Briers, brush, and mt bike fabrics

[Miranda]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=23814

I posted this thread in the apparel section of the board, but thought I would put in over here as well (since it's specific to mt biking).

Will have to check back later, but just scrolling down some of the post on mt biking I see some list for mt bike jerseys.

Does this fabric actually stand up to the thorns, briers, brush etc.? Meaning, the shorts I've looked at specifiy "nylon" fabric.

I'm primarily a roadie gal just getting started doing some mt biking.

Thx for any help.
Miranda

[Irulan]

Nylon over lycra for shorts is much more resistant to snags. As for brands, you just have to try things on because they all fit different.

[Alex]

For shorts, I really like the Sugoi Gusta. I just ordered my second pair from TE last week. They are tough as nails and look great, too. I also have a pair of Shebeest Board Shorts. I love how they fit and look, but I don't wear them on trails where tree branches, etc., will snag me. I don't think the SB fabric would hold up to that.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you find out about jerseys, though. I tore a brand new long sleeved jersey on a ride a few weeks ago. I patched it up and now it's my official MTB jersey, because I don't want to rip another one up! I haven't found any MTB jerseys that look tough enough to handle the branches and such.

Alex

[Becky]

I wear the same jerseys for mountain biking that I do for road riding. The MTB specific jerseys tend to be a looser cut and with fewer pockets, but the same fabric as road jerseys. So I use the same (snagged) jerseys over and over on the trails, and save the nice ones for the road.

[sundial]

Alex persuaded me to buy the Sugoi shorts and I wear those shorts when I'm riding more technical trails. As for the tops, the road bike jersey fabrics will be more likely to snag on briars and thorns. I prefer to wear a technical tee that's not as pricey (take a look at Lands End technical tee for 19.50) in case I get it snagged.

I will have to say that I had on a Pearl Izumi Symphony Jersey when I kissed the asphalt and I found only a skid mark on it.

[sundial]

I haven't found any MTB jerseys that look tough enough to handle the branches and such. Alex

Have you tried any of these?

[Irulan]

I mostly wear synthetic T's that I get on sale at STP. I don't worry too much about trashing tops, anyway.

[VeloVT]

The Shebeest jerseys made out of dryline fabric are pretty sturdy and snag-resistant. Last year they made a bunch of summer jerseys in this fabric, TE doesn't seem to be carrying any right now, other than this one:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25674

STP has a few styles:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html

This fabric is very similar to the fabric in the SSS shorts, but a tad lighter. It is NOT as cool as lighter or meshier jerseys, but it is pretty sturdy, I commute in these and while some other (more expensive ) fabrics have pilled from where my backpack or straps/velcro have rubbed, these haven't.

[Alex]

Have you tried any of these?

I haven't tried those. I like the ventilation that a zipper provides!

Alex

[Miranda]

For shorts, I really like the Sugoi Gusta. I just ordered my second pair from TE last week. They are tough as nails and look great, too. I also have a pair of Shebeest Board Shorts. I love how they fit and look, but I don't wear them on trails where tree branches, etc., will snag me. I don't think the SB fabric would hold up to that.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you find out about jerseys, though. I tore a brand new long sleeved jersey on a ride a few weeks ago. I patched it up and now it's my official MTB jersey, because I don't want to rip another one up! I haven't found any MTB jerseys that look tough enough to handle the branches and such.

Alex

I was looking at that exact pair before I came back to check my responses on this thread. I tried some mt shorts and commuter based at sporting goods / lbs. I just did not like any of the chamois. It just wasn't worth the $ there. Then, I clicked on the chamois on the pair you mention here, and thought, well now, those might be worth the $. It helps to click buy when you know someone who loves them. Something loved is worth the $ IMO. I've never tried that brand of shorts. I bought a road jacket Sugoi this winter from TE. I was impressed with it. Help the shorts purchase. I'll try to feedback what I find for tops. While bruises and scratches are pride battle wounds of mtb folks, it's rough being in the club pool everyday with my kids for summer. Cuts/scratches don't mix well with chlorine. Plus, you are not suppose to be in the pool like that to begin with per the rules.

[Miranda]

The Shebeest jerseys made out of dryline fabric are pretty sturdy and snag-resistant. Last year they made a bunch of summer jerseys in this fabric, TE doesn't seem to be carrying any right now, other than this one:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25674

STP has a few styles:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html

This fabric is very similar to the fabric in the SSS shorts, but a tad lighter. It is NOT as cool as lighter or meshier jerseys, but it is pretty sturdy, I commute in these and while some other (more expensive ) fabrics have pilled from where my backpack or straps/velcro have rubbed, these haven't.

I have a long torso and find that the Shebeest brand fits me well in tops. While trying on some shorts at a ls, I did see one of these jerseys clearnace. It had a rip at the zipper that would need some repair. Which I know how to do. I didn't buy it because I didn't care for the fabric feel as well for road considerations. But maybe another idea of what to wear it for.

[Miranda]

Have you tried any of these?

Looks good. I wish the interwebz has "feel-a-vision" lol. Thx for the link.

[Miranda]

For shorts, I really like the Sugoi Gusta. I just ordered my second pair from TE last week. They are tough as nails and look great, too. I also have a pair of Shebeest Board Shorts. I love how they fit and look, but I don't wear them on trails where tree branches, etc., will snag me. I don't think the SB fabric would hold up to that.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you find out about jerseys, though. I tore a brand new long sleeved jersey on a ride a few weeks ago. I patched it up and now it's my official MTB jersey, because I don't want to rip another one up! I haven't found any MTB jerseys that look tough enough to handle the branches and such.

Alex

Don't have a report in on jerseys yet, still searching and wearing cotton Ts for now, BUT, on the shorts...

WOW, these Sugoi Gusta shorts are KILLER! That is the most $ I have ever paid for a pair of shorts, and I must say they are worth it. I wore on some thickly brier covered trails and they performed beautifully. I have a long torso, but short inseam legs. The length of the shorts was perfect to give me some extra protection too, but not be in the way. I have wider sitz bones, and the chamois is great. Wide enough to cover the sitz bones, but not so gawd awful thick that you feel like you're riding a pillow. Liner comes out for an easy wash, nice pockets, and the zipper vents work like a charm. OKAAAYYYY... enough typing now. I'm a pretty particular gal I confess, and I must say these shorts certainly get the thumbs up from me.