The Chamois
The chamois, or chami, is the padded piece found in most cycling shorts to take the edge off normal saddle pain.
Road Shorts
Made of lycra, traditional racing shorts stick to the body, do not create wind drag and reduce chaffing.
Mountain Shorts
With an inner chamois lining and exterior baggie short, mountain bike shorts look more like regular active wear compared with their road racing counterparts. These are a top choice for riders who want to go from trail to the grocery store without worrying about being in spandex.
Tights
Form-fitted tights offer warmth during cold rides. Some tights come with their own chami, while others don't but offer the rider the choice to layer his tights over a pair of shorts.
Warmers
For extra warmth, warmers provide the convenience of easy layer-shedding. Riders pair knee or leg warmers with their normal shorts and throw arm warmer on with their jersey.
Jerseys
Made of moisture-wicking material, jerseys give cyclists a performance shirt, tailored to the needs of a rider. Cut long in the back to keep a cyclist covered when he bends over the handlebars, jerseys also provide extra pockets for easy access to food and gear.
Article Written By Kathrine Cole
Kathrine Cole is a professional outdoor educator. She teaches rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, and bike maintenance classes. She is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Trainer.
