Cycling Clothes, Bicycle Clothing for Different Uses


Specific cycling clothes vary for their different uses and styles for the different disciplines in cycling. There are many clothing to choose from, including jerseys, shoes, socks,gloves,sunglasses. The two extremes would be from the lycra clad, Super-man suited road racing cyclist to the baggy shorted casual downhill biker who looks more like a cross between Californian surfer, a skate-boarder and a snow boarder.

Road Cycling Clothes


Comfort and practicality are the most important facets of cycling clothes for the road cyclist, and for the professional somewhere to put the name of his sponsor.

Keeping hot in the winter and cool in the summer are also important considerations and very specific materials are used for this reason. A more porous, like a tea bag, cloth is used for summer jerseys and the option of a full zip for extra ventilation.

In the winter thermal and wind-stopper are most popular choices for the upper body.


Lycra shorts are a must for all serious cyclists, with padding where the saddle rubs, either worn on their own, in warm weather, or with leg warmers or under tights in the cold.

Cycling Clothes For Track Cyclists

Aerodynamics are most important on the Pista, so it’s lycra one piece skin suits in as shinny a material as possible, with the all important padding in the seat of the shorts.

The must for all track cyclists is a good pair of mitts; these can give protection in the advent of a crash and help to grip the handlebars for those important sprints.

Cross Country Mountain bikers

Mountain bikers usually wear the same sort of stuff as road cyclists, but have to remember that they may get very wet, very muddy and have the chance of getting very cold.

So they may not go out in there best kit just in case they fall off or the weather ruins this years prised Christmas present.

Warm sensible cycling clothes and if it looks like rain or your going up to altitude always take a waterproof jacket with you.

Cycling Clothes For Downhillers

‘Down-hillers’ are a breed of their own! Serious racers will wear padding on most of their bodies; they look more like gladiators than sportsmen.

From full-face helmets to shin guards, shoulder pads and spine protectors, a Hollywood stuntman would be proud of the body armour they wear.

The others wear what they like, looking like downtown skate boarders, baggy shorts and T-shirts are a fashion statement with surfers and down-hillers.

All Cyclists

Cyclists should all wear a helmet; many countries have it in their road laws that it is mandatory, but not all.

If you have ever fallen off a bike or seen someone do it and hit his or her head, you wouldn’t leave the house without one.

Mountain bike riders just don’t know what might happen round the next boulder or down the next dip and if you are up that mountain on your own and have an accident!

Well your helmet might save your life. Cycling shoes are a must for all bikers, the difference is unbelievable, if you have never tried them it’s frightening the first time, but after you get used to them you wonder how you ever lived before.


Who can go out these days without a mobile phone, if you can get coverage out on the tracks and trails then it’s always a good idea to take it with you, it may just save your life!


11 Responses to “Cycling Clothes, Bicycle Clothing for Different Uses”


Allen DeLaney, MD, ME August 17, 2009

A brief response to Patrick from Amsterdam. As a former participant on a surgical organ transplant team, I support his position. Repeal of the Florida, USA helmet law som e years ago which required helmets of all cyclists and motorcyclists rapidly restored our supply of donor organs from brain dead healthy folks like himself who exercised their personal freedoms and returned to riding without a helmet. Those of us who believe the science and wear helmets continue to enjoy this benefit to this day.At least ask your children to wear helmets when cycling!Drzzzz

Michael Cardaci August 17, 2009

I just purchased a bike and I would like to start a fitness plan to get me back into great shape.I would also like to ride with a group of cyclists.

ritchie velasco August 17, 2009

Thank You, very educational for someone new like me…

can bektas August 17, 2009

Thank you for basic matters

Terrence August 17, 2009

I can personally tell you that 50 yards in the air, before the first bounce off the street is not something to be taken lightly. This happened to me via an encounter with a speeding, weaving motorist before helmets were available and popular. Keep a “lid” on, or you can wear your vanity and arrogance to the grave.

meerahjenna August 17, 2009

Thanks for the info – now I can get my school assignment done! :)

Joe August 17, 2009

I see more old-school wool jerseysin the market now. What do you think of them?

patrick August 17, 2009

Helmets should be worn by all?!are you trying to infer cycling is intrinsically dangerous?it is not- environments are.Amsterdam is a safe place to ride- helmets are unnecesary… helmets should be worn only when protection is necessary. Blanket views only serve as apologist measures for a failure by planners to provide safe environments to people.I prefer to wear a hat to keep the sun offHelmet laws play into the hands of those who would try to solve the (motorist)problem of cyclist safety by removing their rights to use of public roads

Manuel Perez August 17, 2009

Hi everyone: I just suffer from a broken tibia after a bicycle fall… I am not sure if I will ride again. The recovery process is slow, for not talking about the hospital and the surgery… The shoulder, elbow, knee and shin guard can be helpful in preventing bone fractures? How well do they work? Is there any clinical or equivalent trial in which they have measured the efficiency of such guards against fractures and other injuries? How can you protect your ankle from being injured while cycling? Road cycling is my stuff. I am able to ride 200 kms in a row. How comfortable are these guards for road cycling? Thanks so much in advance for your information. Manuel, healing broken ankle in Mexico City

Luis October 14, 2009

Hey Patrick!!
It’s YOUR HEAD, DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH IT!! But don’t be telling me that cycling is not dangerous. Evidently you have not been in a pace line at 27 mph (that’s 43.45 Km/h for you) and went down because the guy in front of you cut you off. This happened to me on September 7 of this year and I broke the back of my helmet because I landed on the back of my head. If I had not been wearing my lid I would be dead or close to being a vegetable now!

jajanghadianto October 15, 2009

Hi, Manuel
Body protector only protect your body in normal speed, because moment in crush injury depend on your body weight multiply by speed, so body protector only protect in normal speed ( average 30-40 km/hour ), and your tibial fracture you will be recover in 2-3 week after surgery, I thinks it’s okey you can ride again after 1 month