Good winter gear

ilav84

Any recommendations on good winter gear lads?
Im after a good winter jacket, good winter tights and decent winter boots. Don't mind paying money for good quality.

danlikesbikes

Lots of choice but for me it's;
Overshoes & jacket Rapha (soft shell)
Bibs shutt unpadded

Plenty others out there and pretty sure you'll get lots of positive reviews across the board

sloppyschleckonds

Assos LL bibs

krogort

Where do you live, how cold is it ?
Do you ride when it rain ?
How much do you ride ?

ilav84

I live in Ireland.
I ride when it rains.
I would ride 130 at the weekends during the winter (Oct - Mar), turbo during the week. 200+ mile per week during the summer.

I get cold on the bike easily, which is really annoying. I hate having cold feet and I find myself getting cold feet a lot when it gets down to below 14 degrees

Hearing good things about SIDI winter boots and Rapha softshell

pippi_langsamer-2

For me, Assos 851 jacket and bib tights (un padded), with your choice of bib shorts underneath. That's the expensive bit.

Rest of the peripherals usually cheap but effective overshoes (Planet X), merino socks ( Planet X), Sealskinz thermal gloves.

If it gets really cold, I will put a thin wind proof overshoe under the Neoprene overshoe.

My Assos stuff is going in for 10 year old and no doubt it could do another ten I reckon. Paid for itself easily.

maddog 2

this is a good windproof softshell http://www.merlincycles.com/etxeondo-lo ... 68960.html

chemicalviking

Sorry for butting in on this , I have been dealing with similar thoughts for winter clothing and decathlon seem to have some real bargains , winter bib for £19.99 for example. Now a couple of you have mentioned Un padded versions of tights any reason for going in padded in winter ??

lambpie

- Castelli Sorpasso bib tights have been brilliant for me - worn and washed loads but still look good
- Long sleeved Castelli Gabba - a more recent purchase but with layers should be good down to lowish single figures and you get the benefit of it being shower proof
- Good gloves and windproof overshoes a must!

krogort

ilav84 wrote:

I live in Ireland.
I ride when it rains.
I would ride 130 at the weekends during the winter (Oct - Mar), turbo during the week. 200+ mile per week during the summer.

I get cold on the bike easily, which is really annoying. I hate having cold feet and I find myself getting cold feet a lot when it gets down to below 14 degrees

Hearing good things about SIDI winter boots and Rapha softshell

So you need waterproof tight and a hardshell (preferably gore tex), a softshell will probably not be waterproof long enough for 130 miles.

Don't get neoprene overshoes, they are not waterproof enough.

Some ideas here :
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/788 ... g-clothing

pippi_langsamer-2

I don’t think anyone expects neoprene overshoes to be waterproof (big holes in the bottom doesn’t help matters). They’re merely for insulation purposes. Only way you’re going to keep your feet dry is to a) wear a “waterproof”, sock like Sealskinz (though can be very bulky), or a dedicated road or MTB “boot”, like the Specialized Defroster or similar offerings from Shimano, Northwave etc.

I got a pair of Defrosters last year for MTB’ing, though I might give them a go on the road bike too this winter and see how they fare compared to the sock/windproof overshoe/ neoprene overshoe combo.

As for decent waterproofs, I don’t think one exists that actually keeps you dry on the outside AND inside (ie breathes sufficiently well to prevent perspiration).

iPete

Mudguards and overshoes have allowed me to get 20miles home in driving rain with dry socks.

For me, surviving Winter is about roubaix 3/4 shorts, a buff, cycle cap with ear covers (Castelli Risvolto I think), windproof jackets [preferably with vents], overshoes and mudguards.

marcusjb

^ is the right answer.

In the wet and miserable months (usually January-December in the UK ), decent mudguards make a world of difference to your comfort whilst riding.

pippi_langsamer-2

Its all about the flaps too...

marcusjb

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

Its all about the flaps too...

Totally!

Buddy Flaps - rubbish name, great product. Not easy to get over here though. But you can fashion your own flaps from stiff plastics, rubber matting etc. - good for those behind (rear guard) and for your feet/drivetrain (front guard).

ilav84

Bought SIDI Winter boots! Seem like a good job so far.

Munch101

Anything SealSkinz related is a winner! Gloves over shoes anything! Thank me later!

northpole

To go with your winter boots Woolie Boolie socks will make cold feet a dim distant memory. I use neoprene overshoes which you may not need with your boots - as others have said, they aren't waterproof, but they work well to retain heat.

Assos padded bib longs are great for winter riding. Any areas which remain cold can be helped with embrocation.

My favourite winter jacket is the Assos 851 with one or two rapha merino base layers in coldest conditions. If it is wet you'd still need a rain jacket or hard shell - personally I'm a wimp and make all efforts not to go out if it's raining hard!

Assos early winter gloves with liners for colder days serves me through winter. I also have the lobster mit but really if it's that cold I reckon I'd be mad to be out on two wheels.

I found the rapha merino hat to be great for winter rides - quite thin but provides decent warmth without cooking - a good all round compromise.

Peter

IanRCarter

chemicalviking wrote:

Sorry for butting in on this , I have been dealing with similar thoughts for winter clothing and decathlon seem to have some real bargains , winter bib for £19.99 for example. Now a couple of you have mentioned Un padded versions of tights any reason for going in padded in winter ??

If you have unpadded, you can wear your 'summer bib shorts' underneath. It saves quite a lot of money, especially if you like a good quality pad.

cougie

What did you wear last year ?

Mudguards and flaps seem essential. Aldi jackets are great for warmth.
Lobster mitts great for when its really cold.

Shorts with any wind block material on the front for the cold.

snowley

plenty of good advice here from people who have clearly tested the gear. Great to hear about Assos items that have lasted so well.

zak3737

Too early for me to comment properly, as I've not 'yet' ridden through the winter, but I intend to.
I work from home, so intend to pick my time during daylight to get ot twice a week for 25 miles hopefully.....just to keep in shape. Longer ride sundays - weather permitting perhaps.

BUT - if my experience with Golf waterproofs is anything to go by, a good Goretex jacket will be invaluable, and keep you very dry.
Cant comment on bibs etc,.......havent yet worn them for wet golfing days......

bendertherobot

My Assos tk.607 3/4's are on their 3rd winter. They are as new. But the Castelli Sorpasso ones I just bought seem more toasty and snug. We'll see how they last but they are half the price.

robbo2011

The TK607 3/4 bibs were designed for temps between 8-16 degC i.e intermediate autumn/spring conditions. I don't know the Sorpassos, but the reason why they are more toasty could be that they were designed for a lower temperature range?

My TK607 bibs are into their 4th season now and are still in nice condition, but I don't wear them in winter, just spring and autumn and cool summer days.

paulmon

My Rapha winter Jersey was my goto item for most of last autumn/winter/spring. Worn over a normal base layer when mild and with a winter base layer when the temperature drops to low single figures. The zipped vents help keep cool if you start to overheat. Pack a waterproof if there is a chance of rain. Absolutely superb product.

Paul

bendertherobot

robbo2011 wrote:

The TK607 3/4 bibs were designed for temps between 8-16 degC i.e intermediate autumn/spring conditions. I don't know the Sorpassos, but the reason why they are more toasty could be that they were designed for a lower temperature range?

My TK607 bibs are into their 4th season now and are still in nice condition, but I don't wear them in winter, just spring and autumn and cool summer days.

no, castelli claim 12-20. Anyhow I'm pretty comfy in the 607 down to 3 degrees.