Bike Riding Clothes

We are often asked about what type of clothing is best for riding a bike.

The truth is, it very much depends on the weather, the bike, the terrain and the time you’ll be riding.

The only thing that is constant, is the requirement for a Standards Approved bike helmet. And we have a huge choice of those in our Helmets area but for now we’ll stay on topic and discuss bike riding clothes.

CYCLING JERSEYS (THE TOP HALF)

If you only ride now and then, for short fun rides around the neighbourhood, please make sure you have good shoes on, to protect your feet. For the fashion conscious, we do carry a huge range of casual bike wear for on and off the bike, such as:

Casual Riding Jerseys

For those who are just riding for leisure, these casual cycling jerseys will be a MUCH more comfortable option than riding a normal t-shirt. Normal tees, will get clogged with sweat and start to smell due to odour and bacteria.

We’re going to recommend a bunch of Fox clothing below because they cater to casual riders the best. The Ranger-line is their most casual active-wear with a comfortable relaxed fit.

Fox Ranger Dri-Release Long Sleeve Jersey - Blue. This jersey blends casual looks with Fox's dri-release cloth that wicks away moisture and does dry really fast.
Fox Ranger Short Sleeve Jersey - Black. This jersey has a really light active wear feel to it.
Another long sleeve option is the Fox Ranger Switch Jersey in Black or Light Grey.

Performance MTB Jerseys

Next we have a range of performance mountain bike jerseys. These are part of Fox’s Defend range. They are still have a relaxed fit but they differ in the use of materials. The material is tougher; it’s less likely to rip and tear. Plus the sleeves, neck line and overall “feel” seems more robust. Here’s are some examples:

For cooler temperatures, consider the Fox Defend Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey in Black or Emerald.
Fox Ranger Short Sleeve Jersey - Black. This jersey has a really light active wear feel to it.
Or just a plain black performance jersey, like the Fox Defend.

Road Jerseys

These are more fitted than the casual or mountain bike jerseys above. You can still get road jerseys that are more relaxed though.

A relaxed jersey is the Netti Cruze that available in Fox Defend Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey in BlackBlack</a> and High-Viz Yellow.
Next there's the Bellwether Distance jerseys that are a semi-fitted garment. The Distance is available in Black/Citrus or Royal Blue
For higher-end performance jerseys, we stock Italian brand Castelli. These guys have a jersey called the Endurance Pro. And it's available in either Bordeaux or Light Black/Grey.

THE BOTTOM HALF

There are two distinct styles of bike shorts.

One is made from Lycra, known as ‘knicks’ and clings to your skin to move with your legs and minimise any excess material. The other style (more popular among casual and MTB or Mountain Bike riders) looks like normal shorts or cargo shorts.

Example of Lycra knicks are the Pearl Izumi Quest.

Example of our most popular MTB short is the Fox Ranger Shorts - Black.

Both styles are designed to have a padded insert (or chamois) which protects the rider from saddle soreness, chafing and to help absorb moisture.

If you intend to spend time on your bike outdoors, or even inside on a trainer or spin bike at the gym, these shorts are a must.

Further, given the different anatomies of the genders, there are specific designs for men and women.

The most common questions asked are about fit and price.

Firstly, the contours, cut and chamois shape are very different. The price is very much determined by the quality of the materials and treatments used in production.

There is no difference in price between men’s and women’s bike shorts in the same model, as a rule. Of course, it’s always good to pick up a bargain and Ivanhoe Cycles has plenty!

Here’s a few examples of the women’s shorts, with more available on our website.

Bike Shorts Women

Here are just some of our popular womens bike shorts and knicks:

Netti Cruze womens knicks are suitable for up to 2 hour rides.
Netti Pronix womens knicks are an excellent mid-range option.
Fox Ranger - Black womens shorts look casual and are perfect for recreational bikes rides with family or friends.

Bike Shorts Men

And some examples for the guys out there on bikes:

Netti Cruze mens knicks are suitable for up to 2 hour rides.
Bellwether O2 mens knicks are an excellent mid-range option.
Fox Ranger Lite - Black mens shorts look casual and are perfect for recreational bikes rides with family or friends.

There are more advanced versions of cycling knicks - called bibs or bib knicks - which have a brace that fits over your trunk and shoulders. These are worn by cyclists who spend more time on their bikes. More expensive, but worthwhile for the long distance rider and someone who loves spending time on their bike.

For the guys, a place to start is the Bellwether O2 bib knicks and <a href+
Bellwether O2 mens knicks are an excellent mid-range option.
Castellli Prima Womens Bibs</li> </ul>
Lastly, there are some great options for cold weather: ### LEG WARMERS Leg Warmers are an attractive choice, as they allow you to wear normal bike shorts, and to remove the warmers as the temperature rises. Here are a couple of examples:
- Pearl Izumi Elite Thermal Leg Warmers
- Netti Super Roubaix Leg Warmers
### CYCLING GLOVES The other touchpoint to protect is the hands. A good pair of gloves makes the world of difference. You can buy short fingered, or ‘fingerless’ gloves, which are ideal in warm weather, or long fingered gloves. #### Short Fingered Gloves
Most of the above can be used for multiple disciplines, like Gravel, Road and Mountain Biking as well. Let’s have a look at some MTB gloves.
#### Long Fingered Gloves Long fingered gloves are suitable for both winter riding and mountain biking. Typically these offer extra protection against branches, and can include more gel in the palms, to absorb the shocks from riding bumpy off-road trails.
- ABD Flat Out Race Gloves. These are on special too.
- Bellwether Gel Supreme Gel Gloves
- Pearl Izumi Quest Gel Womens - Spruce