Are retro wool jerseys good for riding in?

Lanc_arm_strong said:

I have just started cycling and was planning on buying some old school wool jerseys for riding in? Is this a good idea? Some guy (or girl!) is selling some on e-bay, would they be worth wearing? Would they be itchy? Or too warm?

The link to the jerseys is:

search.ebay.com.auW0QQsassZalex.s.jamesQQhtZ 1Open ↗

but I found them by searcing for retro wool .

Cheers!

You can ride wool jerseys just fine. Any particular reason you dont want to ride one of the modern synthetic materials? They work just fine, are comfortable, and easy to wash and maintain.

Merino wool maybe, but not all wool is comfortable. There's a good reason why no one uses wool for summer riding any more.
Merino is good for fall/spring trainers.

Ditto on the merino wool. Awesome material - far better than any of the synthetics.
I know of one mfr. with merino cycling jerseys
http://www.inview.co.nz/Catalogue-cycle.php

there are probably more being developed

lumpy said:

Ditto on the merino wool. Awesome material - far better than any of the synthetics.
I know of one mfr. with merino cycling jerseys
inview.co.nzCatalogue cycle.phpOpen ↗

there are probably more being developed

not exactly "retro", but:

ibexwear.comProducts.phpOpen ↗

kucharik.comkucharik.comOpen ↗

woolistic.comwoolistic.comOpen ↗

BTW, I have never tried any of these, but a good friend swears by Merino wool for cycling in any weather. He claims it stays drier and smells less after a workout than any of the polypro, polyester, polywannacracker, etc synthetic materials. I've felt some of his shirts (yeah baby!) and they are remarkably soft, totally itch-free.

From the science side of it, I don't think that wool will have the same moisture wicking/water evaporating abilities as synthetics. They also might not insulate as well, block the wind, or what have you (it is winter). That's my technical 2 cents. You can get some cool retro looking jerseys in synthetics, too.

lumpy said:

Ditto on the merino wool. Awesome material - far better than any of the synthetics.

Uhm, far better in what way?

alienator said:

Uhm, far better in what way?

From the Icebreaker website:

"Merino is much finer than traditional wool, and is technically more complex than synthetics.
Tiny overlapping scales case the fibre. They're hydrophobic (water resistant), like tiles on a roof. Inside it's a different story - the fibre is highly absorbent.

Merino wool is the most hydrophillic of all fibres and can absorb and release 10x more moisture than synthetics. Each fibre can absorb up to one third of its own weight in moisture without feeling clammy or wet to touch. It can then release this moisture into the atmosphere to keep you feeling warm and dry.

Synthetic fibres such as polypropylene or polyester have a much simpler structure. They are made from melting, extruding and setting a petrochemical-based product, similar to plastic. The fibre can't breathe, absorb or release moisture. When knitted into fabric, they are limited to one-way moisture movement, with limited breathability, which can create a chill zone when moisture sits on the outside of the fabric. Merino wool has the ability to absorb and release moisture, to cool or warm the body, thus regulating temperature.
You‘ll warm up quickly but not overheat due to the exceptional breathability of the fabric."

more here:
http://www.icebreaker.com/site/merino_benefits.html

Merino keeps you warmer when it's cold and cooler when it's hot. Plus it deals with sweat much better than synthetics and you can wear it for weeks before it starts to stink! (try that with synthetic!)

Just go into any sharp outdoor/mountaineering store and ask them. Merino is the fastest growing segment of the outdoor market right now for good reason.

Bob Ross said:

not exactly "retro", but:

ibexwear.comProducts.phpOpen ↗

kucharik.comkucharik.comOpen ↗

woolistic.comwoolistic.comOpen ↗

Wowie. Some of those jerseys (the Cinzanos and all that) really do look cool...

The old "natural vs synthetics" debate.

As a keen Telemarker, Hiker as well as cyclist, I've always been intrigued by this question. While not exactly cycling related, it may be interesting to look at a comparison between Mallory's gear (1924 Everest climb) - using silk and wool as his main liners and insulation layers, and some of todays stuff. While the "experiment" is not really scientific, the observations are interesting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5076634.stm

lumpy said:

From the Icebreaker website:

"Merino is much finer than traditional wool, and is technically more complex than synthetics.
Tiny overlapping scales case the fibre. They're hydrophobic (water resistant), like tiles on a roof. Inside it's a different story - the fibre is highly absorbent.

Ah, if there's ever definitive proof, it's a link to a site that sells wool stuff. Now that's better than science.🙄

alienator said:

Ah, if there's ever definitive proof, it's a link to a site that sells wool stuff. Now that's better than science.🙄

Feel free to research it yourself. It seems to be good enough for George Hincapie and me.
http://www.hincapiesports.com/details.php?ccode=213&scode=RBL-SSUW06

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merino
"The utility of the fiber itself is evident in intense, cold-weather or high-performance applications, where merino distinguishes itself from cotton and polyester fabrics by offering superior breathability, temperature regulation, moisture control, and inherent anti-microbial properties. Unlike "traditional" wool, merino is much finer, softer, and, best of all, itch-free for all but those with severe sensitivities or lanolin allergies."

I have a drawer full of synthetics and my merino simply works much better. Try it yourself and see what you think. Most of the manufacturers have money back guarantees I would think.

Or just swing by an outdoor store and see what the experts say.

lumpy said:

Feel free to research it yourself. It seems to be good enough for George Hincapie and me.
http://www.hincapiesports.com/details.php?ccode=213&scode=RBL-SSUW06

I have a drawer full of synthetics and my merino simply works much better. Try it yourself and see what you think. Most of the manufacturers have money back guarantees I would think.

Or just swing by an outdoor store and see what the experts say.

Well, geeeeee whiz, Gomer: iffin' Hincapie Sports uses it, then gol' dern it, it's gotta be good.

What am I going to learn at one of your outdoor stores? Is it ok if I base what I like on my experience, Cupcake? Is your taste somehow universal?

Are there any other company websites you want to cite as "proof?"

I know this may come as a shock to you, what with your deep background in textiles and specifically, the applicability of certain textiles to cold weather sports.....well, Cupcake, my good ol' Capilene does just fine, even when the temps go far below 0 deg. F. Hmmmmmmm. Imagine that.

Still, don't let that stop you from making more use of Google to find your "proof" in online stores.

alienator said:

Well, geeeeee whiz, Gomer: iffin' Hincapie Sports uses it, then gol' dern it, it's gotta be good.

What am I going to learn at one of your outdoor stores? Is it ok if I base what I like on my experience, Cupcake? Is your taste somehow universal?

Looks like he's off his meds again.

Yes, depending on the application. But you should get Superfine Merino which is rated at 17.5 to 19 microns to avoid the itch. Try Rivendell Bicycle Works for their wool jersey du jour. But beware, based on my horizontally striped jersey and head scarf, my friends refer to me as the Pirate.

The application for which I choose to wear wool is winter training.

Lanc_arm_strong said:

I have just started cycling and was planning on buying some old school wool jerseys for riding in? Is this a good idea? Some guy (or girl!) is selling some on e-bay, would they be worth wearing? Would they be itchy? Or too warm?

The link to the jerseys is:

search.ebay.com.auW0QQsassZalex.s.jamesQQhtZ 1Open ↗

but I found them by searcing for retro wool .

Cheers!

I used to ride with the older style way back when....way back when the newer stuff was probably available but I was too miserly to buy it...

I hated it:o Not particularly warn, too warm when it's hot. Clings - especially when wet. Takes ages to dry out. Stretches. Colours/designs were never cool looking. Unaerodynamic.

Can I think of any other negatives?

But what does everything of the jerseys I was planning on buying on ebay? Would they be a good buy?🙂

Thanks everyone for the advice. Spoke to the guy selling the jerseys and he assured me thay are in top condition. And that they are authentic from the time, not modern replicas! I would recommend anyone interested in buying them to have a look, the website again is:

http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZalex.s.jamesQQhtZ-1

If anyone likes them, I don't mind you bidding against me, and I didn't mean to cause such debate amounst pro wool, and pro synthetic people! 🙂

Cheers.
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

I still sometimes ride in wool jerseys and wool tights. I have a few pair of wool shorts left over from the 70's, but I haven't worn them in many years.

I'm not going to get into a 'scientific' debate with anyone, but there are times/temperatures that my wool stuff just keeps me warmer.

I have plenty of the new high-tech fabrics to wear, but yesterday it was 30 degrees with a 10-15 mph wind and snow flurries in the air as headed out for a quick 15 miles before dark. The wool kept me warm and comfortable.

For warm or just cool weather I prefer synthetics. For wet weather and especially wet AND cold weather nothing beats the new fabrics IMO.

Regards
Campybob

Wool jerseys work just as well as any of the modern plastic jerseys (yes, plastic. all of the modern "wonder fabrics" are nothing more than plastics spun into thread) and they don't stink as much after you use them.

The fact of the matter is that the modern fabrics are the same as a lot of the new, whiz-bang components that manufacturers and "Buy-cycling Magazine" want so badly for you to purchase. They invent something new to make money and then try to convince you that you need it and that it's the latest and greatest thing that you simply can't live without. And most riders get right in line to throw down their money to buy the stuff. You gotta have all the cool new stuff or you're a Fred!!! 🙄

Wool works just fine and it's a natural fabric rather than yet another manufactured, petrolium-based product (if you care about that sorta thing). And it's no big deal washing it and taking care of it like some people would have you think. If you like the retro jerseys, go for it! Buy at least one and give it a try. You might find that wool is your new favorite material.