Basic cycle winter/wet weather clothing advice

Bigtallfatbloke · June 2007

Ok...so it's summer and my shorts and T shirts are working out fine...but I have no idea what to wear when the winter gets here again. So could somebody please give me a run down on the basic items for winter cycling so i dont give up in september?...for example I have heard the term 'base layer'...but I do not know what that is. I have some water proof trousers which dont really fit well and I get soaked in sweat so what is the point?....basically I think what i am asking is what do experienced cyclist wear in the winter? I dont want to spend a fortune on the wrong kit.

vernonlevy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bigtallfatbloke

Ok...so it's summer and my shorts and T shirts are working out fine...but I have no idea what to wear when the winter gets here again. So could somebody please give me a run down on the basic items for winter cycling so i dont give up in september?...for example I have heard the term 'base layer'...but I do not know what that is. I have some water proof trousers which dont really fit well and I get soaked in sweat so what is the point?....basically I think what i am asking is what do experienced cyclist wear in the winter? I dont want to spend a fortune on the wrong kit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Keep an eye out for the Aldi winter bike gear sale. Sign up ofr the newsletter so that tyou get advance warning. I've found that the winter jackets and shirts to be excellent value for money at around œ8 and œ12. A couple of shirts and the jacket have lasted for three years and I topped up last autumn.

I just use tracksuit bottoms from an 'generously girthed' menswear shop and they cost a startling œ6.

Oh Aldi winter gloves at œ2 - œ3 per pair buy two pairs.

For waterproofing I used to use a Peter Storm shell with hood but now have invested in an Altura cycling jacket which set me back œ42. I've worn it twice since December because it hasn't been wet enough in the 24 weekends that I've been out.

We really haven't had a winter this year. I saw heavy frost once when it covered all the hedgerows and fields between Otley and Darlington in December and in January when I did a 100km Audax in north and West Yorkshire when I saw some sleet and rain.

graeme_s-2 · June 2007

I have a pair of DHB 3/4 length bibs and a pair of DHB bib tights from wiggle. I wear altura glove liners under my mitts which I wear in anything from 2 up to about 10 degrees, still wearing them at the moment in the mornings, if it's colder than that I have some wind proof altura gloves that I wear instead. I have a couple of Helly Hansen LIFA long sleeved base layers, which again I wear under a jersey in the mornings at the moment. Over those I wear a DHB Tribe jersey. I have an Endura Frontline base layer which I wear instead of a LIFA if it gets much below 2 degrees. I wear seal skinz water proof socks when its cold (even if its dry) as they cut down on wind chill. I have a Buff which I wear in a variety of ways to keep my neck/face/head warm.

I don't bother with any waterproof gear any more as I find it's not worth it, it's uncomfortable and I get too hot and sweaty.

Sorry for the lack of links, but you'll find all that stuff on wiggle or by googling.

john richardson · June 2007

If you're nipping in to Aldi, also get some of their LED/reflective bands. I wore them all winter and still do at night - brilliant for warning traffic you're about. At œ2 for four, probably the best buy of my cycling career so far.

(All the presupposes you don't live in the Hull area: if you do, please ignore the above. Aldi stuff is crap and only a fool would buy it.)

Zendog1 · June 2007

A base layer is the one next to your skin.
Autumn - Arm / Leg warmers and a long sleeve medium weight jersey.
Winter add to taste - merino wool base layer, bibtights, full gloves, warm socks (Wollie Boolies are good) and a windstopper.
I agreee with vernon about waterproofs - keeping the wind off is the key thing.
Now is the best time to buy the basics - usually good discounts around in the summer.
Cheers
Steve

Down the Road · June 2007

Go into a bike shop in September and Look at what is on the shelf and ask the staff what they use.

Bigtallfatbloke · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A base layer is the one next to your skin<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thankyou. I may sound a bit dumb but that is the type of answer I need...simple and easy to remember[8D].

Lots of good info there chaps so many thanks. We have an Aldi down the road so off I trot...erm...I mean pedal[:D].

I am going to need some waterproof kit of some sort, especially as I am going to be touring. I found a good jacket in xxxl (my size!) on wiggle but no trousers in my size.

vernonlevy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bigtallfatbloke

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A base layer is the one next to your skin<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thankyou. I may sound a bit dumb but that is the type of answer I need...simple and easy to remember[8D].

Lots of good info there chaps so many thanks. We have an Aldi down the road so off I trot...erm...I mean pedal[:D].

I am going to need some waterproof kit of some sort, especially as I am going to be touring. I found a good jacket in xxxl (my size!) on wiggle but no trousers in my size.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You wont find trousers - I haven't managed to do so but like I've said Tracksuit bottoms do an admirable job at keeping the legs warm.

MichaelW · June 2007

Ron Hill tracksters or bikesters seem to be the legwear of choice for many winter riders. They are cheap, long lasting and not too warm. Overheating can be a problem in winter if you bundle up too much. I use lightweight pertex overtrousers when it gets very cold.
A waterproof jacket is essential in the rain but in the dry you will be far more comfortable with a windproof smock made of pertex, polycotton or some other light, strong, cheap, and brightly-coloured windproof material.
Merino wool base layers are becoming very popular and I prefer them to synthetics in every way but the price.
Woollen jumpers are fine as mid-layer insualtion.
Get yourself a neck-tube, the military style headover is very effective.
There are 2 clothing systems which have proven themselves much more comfortable than the gortex style plastic bag for cold, wet conditions. Pile and pertex (eg Buffalo) is great for grim January days . Paramo jackets are less insulating so useful in less cold conditions. Both are too warm for summer use.

16mm · June 2007

Get some mudguards with a flap on the front. No point getting wetter than you need to.
As you've realized you will get a bit wet from sweat, but you need to keep warm, so close fitting layers are good with a top layer that's windproof. You can get sleeveless outer layers that are windproof, called 'gillets', French for 'Sleeveless outer layer' :-) œ6 from aldi, œ125 from Rapha.
Good gloves are worth paying for, I find gloves made from windstopper material, without any other insulation to be best.
A good hat is also important. Having a warm head is as important as gloves. Get something that goes over your ears. On the way to work I wear one of those russian furry hats with ear flaps. Never been cold in it, and the ear flaps stop me hearing any abuse from style gurus.

Be wary of material on the legs that retains water. The rain will run off your body and collect on your legs. Fast drying lycra or nylon is good. Cotton is not.

You don't mention if you're commuting or riding for fun. If you're riding for fun don't be afraid to stay indoors when it's evil outside.
hope that helps.
Mike

Bigtallfatbloke · June 2007

thankyou guys...

I will be touring . I bought a cycle cape (yellow thing) for about a tenner, so i am thinking that might help on the waterproof side, so now I will take your advice about the keeping warm and wind proof stuff.

john richardson · June 2007

You might want to look round the web sites as well. Often winter left overs are a lot cheaper in summer. I got a great top last summer. Small and very large sizes are the ones they have trouble shifting.

oldwelshman · June 2007

You will find winter gear cheaper to buy now.
I have a mix of cheap practical, and expensive second hand [:D]
I bought 2 assos air block jackets from ebay, one for 365 and one recently for œ45 !!
I bought a lusso water proof from Parker intl for about œ17 so that is used over airblock in winter, or even over summer jersey if it rains now. It came in very handy on recent dartmoor and gran fondo cymru sportives, light but kept me dry and warm so I would suggest getting a light waterproof that folds easily.
The rest are good overshoes, bib tights and base layer.
With respect to aldi and other cheap stuff, the gloves and base layers may be ok, but the shorts and jsckets are not up to scratch.

Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics

http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com

Basic cycle winter/wet weather clothing advice

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