Kit & kit rotation

Citizen Smith

I have don't have too much cycling specific kit having made do for a long time with just standard t-shirts, shorts, etc but I have a slowly creeping 'cycling kit' bug growing inside me.....

Out of interest what do people's cycling wardrobes look like?
How many jackets (wind/rain/other), gilets, base layers, jerseys, shorts, baggies, tights, shoes, gloves, helmets etc do you have? And how do you deploy them based on the weather/season?
Whats is your squad rotation, how many rides (if at all) do you have before you wash various items?

Thoughts/experience appreciated muchly before I splash the moolah...

cjcp

1. Waterproof commuting jacket (Altura Night Vision); another Gore windproof, and another lightweight, sweatbox of a jacket that used to be yellow
2. Three bib shorts
3. Full length tights
4. Socks, lots
5. Four baselayers (two for winter)
6. One compression top
7. A few short sleeved cycling jerseys
8. 2 caps (three others but they're pro team, so not wearing them)
9. One beanie
10. One properly warm thermal hat
11. Overshoes
12. Three pairs of gloves, one set of base layer gloves
13. One gilet
14. One pair of shoes (for the commute, new pair for weekend)
15. One helmet
16. One Gore thermal jersey

And absolutely no baggies. No. Way.

lost_in_thought

Bear in mind that I am a girl...

I have 3 sets of bib tights, 3 altura night vision jackets mostly through buying new ones to replace worn out old ones, one montane velo jacket which is now used over the night visions, about 10 pairs of baggy shorts, about 5 short-sleeve jerseys, about 4 long-sleeve ones, a windproof gilet, a merino base layer, about 5 pairs of cycling shorts, not bib. And a pair of gloves. I have 1 pair of SPD sandals and 2 pairs of shoes. Oh and a buff and 2 pairs of sunglasses, one of which has 3 sets of lenses.

For washing, everything in reasonable contact with skin is washed after 1 day of use, unless it's a jersey that really hasn't been sweated in in which case I might use it for 2 days. Usually I don't.

Jackets/gloves are washed about once a fortnight/ once every 3 weeks. Depends how much I've used them.

biondino

1. One pair of Specialized BG MTB shoes.
2. One pair of cycling specific socks, but 3 pairs of winter socks which work well for winter riding. Washed after every ride.
3. Two pairs of DHB bib tights. Washed every two rides, or maybe every three if I have a busy week with lots of cycling. I use them when it's below 10 degrees C.
4. Four pairs of bike shorts, though one I don't like so it's a spare. See bib tights for washing.
5. Two short sleeve base layers, washed every ride.
6. Two long sleeved base layers, washed every ride if worn next to the skin or every two or three rides if not.
7. One jersey, washed every four or five rides unless worn next to the skin.
8. One windproof jacket, washed whenever it gets dirty.
9. About ten vintage cycling tops - see base layers for washing .
10. One Rapha sportwool jersey (short sleeve). Washed in distilled water by virgins.
11. One pair of overshoes. Not yet washed.
12. One buff - washed when it's been sweated in.
13. Three pairs of gloves, washed when they start to smell.

jonginge

Similar to CJ. Lots really.
I have enough so that shorts/tights/base layers don't have to be washed midweek.

Not really used jackets yet this winter. A LS baselayer and a good roubaix LS jersey has been enough so far as it hasn't persisted it down for a while (I pack a cheap dhb water resistent gilet just in case it does)

woodyonthebeach

I dont know how much Kit I own, all I know is that when ever I head to mates for a ride he always hands me something that I left there last time. I have couple of mates that do this.
oh and not forgetting the bag that I have with bikes incase I get the phone we are going away riding this weekend fancy coming.

how i see it you can never have to much

cougie

I dont even want to think about how much kit i have !

whyamihere

About 6 pairs of shorts
2 long sleeved jerseys
3 short sleeved jerseys
2 short sleeved base layers
1 long sleeved base layer
2 buffs (one thermal, one normal)
6 pairs of gloves (various degrees of warmth/padding)
Arm Warmers
Leg Warmers
Aldi bib tights
Overshoes
2 pairs of cycling shoes
Skull cap

Think that's it...

il_principe

1. Castelli Solo Jacket
2. Montane Velo Jacket
3. Adidas waterproof jacket
3. 2 x Castelli "Free" bib shorts
4. 1 x DHB Bibs
5. 1 x Pinarello Prince branded bibs
6. 1 x Focus Branded bibs
7. 1 x Wilier branded bibs
8. 1 x Castelli "Free" bib tights
9. 1 x Castelli LS Jersey
10. 2 x Castelli SS plus numerous other SS jerseys
11. Several caps, beanies and skull caps
12. 2 x Castelli winter/spring gloves
13. 4 x Castelli mitts
14. 2 x Swerve baggy shorts
15. 3 x Oakley's - half jackets, 5's and Flak Jackets w/transition lenses
16. 2 x Specialized BG Pro Road shoes
17. 1 x SPIUK MTB shoes
18. 1 x DHB LS Jersey
19. 1 x Bell helmet for when helmets are compulsory
20. 2 x Prendas baselayers
21. 1 x Castelli overshoes
22. 1 x Castelli "Belgian Booties" and Prendas oversocks
23. Many many socks.
24. 1 x Castelli arm warmers
25. 1 x DHB leg warmers
26. 1 x Adidas knee warmers

Eeeek.

cjcp

jashburnham wrote:

17. 1 x SPIUK MTB shoes

MTB? Care to explain?

iain_j

After reading this... not enough.

Wiggle is going to get cleared out when i get the chance (and the money)

Clever Pun

3 bib tights (one with a few holes in)
1 or 2 waist tights (can't remember as I don't really wear them anymore)
2 3/4 bibs
4 bib shorts
2 waist shorts
3 long sleeve base layers
2 long sleeve jerseys
1 windproof jacket (kind of a jersey)
5 summer jerseys
1 sleeveless jersey
1 gillet
2 pairs arms warmers
1 pair knee warmers
1 pair lining gloves
3 pairs winter gloves
2 pairs mid season long fingered gloves
4 pairs summer mitts
2 caps
1 winter hat
1 set of water proofs, coat and trousers
1 pair mtb shoes
1 pair winter boots
Overshoes
1 helmet and under helmet cap
rudy project shades with 3 different lenses
2 buffs

umm I think that's it.

il_principe

cjcp wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

17. 1 x SPIUK MTB shoes

MTB? Care to explain?

For commuting - so i can walk rather than skate in the pub!

Slow Downcp

Way too much - it scares me how much I'm prepared to spend on cycle clothing compared to my everyday stuff :oops:

fossyant

Loads here as well - fair amount of stuff is commute only, then stacks of road stuff.

Wash what I wear after each ride/return commute.

alexB

hot weather:
Helmet
one of five pairs of DHB bib shorts or one of 3 pairs of DHB shorts
one of 7 short sleeved tops
sometimes vest style baselayer
short-fingered mitts
thin socks (I have about 10 pairs)

spring/autumn
as above, but add knee and arm warmers
possibly use buff
either T-shirt style base layer (see below)
or wind-proof fronted vest base layer (I have 4 - from Tchibo)
Pearly Izumi Zephyr gilet
Specialized Ridge gloves (lightweight long-fingered gloves)

colder spring/autumn
As above, but
Nike windfronted jacket instead of gilet
3/4 length tights (have 3 pairs)
possibly replace gloves with warmer gloves (Decathlon basic roadie gloves)
Montane Featherlight Velo in pocket in case of rain as an alternative to the Nike top
Wool socks (woolie boolies)

cold weather
Thermal tights over bibshorts
thermal overshoes
buff under helmet
short sleeved Decathlon baselayer (I have 7 of these)
wool socks (either cheapies from ASDA or Woolie Boolies)
Nike windshirt (as above)
DHB waterproof gloves unless very cold, then Specialized Radiant

for foul weather -
summer Montane Featherlight over normal kit
winter Gill Prospeed over long sleeved baselayer (perhaps add armwarmers)

Jackets get washed quarterly and reproofed
baselayers and short get washed every day
tights and buffs get washed weekly
gloves as needed

Coriander

Good grief, you all have more cycling clothes than I have clothes. Full stop. And my calculation of the number of clothes I have includes my cycling kit.

:roll:

alexB

I definately have more cycling clothes than real clothes!

I'll rarely pay more than a fiver for a shirt for work, but happily pay £35 for a cycling top, go figure!

linsen

cycling specific:
1 pair cycling shorts
1 pair baggies
2 pairs cycling tights
1 pair mtb shoes with SPDs
1 pair overshoes
1 helmet
1 fleece buff
1 summer buff
2 pairs gloves (one fingerless one with fingers)
1 Altura boil-in-the-bag

Think that's it. On top I wear merino
Need more shorts this summer

gtvlusso

SiHughes wrote:

I have don't have too much cycling specific kit having made do for a long time with just standard t-shirts, shorts, etc but I have a slowly creeping 'cycling kit' bug growing inside me.....

Out of interest what do people's cycling wardrobes look like?
How many jackets (wind/rain/other), gilets, base layers, jerseys, shorts, baggies, tights, shoes, gloves, helmets etc do you have? And how do you deploy them based on the weather/season?
Whats is your squad rotation, how many rides (if at all) do you have before you wash various items?

Thoughts/experience appreciated muchly before I splash the moolah...

1 x Altura high vis jacket
7 x Halfords "Bikehut" padded shorts (always change your undershorts!!)
2 x Nalini long leg bib tights
2 x DHB 3/4 bib tights
2 x cycle tops (PBK logo)
4 million cheap tee shirts
7 x White and Green rugby socks (Brilliant for cold weather!)
2 x Sidi WCS socks
1 x Sidi race bike shoes - SPD-SL
1 x Diadora MTB shoes - SPD
1 x Endura neoprene overshoes (well worth the money!)
1 x Sidi overshoes - for time tiralling
1 x Sombrio zip off leg waterproof trousers
2 x 3/4 Endura Hummvee shorts
2 x PBK summer mitts
2 x PBK winter gloves
1 x Thinsulate winter gloves
1 x Altura Leather mitts
An assortment of thermal shirts - long and short sleeved + leggings.
2 x Arm warmers PBK
1 x Altura headband that covers my ears

Never wear padded uindershorts twice!!!!! - you are asking for trouble down south!!!!!! My main kit I was once every 2 days (ltights, socks and tops)- hence 2 of most things - jackets and stuff once a week. Tee shirts are a great back up - but white ones turn yellow with the sweat!!

New shorts everyday if required!

Summer - padded shorts, normal shorts or 3/4 hummvees over the top (Baggies) + cycle top short sleeved or tee shirt.

Race - Full PBK race kit depending on season

Tri - PBK tri suit - look like a gimp.

Winter - combinations can be anything - usually - Altura Jacket, 3/4 DHB tights, Baggies (usually waterproof ones), Rugby socks, Thermal tee shirt + tee shirt or cycle top, Arm Warmers, head band and winter gloves

Try www.probikekit.com for cheap good stuff!

Feltup

3/4 zip short sleeved top
full zip mesh vented short sleezed top (summer hill climbs)
numerous baselayers from mtn sports etc
3/4 bib
short bib
short
baggies
knee warmers (more like leg warmers on me)
track mitts
off road full gloves
soft shell gloves
road shoes
overshoes
mtn bike shoes
long sleeve wind proof front material
montane featherweight
waterproof gilet
helmet
all sorts of other kit which crosses over with skiing, climbing etc

need some arm warmers for the spring

biondino

Never wear padded uindershorts twice!!!!! - you are asking for trouble down south!!!!!!

This sounds very similar to the "never eat doner kebabs!!!!!" warnings I've had in the past, but neither has ever given me trouble down south.

always_tyred

biondino wrote:

Never wear padded uindershorts twice!!!!! - you are asking for trouble down south!!!!!!

This sounds very similar to the "never eat doner kebabs!!!!!" warnings I've had in the past, but neither has ever given me trouble down south.

Donner = trouble in the South east
Chamois bio warefare = trouble in in the south west

?

No hard and fast rules for me - you just know when its time to switch gear. Its hard to imagine sticking with a baselayer or shorts for more than a couple of days' commute though. Ew.

I have loads of base layers and shorts and ss jerseys of various vintages. I stop using them when they fall apart in the washer or when I try to put them on.

Cotton and cycling are not a good combination.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Confession is good for the soul:

1. two pairs of bike shoes, plus two more spare pairs for the future
2. 4x solid blue bib shorts - Santini, Campag, unbranded
3. 4x solid red bib shorts - Santini, Campag, unbranded
4. 3x solid black bib shorts - Pearl Izumi
5. 2x solid green Credit Agricole bib shorts - Nalini
6. 1x L2P bib shorts (not really earned)
7. 4x solid blue s/sleeve jerseys - Gore/Briko
8. 4x solid red s/sleeve jerseys - Gore/Briko
9. 1x solid black s/sleeve jerseys - Gore
10. 2x solid white s/sleeve jerseys - Gore
11. 2x blue mitts
12. 2x red mitts
13. 2x black mitts
14. 2x white mitts
15. 1x red armwarmers
16. 1x blue armwarmers
17. 1x black armwarmers
18. 1x white armwarmers
19. 5x black wicking polyprop t-shirts
[that's summer/late spring/early autumn: one set of blue/red per day plus black on Fridays; white/green for the weekend]
20. 1x lycra padded bib knicks - Gore
21. 1x roubaix padded bib knicks - Endura
[autumn/spring to be combined with solid coloured top half + armwarmers)
22. 2x Assos roubaix bib leggings
23. 1x Assos windproof bib leggings
24. 1x Assos Evo red l/sleeve jersey
25. 1x Assos Evo blue l/sleeve jersey
26. 1x Assos Evo grey l/sleeve jersey
27. 1x Assos black 851 Jacket
28. 1x Assos rainjacket
28a. 1x Assos gilet red
28b. 1x Assos gilet blue
29. 1x Assos black three glove winter glove system
30. 1x Planet X neoprene overshoes
31. Helly Hansen tops too numerous to mention - but (a) short sleeve; (b) long sleeve crew neck; (c) long sleeve zippered roll neck
32. Helly Hansen winter socks
33. Numerous ankle socks (ie invisible with cycling shoes on)
34. Rudy Project Ekynox frames in red, blue, grey and yellow; lenses in yellow, a strong shade of orange 8), grey and reflective blue
35. Met Stradivarius helmet.
36. Quite possibly some other stuff I've forgotten

I can usually find something clean to wear. Washing stuff isn't a problem. :oops:

il_principe

Greg wins, comprehensively.

Feltup

Jeez and I thought everyones comments about you being a tart held some truth and then along comes Joseph and his bike kit of many colours.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Oh, Jash is every bit the tart you've read about. :twisted:

I prefer the clean lines of a single solid colour, that's all.

don_don

1) 7 pairs silk boxer shorts (assorted colours)
2) 7 thongs, all red.
3) 3 pairs latex shorts for days when I'm in that sort of mood.
4) Assorted fish-net stockings and suspenders.
5) Red, wet-look PVC all-in-one with integral hood/face-mask.
6) Hannibal Lecter type face mask but in soft kid-skin leather.
7) 2 pairs padded hand-cuffs (1x pink fluffy, 1x red neoprene)

What was the question again?

itboffin

Greg66 wrote:

Oh, Jash is every bit the tart you've read about. :twisted:

I prefer the clean lines of a single solid colour, that's all.

Must be a shame, all dressed up no where to go

Coriander

Greg66 wrote:

Confession is good for the soul:

1. two pairs of bike shoes, plus two more spare pairs for the future
2. 4x solid blue bib shorts - Santini, Campag, unbranded
3. 4x solid red bib shorts - Santini, Campag, unbranded
4. 3x solid black bib shorts - Pearl Izumi
5. 2x solid green Credit Agricole bib shorts - Nalini
6. 1x L2P bib shorts (not really earned)
7. 4x solid blue s/sleeve jerseys - Gore/Briko
8. 4x solid red s/sleeve jerseys - Gore/Briko
9. 1x solid black s/sleeve jerseys - Gore
10. 2x solid white s/sleeve jerseys - Gore
11. 2x blue mitts
12. 2x red mitts
13. 2x black mitts
14. 2x white mitts
15. 1x red armwarmers
16. 1x blue armwarmers
17. 1x black armwarmers
18. 1x white armwarmers
19. 5x black wicking polyprop t-shirts
[that's summer/late spring/early autumn: one set of blue/red per day plus black on Fridays; white/green for the weekend]
20. 1x lycra padded bib knicks - Gore
21. 1x roubaix padded bib knicks - Endura
[autumn/spring to be combined with solid coloured top half + armwarmers)
22. 2x Assos roubaix bib leggings
23. 1x Assos windproof bib leggings
24. 1x Assos Evo red l/sleeve jersey
25. 1x Assos Evo blue l/sleeve jersey
26. 1x Assos Evo grey l/sleeve jersey
27. 1x Assos black 851 Jacket
28. 1x Assos rainjacket
28a. 1x Assos gilet red
28b. 1x Assos gilet blue
29. 1x Assos black three glove winter glove system
30. 1x Planet X neoprene overshoes
31. Helly Hansen tops too numerous to mention - but (a) short sleeve; (b) long sleeve crew neck; (c) long sleeve zippered roll neck
32. Helly Hansen winter socks
33. Numerous ankle socks (ie invisible with cycling shoes on)
34. Rudy Project Ekynox frames in red, blue, grey and yellow; lenses in yellow, a strong shade of orange 8), grey and reflective blue
35. Met Stradivarius helmet.
36. Quite possibly some other stuff I've forgotten

I can usually find something clean to wear. Washing stuff isn't a problem. :oops:

Complete lack of commitment, young Greg, why not a set of gloves in red, blue and black?

tailwindhome

Greg66 wrote:

one set of blue/red per day plus black on Fridays; white/green for the weekend

:shock:

Do you also have 'days of the week' underwear?