Things you couldn't do without?

christk

As the Autumn approaches I'm starting to think of what new kit I need. Should I invest in a new pair of boots or just buy overshoes. What about a good jacket or waterproof gloves and what about leg warmers? Oh if only I had the money? So I guess the question is what priority should I put my shopping list and is there one thing that stands out as essential for comfortable and enjoyable riding?

allthegearnoidea

a week monday Lidl's have the cycling kit in again! iirc the jackets were £8? LS jerseys £7, could be worth a nosey!!!
i know what you mean though, is tempting to splash out on all nice new winter kit in the summer ish before the demand for it reach's its peak!!! as long as i am warm and pretty dry then i'm happy! water proof socks are high oin my list for winter!

christk

Must admit never thought of water proof socks, and last winter that was the one thing I didn't like. Cold wet feet. Wouldn't a good pair of overshoes solve this problem though?

kegs

waterproof shoes, Spec defrosters are great, not too warm or too cold. Don't mind the cold or the wet too much, but having cold wet feet is just miserable

Also decent base layers, smelly helis etc or Howies, ground effect or Embers merino base layers, if you can afford them.

a decent breathable waterproof is nice too

realnumber 1

Head warmer thing (looks like a swimming cap) keeps the ears warm.
christk the water proof socks probably cost about the same as decent over shoes and imo and others work much better.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/SealS ... 000000278/

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12581481

allthegearnoidea cheers for that I will check lidl out in that case. Could do with stoking up on a few bits and bobs.

Chaka Ping

My priority buy for the winter will be waterproof shorts.

Like my waterproof socks, but they do let a lot of water in at the top - which then collects around your toes - and in freezing weather this can be very uncomfortable.

ratty2k

Yep, waterproof boots or socks I find usless without wearing waterproof trousers to stop overtopping... I got a free buff at the CYB demo day (run by this lot) and found it invaluable over winter. Pull it over yoyr face on cold days, over your head, round your neck. Versatile and cheap- which is nice! I tend to wear a few thin layers as its easier to regulate your temp by removing clothing rather than 1 thick layer. No need to get expensive stuff IMO, TJ Hughes sell some nice thin fleece tops that work just as well as double the price fancy stuff.
I dont ride with leg warmers, but do have 2 pairs of 3/4 bibs and a full length bib for when its proper cold! Worn under baggies or long trousers they are fantastic.

Surf-Matt

Good base layer (Finisterre or Patagonia!), decent jacket (Altura Nevis does it all for £50), proper gloves (Altura high vis keep you warm and dry for about £40).

I don't actually mind damp feet or shoes - have Seal Skinz socks but rain still gets in the tops so useless without waterproof trousers - which I hate wearing. I just dry them out on the boiler if needed!

Anonymous

i find as long as my pedals are turning, i am plenty warm enough in my regular riding kit but a lightweight water proof is good for the inevitable down pour.

in my opinion you might as well buy as cheap a water proof as poss as even the most expenxsive technical fabric waterproofs get you just as wet when worn in the rain due to your own sweat, ive never found a proper breathable fabric jacket, that said, i prob sweat more than most.

as said above, lots of thin layers is the way to go for temp regulation and only wear the minimum required as when you sweat, you allow yourself to get very cold at rest stops.

Surf-Matt

Sheepsteeth - I agree. I can't see what a £120 Gore jacket does that a £40/50 Altura jacket can't do!

Cycling should keep you warm - just when you start off that it's chilly.

This morning was cycle heaven - slightly cool air, dry, bit of sunshine. Blasted to a 10 mile PB time and didn't even feel all that puffed out!

ratty2k

A lot of what you wear or carry is where you ride... Riding the Dark Peak in the middle of winter without more than you need is IMO stupid. If you fall off and injure yourself, you need to be able to keep warm enough even when stationary.
Winter riding (depending on where) can mean carrying one of those handwarmer thingies (cheap off ebay) that burn for hours on end giving off heat and a survival blanket. A whistle is always useful and not a lot to carry. In the Peak midwinter you may not see anyone else, so the biggest and best thing to have is a riding buddie!

Chaka Ping

Don't want to start a row about cheap vs expensive jackets - but I've been riding in my Montane Superfly eVent jacket in the rain this summer and it does a brilliant job of keeping the water out and letting the sweat out at the same time.

I wore it half the way round Kirroughtree and never felt like I was overheating or noticed too much moisture inside.

So on that basis I think eVent does perform better than other waterproof fabrics.

Only paid £50 for mine in TK Maxx, but would pay more now I know how good it is!

Surf-Matt

Chaka - but my Altura jacket does the same job - breathable yet waterproof.

However for walking/climbing it's a full spec NikWax Analogy jacket which is utterly brilliant.

dave_hill

Chaka Ping wrote:

My priority buy for the winter will be waterproof shorts.

Like my waterproof socks, but they do let a lot of water in at the top - in freezing weather this can be very uncomfortable.

I was concerned about this at first but you should get the "wet suit" effect - even if there is water inside them your feet stay warm.

I haven't had any problems with cold feet with my Sealskinz even when they do let water in. Wouldn't bother with overshoes - no grip!

Chaka Ping

dave_hill wrote:

I was concerned about this at first but you should get the "wet suit" effect - even if there is water inside them your feet stay warm.

No, definitely more of an "ice cube" effect for me. I am thinking about riding over the Yorkshire Dales in all that snow back in March though.

They have been more "wet suity" in more temperate weather, I think they should be lined with wool rather than synthetic fibres perhaps - never get cold feel when wearing my hiking socks.

Surf-Matt

I find I get the wetsuit effect too with SealSkinz - recent ride on Dartmoor had both feet submerged in freezing cold water, yet after several dunkings, my feet were still fairly warm.

Mind you, my wetsuit boots work a lot better but don't grip too well!

Amos

I had a £120 RaceFace jacket and it didn't breath all that well and fell to bits :?

I now wear a £45 Vaude jacket which is much better, keeps me a lot cooler than the RaceFace one, and is still in once piece!

On my kit list for the winter is:

Waterproof gloves.
Waterproof shorts.
Overshoes.
Lights.

And maybe some bib tights for when its super cold, under baggy's of course :P

realnumber 1

I agree with the wet suit effect on the socks. I also find it can help in really cold weather to stick some thin thermal socks underneath them.

stumpyjon

To continue the warm / dry feet theme and return to the original thread I couldn't do without my Shimano MW02 winter boots. They're pretty warm and waterproof (they do let the water in at the top but do a pretty good job of imitating a wet suit). Where they really score is when you put your foot down in a freezing puddle or ride through a stream, unlike most boots they don't immediately drench your feet with ice cold water leaving you squelching. And they're not too warm for summer riding either, had them on around White's Level today at Afan and I'm glad I did seeing as several sections of the trail were doubling up as impromptu streams :evil: .

jayson

After this week ive decided i absolutely have to get some waterproof socks seein as i cant afford some waterproof shoes, the old carrier bag over my socks in my shoes is not very nice when ive sweated alot on my bike to work in the mornings.

realnumber 1

Lol @ the carrier bag. I remember doing that when I did paper rounds when I was young
You won't be able to do that soon any how because they are starting to ban carrier bags in the super markets soon.

cjw

Right in the winter;

Sealskin socks
Sealskin Gloves
Full length tights (to keep the old knees warm)

And that's it....

Got a bonnet for the head but it gets too hot. Got decent waterproofs but prefer just to get wet, because you do anyay either from sweat or rain.

Main thing I found is to keep extremeties and knees warm and then all else is OK.