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Monday, May 9, 2011

Road Bike Clothing Necessities You Will Need

By Kent Grader


Any roadie, or road bike enthusiast, knows that wearing proper road bike clothing will prevent chafing and allow for maximum movement and comfort during a ride.

Legs

The most important piece of clothing is an excellent pair of padded bike shorts. The purpose of the padding is to prevent the rubbing and chafing which occurs between the legs and seat during a long ride. A pair of padded shorts will consist of a molded padding insert of gel or chamois and a Lycra microfiber blend which provides flexibility. Another important aspect of padded shorts is the number of panels in the construction. This can range from 4 to 10 panels with the seams in various locations for ergonomic purposes. You may want to also consider whether you want an elastic or drawstring waist, reflective materials, and pockets on your shorts.

Cycling Shirt

A jersey is a shirt cut and made just for cycling. They are constructed from a special material which will wick sweat and moisture away from the skin keeping the cyclist cooler. It is cut longer in the back to provide coverage when you are bent over the handlebars. They also have pockets on the back, as front pockets would spill in the cycling position, to provide for storage of crucial items and food.

Feet

Bicycling socks are usually the length of the ankle although some prefer them to stop slightly below. They are also made of special material to wick away sweat and moisture which could result in painful blisters. Often they are padded in areas which receive the most pressure from the pedals. This is different than regular pressure points because of the clip less shoes worn when cycling.

Clip less Shoes

You will need a good pair of clip less bicycling shoes. Clip less shoes actually have a cleat attached to the bottom which will secure the shoe in place on the receiving part of the pedal. Your foot will secure into place by either pushing forward into the receptacle or twisting sideways. This provides proper foot placement and prevents any foot slippage during long rides.

Hands

Bicycling gloves provide extra cushioning in the pressure points of your hands as you are bent. There are a wide variety of cushioning options available.

Winter Clothing

It is important during cold weather rides to make sure you are properly covered. Layers such as booties, arm warmers, leg warmers, glove liners, and helmet covers provide additional needed warmth during the colder months.




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