Bike outfit - why is it important?
Every lover of this sport should wear
a bicycle outfit. A well-chosen sports outfit protects the body against harmful
radiation or wind. Important in cycling clothing are reflective
fabrics, thanks to
which we are more visible to drivers, especially at night.
Suitable bicycle shoes should form
part of the outfit. The choice of shoes will depend on the field of cycling.
Shoes used for road cycling may differ in hardness from the shoes used by
mountain bikers. Perfectly matched bike shoes should protect the foot and not
cause painful abrasions or blisters on the feet.
Elements of bicycle outfit
The bicycle outfit consists of several
elements. First of all, we should equip ourselves with several sports shirts,
which we will put on ourselves during cold mornings. If the temperature during
the day increases, we will be able to take them off gradually. A good idea is
the use of reflective clothing that drains water vapor and sweat from the
skin. Bicycle clothing should adhere to the body so as not to restrict
movement, therefore it is not the best idea to choose a wide cotton sweatshirt.
Professional cyclists should wear a
sweatshirt and a sports jacket, including a raincoat. When looking for pants
for a bike, we will also find different types. From adjoining to thermally
active or insulated. In summer, it is worth choosing short fitting shorts. If
you travel a long distance on a bike, you should buy at least two pairs. Our
feet should be protected not only by footwear but also longer bicycle socks,
preferably from air-permeable material.
A protective helmet is sure to come in
handy. When planning shopping, you should think about protecting yourself from
the cold and stocking yourself with a neck scarf. Regardless of the season, bike
gloves will be a good purchase - with stiffened but also flexible material.
Bicycle shoes
Bike shoes, like the outfit, should be
skillfully chosen. Buying too big or too small shoes, in the hope that they
will break up, is not a good idea. Bicycle shoes should fit, hold your foot and
be comfortable. It is not worth saving on them.
Many cycling enthusiasts opt for SPD
shoes, which are models adapted to be attached to SPD pedals (the mechanism
connecting the shoe with the pedal), which in many cases can also be worn with
classic pedals. Professional bicycle shoes have a hard sole that makes the ride
easier, but it makes walking difficult, so if you only ride on a bike
recreationally, and you want to use your shoes for other purposes, choose a
sole with less hardness.
Trekking shoes with a thick, durable
sole are good. The upper of the bike shoe should not be too high so as not to
obstruct movements or cause abrasions. It is important that the material of the
shoe is breathable, eg made of mesh in the front part of the shoe. Reflective
materials on footwear will additionally affect our road safety.
Bike outfit - price
The price of a complete bicycle outfit
may depend on the brand, material, and systems used in production. In the fall
and winter season, we will dress warmer than in the spring and summer season,
so we will pay more for the outfit. If we are just starting our adventure with
a bike and we do not have a complete outfit, the whole thing can cost us even a
thousand zlotys. However, it is not worth saving on individual items.
Elements of cycling outfit made of
more durable material will be relatively more expensive, but they will also
serve us longer. However, if we do not want to overpay, we can look for
additives on stock exchanges or auctions.
