I thank you for testing this bit of kit for us, and while I do not speak for the rest of the group, I feel you have done enough in this regard. Please feel that your testing of safety gear is finished thus you no longer need to get off other than at a standstill with kick stand deployed. Have a nice day…
I'm in full aggreement wid the Boog'man, Scott!
But back on the topic of 'riding apparel' gear, in general, as opposed to specific brands (I'll post some links to examples), I have 2 general schemes of thought...
1. For most "temperate" (not too hot or too cold & not much rain expected) rides, I like the simplicity of textile jacket and
pants.
My latest in this category is a
FIRSTGEAR set.
PROS:
They have lots of pockets & vents.
They are (claimed to be) waterproof & jacket has a fold-out-of-collar hood.
They have removable liners (which can be worn as 'normal street clothes').
They have abrasion & impact protection.
It's really great not to have to stop & put rain gear on & off!!!
CONS:
In an extended rain ride, moisture will eventually find a way in (at least in places).
Even if you are dry inside, the outside of the jacket/pants gets saturated (you walk into a restaurant/rest room dripping all over).
When you walk around town in the pants, you feel kinda dorky (and they make noise when the legs brush up against each other).
MY SOLUTIONS:
If rain is even a possibility, I put my 'delicates' (cell phone/wallet/etc) in zip-lock baggies (which I always bring along).
I (almost) always wear bicycle shorts as underpants, so if I want to change pants in the open parking lot, it's not (too) em-bare-ass-ing.
If it's cold enough to be wearing the liner pants, they can serve as dungarees for being out on the town....or
If I know I will be doing some hiking or around-the-town stuff...I can wear my zip-off-legs convertible nylon pants underneath (as shorts or pants).
If I am on an extended trip or know much rain is expected, I still have to bring rain pants/jacket/
boot covers/gloves (& or
glove covers).
2. For trips where heat is going to be the main problem but (especially on extended trips) very cold temps may also be encountered, I have used this layering technique.
The minimum I wear are kevlar lined pants (with pockets for knee pads-which I might use, or not) and a mesh jacket with some impact protection built in (and pockets for additional-which I might or not use) and
mesh gloves[/ur] and [url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/300948674303?lpid=82]modular helmet and
low boots
I bring a
evaporation-type cooling vest (which, when dry, can be another warm layer) & a couple
"kool-ties" for around the neck (I can wear one, while soaking the other).
(Also a camelback type hydration bladder.)
If it's hot with intermittent rain, I often get soaked & dry out before my next stop.
But if it's cooler & or wetter I add these layers as needed:
windproof/waterproof liner jacket
outer rain jacket (with hood)/pants/glove & boot covers
Gerbing heated jacket/gloves
Polarfleece turtleneck chest protector
PROS:
Have done 2-up, 2-month long trips, with minimal gear (all, except what you are wearing as minimal gear, fits in lockable side & top cases).
CONS:
Have to stop and change layers as conditions change.
MY BASE GEAR:
As already mentioned,
bicycle liner shorts with chamois liner (2 pair). I cut the elastic at the bottom of legs off for comfort (&, for me, they still do NOT ride up & remain in place).
2 pair each
quick dry microfiber undies & Ts...(wash in sink-dry by morning-as will the bike shorts).
(I bring a
"pin-less" clothesline.)
1
long sleeve microfiber crew neck shirt & 1 long sleeve micrfiber mock turtleneck.
(these all work in layers & the mock T can serve as a 'dressier' look, if needed).
Several pairs of quick drying socks, that also can be layered.
If I am solo, I may take items from both (1. & 2.) systems[/url]
