What is everyone's choice for an outer shell to block the wind.?..... I am looking at Gore wear products, just curious what works well for others? Thanks!!
It's incredibly light and compact (think smaller than a cycling jersey pocket). Windstopping performance is really good. The only downside is price (I got mine at clearance price) and also it's really thin without ripstop properties. I crashed while mountain biking and tear some holes in the front panel... It's less an issue with gravel riding I guess...
I rarely wear an actual jacket, though I often carry a really light Castelli jacket or vest (fist-sized when stuffed into their bags), just in case. I have a craft Windstopper jersey and a matching jacket, but I find that the jersey is too warm above 35-40 degrees F and the jacket is too warm unless the temp is well below freezing, even with just a base layer underneath. I generally wear something more breathable, like a like a long-sleeve CX jersey that has a light fleece interior. Although I'm pretty temperature sensitive, I find that I have little trouble keeping my upper body warm on the bike, on-road or off.
[QUOTE but it’s kind of expensive [/QUOTE] That's what keeps me from getting one. Once they've been around long enough that they're on clearance sale periodically, I may pick one up.
I have 2 Endura windchill jackets i rotate. They hold up really well, block wind great. I can wear a dry fit t-shirt underneath and ride in 10-30 degree weather with a decent wind no problem. They have survived the washing machine at least 100 cycles. The arm pits have vents to open if things start to get toasty. Ive found that once you realize your warm, its usully too late and you time is limited in cold conditions. I believe i got the jackets through chain reaction last winter.
I love my Endura Adrenaline pro jacket. Tiny pack size and waterproof. Tested it to the max in the five hour constant rain soak Tour de Placer gravel ride a few weeks back. I am a believer now.
For heavy cold, I have an older Pearl Izumi jacket with wind blocking. Super warm. I also have a number of different lighter over shell jackets but I tend to over heat while wearing them. Last year I went to a Rapha jersey with wind blocking front and their merino wool back. It is short sleeve and I use regular warm warmers with it and it is one of my favorites. I also just got their full long sleeve wind blocking jersey which works really well. I only buy their stuff on discount.
After riding unPAved this weekend and having 31 deg. F at the start I am looking for what I guess you would call a early fall jacket. Not necessarily a winter jacket even though I do run cold @age 68. Does any of these jackets/jerseys above have the 3 pockets in the rear. I really don't want to buy something that just has the 1 zipper pocket in the rear. I want something that I can reach back and grab stuff out of my pockets or be able to put stuff in there that I can dig out while riding.
I have a wind blocking vest. It keeps my core away from the wind - but without sleeves that would make me overheat (or just flap in the wind). It has a mesh back (again for ventilation and to keep the sweat down) and a single zippered rear pocket. It will fold up into its own pocket for storage.
Mostly I just layer wool as that both keeps me warm and wicks very well.
chas wrote:I have a wind blocking vest. It keeps my core away from the wind - but without sleeves that would make me overheat (or just flap in the wind). It has a mesh back (again for ventilation and to keep the sweat down) and a single zippered rear pocket. It will fold up into its own pocket for storage.
Mostly I just layer wool as that both keeps me warm and wicks very well.
I have a Cannondale vest I really liked when it fit. I got fat and the vest didn't grow with me so now it's in my dresser drawer. It was super light but did a great job. I need to find a new big guy super clyde option that I can get and use. Especially this time of year.
Nubster wrote:I have a Cannondale vest I really liked when it fit. I got fat and the vest didn't grow with me so now it's in my dresser drawer. It was super light but did a great job. I need to find a new big guy super clyde option that I can get and use. Especially this time of year.
Nubster I am kind of there right with you as the skinny fit guy(race style) Italian clothing doesn't fit me right now.
I’d say for most weather short of hard rain, I really want the front to be wind resistant or even windproof, but the back to be regular, air permeable fabric.
As far as brands and models, there are so many out there, and many of them are changed every other year or so, so hard to recommend a specific piece.
on thing that also matters is whether you live in the mountains or not. In the mountains you start working hard at a slow speed for a long time(uphill), so thin and breathable is important, typically no shell needed.
Then you go downhill, with very little execution, for a short time, so windprooffing is very important but breathability is not.
In flat or rolling terrain, breathability becomes more important in you r shell layer, becasue you will be wearing it the whole time, so moisture build up is an issue.
Am I the only one that thinks that a windstopper jacket is x times more because it's made for cycling by a cycling brand? I wear standard stuff made for everyday folks (hiking, etc.) and it works fine and is a lot less costly and can double for everyday wear. I'm not trying to cut a tenth of a second off my gravel ride and if I need something readily available it's usually on a frame bag or similar that is easy to reach. Sure the cut is made for a cycling position but I've never thought, man this 'hiking' windstopper feels weird.
Cycling clothing is not necessarily more expensive than comparable generic sports clothing. Price differences are typically due to lower quality generic fabrics and/or fewer features. Most of my cycling clothing was purchased way below suggested retail and I typically only buy it off-season. I prefer cycling-specific jackets, vests and jerseys for riding because they're cut to fit properly when in the riding position and typically have cycling-related features like back pockets, windproof fronts with highly breathable backs and extra-long sleeves. They're usually cut close enough to reduce flapping and ballooning while riding.
That said, if you don't find the features of cycling clothing compelling, wear whatever you like. If anyone gives you crap about your wardrobe choices, tell 'em to get lost. You don't have to put up with the "fashion police" buttheads. If it makes you feel better, I still ride with short socks and wear a hydration pack on most road rides. Oh, the HORROR!
At my end I don't waste money on drinking gambling smoking horse tracks casinos So if I want something on the cycling end I don't feel guilty and money is no option. That doesn't mean I don't try and get the best bang for the buck and so yeah I also try to buy out of season. Right now I seem to missing a good lightweight 40 deg. F jacket or set up.
