road cycling novice - help and advice needed!

L.Hutch
L.Hutch Posts: 3
edited January 2009 in Road beginners
okay, ive only recently taken up road cycling and so i need some advice on clothing/equipment. im looking to buy a decent pair of shorts, a saddle bag and any cleaning stuff that will keep my bike in good condition (degreaser, lube, etc.). be very much appreciated if anyone can help me out with any of the above.

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    budget would be useful - especially for the shorts, 'decent' pairs are generally between £20 and £150, so it would be good to narrow it down a bit..
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    If you're going to be cycling regularly remember you'll need at least 2 or 3 pairs of shorts, as you only wear them once before washing (you don't wear underwear with them). You'll almost certainly want bib shorts, the type that are held up by straps over the shoulders. They are much more comfortable and practical than ones that only come up to the waist, but beginners often make the mistake of finding this out after buying. They should fit tightly (i.e. with a smooth profile) without being restrictive or uncomfortable.
  • sicrow
    sicrow Posts: 791
    +1 for Jake151's comments on DHB for VFM they are excellent and I would recommend too if you want to work to a budget
    http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/simoncrowther
  • gtitim
    gtitim Posts: 225
    Yep DHB stuff is always excellent value
  • L.Hutch
    L.Hutch Posts: 3
    thanks for the advice everyone. yeah i forgot to mention in my original post that i was looking for shorts under £50 so the dhb ones seem to be the best option to go for
  • rally200
    rally200 Posts: 646
    If you're size puny like me or XXXlarge je james have nike's at under a tenner for shorts and about £35 for bibs
  • 40427
    40427 Posts: 119
    i was recently looking at the dhb 3/4 range and thought they were excellent but couldn't find them anywhere in my size[xs] but wiggle are probably the best place to buy them cheap.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I think they are exclusive to Wiggle so I don't think you will find them elsewhere.
  • Gav888
    Gav888 Posts: 946
    rally200 wrote:
    If you're size puny like me or XXXlarge je james have nike's at under a tenner for shorts and about £35 for bibs

    Are they any good considering they are so cheap?
    Cycling never gets any easier, you just go faster - Greg LeMond
  • heftyrider
    heftyrider Posts: 70
    rally200 wrote:
    If you're size puny like me or XXXlarge je james have nike's at under a tenner for shorts and about £35 for bibs

    had a quick look but couldn't see the xxxlarge, where abouts were they?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I think Nike stopped doing cycling stuff, hence the low prices. I believe quality is OK. I have a pair of Nike spd shoes and they are excellent.

    I have just acquired a pair of DHB Merston bibtights and they are very comfy.
  • rally200
    rally200 Posts: 646
    Gav888 wrote:
    rally200 wrote:
    If you're size puny like me or XXXlarge je james have nike's at under a tenner for shorts and about £35 for bibs

    Are they any good considering they are so cheap?

    I've not done more than 40 miles in em ,but so far they seem to do the job.

    JEjames also doing hind shorts for about £10 - but I think only 6" leg - so it you are tall, you run risk of looking like you're wearing hot pants
  • rally200
    rally200 Posts: 646
    heftyrider wrote:
    rally200 wrote:
    If you're size puny like me or XXXlarge je james have nike's at under a tenner for shorts and about £35 for bibs

    had a quick look but couldn't see the xxxlarge, where abouts were they?


    not nikes & not £10 - but how about these

    http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id13258.html

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