Mens clothing

Here at Evans Cycles, we understand the importance of getting your cycling clothing right for the discipline of riding you are doing and the conditions in which you are riding. As a result, carry the widest range of clothing in the business, including garments from brands such as Nike, Specialized, Briko, Gore Bikewear, Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Altura, Endura, Gill and Helly Hansen.

Shorts

Starting with the basics, shorts are arguably the most important item of clothing in a cyclist's wardrobe. Cycle shorts are lined with a synthetic anti-bacterial and anti-microbial insert known as a chamois, designed for an anatomic fit it prevents chaffing, adding padding and protection between you and the saddle. The padding is the important part of the short but the outer styling can vary greatly.

For the non-lycra clad cyclist, particularly when out of bounds, baggy shorts are a great alternative. Most are designed with a inner liners similar to Lycra shorts, but with the outer shell the shorts are more durable and can easily accommodate pockets. With these more casual styled shorts, you will look as good in the café as you will out on the trails.

Alternatively, you can buy padded under shorts and wear your own shorts over the top. Lycra shorts come in two styles; waisted and bibbed. Bib shorts offer advantages over traditional waisted shorts as they come up and over your shoulders to keep the short in place, reducing any pressure on your stomach, helping to prevent cramps and stitches.

Base layers

Next up is a vest or base layer. Worn next to the skin, these help to carry moisture to the surface of your outer garment, keeping you dry and regulating your temperature. Base layers need to fit snugly to do their job well, so be sure to always buy the correct size. String vests are great for the summer, whereas heavier thermals will keep your core warm during the colder winter months.

Jerseys

Over your vest wear a cycle jersey. Traditionally, these come with high collars and three rear pockets to stow your tubes, tools and food. Jersey fabrics are designed to help wick away your sweat, with different weights of material for summer and winter riding, as well as the option of long sleeves for cooler weather and short for the summer.

Between seasons

Very useful products for between seasons are arm and knee warmers. These tubes of Lycra Roubaix can be pulled up over knees or legs to keep you warm on chilly days, but easily removed when things start to heat up; making them for endurance racing and long rides alike.

The other essential for cooler days, or when you can't quite gauge what the weather is going to do, is a gilet or a sleeveless vest. Being sleeveless it's enough to protect your chest, but without causing you to over heat. With several styles available, including windproof and fleece lined variants, Evans' range aims to cater for all needs.

Cold weather

For winter riding it is well worth investing in decent kit, keeping you warm and dry, ensuring you enjoy cycling all year round. Tights fit snugly, keeping your legs warm, while allowing full leg freedom to pedal with nothing to catch in chain or cranks. Most tights come without padding and are designed to be worn over cycle shorts.

Layering is the key to winter, warmth and temperature control. Always start with a base layer then build up with jerseys, gilet or jackets. Thermal jackets with windproof chests are the best way to keep warm on dry days, but for wet weather nothing beats Goretex for keeping you dry.

Waterproofs have to have the dual ability to let moisture, in the form of perspiration, out, while preventing the rain from getting in. A jacket with poor breathability will leave you feeling damp and cold as your base layers become soaked with your own sweat.

Lots of body heat is lost through the top of your head so in winter wearing something on you head is essential. Head bands to cover ears are great for the days when you are going hard or it isn't quite as cold, and they fit neatly under helmets.

Also fitting conveniently under the helmet, buffs are brilliantly versatile and keep you warm, carry sweat away and are not itchy. For non-helmet wearers you can't go wrong with a fleece beanie. In the depths of winter you might even consider a balaclava to protect your face.

Hands & feet

There are many option available where hands are concerned. Long fingered gloves are a must when off-road riding. Sweaty or muddy hands may impair your control, potentially causing accidents. Where riding aggressive terrain or dealing with brambley single track, you may consider buying armoured gloves, avoiding any unnecessary cuts and grazes. On the road, lightweight mitts are all you'll need for the summer, but in winter you may want to invest in a decent pair of thermal gloves.

A good pair of gloves will have padding under the base of the thumb, where the hand rests on the bar, helping to absorb vibrations and prevent chaffing. Terry towelling back or thumb areas make a nice sweat and snot wipe.

Cycling socks are designed to be thin, dry and comfortable in cycling shoes. White used to be the colour of choice, particularly for roadies, but now there are many more options available. Express yourself with a choice from the huge range of colours and designs offered by leading manufactures.

For wet or cold weather, pull on a pair of overshoes. Neoprene is a good all round choice as it keeps out wind and protects from light rain, and even when very wet it helps your feet to retain heat. Windproof overshoes are great for cold and windy days and, for torrential downpours, waterproof and Gore-Tex overshoes will keep the elements out.