What are the essential clothes for road cycling?

You've just bought a road bike and want to outfit yourself to look like a perfect cyclist. But do you know how to choose the essential bike clothes for road cycling?

The Head

To protect your head in case of a fall, we can only recommend that you wear a helmet during your bike rides, as well as glasses to protect your eyes from various projections.

The upper body

The main component of a cycling outfit for the upper body is the bike jersey. It comes in three versions depending on the season: long-sleeved for winter, short-sleeved for summer, and sleeveless when it's really hot.

It is recommended that you wear a technical undergarment under your jersey, regardless of the season, whose purpose will be to wick away perspiration to keep you dry and regulate your body temperature. The undershirts come in sleeveless versions for summer, short-sleeved for the mid-season and long-sleeved for winter.

During winter cycling, add a thermal jacket over the jersey and undershirt.

Also consider completing your outfit with a pair of gloves to protect your hands in case of a fall: short and airy during the summer, long during the winter to also protect your hands from the cold.

Lower Body

For the lower body, the bike shorts will be the only intermediary between your butt and the seat of your bike for several hours. Choosing it well will allow you to obtain a not inconsiderable comfort.

As with jerseys, cycling shorts come in a variety of styles depending on the season: short for summer, long for winter, and as corsairs for the mid-season.
In terms of comfort, some shorts come with a gel pad while others have a foam chamois.
It's important to choose a bib short that fits your body type and anatomy: if you're a man, look to the male models and if you're a woman, look to the female models.

The Feet

Finally, if you have opted for automatic pedals, you will also need to consider investing in a pair of shoes suitable for the cleats you have chosen, as well as a pair of socks suitable for cycling.

With these tips, you're now ready to ride with the perfect road cyclist outfit!