Clothing recommendations

p1tse

What would you recommend to new road beginners, from short, socks, tops, vest?

charlie_potatoes

p1tse wrote:

What would you recommend to new road beginners, from short, socks, tops, vest?

I bought cheap stuff to start off with and I am glad as I have gone down two sizes in 6 months.
All my clothes are hanging off me now

sungod

^^^this, unless you don't have much weight to lose, be prepared to replace clothes, or adopt the baggy look

bib shorts
jersey
base layer (mesh ones are good)
socks
mitts
as it's getting cold(er), arm and leg warmers are worthwhile, it's cheaper/more flexible than tights/jackets

p1tse

Mitts as in gloves
Good shout on Warmers

It's not a cheap hobby!!

bobtbuilder

If you intend on riding through the Winter, then get a decent pair of long-fingered gloves and a pair of neoprene overshoes. Cold fingers and/or toes makes for a miserable ride. Maybe get some Woolie Boolie socks, or similar.

A decent winter jacket (windproof / waterproof) and, depending on how much hair you're sporting, either a windproof headband or skullcap. Cold ears hurt like a b*stard.

farrina

It's not a cheap hobby!!

Bl**dy expensive if you ask me.

Never mind the hardware which is expensive for decent stuff ..... top class clothing can be truly eye watering ( I was always a sucker for Assos kit - so expensive but so comfortable)



Regards

Alan

Gizmodo

From an earlier thread

Gizmodo wrote:

I don't know what your budget is for winter clothing but Aldi have special offers on cycling gear, including winter gloves, coats, base layers and tights. If you want them now then Wiggle do a good range of products under their own brand name "DHB". Or if you've got more money to spend, Gore bike wear, Assos and Endura all offer superb kit.

For the winter you will need good gloves, wool socks, thermal over-shoes, a hat that is designed to go under your helmet, winter bib tights, a Marino wool long sleeve base layer, a long sleeve jersey and a waterproof (but breathable) jacket.

Don't forget you will also need lights for the bike.

If you want to go to clipless pedals, Shimano SPD pedals such as the M520 or M540 with shoes such as the DHB from Wiggle are a good start - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb/mtb/shoes/

Mountain Bike SPD pedals and shoes are easier to walk in. If you want to go to more road bike systems then Look at Shimano SPD-SL or Look systems, or again if you have money to spend, then Speedplay.

Here is some reading for you:
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CLIP-LESS PEDALS.
Beginner technique: Don't be scared of clipless pedals
Buyer's Guide to Winter Layers

p1tse

Brilliant thanks

Will have a look at the links supplied

junglist_matty

Go spend £250 on Castelli gear.... I've tried loads of clothing and nothing touches their quality, it lasts and it's cheaper in the long run.

£20 pair of shorts every couple of months (after pad wears thin, material wears out, seams rip etc.) = £100 a year.... Castelli shorts = £70+ but last for multiple years, go figure......

simon_masterson

A lot of misuse of 'need' in here! Try cycling when you can't afford this stuff; it changes your perspective. When I started for my first winter I had my summer jersey and some t-shirts, with a pair of tubular bandages I bought from the supermarket for makeshift armwarmers, my old school PE shorts, and a pair of scruffy trainers. I pedal fast.

Unless you live in the highlands and/or are riding considerably below zero, you shouldn't need expensive gloves. Get some cheap fleece gloves and wear them over your mitts. If that's not enough, get some glove liners. Posh waterproof winter gloves are very nice I'm sure, but they are an indulgence. Dedicated cycling socks are very nice too, I'm sure, but they had better be for the price you pay! I usually just use walking socks, which are fine. Overshoes are a good idea, but I don't own any. Considering buying some for this winter. Winter tights are worth having, but not 'essential' for most British weather. I've coped without them just fine until now, but just bought a pair of unpadded DHB roubaix bibs since they're selling them off. Base layers are good, but you may not need them; I don't. I wear my s/s jersey under my l/s jersey and am just fine. A jacket may not be necessary either, depending on what jersey you have. Also quite pricey if you want one without the 'boil in the bag' effect!

What you do 'need' is something to keep you basically warm. Summer attire (s/s jersey and shorts) with arm and leg warmers may be sufficient for some cooler weather, but summer jerseys are very light and are designed to keep you cool. Windproofness really pays dividends, which is why I say that you don't necessarily need a jacket. My Polaris jersey is very warm indeed; it just isn't as waterproof. You could wear a jacket with your summer jersey, but I wouldn't. A warm jersey can be used singly or in combination with something underneath to increase warmth; very versatile. Pop some unpadded winter tights over your bibs, some warm gloves over your mitts, add overshoes, wear a cap (I do anyway; Walz moisture wicking) and you should be just fine!

jay197

Due to the expense of moving house this month, I bought some cheap 2 for £12 base layers from sportsdirect and they are toastie warm with a £7.99 muddyfox cycle jacket from sportsdirect as well

However, when I get some money, I will be buying some Castelli or similar quality gear as they last and last as mentioned above so you really do save in the long run and enjoy italian comfort and quality.

Drumlin

Do you have a Decathlon near you ? Excellent value for money.

grechzoo

im going to decathlon tonight.

Heres my personal checklist, but everyone is different. for example my legs hardly ever get affected by the cold, so bib tights for winter are more than enough for me even in at 0 degrees.

bib shorts / bib tights
short sleev jersey / long sleeve thermal jersey or jacket.
short sleeve base layer / long sleeve base layer (Dad had a few for golfing ones i borrowed luckily )
fingerless gloves / full fingered winter gloves
overshoes
buff for neck and face (BIG DEAL FOR ME )
skull cap if you keep your hair number 4 or shorter

thats all i can think i need. have all of it, but looking at getting new overshoes and full fingers gloves for this winter (decathlon hopefully will do me)

junglist_matty

grechzoo wrote:

Heres my personal checklist, but everyone is different. for example my legs hardly ever get affected by the cold, so bib tights for winter are more than enough for me even in at 0 degrees.

I went out for a 50 miler at 7am yesterday morning, it was soaking wet, windy and about 4-8degrees. On the bike, my legs were cold right from the off, 25 miles in and my knee joint started hurting (happened before), it's because my knee was cold as I decided to go out in my summer bib-shorts..... No riding now until the knee is healed (probably about a week).

Bottom line, you will suffer if you don't have the right clothing for the planned ride.

grechzoo

oh yeah, im sure id feel it a bit if i went out in bib shorts.

what i was saying that with bib TIGHTS on, (and i have 30+ miles <5 degree proof multiple times) that my legs never seem to get cold at all.

me face, ears, feet hands, and arms do. im not saying im some kind of mutant, just that everyone is different. some people might need bib tights and leg/knee warmers. some people like myself might not need the warmers on top of the tights..

jay197

Drumlin wrote:

Do you have a Decathlon near you ? Excellent value for money.

Hi Drumlin,

Can you recommend anything in particular you have bought from them ?

Thanks.

Drumlin

jay197 wrote:

Drumlin wrote:

Do you have a Decathlon near you ? Excellent value for money.

Hi Drumlin,

Can you recommend anything in particular you have bought from them ?

Thanks.

base layer vests <£10, merino t-shirt <£20, bibshorts <£20, socks <£3, lightweight overshoes <£15. All have proved highly satisfactory. My only reservation has been the bibshorts - I bought their cheapest version and they are perfectly ok for the 90 min commute but the insert starts to rub on longer rides.