Skintight lycra kit is a signature for cyclists in the pro peloton and amateur scene alike. But how did this sportswear become the standard for riding a bike? While you might envision lycra jerseys or bibs as recent inventions, these garments have been around for decades.
Let’s take a look at the history of wearing lycra for cycling and discover the pros and cons of wearing cycling kit while riding a bike.
What exactly is lycra?
Lycra is a synthetic fabric best known for being stretchy and form-fitting. Many people don’t know that lycra is a brand name, much like Kleenex for tissues. Some generic names for this type of fabric are spandex or elastane.
What makes lycra special, especially for sportswear? The stretchy quality of lycra means that it can be stretched up to five times its original size and still hold its shape. Garments, including cycling clothes, made with lycra are form-fitting while still being comfortable against the skin. Additionally, lycra resists body oils and sweat, meaning that it will not become stinky with wear.
When folks think of cycling clothes, they often think of a jersey and bibs. Cycling bibs aren’t just made of lycra but also contain padding in the rear; this padding is called chamois. The purpose of the padding is to provide cushion while sitting on the bike seat. Other sportswear commonly made of lycra include yoga pants, activewear tanktops, and swimsuits.
Outside of the sporting world, lycra made also be used for other form-fitting clothing, such as underwear.
Embed from Getty ImagesHistorically, cycling clothes have been made of lycra as early as the 1950s, when lycra was invented.
Cyclists before the invention of lycra had to make do with other fabrics for their kits. The pros in the early 1900s used wool for jerseys, but while wool was a common fabric for sporting clothes in those times, they were itchy and too warm to be comfortable. As the sport progressed, silk was used for jerseys as well, particularly by the still-around-today brand Castelli. Silk was much lighter and cooler than wool, and was also more easily dyeable, allowing jerseys to be made in brighter colors.
After the invention of lycra in 1959, cycling clothes manufacturers quickly switched over to using this fabric to construct cycling kits. Because lycra is easily dyeable and later printable, this change paved the way for sponsor advertisements on the kit, a common sight in today’s pro peloton.
Quiz: How well do you know the jerseys of the modern peloton? Test your knowledge!
It’s worth noting that modern chamois developed later through the 1980s, partly due to the need for other new materials such as microfiber. The earliest chamois were made of wool or leather, but today’s versions are just as lightweight and breezy as the rest of a good pair of cycling shorts or bibs.
How has lycra advanced over the years?
Lycra used in the early days of cycling kit was much thinner and stretchier than modern lycra. Modern day optimizations have allowed kit manufacturers to create the most aerodynamic and comfortable kits yet, and this area is still evolving.
One modern concern surrounding the use of lycra is its sustainability. As lycra is constructed with plastic and petroleum-based materials, it is non-renewable and contributes to depletion of natural resources. Lycra manufacturers aim to improve this by making lycra out of recycled materials or plant-based alternatives. However, there is still more progress needed to reduce the potential waste of lycra garments.
Image from Pexels.
Why choose lycra for cycling?
If you’re an amateur cyclist, you may be wondering if you need a lycra kit like the pros you see in the peloton. The truth is, cycling kit isn’t necessary for many amateurs, and you’ll be just as happy in other workout gear (often also made of spandex or polyester materials). However, others are keen to make the jump to a full cycling kit for a variety of reasons.
Form-fitting bikewear is less likely to chafe and keeps you cool.
Blisters are no fun, and cyclists are also susceptible to saddle sores. Lycra cycling kit aims to reduce these concerns. First, because cycling kit is made to be form-fitting, it won’t rub against the body while riding. This reduces the risk of blisters and chafing.
Read more: Discover how to properly size a cycling jersey for comfort and utility.
Additionally, lycra helps to keep you cool while riding. It can help to wick sweat away from the skin, keeping you dry as well. This can be critically important if you often get sweaty while riding.
What about those dreaded saddle sores? Choosing bike shorts with chamois can be an ideal way to protect your rear end for long rides. They won’t chafe against the seat as much as regular shorts, which could bunch up underneath you and create additional risk.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat about aerodynamics?
For the average amateur, going full “aero” isn’t a concern. But just like for the pros, lycra cycling kit will be more aerodynamic while riding. Tight clothing that fits close to the body has less drag, meaning that even if you aren’t really going any faster, you’ll feel fast. And isn’t that part of the fun of a bike ride?
Pockets save the day.
By far, the best part of lycra cycling jerseys are the pockets, which are found on the lower back. These are perfect for stashing a phone, keys, or small wallet during a ride. They may also be helpful for keeping food or fuel, like gels, close at hand.
I’ve found that I don’t need to use frame bags while riding if I can keep essentials in a jersey pocket. Because of this, I prefer to wear a jersey even if I’m wearing something other than bibs or cycling shorts on the bottom, like yoga pants.
Image from Pexels.
But lycra isn’t ideal for everyone, and that’s okay.
Like it or not, there’s one big problem with lycra: perception. The “middle age man in lycra” or MAMIL stereotype is a big problem for cyclists, and even if you aren’t middle aged or a man, you may feel like a try-hard wearing full lycra kit if you’re out for a casual Sunday ride. And some studies suggest cyclists wearing lycra or even helmets might face more aggression on the road from drivers, which could be dangerous if you’re planning a ride in a busy area.
At the end of the day, lycra cycling kit is sportswear. It’s no different than wearing a one-piece swimsuit for a swim workout or yoga pants to a yoga class. Despite the bad reputation, you shouldn’t feel deterred from getting into lycra kit if that’s what you want to do. Many folks, such as those on Reddit’s Cycling Fashion subreddit, find a lot of self-expression and creativity in cycling kit.
At the same time, don’t feel pressured to wear lycra kit if it doesn’t work for you. Sometimes it’s a fit issue, such as making sure your jerseys and shorts are the right size. However, there are some situations where wearing lycra might just feel uncomfortable… and that’s okay. You’re still a real cyclist whether you wear kit or not.
Still deciding whether to get into the lycra lifestyle? Check out this video from GCN, which dives deeper into some of the benefits of wearing lycra kit while cycling and whether it’s an essential.
Closing thoughts.
What do you think of lycra? The use of this fabric has been around for decades at this point, and it’s the most common fabric for cycling clothes. While the use of cycling kit may seem opaque to those outside the sport, there are some clear benefits for cyclists to don a lycra getup for their next ride. At the same time, it’s not the best fit for everyone, so folks should choose whether or wear lycra or not, and enjoy a ride in whatever clothes work best.
The price of cycling clothes is also an impediment for some people. While prices of standard brands like Castelli, Rapha, and even Pearl Izumi just seem to keep going up, we also live in an era of unprecedented options. Don’t be afraid to shop around, order online, and get your first (or, for the pre-existing lycra fans, next) piece of kit at a price point that works for you.
Read more: Interested in learning which cycling kits you can order straight from Amazon… and which to avoid? Learn more in our two guides: best Amazon cycling jerseys and best Amazon cycling bibs.
Whatever you wear, next time you see a lycra-clad cyclist on the road (even the MAMILs!), give them a wave! Cycling clothes are a fun part of the sport that everyone can be a part of.
Did you already know why the pros wear lycra kit? Do you also choose it for your own rides? Let us know in the comments or on social media! ★
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