Real clothing

White Line

Okay, it's about time I invest in some proper cycling clothes. Jeans and a cotton tee have gone beyond getting uncomfortable. Plus, I roll up my jeans like a fakenger. :oops: On both sides.

So, I was just browsing about. Not really finding much because I'm a bit fussy at times. However, I was thinking of getting this, but I fear some abuse may start to come from old ladies and the likes. Should I be worried about that? Anybody have experience with this, or similar jerseys?

Plus, I'd need shorts. Since pretty much everybody has recommended bibshorts, I will more than likely buy a pair of those. Although, I can't yet justify spending more than £40 on shorts ... that'll be in a few months time when I buy more. Probably thinking the same as regards to the cost of jerseys.

Anybody know of any jerseys and shorts that look good, function well, and don't cost an arm and a leg?

In fact ... I might have to have a wee look on eBay for jerseys.

cougie

DHB kit on Wiggle is pretty good. Shorts are important - so get them first. Then the top isnt quite as important - so buy one that looks nice.

Anonymous

Spend as much as you can on good shorts, then buy a cheap jersey from Decathlon for a fiver.

MrChuck

cougie wrote:

DHB kit on Wiggle is pretty good. Shorts are important - so get them first. Then the top isnt quite as important - so buy one that looks nice.

+1, really happy with all my dhb stuff

zoglug

I went and bought 4 Jerseys from Decathlon for £5.95 each. Perfect for what i need. I also picked up a couple of cheap pairs of normal shorts, £6.95 each. There perfect for the 7 mile commute to work, but when i went out and did 40 miles on Friday, then again on sunday i was in a bit of pain! It has made me realise that i need to invest in some decent shorts, especially if i am out regularly!

If your on a budget, you can kit yourself out pretty reasonably at Decathlon!

jordan_217

cougie wrote:

DHB kit on Wiggle is pretty good. Shorts are important - so get them first. Then the top isnt quite as important - so buy one that looks nice.

+1

DHB kit is excellent. I look like I've won a WIggle competition when I go out riding. DHB's Finchdean bib shorts are worth every penny.

Philby

Another vote for DHB - I have the Earnley bibshorts which are very comfortable and great value for money.

White Line

So the general consensus is that dhb shorts from Wiggle will be a safe bet (until I decide to buy some Assos ones ). I was looking at the dhb Eanrnley bib shorts, but I came across a problem; the sizing. I'm 6'-ish, never really measured myself. But I'm really skinny. Like, 32" jeans are comfy with a belt. I weigh 140 pounds. So, really skinny for my height. :oops: So I either get shorts that'll be a bit loose, or ones that'll be a bit tight on the shoulders.

I never knew about that Decathlon site - seems pretty cheep. Although, none of the jerseys really take my fancy.

Should I just buy both small and medium shorts and see what works best? I'm not really the kind of guy that bothers to send stuff back or get refunds though. I've got so much stuff that; doesn't fit, I don't like, or ... whatever. I'm lazy.

elscorcho

I have also decided it is time that I get proper clothing for cycling instead of using tracksuit tops and unpadded shorts! I just got myself a pair of baggy style shorts the Fox Attack for £44.99 in the Evanscycles sale that is on now and you may get some bargains if you are quick! I have tried on my new shorts but not used them for cycling yet! My first impressions are that they are top quality and look great!

That's a cracking looking Jersey you are considering getting! I can just imagine people looking at it and wondering if they are seeing what they think are! :twisted: I haven't got any jerseys but that is next on my list. The jersey by Dakine called the Chop Shop got a 9 out of 10 in June issue of MBUK and is around the same price as the one by Northwave.

I would recommend that you measure your waist then buy a pair of shorts in the appropriate size!

jswba

I've bought a load of old jerseys from these guys

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/CONVICTS- ... QQ_armrsZ1

and these guys

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/cyclingtopsuk/

You can get something really unusual for a decent price if you're patient. The quality's always good, although obviously not as good as brand new.

As for Wiggle size, I'd go with Medium if I were you.

andrewc3142

As above, my advice would be to spend as much as you can afford on the bib shorts.

Perhaps a bit more than you're wanting to spend, but I've been very happy with things from Gore, esp the Xenon stuff.

redddraggon

DHB shorts are a piece of crap, I don't know why people recommend them so much

psychle

Lookiing at your location it would be a good idea to take a trip out to the Bike Wearhouse (Clachan of Campsie and online). You can see, feel and try on a huge range of clothing (including the venerated Assos, for comparison).

My specific recommendation for best value would be Lusso. Their Pro Gel shorts are my current faves.

One other point I'd like to make is regarding the advantage of bib shorts. I have a couple of pairs but rarely do I choose to wear them. I find that their disadvantage when you need a toilet stop far outweighs any apparent comfort advantage over non-bib shorts.

gabriel959

I have also tried the DHB stuff and whilst not horrible, I definitely consider it very expensive for what it is – IMO I don’t think their bib shorts are worth more than a tenner. I did get some Speedo stuff last year from ebay that was as good as the DHB stuff.

For cheap stuff that is really good you can get some Santini stuff discounted from www.prendas.co.uk. They have some shorts there for £20/£25 and the quality is much better than the DHB stuff.

White Line

redddraggon wrote:

DHB shorts are a piece of crap, I don't know why people recommend them so much

Surely they're good enough to function as an entry level pair of shorts. :?

I think I might try to stretch my money to get the dhb Finchdean shorts rather than the Earnley ones. Will have to wait until payday though.

More than likely going to buy the Northwave jersey too. However, a few Foska jerseys are tempting.

The sizing is a real issue though. My waist tells me to get a XS or S. My height says M or L. Should I just get the M and see how things fit? How would getting it taken in a bit be? (Like what women do with dresses that are too big).

orderodonata

White Line wrote:

The sizing is a real issue though. My waist tells me to get a XS or S. My height says M or L. Should I just get the M and see how things fit? How would getting it taken in a bit be? (Like what women do with dresses that are too big).

One of the best things about buying DHB stuff from Wiggle is that if it doesn't fit, just send it back for a different size. I wouldn't think it's practical to alter most cycle clothing.

I've found DHB clothing to be generous on sizing compared to other brands, I tend to get medium but it's still a bit loose.

nferrar

If commenting on the quality/fit/comfort of DHB shorts it's kinda helpful to say which model as IME it varies widely across the range. The Finchdean's I think are pretty good, keen to try the new Knowle ones to although they're far from a budget option.