Entries Tagged 'clothes' ↓
September 10th, 2011 — clothes
A good base layer is essential for cycling. A thermal base layer should wick away sweat so that you can have a dry layer next to the skin. Note: if you wear a heavy goretex jacket it might be difficult to wick away the sweat as some waterproof’s keep the moisture in.
A good thermal base layer should also be close fitting, but not excessively tight.
One of the warmest thermal base layers is the Helly Hensen Freeze at £40.99. It combines modern fittings with a warm Merino wool combination. This is one of the best materials for offering warmth and wicking qualities. I really enjoy wearing this as it helps keep dry and is really quite warm. Merino wool is a lovely product to have next to skin. (has an added advantage of somehow not smelling too much)
Helly Hansen offer a good range of other base layers including this
Made out of Lifa, it is lightweight at 140grams and has some of the following features:
* Eyelet construction
* Longer back
* Close to the body fit
* Excellent moisture transportation
* Lightweight
* high-elasticity fabric allows unrestricted freedom of movement
* Odour resistant
* Rapid drying time
Craft Pro Zero Xtreme
I’ve tested this product and really like them. They are soft, comfortable and snug fit. Very light product. They are very well ergonomically designed and fit very ‘lightly’ on the body. They have excellent wicking properties which is essential for keeping skin dry and warm. You can use these from any time when the temperature drops. Even on a cold summer day, they help regulate body temperature quite well. Little bit more pricey than cheapest base layers, but here you get good quality and won’t regret the investment. Craft Pro Zero review | Craft base layers at Wiggle
Ladies Thermal Base Layers
Endura, based in Scotland claim to be specialists in providing warm thermal underdress.
This endura ladies support offers good value at £22.49. It is made out of Polytex Lycra with Mesh Lycra inner. Craft ladies Prowarm crewneck also recommended.
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March 29th, 2011 — clothes
It is estimated a close fitting skinsuit can save 3.2% of your total energy. [1] This equates to 29 seconds in a 40Km time Trial. Therefore a close fitting skinsuit represent a cost effective way to improve aerodynamics and save valuable seconds.
A time trial skinsuit will definitely be more aerodynamic. However, there can be a significant difference between a cheap time trial skinsuit that ends up being loose fitting and a custom built skinsuit which is absolutley skin tight.
For races over 2 hours, it is helpful to have a skinsuit with a small zipped pocket. However, an alternative is simply to place food under the time trial suit.
Skinsuits
Impsport Skin Suits
I have had two skinsuits from Impsport (for custom cycling team). The first was a standard Skin Suit, and I was a bit disappointed. The main thing is that it wasn’t particular skin tight or stretchy. Some of the material was flapping in wind which defeats main purpose of a skin suit.
Impsport also do an advanced version of the skin suit. They call this the bodyfit skin suit. It is almost double the price at £120. However, as the name suggests it is better quality and more aerodynamic. Also it feels more like a skin suit and seems to have more of that lycra look and feel. If you are serious about getting best skin suit and your club orders from Impsport I would definitely recommend paying £120 rather than going for cheaper option of £55. However, it still didn’t fit perfectly. My body shape is long and thin and the skin suit is very tight in length meaning that it is actually less aerodynamic (and comfortable) than it could be.
Assos One Piece Skin Suit
At £189, the Assos is not cheap, but, it is excellent fit and really top of the range skinsuit. I have tried one on and it is a good fit. It fits much better when you are actually in your time trial position, so a lot of thought has gone into the anatomical cut. There are little if any dimples of material which helps to improve aerodynamics. Fits bigger riders well too. Padding is good and again designed for time trials where you are often riding on the front of the saddle, which can get difficult over time.
It has two small pockets in back, this is useful for long distance time trialling, but does slightly diminish aero performance. Overall, I would say this is more helpful than unhelpful for amateur cyclist.
The good thing about the Assos is that the styling is plain and simple. You can use it in Cycling Time trials (UK) because it doesn’t have sponsors on.
Assos Skin Suit at Wiggle
British Cycling Skin Suit
A local tester was so impressed with his British Cycling Skin suit that he got a felt tip pen and crossed out the commercial name (Sky) so that he could ride it in time trials (you aren’t allowed a commercial sponsor unless it is your team). He reckoned the fit was so good it saved a couple of watts. However, this was compared to a mass ordered team kit (from Impsport I think) and not compared to the Assos.
The revolutionary skinsuits are at the cutting edge of cycling technology and have been credited with helping road riders to crucial wins (e.g. Nicole Cooke in 2008 Olympics (CW) British Cycling Skin suits are a little hard to track down, you might find one on ebay or offered on forums, I couldn’t find a supplier.
Others recommended
Pro bike Kit do a good Nalini Skinsuit, though I haven’t tried it myself.
Related
Time trial skinsuits at Wiggle
Triathlon skinsuits at Evans
[1] Sheldon Brown’s Aerodynamic savings
January 15th, 2011 — clothes
In the UK, I wear leg warmers during most months of the year. When training it is better to be too hot than too cold. In practice good leg warmers will not overheat that much, as they are very breathable. Leg warmers are also good for warming up for a race. Also, for some early season races, you are better off using legwarmers rather than risking getting cold muscles. I recommend choosing leg warmers that have a zip at the bottom so it is easy to take off over your cycling shoes.
Highly Recommended Water Resistant Legwarmers
Castelli Nanoflex Legwarmer
These are not cheap. They cost around £44, which is more than double some legwarmers. However, as well as being warm, comfortable and light, they offer excellent water resistance. I like using these on both rainy and dry days. See full review of Castelli Nanoflex I would buy again. Note, may not fit if you have short and powerful legs!
A cheaper alternative to the Castelli Nanoflex is the Sportful No-Rain Legwarmers which promise similar product, but at £33.
Specialized Leg Warmers
I have been using specialized leg warmers for 3 years. I bought two pairs. They are very comfortable and fit very nicely. When riding you hardly feel they are there. They are a little on the light side, so excellent for spring weather. For cold conditions you will need something warmer. Will fit the shorter stockier rider, but, also fit well on me. However, I do need to put under cycling shorts to stop them slipping down.
Specialized leg warmers at Evans Cycles – 327.99
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August 14th, 2010 — clothes
Assos offer some of the best cycling shorts on the market. If you want to get the best possible comfort, it is worth looking at the popular F1 Range.
I have tested the Assos F1 Mile shorts. They are very comfortable and give a unique experience in the saddle. The dimpled ergonomic padding, helps to ease pressure points and the airflow is good for avoiding a build up of sweat. As long as you get the right size, they will fit effortless on the body, without creating any wind resistance.
Assos F1 UNO
The cheapest in the F1 series. This will still set you back £113. But, for the investment you will get a very comfortable ride. Fits very nicely and helps to cushion your ride, with multiple layers of padding designed to Swiss perfection.Once you get into the riding position the carbon fibre mesh insert helps to keep everything in place. Assos F1 UNO at Wiggle
Assos F1 Mille
The mid series short at £150. Featuring the newly developed ASSOS Type A.360 sensitive compression Spandex F1 Mille
The Assos F1 13 S5 Bib Short.
At £215, it’s not entirely clear what you get for the astronomical price tag. The thing is that their (relatively) cheaper F1 series shorts are very comfortable, so it’s pretty hard to improve on them. They even have carbon fibre (3%) in them. They are designed for the serious racer, and they are so clinical that they are not designed to last forever, so it may be worth saving them for when you will really appreciate it.
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January 5th, 2010 — clothes
I’ve been testing some epix winter cycling gear. I’ve tried some armwarmers, legwarmer and booties for my shoes.
The style is distinctive – made to look like a carbon fibre mould. They look good especially the Winter booties.
I like the winter booties, they have a relatively thin layer of Garvia which is soft and smooth. These are thinner than my thicker neoprene overshoes and consequently not as warm. However, the advantage of being a bit thinner is they are less likely to rub against the crank – which is often a complaint of thick overshoes. These will be excellent for early season races – where it’s cold but I don’t want to wear heavy thick neoprene overshoes.
The leg warmers are great. Nice and warm, comfortable material and with a zip for easy taking on and off over cycling shoes.
The arm warmers are similar to the leg warmers. I struggle to find arm warmers that are thin enough, and these are a similar size to others. So unless, like me, you have arms like matchsticks you will find these fit well. They are a decent length – some armwarmers are too short.
Overall good quality clothing with a design with a difference
www.epixgear.com
March 28th, 2009 — clothes
Review of different models of cycling arm warmers on the market. Looking at best value for money, comfort and overall usefulness.
DHB Earnley Arm Warmers
At £7.99 these armwarmers offer excellent value. An anatomical cut, with high degree of breathability. They are simple but cheap. Do the job, no fuss. DHB arm warmers at Wiggle
Assos Roubaix Arm Warmers
Made by the respected manufacturer Assos, the Roubaix arm warmers offer a high degree of warmth, whilst retaining a good degree of breathability and fast drying in the rain. Assos Roubaix Arm warmers Made with Roubaix fabric and elastic grippers to keep in place.
Altura Reflex Arm Warmers
Offering a strong reflective brand, these help visibility on dark winter training rides. Reflectivity on the arms is advisable for many accidents occur from side on collisions. Made with Thermal stretch Vuelta fabric, they offer good insulation and breathability. The Altura arm warmers come with a preshaped anatomical fit. £19.99 at Wiggle
Castelli Nano Armwarmers
A top of the range armwarmer. At £31.99 these armwarmers are not the cheapest. To give the best overall performance they offer two materials. Windproof Stratosheer fabric on the front and breathable Action fabric in back. Therefore, they offer greater wind and chill protection whilst retaining good breathability for warmer training days. Castelli Nano armwarmers
Assos Armwarmers
I also like the new Assos armwarmers and have a pair of the large white. They are contoured to your arms and have a bend in the elbow. Like most armwarmers I find them too short and I had to tighten them at shoulder. But, they look good and are an excellent layer of insulation whilst retaining great manoeuvrability.
Assos armwarmers at Chain Reaction Cycles
See also Leg Warmers Reviews
March 12th, 2008 — clothes
A cycling gilet is a useful piece of cycling clothing which helps prevent you getting too hot or too cold. Gilets have a wind proof front and are also easy to roll up and store, when the temperature hots up. They are also useful for riding up long hills. On the ascent it is easy to overheat, therefore, a gilet can be opened up and allow the sweat out. On the downhill it can be quickly zipped up to prevent getting cold and catching a chill. Gilets are invaluable on days which start out very cold and warm up as the sun comes out.
A serious cyclist, who does interval training should definitely buy one. Recently I suffered from catching a bit of a cold after finishing some interval sessions. link
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at Amazon.co.uk
at Amazon.com