Summer clothing layers

rumbataz
rumbataz Posts: 796
edited July 2016 in Road general
I have plenty of warm Winter cycling clothing, but am about to augment my Summer clothing.

I have two bib shorts that are for summer use so need some tops. Is it just a case of buying a couple of short-sleeved jerseys? I'm not really sure about the 'correct' layering for Summer.

Comments

  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    It's just riding a bike in warmer weather, nothing more, there is no 'correct' layering....no need to overthink it.
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Short sleeved jersey yes, but a thin summer short sleeved base layer under that when it's not quite baking hot (Some like to still use one even when it is as they find it cooler which may seem counter-intuitive but with the right ones it works).

    Past that a thin Gilet in the back pocket in case you get too cool, or a thin rain jacket which you can use for that or for if it rains, or if you get stranded for ages for some reason.
  • bigmitch41
    bigmitch41 Posts: 685
    Yep, a decent base layer under a short sleeve jersey for cooler summer rides with a thin gilet for later on in the day. If youre lucky and the suns warm/shining then the short sleeve jersey will do just fine.
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  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,821
    The principle of layering is thus: if you are too cold, add a layer. If you are too hot, take a layer off. Got it?!
  • rumbataz
    rumbataz Posts: 796
    I don't want the straps of the bib shorts to show! So as I see it: thin base layer, bib shorts, short-sleeved jersey. Just checked in my wardrobe and I found a nice summer gilet that I don't remember ordering!

    So, perhaps: my Under-Armour Heatgear (that I mistakenly bought last Winter thinking they would keep me warm) base layer, bib shorts, gilet/short-sleeved jersey - that's probably the minimum that I reckon I need to stop the straps showing.
  • Man Of Lard
    Man Of Lard Posts: 903
    I find that a regular short-sleeved jersey hides the straps... unless you're wearing particularly thin/lightweight jerseys or have massively thick bibshort straps?
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Short sleeved jersey, with a "string vest" base layer if its not that hot. Base layer goes on first, bib shorts over and the jersey will then hide the straps.
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  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Just take a hint from what others are wearing.

    Sounds like you have it right though- always a baselayer, bib shorts, short sleeve jersey. Gilet in pocket if warm and maybe a pair of arm warmers and you're good to go.

    Summer cycling is cheaper and easier than winter.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Remember it can still be quite chilly first thing and again in the evening. Last night I was out in SS windtex fronted baselayer, SS top, arm warmers, and I was only just warm enough. Didn't get home till 10:30 mind.
  • mamil314
    mamil314 Posts: 1,103
    keef66 wrote:
    Remember it can still be quite chilly first thing and again in the evening. Last night I was out in SS windtex fronted baselayer, SS top, arm warmers, and I was only just warm enough. Didn't get home till 10:30 mind.

    Did not spin enough.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    mamil314 wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    Remember it can still be quite chilly first thing and again in the evening. Last night I was out in SS windtex fronted baselayer, SS top, arm warmers, and I was only just warm enough. Didn't get home till 10:30 mind.

    Did not spin enough.

    I was spinning like a hamster; just not wearing enough!
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    Ha! Today's ride was in my Autumn windstopper long sleeve top and my Rapha winter training shorts, with woolie boolie merino wool Autumn socks. That's my summer kit!

    It's 6th July!!
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Apparently it dropped below 5c on Tues night, so I'm not surprised I was chilly. And I was wearing my woolie boolies too.
    And then Weds night it stayed at 15c and we had to sleep with the windows open! But no bike ride cos I was watching Tennis / football.
    This morning I dropped the car off for it's MOT and cycled just 6 miles across town to the office and was boiling.

    You just have to keep an eye on the weather forecast and dress accordingly...
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    I often wear two short sleeved jerseys, if its slightly chilly. Then if it warms up you open the zip on the inside one. It also gives you lots of pockets to carry stuff that you probably will never need.
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    what's summer?
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    keef66 wrote:

    You just have to keep an eye on the weather forecast and dress accordingly...

    Yep - whatever the weather forecast says, dress for the opposite.

    Failing that, just wear Autumn gear till 1st September, at which point switch to full winter gear.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Secteur wrote:
    Ha! Today's ride was in my Autumn windstopper long sleeve top and my Rapha winter training shorts, with woolie boolie merino wool Autumn socks. That's my summer kit!

    It's 6th July!!

    Whereabouts in Siberia do you live? :)
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  • rumbataz
    rumbataz Posts: 796
    Jeez - £25 for what is basically a string vest marketed as a base layer.
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    rumbataz wrote:
    Jeez - £25 for what is basically a string vest marketed as a base layer.

    but they work surprisingly well, or it could be a placebo effect and good marketing "theres more surface area so the sweat evaporates quicker" :D and bib short strap show through, there are just some makes of summer jersey where that happens, but honestly no-one is looking that hard or cares that much to notice
  • rumbataz
    rumbataz Posts: 796
    All I need now is a knotted hanky and pair of flip-flops to look the part!
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    Ben6899 wrote:
    Secteur wrote:
    Ha! Today's ride was in my Autumn windstopper long sleeve top and my Rapha winter training shorts, with woolie boolie merino wool Autumn socks. That's my summer kit!

    It's 6th July!!

    Whereabouts in Siberia do you live? :)


    It's actually just North of Siberia, a place called "The UK" !
  • rumbataz
    rumbataz Posts: 796
    The 'string vests' - aka £25 cool mesh base layers - have been fantastic. They really do wick away sweat efficiently. I'm also using them as a top at home when I'm exercising in my home gym. I wouldn't dare wear them on their own to my proper gym though as there's an uncanny resemblance to Rab C. Nesbitt:

    hqdefault.jpg
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,826
    Chris Bass wrote:
    what's summer?
    Found it!
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  • davep1
    davep1 Posts: 837
    awavey wrote:
    rumbataz wrote:
    Jeez - £25 for what is basically a string vest marketed as a base layer.

    but they work surprisingly well, or it could be a placebo effect and good marketing "theres more surface area so the sweat evaporates quicker" :D and bib short strap show through, there are just some makes of summer jersey where that happens, but honestly no-one is looking that hard or cares that much to notice

    Honestly, no-one cares if your bib short straps are showing! You can buy lycra shorts that don't have straps, I have a pair of Lusso's that are as good as any bib shorts I have. Damn sight easier going for a jimmy if you're caught short out on a ride too...
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    rumbataz wrote:
    The 'string vests' - aka £25 cool mesh base layers - have been fantastic. They really do wick away sweat efficiently. I'm also using them as a top at home when I'm exercising in my home gym. I wouldn't dare wear them on their own to my proper gym though as there's an uncanny resemblance to Rab C. Nesbitt:

    hqdefault.jpg

    But wicking away sweat helps to keep you warm, not cool...

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