Categories: Accessories and GearReverence

Reverence: Gilet

A properly-fitting gilet is an indispensable piece of kit

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who own a properly-fitting, lightweight gilet and those who don’t. Those who own one know this is an indispensable piece of kit.

The gilet is typically one of the last items that enters into a Cyclist’s wardrobe, long after arm warmers, knee warmers, and long sleeve jerseys have found their way into the kit bag. It’s just a vest, after all, and can’t possibly serve much purpose beyond Looking Pro, can it? It can, in fact.

A vest is an incredibly versatile unit that serves to stave off all kinds of Fuckness – be it from wind, rain, or cold. Furthermore, the sleeveless design makes it easy don or doff, and packs away nicely; a lightweight gilet can be folded flat (first in half, then in thirds) and slipped between the jersey and bibs, keeping the rear pockets clear and accessible for tools and food.

In short, the gilet is a Four-Season Fuckness Stopper that accompanies me year-round, one which I personally hold in higher regard than the long sleeve jersey:

In Winter it is an ideal insulation barrier, adding warmth to a long or short sleeve jersey, or bridging the gap between the two during Spring and Fall
In Spring and Fall, the wind-breaking capabilities make for a great rain barrier in (depending on your climate, Winter as well)
In Summer, its lightweight nature makes it the ideal garment to stave off the chill of an early morning start or to bring along for warmth on cold mountain descents

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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scaler911 says:

Jan 9 2012 at 8:27 am

@motor city

@frank
and @scaler911
Since the subject of chickens has already been brought up.... a link to our set up is here if you fancy a look...http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=393509

Dude!
I can't let my chicka's see that. They would revolt and demand either a upgrade or transportation to your place! Well done!
The Oracle says:

Jan 9 2012 at 9:46 am

Don't know how this thread got onto chickens, but be forewarned, if you get those chickens anywhere near me, I'm-a gonna eat 'em!
frank says:

Jan 9 2012 at 5:27 pm

@xyxax

First road ride with my wife today, a 75 km jaunt up the Hudson. The V-gilet doesn't really make up for the outstanding style demerits (socks, bib knicks, 3-point system, etc)
However, I post the photo mainly to answer the question: where do children of average height come from?

Ah, you look fantastic!
frank says:

Jan 9 2012 at 5:27 pm

@scaler911
frank says:

Jan 9 2012 at 5:31 pm

@G'rilla, @xyxax
I've always used a straight-edge that I hold under the flat bit of the bars and align it to the bottom of the brake lever. In issue 25 of Rouleur, however, they have the guy rebuilding Roger's bike lining them up by setting the bars on the workbench with the brakes attached and lining them up that way. That, of course, is the way I will do it henceforth.
frank says:

Jan 9 2012 at 5:36 pm

@motor city
Are you norm? We think we actually saw your coop back when we were studying up on ours! Small world!

@BrianG, @scaler911
Agreed - mesh back is totally fine - no worries. I have both. I don't notice much difference, though, so I would get one that fits well and I've found the fit on the mesh-back ones to be a bit looser than the others.

@The Oracle

Don't know how this thread got onto chickens, but be forewarned, if you get those chickens anywhere near me, I'm-a gonna eat 'em!

My VMH refuses to call them "chickens" when we commonly prepare chicken for din-din. She refers to them only as "yickens".
Go figure.
scaler911 says:

Jan 9 2012 at 6:53 pm

@frank
Nipple lube!
xyxax says:

Jan 9 2012 at 7:21 pm

@frank
And I feel maaahhhvelous.
Thanks for the alignment tip. I'll put it to good use.
BrianG says:

Jan 11 2012 at 9:47 pm

@frank

@scaler911

Mates- Thanks for the tip on the mesh back question.
Steampunk says:

Jan 12 2012 at 12:40 pm

This just arrived courtesy of the good folks at Bikes to Rwanda. Will go nicely with jersey and bibs come spring (once it's warm enough to put them all together again).