Please help with some clothing and shoes

andy83

After some decent cyle shoes as sick of wearing trainers but a little unsure of getting clip ins cos think i will come off quite a lot lol

i have noticed most of the cycle trainers have slots for clips etc but i currently ride with flat pedals, would it be ok to use these just as normal trainers or has anyone got any decent recomendations

also i suffer from fibromyalgia and the cold effects me really bad, got decent gloves but finding tights and altura winter trousers not enough for mornings, anyone got any good recomendations please, also is the altura winter jacket the best out there or is there a cheaper one thats just as good

not got a great budget but reasonable price stuff please

Thanks in advance

andy83

forgot to add i want a decent backpack so thought might aswell get a camelbak, or shall i just get a normal backpack and smaller camelback for long rides, dont mind using water bottle at the minute

anyone recomend the camelbak mule?

want enough space to fit my clothes in for work

thanks

lost_in_thought

Hey Andy,

For the shoes, I can personally recommend the Specialised Taho shoe, it's like a stiffer version of a walking shoe and can have cleats attached to it if you want to make the switch to clipless (ie the ones where you clip in - it's as opposed to toe clips). Very comfortable.

Perhaps you could get some SPD pedals which are also a flat pedal - that way you can try clipless riding but still have the option... they're referred to as having a 'cage'.

For the trousers, if you've already got winter bib tights (bibs are better for the cold) which are fleece-lined, and trousers and are still cold, then maybe try some waterproof overtrousers as well - you'll sweat as they're not breathable, but I can't see how you would be cold with that combo! Altura gear is definitely not the best, but there's nothing worthwhile (that I know of) that's cheaper.

For the rucksack, I wouldn't get a camelbak if you're happy with your water bottle - I had one, and while handy they are pretty heavy when full, especially if you're carrying other stuff too. Deuter do a good range, check out wiggle.co.uk.

Hope this helps!

biondino

Andy, when I was looking at rucksacks lately a lot of them (including the one I bought, the excellent Deuter Bike 1 have provisions for water bladders. I don't have one, but who knows, I might get one next spring.

ride_whenever

If you want to stick with flats:

buy some good flats, with pins. I'm a fan of the wellgo MG-1, very well made. Then get any decent trainer with a fairly soft sole. Currently I'm using my gore-tex merrels, when you start to knacker the sole get them re-done with stealth rubber, which is what the best cycling shoes (not clip ins obv.) have. There are internet people who do this for you.

For coldness, fleecy tights and waterproofs will work wonders, it is as much about keeping the wind out as the heat in. Make sure you have decent socks on and don't have your shoes on too tight, then check them after a mile or so as your feet do swell a bit.

A similar warmth thing happens with gloves, think keeping wind out as well as warm and you'll have no problems.


For your chest as above! Decent baselayer and a windproof/waterproof shell.





Carrying stuff:

The mule is very highly regarded, but if you're commuting, panniers and a rack are the best way to go. As you can expand you capacity much more easily!

landrew

I have found that one of the disadvantages with non-cycling specific shoes is getting the shoe lace caught in the chain. Some cycling shoes such as the Specialized Taho have a velcro strip to keep the laces in place.

Happy shopping.

andy83

lost_in_thought wrote:

Hey Andy,

For the shoes, I can personally recommend the Specialised Taho shoe, it's like a stiffer version of a walking shoe and can have cleats attached to it if you want to make the switch to clipless (ie the ones where you clip in - it's as opposed to toe clips). Very comfortable.

Perhaps you could get some SPD pedals which are also a flat pedal - that way you can try clipless riding but still have the option... they're referred to as having a 'cage'.

For the trousers, if you've already got winter bib tights (bibs are better for the cold) which are fleece-lined, and trousers and are still cold, then maybe try some waterproof overtrousers as well - you'll sweat as they're not breathable, but I can't see how you would be cold with that combo! Altura gear is definitely not the best, but there's nothing worthwhile (that I know of) that's cheaper.

For the rucksack, I wouldn't get a camelbak if you're happy with your water bottle - I had one, and while handy they are pretty heavy when full, especially if you're carrying other stuff too. Deuter do a good range, check out wiggle.co.uk.

Hope this helps!

cheers for help

believe it or not can still get cold with waterproofs over all that, part of condition is feel the cold bad, might just have to have hot bath before i go out lol

Andy, when I was looking at rucksacks lately a lot of them (including the one I bought, the excellent Deuter Bike 1 have provisions for water bladders. I don't have one, but who knows, I might get one next spring.

that looks really nice and wiggle is my shop of choice, mainly because im nearly going to be at the £500 mark when i have got all the vouchers etc that people are getting me for xmas lol

If you want to stick with flats:

buy some good flats, with pins. I'm a fan of the wellgo MG-1, very well made. Then get any decent trainer with a fairly soft sole. Currently I'm using my gore-tex merrels, when you start to knacker the sole get them re-done with stealth rubber, which is what the best cycling shoes (not clip ins obv.) have. There are internet people who do this for you.

For coldness, fleecy tights and waterproofs will work wonders, it is as much about keeping the wind out as the heat in. Make sure you have decent socks on and don't have your shoes on too tight, then check them after a mile or so as your feet do swell a bit.

A similar warmth thing happens with gloves, think keeping wind out as well as warm and you'll have no problems.


For your chest as above! Decent baselayer and a windproof/waterproof shell.

Carrying stuff:

The mule is very highly regarded, but if you're commuting, panniers and a rack are the best way to go. As you can expand you capacity much more easily!

have the cheapo wellgos but was looking at the shimano mx30's

think im really just going to have to wrap up a lot more lol

with regard to panniers im not sold on them for some reason and just want my back pack

currently use the bike in my sig to commute and train on but trying to get my work to do the cycle to work scheme so i can get http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/1_series/17e/ otherwise its a lot of saving. if work dont allow it just need to get some rigid forks and make the best with what ive got. on the bike i currently have would i benefit from clips or not?

thanks for all your help

il_principe

well I'm not the biggest fan of Altura kit! I'd suggest these:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_Merston_Bib_Tights_09/5360038993/

And jackets, well you pays your money quite honestly. I use a Castelli Solo, not cheap but it is superb and very well made, should last for ages.

Ken Night

jashburnham wrote:

well I'm not the biggest fan of Altura kit! I'd suggest these:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_Merston_Bib_Tights_09/5360038993/

And jackets, well you pays your money quite honestly. I use a Castelli Solo, not cheap but it is superb and very well made, should last for ages.

Do you use the Solo as a shell to ride in all the time or one to pack on the bike, for use if it's going to rain

What is the sizing like?