fabric, or a membrane used, to increase resistance to water. To improve the ability of the textile to move sweat from the skin to the outer surface, and to promote faster drying of the material, a hydrophilic finish may be used. Brushed fabrics that are generally found on the inside of jackets not only increase thermal insulation and warmth but also give a comfortable feel against the skin.
Main Elements
The four main elements that cycling kit will be subject to – heat, wind, rain and cold. Where and when certain materials and technologies are used will depend on the intended purpose along with the conditions that they will face in use. Kit designer know how important it is to integrate materials and designs appropriately with actual riding conditions to ensure that they maintain their intended performance characteristics throughout.
Here is how kit functions in every element…
Heat
One of the most important functions for any kit fabric being used in hot conditions is to transfer heat and sweat away from the skin. As the temperature rises, naturally you’ll wear less kit on the bike. In the height of summer you’ll need to try and keep your core temperature down to maintain comfort and perform optimally. Fabrics in your kit will be lighter and specifically designed to wick sweat away from your skin quickly. A knitted material construction with naturally good stretch, comfort and fit is often used for the main body. Mesh is normally located in the side panelling and under the arms to further aid ventilation as does the front zipper which can vary in length. One very important area that should not be overlooked is the UV rating of the kit. Despite being lightweight, technical fabrics can still offer a high level of protection against harmful rays.
For gear in this region, check out: Machines For Freedom SPF Summerweight Jersey’s/Endurance Bib Shorts/MVP Bib Tights
Wind
In the right direction the wind can make cycling feel effortless but when you’re met with it head on this can be a completely different story as you battle against it. As well as this you’ll also notice that it feels as though it’s cutting straight through you, chilling your core and significantly reducing your body temperature. In part this is emphasized by moisture, in the form of sweat, that may have dampened your clothing – further adding to this chilling effect.
As riding gets cold, sweaty, and tiring in the wind, trying to maintain levels of comfort are paramount which is where the use of technical fabrics and well designed kit come into their own. A wind jacket that has been specifically developed to be used in windy conditions may utilize a combination of technologies to achieve the required performance levels. For example, a knitted polyester construction with hydrophilic finish may be used to aid moisture management, stretch, comfort and fit, and wind/water resistant inner membrane with durable water repellent (DWR) surface treatment to further aid water repellency. Overall the goal is to carefully combine the performance values of each fabric, technology or treatment so that they all work together to provide maximum protection against the wind.
For gear in this region, check out: Check out Machines For Freedom All Weather Vest/Twilight or Daybreak Jackets/Castelli Meno Wind Bib Tight
Rain
Whilst we may all dream of riding in dry climates the unfortunate reality is that at times you may find yourself dodging showers or at worst caught in an unavoidable downpour. If this sounds familiar, or it’s a necessity to ride in the rain, then you’ll already know about the importance of having a good rain jacket with you. Depending on the level of protection required, technologies, surface treatments and membranes have been developed to offer varying levels of waterproofing and are rated in millimetres – for example you may see a jacket with a 10,000mm waterproof rating, but what does this actually mean? If you imagine putting a tube with inner dimensions of 25.4mm x 25.4mm (1 inch square) over the fabric you could then fill the tube with water to a height of 10,000mm before water would begin to seep through. The higher the number the more waterproof the fabric and better protection it will offer.
For gear in this region, check out: Gore Wear C5 Gore-Tex Active Jacket/Castelli Nano Flex Donna Bib Tight
Cold
In the winter, and during times of extreme cold, the primary function of your cycling kit will be to retain your body heat and provide thermal insulation against the cold. Kit that is specifically designed for the cold will also have a similar combination of fabrics, technologies and treatments will be used to do block out wind. PrimaLoft®, proprietary technology that uses ultra-fine fibres to form a very tight collection of air pockets that trap heat from your body and keep the cold out will also be a featured material. As well as the fibres being water resistant their ultra-fine diameter makes them softer and more comfortable whilst at the same time being more compressible to keep the overall bulk of the clothing down.
When it’s cold it’s important that your clothing works with you at all times so that you’re able to maintain or regulate your body temperature. In some cases the fabrics will do this for you (like a hydrophilic finish that will draw moisture away from your skin) whilst technical details like a high collar and zippered vents on sleeves or underarm can further aid the micro-adjustability of your comfort.
For gear in this region, check out: 7mesh Industries Strategy Jacket /Gore Wear C3 Thermo Bib Tights
Function Of Layering
Wearing a number of layers, as opposed to just one thicker layer, will not only protect you more effectively from the weather during your ride but will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Dressing in this way will also mean that you have more options to regulate your body temperature depending on how the conditions may change. There are three key areas to consider when layering, each of which serves a specific purpose.
– Base layer. As this is the first layer that you put on, the primary function of the base layer is to wick sweat and transfer it away from your skin so that you remain dry.
– Mid layer. This helps to trap air inside to keep you warm whilst at the same time being breathable and offering some protection against the outside.
– Outer layer. Generally this will be your final barrier of protection against the weather and can come in various forms – from a lightweight packable gilet or cape to help block wind on an alpine descent through to a fully seam sealed waterproof rain jacket.
Whilst it may be less pleasurable in the rain, wind or cold knowing that you are well protected should bring an extra level of confidence, allowing you to keep riding when you may otherwise stop. Through careful development and design, cycling kit material has been constructed to allow you to perform to your highest level despite the conditions that you face.
Read my post on how I kit up for cold weather cycling.
The important thing when selecting kit is to first identify the type of conditions you are likely to encounter the majority of the time and then look for suitable shorts or tights, jersey’s, gilets, base layers, or jackets to compliment this. There are vast selections of cycling kit to choose from, so it can sometimes feel like it’s hard to know where to start. By carefully taking the time to identify your specific needs you may find that you don’t need as much kit as you originally thought, and that a few key items that you continually come back to time and time again offer both the performance and versatility to make your time in the saddle as comfortable and fulfilling as it can be.