Bike Jersey Buyer's Guide

Few things in life can be improved as easily and quickly as your daily ride can be simply by selecting proper clothing.

Cycling specific sportswear is designed to marry comfort with functionality.  Thus enabling the rider to perform at their best on the bike while making them more visible and safe.  Of course, a certain amount of form goes along with function in a bike jersey and premium quality sublimation printing* makes for infinite possibilities when expressing one's personal style - there are even custom cycling jerseys available.

Those who spend many hours in the saddle will undoubtedly accumulate a collection of cycling jerseys.  For new riders, racers, spin class attendees, daily commuters, and weekend warriors, we at Bicyclinghub.com thought a buyer's guide might come in handy for those seeking cycling gear - here y'all go.

Just a few of the superior features you can expect in a cycling specific jersey are:

Bike jerseys are made using highly technical and lightweight fabrics. These will wick moisture away from the body directing it to the outside of the garment, where it can evaporate quickly.  The upshot is that you stay dry and do not overheat as you work out.  Premium brands such as Castelli have special treatments applied to their performance fabrics to make these qualities even more apparent.  These fabrics also provide UV protection in the summer months, which is vital for many of us.  There are a myriad of fabric options available depending on the season, of course, with some jerseys offering thermal protection in addition to water and wind resistance.

The fit, for both men's and women's cycling jerseys, will typically be fairly close, but still allow for freedom of movement.  This close fit makes you more aerodynamic on the bike and also allows the fabric to carry perspiration away from the body more effectively.  Of course fit is a personal preference whether you opt for a race-cut, super form fitting garment (some of which are even tailored to the riding position) or for a more relaxed option, such as a 'club-fit' jersey, which brings us to the question:

Why are cycling jerseys so tight?  The short answer is that a close fit improves the garment's ability to wick away perspiration, serving to keep the wearer dry and more comfortable.

Additionally, cycling specific jerseys have some pretty nifty features your t-shirts don't have like a front zipper and rear cargo pockets.

Those rear pockets are a must, and will easily accommodate most essentials that you take on your rides, like cell-phones, house keys, money, energy snacks, a spare tube, a vest or shell jacket, arm warmers, etc.  Some jersey pockets now have a secure zipper compartment for money or keys.  The length of the front zipper on a cycling jersey can vary from a short zip, to 3/4 length, all the way to a full-length zipper, which begs the question:

Why are there different zipper lengths?  Ventilation is the primary purpose of a cycling jersey's zipper, but not the only consideration.  For example, a man may find a full zip jersey ideal because it enables him to strip down easily when overheated.  Full zip jerseys are also ideal when worn with bib shorts because they don't have to be pulled off over one's head at restroom breaks.  Some prefer short zip jerseys for their clean, uninterrupted fashion designs. 

Why do bike jerseys cost so much?  Certainly one can expect to pay more for a cycling jersey than for a t-shirt, but just how much and for what are important questions.  The price of technical apparel varies, like any other garment, and a bike jersey can cost anywhere from $20 for a cheap cycling jersey  made of basic polyester on up to $200 for highly technical or fine fabrics, like Merino wool.  One of the things that make cycling jerseys a worthwhile investment is odor protection.  Seriously, folks, the fabric technology available includes resistance to bacteria, which we thank our lucky stars (and our noses) for at the end of a hard ride.  Other benefits when considering jersey vs tee include such perks as mesh side vents, longer rear panels, reflective details, and fabrics that offer high lycra content, moisture reduction, thermal protection and added UV protection.

When shopping for a jersey, especially online, it's important to know your size, which can vary widely depending on the manufacturer.  To help you, we've provided you with our insider's guide to insuring a perfect fit every time.  As we've found that brands can vary up to two sizes, we encourage you to contact us for help with fit.

All of us here at Bicyclinghub.com proudly consider ourselves to be cycling jersey experts, and would love to share our collective wisdom and experience with you. Whether you are looking for your first jersey, buying a gift, or perhaps giving an unfamiliar brand a try, we are happy to assist with product information and sizing advice. You can reach our cycle clothing experts toll-free at 1-888-817-8060 during office hours, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm PST, chat directly from our site, or email us at: customerservice@bicyclinghub.com. 

*Sublimation printing is a dye process that allows for multiple color printing of high resolution images ensuring durability through multiple washings.