Street Bicycles

Bicycle Clothing What Cycling Gear to Wear and When

Avid cyclists know there is a wide-range of cycling gear available to choose from. Determining what you will need means asking yourself some key questions.
• What gear is required by law?
• What gear will provide the most comfort for the bicycling I plan to do?
• What equipment is best for the summer/winter conditions?

Cycling store employees should be able to help you answer these questions as you look to purchase new or updated cycling clothing.

What gear is required by Law?
Nearly every government has a regulation or law requiring helmets for cyclist. Some states require them for all riders while others set an age requirement. A good, well-fit helmet could save your life. Whether mountain biking or street cycling, a helmet is a must have for anyone riding a bike.

Though not specifically required by law, many state cycling groups recommend wearing reflective clothing when biking as well. This is another safety benefit, ensuring you are able to be seen by cars and pedestrians.

What gear will provide the most comfort for the bicycling I plan to do?
Having a variety of clothing for cycling is recommended as what you need is based on how long your ride and wear. Cycling shorts are great for longer rides. They help to keep you cool while you are exerting yourself on the roadway. Quality cycling shorts are made of special material made specifically for comfort and moisture control. They usually have a padded seat for extra protection and comfort for extensive riding. Choosing a sleeveless cycling jersey to help keep you cool on long-rides is also recommended.

Mountain bikers who ride through brush and trees should look for a long-sleeve cycling jersey to protect their arms from abrasions. Cycling shirts or jerseys worth their salt will be made of synthetic fabric that is comfortable, lightweight and moisture resistant. This will ensure that, whether long or short-sleeved, the jersey will help a rider maintain a good temperature.

What equipment is best for the summer/winter conditions?
Avid bicyclers hit the road during all kinds of weather, especially if the bike is their primary form of transportation. For cold days, a cycling jacket or a wool cycling jersey will keep you warm against the cooler air while still keeping you dry by sweeping the sweat away from your skin. Windproof jackets are also available for wind and rain protection. Coupled with cycling pants or knee warmers, which keep your knees and legs warm and flexible, these items will help you have a pleasant ride, even when the weather is less than ideal.

As the weather warms, your cycling apparel should mirror what you would wear on long rides. Good cycling or bib shorts and a sleeveless jersey will keep you comfortable and cool. You may want to carry a lightweight, compact cycling jacket with you in case your ride goes later in the evening than you anticipated or you start out your ride early in the morning. There are a number of jackets available that can be easily stowed when the temperature rises. Cycling jacket made of breathable material that incorporates ventilation, like mesh vents, in the fabric are ideal.

There are many choices in bicycle clothing and not all of them are necessary. Depending on what kind of bicycler you are, you may find that less is more. But, if you are seriously into cycling, then choosing a variety of bicycle clothing is in your advantage – you will feel much more apt to get out there on your bike if you have all of the proper equipment, including comfortable clothing that helps to keep your body temperate and dry.

~Ben Anton, 2007
Bicycle Apparel at Rock N' Road Cyclery

Bicycle $47.99 Robert To Bicycle - Art Print

The Bicycle $25.99 William Mangum The Bicycle - Art Print

Bicycle Planter $104 Bicycle Planter

Bicycle. Times Girl on Bicycle, 1921 $19.99 Bicycle. Times Girl on Bicycle, 1921 - Premium Poster

A Bicycle on a Lawn $24.99 A Bicycle on a Lawn - Photographic Print

Bicycle Race $24.99 Bicycle Race - Photographic Print

Bicycle Ride $59.99 Bicycle Ride - Wall Decal

Criterium Bicycle $64.99 Criterium Bicycle - Giclee Print

Rochet Bicycle $64.99 Rochet Bicycle - Giclee Print

Bicycle Polo $24.99 Bicycle Polo - Photographic Print

Elephant on a Bicycle $49.99 Elephant on a Bicycle - Giclee Print

Tufty and Bicycle $49.99 Tufty and Bicycle - Giclee Print

Bicycle Shop $49.99 Bicycle Shop - Giclee Print

Clement Bicycle $64.99 Clement Bicycle - Giclee Print

Bicycle Demand $24.99 Bicycle Demand - Photographic Print

Women in Bicycle $64.99 Women in Bicycle - Giclee Print

Tailor / Draper Photo Mugs A girl leans her bicycle against the window of THE EMPIRE - Williams, Tailors and drapers. But where this is, we do not know. ....

I Love Lucy - The Complete Fifth Season $19.49 I Love Lucy: The Complete Fifth Season finds Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) making an international mess out of husband Ricky's globe-trotting tour as an entertainer. Beginning with "Lucy Visits Grauman's" and "Lucy and John Wayne," the impulsive redhead risks Ricky's sanity in Hollywood by stealing a cement slab, from the famous entrance to Grauman's Chinese Theater, that contains the imprint of Joh...

Conservative 1960's Culture Bike Safety Movie: Bicycle Today, Automobile Tomorrow DVD (1969) $4.99 This bike safety film, set in the early sixties suburbia, brings back memories for those who grew up with Schwinn bicycles. The film goes over the basic rules of bike maintenance, proper equipment, and the rules for riding on the roads along side traffic. In the (not so true) world of this film, kids spend hours on bike maintenance, respect the rules of the road, and always yield to pedestrians. B...

Energizer Rechargeable Batteries ...

Nathan Power Shower Refreshing Body Wipes $3.04 Power Shower Wipes are perfect to for a quick clean up after workouts, great for cleaning gym equipment as well.Safe to use on the entire bodyPortable, resealable travel sizeFresh, clean scent10 wipes per package...

Timberland 41327-2608 High Alpine Laptop Backpack (Skydiver Blue) $59.99 Go Back-to-School in style...

Energizer NH15BP-4 Rechargeable AA Battery 4 Pack $4.99 Use them and reuse them! Save time and money by using a reusable power supply in your electronic toys and devices. Compared to regular alkaline batteries, these reusable batteries last four times longer in devices like digital cameras. And with nickel metal, they're better for the environment....

ATC Waterproof CREE XM-L T6 LED 4-Mode 1000-Lumen White LED Bike Light Headlamp with Battery Pack Set $71.98 Features: Can be used as Headlamp or Bicycie Light Model of LED: CREE XM-L T6 LED Output bright can come to max 1000 lumens [lm] Internal wiring applies the high efficient booster circuit, working voltage is wide and can utilize the batteries in the largest extent. Waterproofing design Aluminum alloy casing Aluminum alloy reflector 4 switch Mode: Strong Brightness / Medium Brightness / Low Bright...

Fuse Solar Charger Bag Color: Charcoal Panels $129.00 1021-C Color: Charcoal Panels Features: -Constructed of waterproof recycled PET fabric. -Include nine standard adapters. -Universal attachment straps included. -LED logo illuminates in sunlight. -Two rugged waterproof solar panels (4 Watts). -Battery provides up to 19 hours talk time or 48 hours music playback. -USB battery pack (3,000 mAh) stores power and charges from sunlight or any USB port. ...

Baby Bike Diagram Retro Bicycle Schematic Boy Light Blue Bodysuit This onesie is for all of the bike geeks out there. The most important characteristics of a racing bicycle are its weight and stiffness which determine the efficiency at which the power from a rider's pedal strokes can be transferred to the drive-train and subsequently to its wheels. The drop handlebars are positioned lower than the saddle in order to put the rider in a more aerodynamic posture. ...