Got no clothes!

stewpacey

So I got the bike, got the pedals now got the shoes but what do i wear.

I have seen shorts and jerseys for £50 a set on amazon but are these any good? Will they be thin, chaff or fall apart?

How much would you expect to pay for a fair pair of bibshorts and a jesey.

Your opinions are welcome.

RonB

These seem to be a good place to start.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-pace-roubaix-padded-bib-shorts/

There is plenty of choice out there, as your probably already aware, and the sky's the limit when it comes to price.

Even more choice when it comes to jerseys. Expect to pay around £25 for a reasonable lycra top. Here's one, which might fit the bill.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Jerseys-Short-Sleeve-Lusso-09-Coolmax-Full-Zip-Short-Sleeve-Jersey/LUSSZJSS210

There are usually lots of clearance/ bargains out there so keep your eyes peeled!

If mail order ain't your thing then have a browse about at your local bike shops. For shorts I would definitely recommend lycra bibs with a decent pad and leg grips. For the jersey flat seams, a good quality zipper, full length or part length, and rear pockets. You might also consider a security pocket and some high viz/ reflective material as part of the detailing. Again the cheaper option will be lycra though some folks prefer jerseys in a sportwool fabric, which I think is a bit more comfy and has a more natural "feel".

These guys get a good write up on the forum for tops and shorts

http://www.shuttvr.com/

For what its worth I use (& rate) these as another option

http://colomba.cc/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=28

Good luck in your search.

fat lad in lycra

ive bought most of my stuff from tenn outdoors on ebay, bib shorts and a top less than £35....and there spot on so i bought 3/4's, tights and other stuff from them and all have been worth the money

MattJPaul

The jersey should be sweat-wicking and comfortable and all that business (Altura do some cheap-ish but perfectly good jerseys at around £30), but the bib shorts is wear your money should go.

You'll be sat on the pad for a long time so you want something that will keep you from chafing and generally riding on jagged sandpaper.

As for prices, Altura do some basic shorts that are well thought of for £40-ish (the pro-gels), the DHB Aeron Pro (Wiggle's own brand) recently came up top for performance versus value in Cycling Plus magazine, and they go for £75 (though I think right now Wiggle is running a 20% off discount code but it may just be on bikes). Assos and Castelli will set you back £100 or more but the old adage of 'you get what you pay for' very much applies with bib shorts.

Hierotochan

If you are tight on cash (& I would be after forking out for that lot)
then invest in some decent bib-shorts would be my advice.
I started out with that & luckily had some snowboard base-layers to use
until I could afford a proper one with pockets (& a zip, god bless that zip!)

eBay, Wiggle and even dare I say it Evans has a sale on ATM.
There are many brands but the main ones I've seen that make most of the affordable kit
are Nalini & Santini. Being Italian they come up small so try them on first if you can.

Cleat Eastwood

I was looking for some bibshorts yesterday in a LBS and saw a pair for 99 squid, so off I went to another LBS and there were a pair for £200. The quality felt no different than a 50 squid pair, although obviously there must be some difference. I'd set a budget if I were you and remember european kit off comes up short, italian large is a uk medium for example.

Wacky Racer

Shiny Bikes Ltd - 20% off all their bib shorts, and they have a really good selection at all price ranges. I haven't checked out the rest of their gear, but the site looks good, don't know if anyone else has dealt with these guys?

MountainMonster

I recommend a pair of specialized bibs, bought a pair here for around 60 euros, so should work out at around 50 pounds or so, and are very very comfortable. Well made, and when I did rip one, specialized had some good warranty service and offered to swap them. Well played if you ask me!

fludey

Must say having just bought a pair of altura pro gel bibs a week before a 77 miler I was unsure as to wear them.....but they the most comfy shorts/bib I have used and less than £40 from wiggle! I do have an altura top but be warned they seem to be cut on the small side compared to my other top but perfectly ok.