Where do you buy your cycling clothing? And do you wear...

Moominman2

...Team kits?

So where is good to buy cycling clothes? I need to buy everything!

Also, I like team kits, but I'm not really worthy of wearing them...

So what is acceptable to wear?

Thanks
Luke

BlakeysFC

There's a big debate over Team Kits, but generally if you like the look of them buy one and just ignore any comments of being 'worthy' or whatever, if you like the look of one, and you think it looks good on you then wear it, simple.

Evanscycles.com, Wiggle.com, primera-sports.com are the 'big three' online retaillers I would say, along with pedalon.com, hargrovescycles.com which are smaller companies.

Don't know where you are in the country but Hargroves have quite a few stores in Hampshire, Evans have stores nationwide, and there's also an abundence of local bike shops around that will stock cycle clothing.

I've also heard Lidl offers excellent base layers/arm warmers/leg warmers

noiseboyfeetman

Wiggle is probably the biggest one and one I usually use their DHB range is good quality and very reasonably priced, although there's loads of other online ones I use, to be honest I haven't had any problems with any yet. Chain Reaction Cycles is a good retailer too, as are High on Bikes and Absolute Cycles, although I use the last two primarily for accessories.

As for team kit i'm in the wear what you like camp, Prendas do all the retro kit amongst others and are a good one to use as are Pro Bike Kit.

rc856

As above really but also, join a club and wear the club kit with pride!

cougie

Wear whatever you want to.

t4tomo

cougie wrote:

Wear whatever you want to.

+1

If your ever challenged by someone who says you shouldn't be wearing that yellow/ polka dot / team jersey because you didn't win it/ ever ride for at team, I think a calm " ah so tossers like you do exist then, I thought maybe they were just a myth of the cycling world."

To be honest if people can't tell the difference between a pro cyclist and an overweight dentist in his 40's then the joke is on them

Moominman2

Nice one thanks guys

snoopsmydogg

wear what you like and if you do run into someone complaining (highly unlikely) then you can just laugh at them as you carry on your day.

Just make sure you have a decent pair of bib shorts (your ass will thank you for it )

Moominman2

Haha good bib shorts...got it!

I was looking at some italia bib shorts that made me want to ask this question. I'm looking to pick up most of my gear next week if pay day is nice to me.

Only thing is...I'm riding a 22 year old Raleigh right now until I get this trek 2.1 which could be up to 2 months time. I don't see myself doing any long rides on my current bike as it feels like it'll break at any time haha.

Cheers

snoopsmydogg

you'll surprise yourself i'm sure. Until a few weeks ago I was riding a 10-12yr old steel raleigh that weighed more than most hardtail mtbs. average ride was 15-25 miles and then I went and entered into a 70 miler.

You will be surprised what both you and your bike can do when your in the mood

nwmlarge

i have some specialized Bib shorts which are excellent. as i am 6'2 i ended up in XL ones
I have a DHB short zip'd jersey in red with white shoulders. i prefer a plain style personally but each to their own.

Gizmo_

Altura shorts. Sports Direct £5 tops. Nothing more is required to begin with...

pilot_pete

Gizmo_ wrote:

Altura shorts. Sports Direct £5 tops. Nothing more is required to begin with...

Ooo, bit chilly without a jersey! And I really think a helmet is to be encouraged, as are shoes...

PP

Gizmodo

As said, DHB kit from Wiggle
Assos kit from http://www.primera-sports.com/
RH+ kit from my Local Bike Shop
Bontrager shoes from another Local Bike Shop
Team Jerseys from http://www.prendas.co.uk/
Over shoes from http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/
Club Kit from Endura

RonB

Primera for Assos
Rapha for, err Rapha, and
Columba for Columba.

I have no pro team kit but I could be tempted by the Garmin Sharp 2013 stuff.

Bunneh

I just buy crap from Sports Direct or Decathlon - the only things I pay extra for are decent padded shorts and good water proofs since I rarely have to get another; had the same two for 5 years.

If I had the spare cash I'd get team kit but can't afford it so I get cheapo stuff.

FJS

People who say you shouldn't wear team kit are just sad snobs. It's no different froming wearing football replica shirts. Nothing to do with 'earning' it. Go for it. There's some nice retro team jerseys on websites like prendas.

I personally wouldn't buy a rainbow jersey, yellow jersey, polka dot, and other jerseys that are actual race prizes, because i think it's a nice tradition in cycling and unique to cycling to have those jerseys as prizes and completely different from regular team kit, but to each their own

I do buy cheap stuff from decathlon, which is fine, but I'd avoid the cheaper shorts

ben@31

At the end of the day, if they did not want you to wear the team jerseys or rainbow jersey, yellow jersey, polka dot. They would never sell it.

I would say £350000 is the actual race prize, some jersey isn't.

ilm_zero7

we have team kit which is Giordana's Forma rad carbon range - it is superb

thegreatdivide

ILM Zero7 wrote:

we have team kit which is Giordana's Forma rad carbon range - it is superb

Agreed. FR stuff is superb and fits like a glove.

fizz

Prendas or Wiggle

I have some modern kit Liquigas / HTC that I picked up cheap in end of year sales, but I am mostly a sucker for the retro team kit the Prendas have been doing for quite some time.

Personally I would not look down on somebody in a Rainbow Jersey, Yellow, Green, Pink or Polka Dot jersey. Its not something I would wear myself.

I've had a couple of comment at a sportive when I had my Liquigas jersey on, I just ignored them and the only time I saw the chaps making the comments was at the start, I just ignored them.

captainking

I have just started road biking again after many years on my MB I love the team kit mainly white with some good logo's tried to buy the FDJ Big Mat shirt form wiggle but whenever I drop on a site that sells the stuff its normally for bigger blokes....I am 5' 5" 10 stone and slim and everything seems to be on stock for XXL so its a pain.

I wanted the FDJ shirt because I shop at Big Mat for building materials, thought I might pop in to my local branch on my bike kitted up and surprise them,,,,maybe get some extra discount !

But I have been buying Muddy Fox kit at sports direct picked up a cracking pair of carbon sole shoes for £56 quidish on the shelf for £159.00

Thanks for some sites to look at

Captain

kingderham

I buy most of my clothing from Prendas.

edhornby

Prendas

Prendas

Prendas - as others have said, get good bibs, gloves and try on lots of shoes; don't go mad on the other stuff. Having said the above, the pbk own brand bibs are a bargain

simon_masterson

I have no money, so I buy cheap and/or available. I also receive gifts (cycling in-laws/other relatives are the best).

I personally wouldn't wear team kit (unless it were ludicrously discounted; I'm not an idiot) unless I were a member of the team, but I won't approach you to mock you for doing it. What sort of cretin does that kind of thing anyway?

ben@31

If you do buy team kit, is there a team you wouldn't buy? Is there a team who are the despised villains of cycling?

Mikey41

Moominman2 wrote:

...Team kits?

So where is good to buy cycling clothes? I need to buy everything!

I'm still finding out myself

Bought some of the Lidl special offer stuff today, seems decent, otherwise I'll buy from a local bike shop, Evans or maybe Wiggle if I know what sizes I need.

Team kits? Not for me, just because I will feel self-conscious enough in skin tight lycra as it is without drawing more attention wearing a flashy kit If/when I join a club, I'll happily wear the club kit

AllezGaz

The stuff from Tenn is cheap as chips but really quite good, the sizing is spot on too. Bib shorts are under £20 at the moment if you buy through Cycle Clothes.

diy

I had been ridding my road bike with an mtb lid for ages, until I bought a road lid. The number of people who commented about my wrong helmet was amazing and did I know I bought an mtb lid by mistake. It seems there is quite a lot of OCD among roadies. I have to say Lidl is a great source of cheap kit.

pride4ever

I have been riding for what seems forever and no one in that time as ever said to my face I shouldnt be wearing Team Kit or leaders/ champion kit. I think its a misnomer for the most part. Wear what the hell you want, you might as well look good while your going through hell and damn the haters.

JimboBrennan

I've bought a few fantastic items from the For Sale bit on the forums here - on every occasion, the poster has been great about answering questions, and no hassle! It meant I sorted most of my kit out for about 30% of the retail cost, and all but one thing was brand new out of the packet!