If you are a cyclist you’ll know the problem. One minute you’re chilly, the next you are over-heating and then, because the sun has gone behind a cloud or you are descending a long hill rather than climbing, you feel cold again. What this normally means is frequent stops to put a layer on, then off, then on again.
Now there’s a new cycling jersey that aims to be the perfect solution. Made by Gore, the 1beats2 cycling jersey is constructed with a “lightweight, elastic three-layer Windstopper laminate”. As well as protecting the wearer against the cold and wind, it is also very breathable, which means the chances of over-heating are greatly reduced.
Gore claims the fabric is great for highly aerobic outdoor activities and for use in conditions varying from 10°C to 20°C. They suggest that cyclists will only need to add arm warmers for long bike rides.
Alongside comfort and protection, the design of the jersey offers cyclists the benefit of reduced weight. Worn alone, the one-piece garment is up to 35% lighter than a regular jersey worn in combination with a jacket. Furthermore, fewer layers mean that perspiration can more easily pass through.
Gore is working with a range of brand partners including Gore Bike Wear, Löffler, Maloja, Odlo, Santini and Etxe Ondo. While Gore makes the fabric they also ensure that clothing partners use it correctly in their products.
See this video for the background to the invention of Gore Windstopper 1beats2 cycling jersey.
On test: Löffler Windstopper 1beats2 cycling jersey
I asked Drew, a keen gym goer, runner and cyclist to test the jersey. I had already asked the G-Force (usually a size medium to large in cycle tops) and another cycling friend (a slim medium) to try the jersey, which claims to be a size large. I know that clothes made by Continental brands are often on the small size but it definitely wasn’t a large. My hunt for a slimmer person arrived at 18-year-old Drew! He was happy to help.
Drew agreed that he’d be keen to find a jersey that can cope with the ever fluctuating temperatures of a cyclists – and also the changeable weather conditions in Scotland.
He said: “I don’t think that I’ve felt so free on my bike. The top itself was tight fitting and while it claims to be a size large I think this is quite obviously wrong! However, it did fit me well and while tight fitting it had enough freedom of movement to make it comfortable for riding my bike. The top also feels nice and lightweight when on and the fabric is good.
“While on my bike the top stayed in place and didn’t ride up at the back. This was because of the silicon strip on the inside of the hem.
“I wore it while cycling with a friend. He had set a fast pace and I needed to keep up. It was an unusually warm day on the west coast and I was worried I’d become over-heated. But surprisingly I didn’t. The fabric kept out the usual coastal wind and then, as I warmed up while cycling quite hard, I still felt cool. I think the fabric was doing a good job of being breathable.”
The Loffler cycling jersey also has all the other usual features, incouding back pokcekts for stowing bits and pieces, a full-length front zip, a higher collar to keep the sun/wind off the neck. See Loffler.
Look for the new 1beats2 windstopper fabric featured in a range of cycling brands and products, for both men and women, this season.
- Drew writes at Life of Drew.