Renewing My Cycling Wardrobe
The recent winter was extreme and one could have thought, that spring will never arrive. Looking at the statistics, it was the sulkiest winter with least sunshine in the last 50 years in most parts of Europe.
It’s only natural, that the previous months haven’t been inviting to spend hours on the road – also for the most serious cyclists or with the best possible clothing. Even the pros were affected by the endless winter and had to accept race cancellations (eg Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne) or race under extreme conditions (eg Milan-Sanremo, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Tirreno Adriatico or rhe Giro).
After all, sunshine and pleasant warmth finally set in and the 2013 cycling season has started for everyone. As for myself, new equipment is always motivating. Be it a new bike, new wheels, new shoes or last but not least new clothes. I am always in search of the best possible clothing regarding fit and performance because riding is much more fun with an excellent and good looking kit.
Outfitted with some new pieces, there are really no excuses for not riding and enjoying times on the bike. Here is a short overview of my latest additions for this spring.
As I prefer a tight fit, I went for the new Aero Race 4.0 short sleeve jersey. It got a few updates for 2013 including a full zipper and a slightly more relaxed fit compared to last year’s version with only a ¾ zip. A mix of different fabrics is carefully considered: An almost plain fabric at the front, shoulders and sleeves and a breathable mesh fabric at side panels and the back.
The arm cuffs are made of the famous and much imitated Giro3 construction and contribute to a tight aero-fit. Pleated inserts at the armpits secure an aerodynamic stretchy fit and also help to regulate the body climate well. There is really no flapping at the shoulders, upper back and sleeves, when riding on your hoods or drops. Like every Castelli jersey, the Aero Race Jersey comes with three standard sized back pockets. They are very elastic and provide enough storage space for the usual essentials.
It’s exactly the same piece (except the team graphics and a camlock zipper: the Garmin-Sharp Aero jersey comes with the pro’s favourite Vislon zip) which Garmin-Sharp rider Dan Martin was wearing for his impressive victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège this year. If it’s good enough to win the oldest monument in cycling, it’s certainly a very good choice for every hobby cyclist who wants to save some watts during training or the next race.
When it comes to shorts, you do no wrong, when riding in castelli’s long-time classic Free Aero Race Bibshort. It’s made of three different fabrics by which everything is constructed with the best possible material. This shorts combine everything you can ask for: great fit, cosy Giro3 leg grippers, highly breathable and non-restrictive bibstraps and the excellent Progetto X² Air seat pad for unique comfort for a quick after work loop or a 6 hour ride through the epic scenery of Salzkammergut.
I never ride without a baselayer, even on super hot summer days. The new Seamless Baselayer (available in shortsleeve and sleeveless version) is a new highlight and I’d recommend it for medium to hot conditions. Beside an exceptional form-fitting and cosy wearing comfort, you get a baselayer which helps to regulate the body climate really well. The open mesh fabric quickly wicks away moisture from the skin, that you’ll never feel wet or cold on a descent. The next-to-skin fit and it’s large-meshed construction provided a lot more warmth than I have expected and far more moisture management.
When talking about spring, changeable weather is always an issue. If prospects aren’t that bad I leave off the Gabba Jersey and take a thin emergency shell like the Sottile Due Vest with me. It packs down quite small into every jersey pocket and can be taken along on every ride. I also take it with me on mountainous summer rides or against the evening chill at the end of after work rides.
The lightweight and packable vest got some improvements for 2013 in forms of zippers and collar. The new mesh-lined collar is a real upgrade. It fits very close and I found it very useful to wick away moisture from my neck when putting it on for a quick downhill.
A short zipper opening at the back allows access to jersey pockets or can also be used for additional ventilation if needed. Thank to it’s wind- and water-resistant polyester, the Sottile Due Vest is a versatile piece on every spring ride or to keep away a summery shower.
To round out a perfect uniform, a set of warmers must not be missed. It is a ‘must have’ for every cyclist especially in spring. With a good pair of warmers (arm, leg and knee), you can enlarge the range of your other clothes and be quite flexible regarding changing temperatures at the same time.
Castelli’s high-tech Nanoflex warmers come with a silicone nanofilament coating, that prevents water droplets from soaking through the fabric. I will never go back wearing traditional Roubaix warmers. The Nanoflex warmers can be used almost all-year By providing a brilliant amount of warmth, they play off their real power when it starts raining or even snowing.
Have a good ride!
Text: Bernhard Plainer (a keen cyclist who’s crazy about bike performance)
Twitter: @hobbybiker
Photo: Erich Plainer
More information on Plainer’s product Spring picks:
Aero Race 4.0 Jersey
Free Aero Race Bibshort
Seamless Baselayer
Sottile Due Vest
Nano Flex warmers