What kind of jerseys and shorts do you wear for XC racing and riding? When I shop for MTB clothing, it all seems to be of the loose, baggy variety. Do most people just use road bike apparel for XC?
What to Wear for XC
RydenDrrty
21 - 40 of 83 Posts
Joined
·
1,336 Posts
"Normal" clothes are jeans or pajamas worn so low your crack or underwear are always showingI own no chamois or lycra. I wear normal clothes ("baggies") and I only ride flat pedals. Am I doing it wrong?
Older version of these (ones I have are called 'Adventure Dirty Shorts' instead): Men's Flex Chino Short - Navy
I trust valuables to the pockets at the back of my bib liner, as I feel they're less likely to bounce out than if they were in the jersey itself.
Joined
·
265 Posts
Road type kit for Xc racing and training for sure …. Keep the baggies for more adventurous trail and enduro stuff
Admittedly struggling to find a good breathable, fitted Xc rain jacket/layer that works on race day (uk winter season!)
Admittedly struggling to find a good breathable, fitted Xc rain jacket/layer that works on race day (uk winter season!)
Yes, for me. Function over fashion-of-the-day.
Pocketed jerseys have been deemed not cool by the fashionistas.
Joined
·
4,623 Posts
I wear both. Some days it's the road gear, lycra shorts, tight fitting jersey, road helmet and racy shoes. Other times it's more trail orientated gear, baggy shorts but still use a road type jersey but a little more loose fitting(need those pockets), a helmet with a visor and a trail shoe.
There is really not right or wrong way to dress for XC. Comfort should be your main priority.
There is really not right or wrong way to dress for XC. Comfort should be your main priority.
Joined
·
1,182 Posts
I think "Road Bike" apparel is just cycling apparel. When it's really hot and I'm doing a type of riding where chaffing and long term seated comfort and swet management is king when I'm wearing lycra shorts with diaper pad. So an hourish long ride, 10-15 miles I'm just in wicking underwear "baggy" bike shorts and a club ride or tee shirt. Winch and plummet type rides where the I'm easy pedalling up hills lots of stopping and starting and hammer down I'm probably in the same. When it starts creeping up into 2+ hours of seated saddle time where I'm hammering up and down I start wearing the lycra. Jersey is great for the pockets in the back on these types of rides to hold nutrition. Bibs are amazingly comfortable on those 3-4 hour rides.
Joined
·
342 Posts
Whatever you wear, you must color coordinate your glasses and socks with the rest of your outfit.
Proven key to staying at the head of the pack.
![Image]()
Proven key to staying at the head of the pack.
Joined
·
342 Posts
A good kit should serve more than race day too....
![Image]()
Joined
·
1,337 Posts
Very nice! How much?
Joined
·
342 Posts
Do not underestimate the importance of accessories, like a dog carrier.
![Image]()
Joined
·
342 Posts
footwear is key.
![Image]()
because anything in the pockets on a loose fitting top will bounce all over the place for the entire ride and possibly come out, unless it is zipped. Once you deal with zippered pockets on the back of loose fitting clothing it gets extremely annoying. With hydration packs and frame packs, there is no need for on body storage on loose gear.
AMEN- From conference calls to jump lines, you need clothes that can tackle anything!
If you're competitive and going for the podium, marginal gains always matter, aero always matters: When you lose a 1.5 hour race by 1 second, you will wonder what 'free speed' might have given you 2 seconds. The race trails and not always well trimmed, loose fitting clothes snag on branches more than tight fit. A wise 'old' racer once told me; you'll never get a wasp up your lycra shorts (I'm now older than he was when he told me that). If you're just racing more as a 'participant' (which is fine, and probably more mentally healthy some of the time) wear whatever you like.
I like the visor on the helmet: it will help keep a small stray branch out of your eyes, and help catch just a little crud off your face, not to mention keeping the sun mostly off your nose.
I like the visor on the helmet: it will help keep a small stray branch out of your eyes, and help catch just a little crud off your face, not to mention keeping the sun mostly off your nose.
flips side of that is when someone decided to really dive into the benefits for a group racer in a TT...and based on over $1500 in aero upgrades and REAL RESULTS from races the guy did modified by optimal aero gains from the upgrades, he would have moved up the ladder in only one event for the season, and it was by only 1 spot. Ton of money "for nothing"...so unless you are at the top, training/fitness/leaning out trumps tech and it is free
Joined
·
971 Posts
Over 13 miles an hour aerodynamics start to become your biggest competitor, so lycra wins. Easy choice for me, being a roadie too.
Still I like my baggies as well, it also depends on my mood and if my training at that moment is focused on speed only or more on skills.
Racing is lycra only obviously.
Still I like my baggies as well, it also depends on my mood and if my training at that moment is focused on speed only or more on skills.
Racing is lycra only obviously.
Joined
·
342 Posts
You know what they say,
if you have to ask…
Joined
·
1,337 Posts
21 - 40 of 83 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
