Winter clothing help

super_claret

Hi All, I'm new to road cycling and with not long to go before the colder months set in I am looking at my options for winter clothing.

I tend to feel the cold, even when it's 15C I can feel chilled whilst out riding, therefore, I'm looking for advice on base layers and winter jerseys, preferably with wind proofing. I already own Merino wool base layers, which I use for hiking but would these be suitable for cycling?

What are your recommendations for winter jerseys and would they be suitable for cold crisp days when the temperature is around 0C-5C, if not, what are my options for those extra cold days?

Thanks in advance

P_Tucker

Assos.

sloppyschleckonds

851

super_claret

Thanks, but could you be more specific please

tmg

In the winter it's all about layers, so a good base layer, merino is fine, then other layers on top that will wick the sweat away from your body and keep you warm and give you options based on the temprture to add or remove layers to suit.

The most important areas will be hands, toes, ears.

As others have mentioned Assos winter gear is very good, so speak to your bank manager about the large amounts of cash that will need releasing soon so that you can ride in comfort this winter

MattC59

Craft baselayers are great. Have a look here: http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/ The Zero Extreme is really good if you feel the cold, as it's got a wind stopper front panel. See: http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/craft-zero-extreme-ws-long-sleeve-base-layer-605.html
I've got a few merion baselayers, the best of which I've found is my high necked Orca, can't find a link to it at the moment though.

As for a jacket, I've got a Gore Phanton II, it's great. When it's chilly I find I only need a standard baselayer with it. I only need to wear the Orca with it when it's really cold.

fenski

As far as I can see a merino base layer's a merino base layer, can't see why you couldn't use what you've got.

In terms of other winter tops, as usual it probably depends on how much you want to spend. On my top half, on all but the coldest days I get away with a base layer, long sleeved mid-layer and a windproof top layer. My usual combination is an Endura BaaBaa base, Shutt training jersey, and old Prorace windproof that I've had for years.

The Gore Phantom II windproof gets a lot of positive reviews - it looks very similar to my Prorace jacket.

You should also consider some heavier duty bib-tights - maybe something like dhb Roubaix?

Finally, don't forget your extremities - overshoes are a must!

Stone Glider

Layers are definitely the way to go to keep toasty and your merino base will be fine, although if the body is short the lower back could be draughty when stretch out riding.

Having said all that, Mrs SG bought me a Shutte softshell jacket for Xmas and that needed little help from anything beyond a base layer. Legs will need roubaix tights (that's a fabric, not a brand) and thick socks with overshoes. That will do me for two to three hours in most weathers. Fingered gloves with separate lining gloves and a beany under the helmet finishes of the tout ensemble

super_claret

Thanks to all for your suggestions so far, I'll look into it further.

I have a Paramo jacket which I use for MTBing, which is cycling specific but it doesn't look the part on a road bike!

MattC59

fenski wrote:

As far as I can see a merino base layer's a merino base layer, can't see why you couldn't use what you've got.

Pretty much yes, but I've found that some Merino tops are softer than others, the feel is down to personal preference I guess. The big difference I've found is the cut. My orca is longer at the back than my BaaBaa, so it doesn't ride up at all. It's also got thumb loops so that the sleeves stay put over your wrists. (Can't remember whether my BaaBaa has thumb loops, but I don't think it has).
I'm not saying that the BaaBaa isnt' a good top, but i've found it better suited to mountain biking where I'm not so stretched out.

+1 for peoples comments on keeping extremities warm, if you keep your core warm, the rest tends to follow suit, but cold hands and feet are just miserable. A decent pair of gloves is a must, and as for feet, you won't go far wrong with a pair of wooliebollie socks with the overshoes of your choice. I've got Pro oveshoes, bit there's loads out there to choose from. I hear good things about the Prendas overshoes.

andrewlwood

Yup, the Endura BaaBaa merino base layers (or the jersey) are brilliant - light, warm and higher-performing (and less smelly) than man-made fibres.

I love my Rapha soft-shell jacket too - keeps me at just the right temperature (cue the Rapha haters).

pilot_pete

Under Armour Cold Gear base layer (available in many colours) with a normal short sleeve cycling jersey over the top from 15 degrees C down to about 10 works for me. They are reasonably cheap (in cycling gear terms!) and are absolutely excellent. Carry a windproof (not waterproof) jacket in your jersey pocket and this will keep you warm enough down another few degrees.

When it gets even colder I swap the short sleeve jersey for a long sleeve winter one and have never needed anything further, down to about zero. Trick is to go at a reasonable pace and you will get a sweat on, even in very cold temperatures. The windproof jacket in the pocket keeps the warmth in if you have to stop.

Get a pair of Roubaix bib longs (Roubaix being the fleecy lined material). You can get them padded to wear next to the skin, or un-padded, whcih I prefer as I can wear them over a pair of padded summer bib shorts. This gives two layers round the thighs and bum and helps keep you toasty.

Windproof gloves, winter socks (like hiking socks) which come well up the calf muscles, with neoprene overshoes will again keep you warm even when wet (I find my feet will sweat and my socks end up wet).

I have never bothered with waterproof outer garments and just accept that I am going to get wet on a ride, either from sweating (which you will do more of in a waterproof jacket) or from rain if this happens.

Can't abide those skull caps that fit under a helmet...they just made me sweat buckets!

Never found I have needed any more than that.

PP

This winter's shopping list will see me upgrade my Endura bib longs for some Assos equivalents I think.....it is pricy gear, but by god it is good.

ben16v

i use this as a guide for what and how much to wear as it is difficult without the experience to judge - i obviously do not own the entire range just mix and match my own gear best i can - it has worked pretty well for starters

http://www.assos.com/en/44/als.aspx

nferrar

I just wear a long-sleeve base-layer + Gore Phantom if it's chilly or replace the Phantom with an Endura Stealth if it's cold, I generally find if that's not warm enough then it probably means there's ice on the roads so I stay in anyway, although occasionally I'll add a Gore kidney warmer.

Merino is fine as a cycling base-layer, lots of people use it. I have several merino tops myself but last year switched to Craft synthetic thermal base-layers as I never found a merino top that wasn't slightly itchy and it bugged me.

Main thing for me though is keeping the extremities warm rather than the core, so get a skull-cap, decent gloves (inc. merino or silk liners), decent socks and overshoes.

super_claret

Just looked at the Shutt VR Softshell and at £75 seems a reasonable price, the Assos Airjack 851 Windproof is £160 at Wiggle. What would be the main differences apart from cost, as £160 is a lot of money to spend. Would they both keep me warm?

I understand that serious cyclists swear by the Assos brand! Why are they different to other, cheaper brands?

The other major headache is that I can never seem to find a local bike shop which stocks a wide selection of clothing to compare and check fitting and mail order is annoying when a garment arrives and doesn't fit.

nferrar

I wouldn't bother with assos stuff, most of it is just a rip-off, even worse with winter kit as a crash is more likely and then it gets expensive A lot of on-line retailers (Wiggle especially) make it very easy to return items, quite a few people order two of whatever in different sizes and just send one back.

super_claret

After more internet research, I have come across the Endura Stealth Jacket which my LBS has in stock. I tried it for size earlier and seemed a tad long in the sleeves but apart from that seemed to fit nicely.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these jackets and had any comments, as it's a lot of money. It's totally waterproof but the guy in the shop said it can get very hot and is not as breathable as the windproof jackets. I do feel the cold though and would like something that will keep me warm, just not sure that it would be as comfortable because of the reduced breathability.

cyberknight

For winter i find the aldi compression base layers great , with one of them , a SS shirt and a windproof my top half stays nice and warm .
On the legs i wear a ss shorts then over that i use ron hill bikesters.

Add overshoes, buff, winter gloves and i am fine unless it gets really cold.

When it got down to -10 i added arm warmers, legwarmers,thermal socks and a sleeveless base layer as well.

This time of year i just use SS shirt + shorts and pack a windproof as at 6 am it can stil be a bit nippy ( we had that cold fog the other morning )

Monty Dog

Being suitably attired is difficult to judge, based on both the weather as well as how hard you're working - what works for pootling along will eave you damp and cold if working hard. I have numerous merino wool tops but I keep them for commuting and gentle riding rather than hard efforts - they simple hold too much water. Something windproof and warm is definitely preferable to trying to remain dry. Gore windstopper fabrics are some of the best IME.