What do you mean “why do we wear lycra?”. Look at how cool it makes us look. And it’s sooo aero. You can ride like, twice the speed!
I’m joking of course. We know we look ridiculous so why do we insist on wearing it? Does it really make you ride faster?
I can’t speak for everyone but for me (and a lot of people I know) it’s all about being comfortable.
How Does Lycra Make You Feel Comfortable?
No flapping
Loose clothing has a tendency to flap in the wind when you get up to speed. This is fine if you’re just cycling down to the shop for a few essentials but when you’re out for a few hours then flapping trouser legs or jacket can be so annoying.
Loose jackets can also catch air which will act like a parachute in extreme cases. Lycra clings to your body not allowing any flapping to take place.
Sweat Wicking
As you cycle you’re going to sweat, sometimes a lot. If you’re wearing cotton then this sweat soaks it, weighing you down and causing chafing in places where the sun don’t shine. Cotton also holds bacteria more than lycra meaning you would stink even more after a few hours in the saddle.
Padding
Cycling shorts have a padded section where your butt comes into contact with the saddle. It’s primary function of the padding is to cushion the vibration that comes through the saddle.
That being said, a well developed padding should also prevent chafing. The padding should “cling” to your undercarriage (so no underwear) meaning any friction that happens should take place between the shorts and the saddle.
When cycling clothing had first been developed this padded section (the chamois) was made from leather. However, over the years leather is hardly ever used and synthetic materials have now taken over. Chamois cream used to be used on the leather to make it soft and flexible. Nowadays chamois cream is used to prevent chafing and reduce bacteria which can cause saddle sores. It’s not really needed for short rides.
Bib shorts
Taking cycling shorts a bit further we have bib shorts. These are the same as cycling shorts but have suspender straps attached. These are probably the most ridiculous looking part of cycling gear but once you wear a pair of bib shorts then it’s hard to go back to shorts.
It’s the seamless fit from the legs to the torso. Some shorts can be tight around the waist which can become irritating after a while. Another issue that may arise from wearing shorts is that you lower back me be exposed as you lean forward when you cycle. Bib shorts continue up your back.
Pockets
The pockets on the back of the Jersey may be awkward to reach at times but there is now doubt that they’re in the right place. The cycling position means that having anything on your hips or front can become a hindrance while on a long ride.They’re also remarkably big for something that isn’t bagging when empty. You can carry food, clothing and tools with ease.
Lightweight
Lycra in light weight and it stays that way. You might argue that cotton is also light but when you start to sweat cotton will become much heavier due to the water (sweat) being held in the material. Lycra wicks the sweat to the outside which then quickly evaporates.
Branding
I also hear some people saying something like “you shouldn’t wear pro team gear unless you’re part of a pro team”. To this, I think it’s ridiculous and is usually said by people who are wearing their favourite football Jersey. If you have a favorite cycling team and you want to support them then buy their gear. Don’t overthink it.
So you see cycling clothes are designed out of function rather than fashion. If you’re a cyclist and haven’t had the courage to wear lycra yet then know that we have all been there. Let me just say that the only way you’re going to get over it is to just go for it. At first you may feel self conscious but then you will realize that no one else cares.Â