What are you wearing?

ol9

Newbie seeks advice on suitable clothing for 22mile round commute

I've aquired a Gore Phantom Jacket just need to know what else to buy - Is Decathlon gear any good?

anthdci

3 pairs of bibshorts, 2 Pearl izumi, 1 gore. Will buy more pearl izumi, they seem to fit me the best.
2 pairs of leg warmers from Lidl - prefer these to full length bib tights.
5 cheapo base layers from sports direct
5 jerseys, - 2 more mile from LBS, 1 pearl izumi, 1 gore and 1 for my Local club
Local club design goretex coat
Aldi full winter gloves
been rotating through these all winter and haven't been cold. Can easy put a layer in my backpack if its warmer on my way home.

daddy0

I really like my one of these:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/insulat-3-ls-jersey-white-red-id_8216556.html
Fits tight and is warm. I wear it with a base layer. I might have to buy another of these - really like it.

I also have some of these:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/3-4-cycling-bib-tights-5-flat-id_6374136.html
The quality is OK. They're a bit see through though.

When I was starting out last year I visited TK Maxx a few times and got some half decent base layers, merino jumpers and some thermal tights. Then I went to Sports Direct and got a couple of pairs of Muddy Fox padded tights, some socks and some MTB jerseys to keep costs down.

kingofthetailwind

Daddy0 wrote:

I really like my one of these:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/insulat-3-ls-jersey-white-red-id_8216556.html
Fits tight and is warm. I wear it with a base layer. I might have to buy another of these - really like it.

I've one of these too. With a L/S base layer and a gilet. I'm warm enough in just about any weather. Using one of their cheaper, lighter L/S jerseys this week with their black gilet.

I prefer gilets to jackets, which make you sweat buckets no matter how "breathable" they are.

Most of my stuff is Decathlon. No complaints so far. Avoid the "3" range. The 5/7 range are great.

menthel

That is rather personal, are you going to phone me and start heavy breathing too?

I have a mix of DHB, gore and whatever else I find on sale when I need it. The gore stuff is noticably better quality though. I went for padded tights and shorts rather than bibs for no reason other than I just couldn't bring myself to buy them! Also vital are good warm socks (I have DeFeet), decent overshoes and good gloves. I also like to wear a buff (otherwise known as a man snood).

rubertoe

You guys know summer is coming right?

A few pairs of bib shorts (bibs are much better than shorts as they keep the pad in place) and a few Jerseys, wash them during the week if you have to.

Winter gear can wait til the winter,

anthdci

rubertoe wrote:

You guys know summer is coming right?

Winter gear can wait til the winter,

Have you seen outside recently? I got hailed stoned on last week! summer maybe coming but it's taking its sweet ass time about it.

rubertoe

anthdci wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

You guys know summer is coming right?

Winter gear can wait til the winter,

Have you seen outside recently? I got hailed stoned on last week! summer maybe coming but it's taking its sweet ass time about it.

I thought you northerners went out without any clothes on anyway?

Just a thought for non bank breaking clothing, keep an eye out for Aldi cycling gear, i hear a rumor that one is coming up very soon and the stuff is surprisingly good.

anthdci

rubertoe wrote:

I thought you northerners went out without any clothes on anyway?

not quite.

Cupras

rubertoe wrote:

anthdci wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

You guys know summer is coming right?

Winter gear can wait til the winter,

Have you seen outside recently? I got hailed stoned on last week! summer maybe coming but it's taking its sweet ass time about it.

I thought you northerners went out without any clothes on anyway?

Just a thought for non bank breaking clothing, keep an eye out for Aldi cycling gear, i hear a rumor that one is coming up very soon and the stuff is surprisingly good.

Sports direct have some offers on too.

mcj78

Top tip i've recently discovered is using a pair of compression socks / lightweight ski socks to bridge the gap between 3/4 tights & "normal" socks - gives you an extra layer of insulation when it's cold, plus it might just save you buying a pair of full length tights. Did this for a couple of weeks when the weather was just above freezing & managed to get away with my existing 3/4 DHB roubaix bibs instead of stumping up more £££ for heavier, full length winter tights.

For the last month or two i've been doing this in combination with a random Nike compression vest-top, with a "close fitting" lightweight DHB merino long sleeve base over that & another slightly heavier random merino high-necked long sleeve top over that... when it rains it all goes to cock as the only waterproof I have isn't very breatheable & you need to remove a layer or two or risk arriving to work in a pool of your own sweat

As for brands, as previously mentioned DHB are very good price wise (especially when Wiggle's got it 50% off) - Endura & Altura stuff is decent for the price & Gore's more £££ but is generally as good as you'll need.

kalioon

+1 for sports direct ( muddy fox?). Got some bib tights for 15 quid, used them for about 8 months now, still going strong. Regatta base layer on top, with a alturo attack jersey. Bibs are the answer, as they cover your back, keep pada in place, and more importantly, don't get pulled down. Planning on getting some sports direct bib shorts for the warmer weather.

Edit: also used to wear a enduro windproof gillet, but its been relegated to a pocket since its a bit warmer.

menthel

Just to add that I used my jacket for the first time today. Pearl Izumi Pro Barrier Lite. It was wonderful- waterproof, windproof and yet still breathable. Also folds up ting and weighs nothing at all. Superb for the £50 I paid.

magpie215

My ex police goretex fleece with the reflective blue checks but police badges removed is making me seem very visible at the moment, so far seen 2 mobile phones rapidly disappear from view and a lot more courtesy shown from motorists :-)

CStar

I wonder why?

Any suggestions on hard wearing baggy shorts for commuting. Lycra for my road bike, but prefer baggies on my hybrid. Have worn out a couple of pairs of cheapo ordinary shorts. Don't need lined ones. I've looked at altura and endura, but there are so many versions, I'm not sure where to start.

prawny

CStar wrote:

I wonder why?

Any suggestions on hard wearing baggy shorts for commuting. Lycra for my road bike, but prefer baggies on my hybrid. Have worn out a couple of pairs of cheapo ordinary shorts. Don't need lined ones. I've looked at altura and endura, but there are so many versions, I'm not sure where to start.

Humvees.

Decathlon stuff I've learned recently ranges from absolute toss to really very good. The 5 range is good the 7 bibshorts are excellent the basic stuff is, erm ok for commuting. If you're going for the lycra look, then I'd avoid the really cheap jerseys, if your going for baggies I'd say they'd be fine.

The Aldi cycle sale is normally the first week of May, better save a couple of tenners myself.

prawny

Bit depressing that I'd got the work cycling sale date memorised I think that says a lot about me.
2nd of may anyway, selection is up on the website I hope there's more though looks poor this year.

Tigger con carne

It's all bargain basement for me! Today I had on an Umbro training top from the gym, a Crane Bike (Aldi's finest cycling range :twisted: ) cycling jacket, a pair of ancient Tracksters over a pair of Muddy Fox (now Sports Direct's finest cycling range :shock: ) cycling shorts as well as a pair of Halford's Bike shack fleecy gloves (I do resent buying stuff at Halford's, but it was Sunday and I'd lost one of my usual gloves and there was no way I was riding gloveless in the recent cold snap!) . Today I had on my new Mavic cycling shoes that arrived last week which I rather like.

I also have been wearing a Gull wind/water-resistant jacket over the top plus some Crane bib trousers

This set up works for my short 5 mile e/w ride so I'm happy to use cheaper stuff

rubertoe

I'll say it again,

You know its summer right?

Tigger con carne

It's still in single figures of a morning where I live. According to my diary, summer up here is on July 17th

rubertoe

I leave at 5:45 am every day, wearing shorts, woolie boolies, L/S jersey and a gillet.

Its single figures

menthel

Now converted to something a bit cooler. DHB padded undershorts, nike shorts, craft light sleeveless base and gore SS top. Still in my woolie boolies though- my feet get a little chilly!

gbsahne001

Altura bib shorts
LS shirt am, SS shirt pm
Woolie Boolies

.... might all change tomorrow, as it's meant to be a bit cooler than of late

goonz

I go out with a base layer, 3/4 bib tights, jersey, arm warmers and depending on how cold/windy a gilet over it.

Perfect for this time of the year.

lockstock666

I was a little chilly in my new shorts and SS jersey this morning. Got some of the Tenn gear off of Amazon and was in a rush to wear it! It's very comfortable, fits me perfectly and seems good quality too. I'll definitely be increasing my collection.

The ride home will be a very pleasant 14° compared to the 4° this morning.

littleprawn

LockStock666 wrote:

I was a little chilly in my new shorts and SS jersey this morning. Got some of the Tenn gear off of Amazon and was in a rush to wear it! It's very comfortable, fits me perfectly and seems good quality too. I'll definitely be increasing my collection.

The ride home will be a very pleasant 14° compared to the 4° this morning.

Freezing this morning and was in my Lidl 3/4 Shorts, thick SS base, LS Mizuno top and gilet...and buff for neck and headband and cycling cap. Should have worn my Crane Aldi Softshell!...and waiting for the afternoon ride home.

rubertoe

Its very annoying at this time of year,

big temp swing, it was 3 degrees when I set off this morning, and it will be 16 when i leave this evening.

goonz

Arm warmers and gilet best things you can have in weather like this.

edhornby

Aldi is tomorrow, get there early

at the moment I am wearing bibs and some thin old Ron hill tights in the morning (that can be ditched in the afternoon), baselayer and SS jersey, summer gloves and a cap under the helmet - a gilet if it's cold

littleprawn

rubertoe wrote:

Its very annoying at this time of year,

big temp swing, it was 3 degrees when I set off this morning, and it will be 16 when i leave this evening.

Agree...also forgot to mention, I take a spare pair of fingerless gloves in the rucksack on commute home which should be warmer!

prawny

edhornby wrote:

Aldi is tomorrow, get there early

The Mrs went for me at half 9, hardly anything left! Scavengers.