Technical Terms
FABRICS
CAMOIS AND PADS
CUFF TYPES
ANATOMICAL
POCKETS
SILICONE
ZIPPERS
Membrane
Membranes are typically used for performance outerwear like cycling and sports jackets. We use various thicknesses and types depending on the garment, season and use
Membranes are expensive technical fabrics because so much research goes into their development so garments tend to be expensive, however the pay off for comfort is definitely worth it
Benefits to you- Breathability - this is one of the key benefits of a membrane as it helps regulate the moisture within the garment and that stops you feeling clammy and sweaty
- Jackets made from non-breathable fabrics can get very hot and sweaty because the heat and sweat that you create whilst exercising can't escape.
- If you've ever had a 'boil in the bag jacket' it was probably not breathable 🥵
- Waterproof - keeps the rain out. You can 'test' if a fabric is waterproof by running it under the tap and watching the water 'bead off', rather than soak in
- Windproof - stops you from getting cold as you move through the cool air. It's particularly beneficial when the 'wind chill factor' can considerably reduce the 'feels like' temperature. You can test if a fabric is windproof by blowing into it. If you can't feel air coming through the other side, it's windproof
Facts
- Highly technical
- Light weight
- Made by 'bonding' 3 different wafer thin layers, each with a different property:
- Breathable
- Water proof 🌧
- Windproof 💨
- It's hard to imagine how something can be breathable and therefore let sweat out and still be water proof ie. doesn't let water in. In simple terms, sweat molecules are smaller than water molecules, so the 'holes' in these membranes aren't big enough for water to get in. It's almost magic 🧚
Stretch
Cycling clothes are made of stretchy fabrics so that they flex with your body as it changes shape in cycling position - adopt a cycling position and look how your shape has changed 👫 🚴
Even if you have a fairly upright cycling position, your back 'elongates' and your front 'shrinks'
- This can lead to a gap of clothes and chilly exposed skin on your lower back
- In non-cycling gear you can find that you have a lot of 'excess' fabric on your front
The top back of your thighs and your bottom 'elongate'
- This can 'pull' your non cycling trousers down resulting in a builders bum 🍑
As you pedal, your knees bend and then stretch out with each stroke
- The fabric in non stretch trousers will clump up and pull with each stroke, particularly around your groin and knees
With your arms are outstretched on the handle bars they become 'longer' and your body widens across the shoulders and upper back
- The sleeves in tops and jackets without stretch can become short in the arms and they can pull across the shoulders and upper back
Benefits to you
- Stretch cycling clothing flexes with your body as you cycle
- We use fabrics which stretch in all directions, allowing maximum flexibility and comfort
- Bib shorts and high waist leggings stretch over your back and bottom as they elongate in cycling position
- As your legs move through the pedal strokes the fabric stretches around your knees the shrinks back into shape almost like you own skin
- Stretch fabrics will allow freedom of movement for the arms and also ensure that your tops don't pull on your upper back and shoulders
- Our cycle wear also has longer sleeves and is shaped to be longer at the back and shorter at the front, so that you have fabric where you need it when you are in cycling position
Waterproof or Water Resistant?
These are two different things and there are advantages and disadvantages to both
- Waterproof - for a garment to be waterproof it needs to be made from waterproof fabric, have waterproof seams and have a waterproof zipper
- A waterproof seam is bonded to ensure that no rain can get through
- 👍 Waterproof means that no rain water can get into the jacket so in a downpour you'll stay dry on the inside
- 👎 Waterproof jackets are hot because the moisture and heat that builds up inside the jacket can't escape through the seams. Even with the best breathable waterproof fabrics there is a limit to how quickly moisture and heat can be 'pushed' through the fabric
- 👎 You need to layer up carefully so that you don't overheat and end up wet on the inside from sweat
- 👍 Good for commuting or occasional use in case of a downpour
- 👎 Probably not the best solution if you are only going to buy one jacket as you may struggle to regulate your temperature across a wide rage of weather types
- Water Resistant - these garments use waterproof fabrics in key areas to keep most of the rain off but don't have waterproof seams and can have other fabric panel which aren't waterproof, eg. side panels, underarm
- 👍 Keep most of the rain out
- 👍 Offer much better breathability and will regulate temperature more effectively because hot air and moisture can easily escape the jacket through the seams and non waterproof panels
- 👎 In more severe rain, you may get wet patches where rain has 'leaked' into the jacket eg. on the shoulders or around the zip
- 👍 A very versatile garment that you will be able to layer up and down in lots of different weather conditions
Wicking and Breathable
Our jersey and legging fabrics are wicking and breathable and this will contribute a lot to your comfort on the bike
Benefits to you
- Being comfortable on your bike will likely keep you in the saddle for longer and will make for a much more enjoyable ride 😁
- Breathability - by allowing air to circulate, this helps regulate the heat and moisture within the garment and stops you feeling clammy and sweaty
- Wicking - refers to a fabric's ability to 'get rid' of moisture
- 👍 Actively draws moisture away from the skin so you don't feel clammy
- 👍 Fast drying so your clothes don't end up wet and heavy
- 👎 Non wicking fabrics eg. cotton hold onto sweat. If you've ever cycled in a cotton T shirt and joggers, you'll know that the harder you work the more you sweat and the wetter, heavier and more uncomfortable your cotton gear becomes
- 👍 Dries quickly so you can wash and dry it within a few hours
Facts
- Handmade
- Specially developed polyester and synthetic fabrics
- Lightweight
- Allow air to circulate
- Actively draw moisture away from the body by capillary action
- Quick drying and don't hold onto moisture
Chamois
It's a pad. Some say chamois but we're from Yorkshire so we just say pad ♠️
High Density
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Supports and 'pads' the key areas which are in contact with the saddle
- Provides protection from vibration and shock
- Wicking and breathable to help remove moisture and regulate temperature
- Available in varying densities and thicknesses
- Female and male specific
- Made up of different layers and thicknesses of foam which are strategically placed to support and 'pad' the key areas which are in contact with the saddle
- The main area for padding is the sit bones
- Some companies offer different sized pads, however human sit bones vary very little in width so it's unusual to need extra wide or extra thin pads
- Pads are supposed to be worn next to the skin - so pants off!
- Because the pads are breathable and wicking, they transport heat and perspiration away from the body, helping to keep you cool and dry in the saddle
Gel Inserts
Gel inserts are added to a foam cycling pad and act as an additional layer of support and comfort. There are advantages and disadvantages to gel pads
- 👍 Gel is a good shock absorber and gives additional support and padding
- 👎 Because the gel isn't breathable gel pads can be hot
Elastic Cuff
Our Jewel Bibs and Fleet Short Sleeve jerseys feature a deep elastic cuff
Benefits to you
- An alternative to silicone
- Stops the garments riding up by providing resistance
- Looks pro
Facts
- A flexible, deep elasticated tape, sewn on to the hem line of shorts and cuffs of jerseys
Folded Lycra Cuff
Our women's bibs and Cove jerseys have a folded Lycra cuff
Benefits to you
- Non allergenic, doesn't irritate
- Very soft
- Stops the garments riding up by providing resistance
- Looks pro
Facts
- A soft folded cuff of stretchy Lycra fabric, sewn on to the hem line of shorts and cuffs of jerseys
Laser Cut Cuff
Our Tor short sleeve jerseys have a laser cut cuff
Benefits to you
- Non allergenic, doesn't irritate
- Very soft
- Stops the garments riding up by providing resistance
- Looks pro
Facts
- Laser cut fabric, sewn on to the jersey cuffs
Anatomical
Anatomical cycling clothes are shaped to mirror the body shape of a cyclist in riding position
The more forward your position, the more elongated your back and the shorter your front will be
Sometimes when trying on anatomical cycling clothes, they can feel tight across the chest or front of your body, however in cycling position they become a perfect fit because of the change to your body shape
You may have seen professional cyclists on the podium in jerseys which look uncomfortably tight across their chest, but in cycling position the jerseys will fit perfectly
Pockets
Benefits to you
- Road gear has pockets at the back to make it easy to reach your stuff whilst cycling along
Facts
- 4 pockets refers to 3 open pockets across the back and the 4th zipped pocket for your cake money
Silicone
Our jerseys, jackets and some of our shorts have a silicone hem
Benefits to you
- Stops garments riding up by providing resistance and keeping the hem in place
Facts
- A thin line of silicone, sewn on to the garment hem
Cam Lock Zip
A cam lock zip refers to a simple locking mechanism when a zip is fastened, which stops the zip undoing itself and prevents the pull jingling about
Although it sounds like a minor thing, but not having a cam lock zipper can really interfere with your ride!