Baselayers
Cliveyp
Posts: 173
Having recently moving on to a better road bike, i'm now trying to justify it more and have entered my first Sportive, the Aviva Tour Ride in October. In preparation for this, i'm thinking I need some new kit, as i've always been a fair weather rider that hangs his road bike up in Spetember and forgets about it until March - unless i'm feeling particularly driven to get out. I'm now planning on carrying on through the best of the winter months, at least until the rain/snow starts falling and i've got warmer things to do!
Starting with the October ride as an excuse to expand the wardrobe, i'm wondering what baselayers may be worth considering? I've always thought I was a fairly warm running person, but more recently have started to feel the cold - to the point that my usual short sleeved jersey and bibs are maybe slightly on the chilly side. I have some knee and leg warmers, so I think i'm sorted for a few more weeks for the bottom half, and have started to look for some short sleeved baselayers to team up with arm warmers and my jerseys to help with the early morning chills.
Would something such as the Sportful Thermodynamic Lite shirt offer enough warmth for these sorts of things, or is that more geared towards summer riding? I've never even considered a base layer during the summer at all, so it was quite a revelation to see that people do wear them even on the warmest days in the UK! If this is likely to be something that is a bit on th echilly side still, what sort of thing should I consider? I don't want to throw loads of money at one if something could be had for much less that would do the right job, so preferably something below £25-30 would be best...
Starting with the October ride as an excuse to expand the wardrobe, i'm wondering what baselayers may be worth considering? I've always thought I was a fairly warm running person, but more recently have started to feel the cold - to the point that my usual short sleeved jersey and bibs are maybe slightly on the chilly side. I have some knee and leg warmers, so I think i'm sorted for a few more weeks for the bottom half, and have started to look for some short sleeved baselayers to team up with arm warmers and my jerseys to help with the early morning chills.
Would something such as the Sportful Thermodynamic Lite shirt offer enough warmth for these sorts of things, or is that more geared towards summer riding? I've never even considered a base layer during the summer at all, so it was quite a revelation to see that people do wear them even on the warmest days in the UK! If this is likely to be something that is a bit on th echilly side still, what sort of thing should I consider? I don't want to throw loads of money at one if something could be had for much less that would do the right job, so preferably something below £25-30 would be best...
2015 Ridley Fenix 105
2012 Cube Ltd SL
2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
2012 Cube Ltd SL
2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
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Comments
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I use DHB merino base layers in the colder months. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-merino-short-sleeve-base-layer-m-200/
They also do 2 long sleeve versions, a crew neck and a zip-up 'turtle neck'. It also looks like they are doing a couple of versions with a lighter weight merino, not sure what these are like though.
Generally, I could wear the short sleeve one with arm warmers between 5C and 15C, perhaps with a gilet on top. Long sleeve would be between 0C and 10C. Depends on the choice of jersey though, I prefer thicker jerseys again with merino wool (see Rapha Club jersey, or Torm), but if you aren't using such an insulated jersey then you'll probably want a gilet, windproof jacket or even a softshell jacket when the temperatures really plummet.
I'm not sure what other base layers are like which don't use merino wool, I had merino recommended to me and fell in love, it's comfortable, warm in the cold yet doesn't boil you if the temperature increases, it still feels quite warm when wet and it's barely noticeable when it's drenched in sweat until you take it off. Some people find it can be quite itchy though because of the wool, and it probably will be for most people until it's been through the wash a few times.0 -
I wear one of the sleeveless base layers all year round, in my case a Gore Bike Wear one. They are comfortable to wear under bib shorts. In hotter conditions they help to wick sweat away and on colder days they do provide a bit of extra insulation (but not much) over and above a jersey on its own. There are more heavyweight ones available including some which provide a degree of wind protection at the front.
That said, I wonder if in your case you might be better looking at a light gilet to wear over your jersey. That way you have the flexibility to wear it when you fel chilly and then stuff it in your back pocket when you warm up.0 -
Having recently moving on to a better road bike, i'm now trying to justify it more and have entered my first Sportive, the Aviva Tour Ride in October. In preparation for this, i'm thinking I need some new kit, as i've always been a fair weather rider that hangs his road bike up in Spetember and forgets about it until March - unless i'm feeling particularly driven to get out. I'm now planning on carrying on through the best of the winter months, at least until the rain/snow starts falling and i've got warmer things to do!
Starting with the October ride as an excuse to expand the wardrobe, i'm wondering what baselayers may be worth considering? I've always thought I was a fairly warm running person, but more recently have started to feel the cold - to the point that my usual short sleeved jersey and bibs are maybe slightly on the chilly side. I have some knee and leg warmers, so I think i'm sorted for a few more weeks for the bottom half, and have started to look for some short sleeved baselayers to team up with arm warmers and my jerseys to help with the early morning chills.
Would something such as the Sportful Thermodynamic Lite shirt offer enough warmth for these sorts of things, or is that more geared towards summer riding? I've never even considered a base layer during the summer at all, so it was quite a revelation to see that people do wear them even on the warmest days in the UK! If this is likely to be something that is a bit on th echilly side still, what sort of thing should I consider? I don't want to throw loads of money at one if something could be had for much less that would do the right job, so preferably something below £25-30 would be best...
I would advise baselayers made of polypropolene – these transport the sweat better to your outer layers, keeping you dryer and therefore warmer. Ideally get short sleeved for the summer and long sleeved, thicker versions for colder days.
And has been suggested buy a windproof gilet. One that can fold up small. These are such a versatile bit of kit.0 -
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-24-sep/product-detail/ps/p/mensladies-cycling-compression-base-layer/
some decent base layers here - at least the tops anyway. And decent bike kit too.0 -
Thanks all. I don't want to overheat, yet the last thing I want is to spend the majority of the route freezing! I have a cheap (Aldi/Lidl) gilet which gives me a bit of wind protection, but admittedly its not great. I tend to use it when the ground is already damp just to act as a bit of protection from any wet being flung up from the front wheel, but tend to find it a bit stuffy around the middle. What I was looking for was something that was kinda between the two.....offered some additional warmth when stationary, but still light enough for some air to pass through when i'm moving, rather than the sticky feeling I find with the gilet.
I've just taken receipt of a light wind/waterproof packable jacket to stuff in my pocket to cover the rain eventualities but wouldn't want to use it unless necessary. I'm hoping a base, jersey and arm warmers will give me that bit of warmth for the early hours but (with warmers in the pocket) be perfect for a hopefully dry autumn day.2015 Ridley Fenix 105
2012 Cube Ltd SL
2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
2001 Giant Boulder - Sold0 -
Thanks all. I don't want to overheat, yet the last thing I want is to spend the majority of the route freezing! I have a cheap (Aldi/Lidl) gilet which gives me a bit of wind protection, but admittedly its not great. I tend to use it when the ground is already damp just to act as a bit of protection from any wet being flung up from the front wheel, but tend to find it a bit stuffy around the middle. What I was looking for was something that was kinda between the two.....offered some additional warmth when stationary, but still light enough for some air to pass through when i'm moving, rather than the sticky feeling I find with the gilet.
I've just taken receipt of a light wind/waterproof packable jacket to stuff in my pocket to cover the rain eventualities but wouldn't want to use it unless necessary. I'm hoping a base, jersey and arm warmers will give me that bit of warmth for the early hours but (with warmers in the pocket) be perfect for a hopefully dry autumn day.
a better quality gilet would be a lot more breathable0 -
Thought that might be the case! Cheers2015 Ridley Fenix 105
2012 Cube Ltd SL
2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
2001 Giant Boulder - Sold0 -
I don't think my rapha gilet is any more breathable than any other gilet ?
A few gilets have windblock material on the front and then mesh at the back to release the moisture.
Lets face it - even if you were bare chested you'd be sweating - so its an uphill task for any material to wick all the sweat away.0 -
I suspect that whilst we can all offer suggestions, in reality it will be a case of trial and error as we all tend to feel the heat in different ways. For instance, on cold days my core is usually fine with base layer, jersey, gilet/jacket, but my hands would really suffer, with feet likewise (albeit to a lesser extent).
You are quite probably different again and may feel the cold at different temperatures or in different ways. Try a few different combinations, and also things like shoecovers, skullcaps/bandanas/buffs etc. to make sure you're as warm as you can realistically be.0 -
I would say don't mix natural and synthetics as they breathe at different rates.
Merino base layer and sport wool jersey works very well.
Synthetic base layer and synthetic jersey works well.0 -
I can cycle down to about 3 degrees with a cheap synthetic base layer and long sleeve jersey, what gets me around those temperatures is hands and feet
cheap overshoes didn't do much, I would say invest in some decent overshoes and gloves and it should suit you through most of the winter, I don't tend to cycle less than 3 degrees anyway as I'm worried that overnight ice will not have thawed, but unless you get a stupidly cold winter then you should be alright for cycling through it0 -
As much as I hate Sports Direct for the jumble sale shops, they do some pretty decent and cheap base layers. I wear a Nike vest through the summer as it's cheap and is pretty good at keeping me comfortable and dry. Similarly they do a Nike long-sleeved thermal jobby that does the same and keeps me really warm.
This is the vest top http://www.sportsdirect.com/nike-pro-core-sleeveless-base-layer-mens-427421?colcode=427421020 -
Planet X merino base layers suit me just fine, not expensive either .... Take a look
Still thinking of something clever to say!0 -
I'm currently on the lookout for a new winter long sleeve BL myself. For the last 2 years I've been using the same cheapo thing I bought from Sports Direct for £5. But it's better than any other baselayer 've ever had! So I'ts been used almost everyday through winter and whenever its sub 10c. Problem is it's now starting to come apart, I can't jusstify spending £30 when my £5 was so good! (I am northern.... hence my tightness)Cycling prints
Band of Climbers0 -
I tend to live in these rab base layers for a couple of months each year http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/mens-clothing-c1/mens-baselayer-c71/baselayer-long-sleeves-c216/meco-120-long-sleeved-tee-p847
aplkit do some decent ones too.0
