Review: Pedal Mafia Cycling Club Base Layer

(2022) Base layers in summer scorchers can be a gamble. There are sleeve and sleeveless options to navigate. Then there is the heaviness of the fabric. Too heavy and the base layer is working against the rider. Too light and one runs the risk of slipping on an all-too-thin layer. Despite riding without a base layer all summer thinking the steamy days had won out, we sent one of our riders into the furnace with a Pedal Mafia Cycling Club base layer to see how things went. After waiting in the office air conditioning, we - somewhat - wondered how things were going. Here are his notes:

Base layers line the cycling closet. There are varieties that resemble bacon strips with waviness. There are also beefier base layers that come out on random days when it’s appropriate. Those tend to get little use due to their niche existence. One base layer that has been getting heavy rotation comes from Pedal Mafia. Targeted for the pro range, this base layer has been the answer to all the summer rides.

The fabric is where the quality starts. Using extremely light breathable Italian fabric, the comfort of the base layer is unreal. There was a slight consideration of wearing it around the office because of its incredible feel. Once on the bike and lined up with Pedal Mafia jerseys, the base layer goes to work wicking sweat away. A good indicator of a strong base layer is whether there is an urge to unzip the jersey and let some of the moisture evaporate while riding. Yet mile after mile there was hardly an urge to pull on the jersey zipper. Everything worked as needed and the sizzling summer rides progressed in length. 

Then there was the monsoon testing scenario. Though our area has been in drought since June, a freak storm popped up on a route recently. According to local meteorologists, the storm dropped three inches of rain in one hour. Meanwhile the ride went on as cars pulled over. Even the bike computer gave up. But shortly after exiting the freakish storm and entering an equally freakish clearcut dry finish, the base layer helped with wicking the enormous amount of moisture from the body. Yes I was drenched upon reaching the destination, but much of the upper part was manageable.

It’s important to feel stylish and Pedal Mafia produces some attractive base layer colors. Though the layer is hardly visible for much of its existence, the Pedal Mafia Cycling Club base layers come in navy, olive, orange, black, or white. It might be a small detail, but for some riders it will be the finishing flourish for the team kit or the boutique ensemble. Considering Pedal Mafia used to use remarkable cars in their add, and being from Australia, could they align the colors with McLaren and make the orange more of papaya? The only consideration we would request is a small pocket strategically placed for a late ride emergency gel.

The Pedal Mafia Cycling Club base layer has held up to a lot that’s been thrown at it this summer. The smooth fit, the comfortable compression, and the slick colors create the right feeling of an item that is often overlooked until one is cooking on a summer ride and wondering how everything could have gone better.