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There’s two things that you want when cycling. One is comfort and the other is safety. If both requirements can be satisfied the experience of cycling is made all the more pleasant and enjoyable.
The clothing we select can ensure comfort while offering a measure of safety. Professionally finished tops and bottoms fabricated from quality materials reduce skin irritations and abrasions. They also provide support and additional padding around contact points which reduces post-cycle sores.
In addition, high-visibility clothing with reflective elements makes you more visible to other road users. The beneficial implications of this attribute need not be illuminated.
This article reviews 5 quality cycling jersey and bib sets. They have been especially selected because they have received substantial customer feedback regarding comfort, quality and durability. Also, the 5 sets sport colourful designs and high-visibility reflective elements.
Bib and Jersey Buyer’s Guide
Elasticated cuffs
Any seasoned cyclist will steadfastly attest to the necessity of elasticated cuffs. Why so important? Well, other than crazed motorists and potholes, there’s few things cyclist find more annoying than garments that:
a) bunch-up
b) shots and jersey cuffs that ride
c) loose fitting
d) let a draft in like an open barn door
These highly annoying outcomes of poorly designed cycle wear can easily be overcome with silicone seals. So, before buying a bib and jersey (or cycling separates: shorts, tops, jackets), ensure that the cuffs of the garments are lined with silicone seals.
Padding
Padding is probably the most important feature of cycling bottoms: shorts, bibs and leggings. Poor quality padding – or poorly designed padding – can, during long cycles, cause nasty sores and chaffing. Not only that but the discomfort that poorly padded bottoms induce takes the pleasure out of cycling. Something every pedal pusher desires to avoid.
In addition, properly padded wear offers a measure of protection for those soft and sensitive areas such as . . . you know where I mean. Also, plenty of cushioning can lesson or even eradicate post-cycle soreness.
So, with that all diplomatically said, don’t buy bottoms with inferior padding. Ensure that the bottoms boast 3D gel padding that has been fabricated from anti-bacterial material. And, if you purchase a pair of bottoms that just don’t feel right on your first ride, send them back. Don’t tolerate crap kit.
Breathable fabrics
‘Breathability’ is an essential feature that all cycling attire should possess. During even a short ride, 1 to 2 hours, you’ll whip up a substantial lather of sweat – especially during the summer months. If this moisture isn’t dispersed it will accumulate and inevitably result in nasty sores. Breathable fabrics ensure that this doesn’t happen – or they at least reduce the extremity of moisture accumulation. This not only reduces sores and chaffing but of course it also makes riding a more pleasurable experience.
Thus, when choosing cycle wear it is wise to prioritise garments fabricated from breathable materials.
Brightly coloured
According to a recent survey 60% of cyclists feel unsafe on British roads. There’s two reasons for this. Reason 1: British roads are atherosclerotic with automobiles. Reason 2: there’s a lot of knob’eds let loose in killer tin cans who think that it’s perfectly acceptable to drive like they’re on a racetrack. Unfortunately, these two problems are not going away any time soon; there’s just not the police presence and the government is entirely apathetic about the plight of the cyclist.
That’s why YOU have to do all you can to make yourself safe. There’s a number of ways you can do this. They include:
1. Cycle during quiet times – before 5am or early Sunday morning (these are the only quiet times nowadays)
2. Cycle in large groups – like peloton large
3. Light yourself up like a Christmas tree
4. Wear bright coloured clothing with reflective elements
Tightfitting
Have you ever tried to swim in baggy clothing? Creates a hell of a lot of drag doesn’t it. And it makes you about as hydrodynamic as a brick. Same thing with cycling clothing – to wit baggy or loose-fitting clothing causes drag which means that you must work that bit harder to sustain the same speed.
Granted, for the average Sunday cyclists this isn’t a concern that’ll keep you up at night. However, even for the amateur enthusiast who enjoys the occasional 50-miler, energy conservation can become quite important.
But tightfitting clothing doesn’t just reduce drag. It also improves comfort and generally enhances the feel of riding. In addition, along with silicone-lined cuffs, tight fitting clothing stops drafts which is especially important during colder months.
1: BXIO Men’s Cycling Jersey & Bib Shorts (£36.66)
Product Particulars (click image for availability)
Easy wear full length zipper enables ventilation and quick changes.
3 elastic rear pockets enable you to store personal belongings and cycling essentials.
Moisture-wicking material made from durable fabrics to ensure long wearing.
Non-slip silicone-lined cuff grippers reduces bunching and sleeve/short slippage.
BXIO is one of the earliest brands specialising in cycling wear development. Their jersey and bib shorts set is testament to the company’s continued pursuit of producing excellent products.
Fabricated from high-quality materials, this affordable jersey and bib shorts combo is perfect either for the beginner or the seasoned cyclist who wants spares or an all-purpose set for training rides.
They tick all the right boxes: considerable padding, 3 rear jersey pockets, full-length zipper (essential for summer cycling), very colourful and non-slip silicone-lined cuff grippers. All-in-all a complete jersey and bib short set suitable for all seasons.
4 stars with over 450 reviews
2: Hengxin Men’s Classic Race Fit Cycling Jersey and Gel Padded Bib Shorts (£36.99)
Product Particulars (click image for availability)
Performance moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial Italian 3D gel padding provides great comfort for longer rides.
Full length zip enables ventilation and quick changes .
Accessible back pockets for storing those cycling essentials.
Lightweight material with superior workmanship and stitching.
The main body of the jersey is constructed from a micromesh fabric which offers superior comfort during spring and summer cycles. But the lightweight fabric and close-fitting design ensures that this set will be suitable as winter weather base-layers.
The 3D anti-bacteria padded cushion shorts with plenty of air vents provides great comfort for longer rides. And the anti-bacterial material will reduce sores and skin irritations.
Hengxin’s cycling set features pro cycling team styling without the price tag. The many customers who reviewed this jersey and bib short combo praised the quality material and sleek design.
4 stars with nearly 700 reviews!
3: FDX Men’s Pro Cycling Jersey and 3D Gel Padded Bib Shorts (£44.00)
Product Particulars (click image for availability)
Moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial 3D gel padding provides superior comfort during longer rides.
Full length zip enables facilitates ventilation and quick changes.
Accessible back pockets for storing those cycling essentials.
Lightweight material with superior workmanship and stitching.
FDX Pro Cycling jersey and bib shorts have been designed to meet the demands of performance athletes. The high-quality fabrics – a blend of nylon, polyester and Lycra – offer superior durability without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.
Designed in the UK to perform at the highest level, this jersey and bib short set is suitable for summer training rides and competitions. In addition, because of the light-weight fabrics and close-cut tailoring this sleek set will double up for winter training base layers.
The bib shorts feature professional construction with lightweight, high-performance breathable fabric. The mesh back and moisture-wicking material reduces rashes, sores and skin irritations.
The jersey is fabricated from quick dry, ultra-lightweight material that is both breathable and moisture wicking. The ergonomic tailoring and flat-lock stitching reduces chaffing and abrasions during long rides.
Nearly 5 stars with over 180 reviews
4: INBIKE Men’s Cycling Jerseys and Bib Shorts (£37.99)
Product Particulars (click image for availability)
Performance moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial Italian 3D gel padding provides great comfort for longer rides.
Full length zip enables ventilation and quick changes .
Accessible back pockets for storing those cycling essentials .
Lightweight material with superior workmanship and stitching.
INBIKE is a cycling specialist with extensive experience as a manufacturer and designer of innovative cycle wear. This jersey and bib shorts set, with its phenomenal customer feedback, showcases the company’s penchant for producing superior quality products.
The jersey and bib shorts are fabricated from a blend of polyester and Lycra which ensures comfort and durability – essentially qualities of cycling attire. Furthermore, the moisture-wicking material, coupled with strategically placed permeable mesh fabrics, ensures excellent breathability.
Other features of note include the anti-slip cuff grippers (an absolute must!), 3D gel pads and reflective elements. This combination of attributes ensures INBIKE’s cycling set will meet the high standards of experienced riders while offering comfort and safety.
They tick all the right boxes: considerable padding, 3 rear jersey pockets, full-length zipper (essential for summer cycling) and non-slip silicone-lined cuff grippers. All-in-all a complete jersey and bib short set suitable for all seasons.
4.5 stars with a staggering 1,400 reviews!
5: FDX Men’s All-Day Cycling Jersey and 3D Gel Padded Bib Shorts (£55.99)
Product Particulars (click image for availability)
Moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial 3D gel padding provides superior comfort during longer rides.
Full length zip enables facilitates ventilation and quick changes.
Accessible back pockets for storing those cycling essentials.
Lightweight material with superior workmanship and stitching.
FDX’s ‘ALL DAY’ cycling jersey and bib shorts set has been designed with the serious cyclist in mind. Developed to deliver high-level performance that can be relied on, this set has been constructed from ultra-lightweight durable fabrics. Thus, this set won’t be holding you back during that punishing 100-miler.
The side mesh panels facilitate heat dispersal while also wicking away surface level moisture. This innovative feature helps the body regulate core temperature and reduces the discomfort that is a natural by-product of sweat accumulation.
In addition, the anti-bacterial 3D gel pad will soften the blows of the road making for a more comfortable ride. With the comfort taken care of the sublimated printing, with the contemporary eye-catching design, will ensure that you stand out without compromising style.
Nearly 5 stars with over 80 reviews
To Conclude
Cycling is without doubt one of the best forms of physical exercise that we can participate in. It not only improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthen both the heart and diaphragm, but it helps the body metabolise fat which in turn, along with health lifestyle factors, reduces our susceptibility to a plethora of nasty disease.
But in addition to being super good for us, cycling is a pleasant form of exercise. The experience of cycling is further improved when we are wearing the right kit and, not forgetting, when we observe safe cycling practices.
So, with that said, get kitted up and get out on your bike!
(As we are very interested in user experience here at Hungry4Fitness, we would be very grateful if you could take a few seconds out of your day to leave a comment. Thanks in advance!)
Blog Author
Adam Priest is a former Royal Marines Commando, personal trainer, lecturer, boxing and Thai boxing enthusiast.