How I chose a cycling jersey

Riding a bike is a specific kind of movement, and so anyone who uses a bike a lot to get around cannot do without suitable clothing. Cycling has many advantages. It is very environmentally friendly. It is good for your health, which a great many working people appreciate in today's technological age. It is easier on the wallet. And ultimately, when you also ride to work by bike, you save time.

For many people, and likewise for me as an IT specialist, it is necessary to fit movement/sport into every single day, otherwise the body will deteriorate.

The seed of the idea

This year I again devoted a lot of time to cycling. Mainly because of rehabilitation after an injury. The original shorts from my kit were torn, so it was time for a new one. I had been considering a new kit for a long time, because riding in a jersey for the SSC Železný Brod team, where I am no longer a member, is absolutely pointless and confusing. Originally I was thinking about founding a team of cyclists and tough riders and making a team kit. In the end the idea matured into the version of making a purely personal kit that would meet my needs as fully as possible. The kit would then serve not only as clothing for getting around by bike, but the surface of the jersey would also be used to inform people about my expertise. And all of that while keeping high functionality and an elegant design.

The basis of a cycling kit is always quality shorts and, in my opinion, they have to have braces. Quality shorts should have flat seams and a good pad.
That cycling shorts are almost a necessity on a bike is clear to most people. But the top needs to be a cycling one as well, if only because it has a different cut that suits the bike better, for example the back panel is longer. As for the top, it is made up of various materials, the front side in particular is less breathable and the back more so. Summer versions commonly have breathable material in the armpits and on the sides.

Choosing a cycling jersey

I have excellent experience with a jersey that has zip-off sleeves and that is made by the company ATEX. Zip-off sleeves are an excellent thing for someone who rides intensively for work. In the morning you ride to work with the sleeve on and in the afternoon you zip the sleeve off. On the basis of this experience and of the sufficient sleeve length I decided on the same jersey and therefore on the company ATEX.
Sometimes 3/4 shorts can be ideal as well. For winter, long thermal cycling tights, a warm cycling jacket and a balaclava for the head come in handy.

I chose the following pieces of kit:

• Cycling shorts with braces
• Jersey with zip-off sleeves
• Jersey with short sleeves and a short zip

I chose the short-sleeved jersey because it is less thick, and so it is more suitable for really warm months. It also has a short zip, so it hugs the torso better. If the rider is hunched over, on a jersey that has a zip running down the whole front the zip can then get slightly in the way - the zip is not as elastic as the jersey fabric.

Assessment of the delivered goods

Before production I measured the sleeve length and on that basis I had them made longer than the standard size. Thanks to that my sleeves are long enough :-) .
The shorts have a good cut and are well stitched. The cuff is good, its elasticity is ensured by an added rubber layer as well - we will see how long that lasts. The pad of the shorts is also well shaped and soft. I was pleasantly surprised that it is made of rubber, so unlike foam ones it does not soak up water! There are even small reflectors sewn onto the legs.
Both the shorts and both jerseys fit excellently. The material the jersey is made of is of a good standard.

The graphic design, which was prepared for me by a designer, turned out very well. Apart from the imperfection where a small blue line in the logo is missing on the back, the design fitted exactly, so that everything is visible. I must also praise Mr Martin Voda from the company ATEX, who took a proactive approach to preparing the print files.

You can see the result in the photos.