Cycling jerseys - educate me

[z4chris99]

Question 1: What advantages does a cycling top have over say a drifit running top? apart from pockets.

i.e. http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/speed-running-t-...

Question 2: Why the vast price difference, I see tops from £20 to £175?

Question 3: Do you wear something under a cycling top?

Question 4: What material is best? sport wool v man made ?

Question 5: lastly, rapha, torm, milltag, tifosi, assos, worth the money?

[S10GTA]

z4chris99 said:

Question 3: Do you wear something under a cycling top?

Almost always unless the weather is stunning like the last few weeks were. Layers are important for keeping warm.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Running tops are OK, I wear cheapie Karimoor ones on my commute as they are cheap, let in air and wick away sweat, they are fine for under 20 miles and saves wear on decent kit.

But I'd never wear a running top on longer rides mainly as there are no pockets (important!!) to carry stuff a, they aren't as aero and they don't fit as well for cycling (no long bit at the back).

I never wear an under layer Spring-Autumn , I'd get too hot, can't see the point myself, each to their own though. In the winter I wear a thermal base layer, jersey and jacket, depending on the termp

In regards to price, its like anything in life, you usually pay for a combo of:

Better fabric
Better Stiching
More fashionable
Brand "premium"

Just like cars

[IroningMan]

S10GTA said:

z4chris99 said:

Question 3: Do you wear something under a cycling top?

Almost always unless the weather is stunning like the last few weeks were. Layers are important for keeping warm.

I wear 21% bodyfat under mine.

[ewenm]

Pockets and usually a full zip down the front which allows for better heat management as the material tends to be thicker than standard DriFit tops. My cycling tops are tighter than my running tops although the running top linked in the OP looks like it's designed to be a tight fit.

In warm weather (i.e. above 10-15C) I don't wear anything under my cycling tops, colder than that I usually wear a long-sleeved running top underneath.

No idea if the more expensive tops are worth it objectively. I couldn't justify one though.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Looking at that Nike top, its more than most basic cycling ones.

Jersey sizes are all over the shop, I stick to a couple of brands I know that fit

I also scour EBay for my favoured brands, as often people buy them, realise they are too small/big then have to punt them on straight away, leading to bargains

[z4chris99]

the nike top is actually £28 I have a few.

Anyone have a 'sportwool' top? how does it perform? wash? durable?

[rhinochopig]

Personally I don't think you can beet Merino as a material - I tried pretty much every type of material in the course of mountaineeing, rock-climbing, kayaking, mountainbiking, road-biking, running, etc. and I always come back to that material. It doesn't stink, it wicks superbly, it seems to be magic in terms of heat-management, and wears well.

And as for the uber-expensive stuff...waste of money IME. Buy what fits and the features you NEED - not want. My £20 Merinos are just as good as icebreaker one I have which cost 3-4 times as much.

[Gizmoish]

Try a Howies cycle jersey. Circle woven, awesomely comfy.

For a base layer I favour the Under Armour cold gear range. Very long in the body so keeps the lower back warm.

[Steve vRS]

I always wear a Craft 'string vest' base layer under my jersey to stop nipple chaffing.

I get hot but no hotter than without the base layer.

Steve

[uncinqsix]

rhinochopig said:

And as for the uber-expensive stuff...waste of money IME. Buy what fits and the features you NEED - not want. My £20 Merinos are just as good as icebreaker one I have which cost 3-4 times as much.

I think Icebreaker is a little overpriced for what it is. I use Macpac merino stuff, which is cheaper and often deeply discounted. Just as good though. Mine are all general running/active tops: I don't do very long rides and ride a hybrid (more upright), so pockets and the the longer length of a cycle jersey aren't needed.

[12TS]

Interesting thread. I'd have agreed with all of this, but yesterday I fell of my bike at about 25mph. My ribs hurts like hell and I've got quite a few scratches but it does seem like my jersey saved quite a bit of skin. It's only got a few small holes from bouncing on the road. It was a £60 Sportful.

[AxelS]

z4chris99 said:

Question 1: What advantages does a cycling top have over say a drifit running top? apart from pockets.

i.e. http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/speed-running-t-...

As been said before - longer at the back to accomodate crouched position plus more windproofing since more important than in more stationary/slower sports.

z4chris99 said:

Question 2: Why the vast price difference, I see tops from £20 to £175?

Materials, quality of seams plus lots of brand value (whether you like it or not)

z4chris99 said:

Question 3: Do you wear something under a cycling top?

At any temperature to ensure any moisture is quickly removed from the skin - mostly Odlo or Falke short leeve.

z4chris99 said:

Question 4: What material is best? sport wool v man made ?

Man made any day

z4chris99 said:

Question 5: lastly, rapha, torm, milltag, tifosi, assos, worth the money?

Have a couple of aged Pearl Izumis that last well and can attest to quality of Assos for bibs but haven't tried their jerseys yet

[Matt_N]

Steve vRS said:

I always wear a Craft 'string vest' base layer under my jersey to stop nipple chaffing.

I get hot but no hotter than without the base layer.

Steve

I've been experimenting the last few rides and have come to the conclusion that through wearing a merino base layer (rapha SS in this case) my body temperature is better regulated.

I was out most of the day last Wednesday and didn't feel like I was overheating at any point.

The base helps to wick the sweat away from the body better than my Lycra/polyester jersey in its own.

I think I'm going to try a sleeveless or mesh base soon too.

[uncinqsix]

uncinqsix said:

I think Icebreaker is a little overpriced for what it is. I use Macpac merino stuff, which is cheaper and often deeply discounted. Just as good though. Mine are all general running/active tops: I don't do very long rides and ride a hybrid (more upright), so pockets and the the longer length of a cycle jersey aren't needed.

Went past the Macpac shop today and accidentally bought a very nice merino cycling jersey for a rather keen price. Maybe I did "need" one after all

[Gizmoish]

Also, join SportPursuit.

[Viperzs]

Interesting seeing a couple of people say they wear tops under their jersey, even during summer. A colleague of mine wore a base layer on a ride yesterday; madness!

I would get far too warm in this weather. If it cools down a little then I will move to a long sleeve jersey and then when it drops further I have a fleece lined windproof long sleeve that I will wear. I'm just looking at an Exteondo windstopper jacket at the moment. It looks amazing so I am just trying to justify the price to myself

[Matt_N]

Viperzs said:

Interesting seeing a couple of people say they wear tops under their jersey, even during summer. A colleague of mine wore a base layer on a ride yesterday; madness!

I would get far too warm in this weather.

That's the whole point though, the base layer actually helps keep you cooler, I've tried it and it does seem to work.

[anonymous-user]

z4chris99 said:

Question 2: Why the vast price difference, I see tops from £20 to £175?

Popularity in cycling is being funded by middle age blokes having a mid life crisis renaissance. There is often a view amongst this group that the more you pay the better something is. It's often just placebo and brand snobbery of course and has no basis on reality.

"you get what you pay for"
"it's worth the extra IMHO"

etc.

[z4chris99]

well i have ordered a cheapy man made one and a more expensive trendy one... will report back on my findings.