When does kit become too much kit

apreading

bendertherobot wrote:

I'm on constant rotation..............

But I do have many many socks............

I have some other creams as well, but..................

To be fair, I think you buy more than me - just that you shed the old when you get new!

bendertherobot

I'd be broke if I kept it all!

ugo.santalucia

Flâneur wrote:

This isn't a bike with the n+1 and the comments coming from the other side of the bed suggest their is a limit to how many bib shorts/tights and tops one should have.

You need a very good pair of summer bibshorts or two... you need a very good winter jacket, a pair of bibtights within your budget, 2-3 base layers (long and short sleeved) and a long sleeved jersey of some description... all the rest is bollox

phreak

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Flâneur wrote:

This isn't a bike with the n+1 and the comments coming from the other side of the bed suggest their is a limit to how many bib shorts/tights and tops one should have.

You need a very good pair of summer bibshorts or two... you need a very good winter jacket, a pair of bibtights within your budget, 2-3 base layers (long and short sleeved) and a long sleeved jersey of some description... all the rest is bollox

I try and do 3-4 turbo sessions per week, which would mean doing a lot of washes with hardly anything else in the machine.

bendertherobot

Indeed, and they will wear out a bit quicker. For me, cycling 6 days a week, I need 3. Keeps them looking like new. Don't have to worry about them being dry next day.

For winter, still doing 5-6 days, so 2 bibs is pushing it. But, given how the weather varies, adding in 2 knicks keeps my options open. I'd be hesitant to have any less.

phreak

Likewise with jerseys. Haven't bought one for quite a while, but have accumulated at least five from various European sportives (plus a few gilets).

ugo.santalucia

The concept that bibs wear quicker if you don't wash them regularly is flawed. In my experience it's the exact opposite. I have no evidence that synthetic fabrics suffer from "salt corrosion"... if they were steel wire, then maybe.

Anyway, that reminds me that after two weeks wearing the same clothes, it might be time for a wash, innit?

bendertherobot

ugo.santalucia wrote:

The concept that bibs wear quicker if you don't wash them regularly is flawed. In my experience it's the exact opposite. I have no evidence that synthetic fabrics suffer from "salt corrosion"... if they were steel wire, then maybe.

Anyway, that reminds me that after two weeks wearing the same clothes, it might be time for a wash, innit?

I'm not sure anyone's subscribing to that concept.............but the wanting to be clean one..........

darkhairedlord

bendertherobot wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

The concept that bibs wear quicker if you don't wash them regularly is flawed. In my experience it's the exact opposite. I have no evidence that synthetic fabrics suffer from "salt corrosion"... if they were steel wire, then maybe.

Anyway, that reminds me that after two weeks wearing the same clothes, it might be time for a wash, innit?

I'm not sure anyone's subscribing to that concept.............but the wanting to be clean one..........

three body abrasion, innit?

luv2ride

I'm not going to list what kit I've got, as after reading the posts above I clearly have way too much! :oops:
Might need to consider flogging some of it through eBay or the 'for sale' section here and slim the collection down a bit as have too many items that effectively do the same thing. I do circulate them all though, which means nothing gets particularly badly worn, and there isn't much that never gets used (OK, maybe a couple of bits n bobs).

Anyone seen that charity that one of the pro's has created that effectively looks to people wanting to ditch stuff to donate it to aspiring cyclists in Africa? Think GCN mentioned it recently...

Freeza

This thread has prompted me to take stock of all my kit, what a wake-up call! 11 jackets, 7 jerseys and I've only just started, haven't even got to the bib tights, bib shorts, shorts, base layers, gloves..

Having a stone cold, light of day list will prevent me from impulse buying stuff I don't really need, probably going to find a few forgotten item's along the way too. Hopefully a list will also allow me to make better choices in future.

Freeza

.. and I've just found a pair of shoes I'd forgotten about...

luv2ride

Here's the thing. I've gone through loads of different bits of kit, "upgrading" as funds allowed, but also trying to get the best tech I could. For me, getting something as breathable as possible has often been the aim as I can really sweat when pushing on. I always blamed getting damp on my low-end, then mid-range gear. A good example was today. Over Xmas I treated myself to a Craft Be Extreme baselayer, after reading a great baselayer is the key to comfort on the bike. Got it at a good discount so not a major outlay, and wore for first time today. Whilst a good and effective piece, I couldn't say it's any better than the DHB seamless baselayer I managed to get from Wiggle for £7 about 6 months ago. I need to learn to not always simply equate price with quality, and accept that "comfortable" for me will always mean just being a little damp from sweat after pushing it on a ride. May see if I can seriously stem my spending this year!

sloppyschleckonds

Freeza wrote:

This thread has prompted me to take stock of all my kit, what a wake-up call! 11 jackets

1 Rapha/ Assos Jacket, or 11 DHB items is a choice we can all make.

Freeza

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Freeza wrote:

This thread has prompted me to take stock of all my kit, what a wake-up call! 11 jackets

1 Rapha/ Assos Jacket, or 11 DHB items is a choice we can all make.

Indeed, as is 11 Rapha/ Assos Jackets and 0 DHB items.

Wheelspinner

Pffft. Amateurs, all of you.

Flâneur

Wheelspinner wrote:

Pffft. Amateurs, all of you.

Someone has to top the list

itboffin

i now wear cycling kit when i'm not cycling, one does not count ones kit

the prospect is too terrifying

oldbazza

I'll see if I can remember all mine;

Bib tights x 4 (Sportful fiandre,DHB roubaix/no pad,Planet X roubaix/no pad,DHB thin padded which are a bit big now)
3/4 Bibs x 2 (Howies and Vermarc Lotto soudal)
Bibs X 6 (Castelli,Sportful no rain,3xLusso,DHB)
Ss jerseys X 6 (New Champion club,old Impsport club,Sportful,Castelli,Chapau!,Craft)
Ls jerseys x 4 (2 x Castelli,Sportful fiandre,Rapha)
Gillets x 3(Champion club one,2 x Sportful hot pack)
Rain cape X 1 (Craft)
Leg/knee warmers X (2 x Sportful,2 x DHB,1 X Endura)
Arm warmers x 5 (3 x Assos, 2 x Sportful)
Gloves x 9 (Castelli,2 x Endura,4 x Planet X,2 X Assos inners)
Mitts x 4(Giro,Castelli,Aldi,Imp)
Socks X lots
Overstocks/booties X 3(Castelli 2 x Planet X)
Overshoes x 3(Castelli,2 x Planet X)
Shoes x 3 (Spiuk,Northwave,XLC)
Caps x 6 (Rapha,This is Cambridge,Innrng,Prendas,Z,Morvelo,Sportful,)
Helmets x 2(Lazer,Planet X)
Plus various knock buffs

I know there's something I've forgotten but that lot has only taken just over two years to get.

pinno

I jumped the three pages because kit has to conform to the N+1 law.

Who's got an Castelli Espresso 3 jacket and who's got an Alpha Jacket and whats the difference? Alpha Jackets are now at a reasonable price. Do I need a new thread about threads?

pinno

Wheelspinner wrote:

Pffft. Amateurs, all of you.

You don't need winter clothing where you are!

2 jerseys and 2 pairs or bib shorts is all you need. Don't tell me they don't dry quickly and you can't wash them and hang them up and they're not dry by mid morning.

Anonymous

Read the alpha thread. Depending if you run especially cold, I'd say the jersey covers almost all uk winter temperatures with a good base layer. I tried one on the other day as I'm buying it for a mates bday and what someone interestingly said: given the choice of alpha jersey or rapha PT jacket he'd say alpha.

pinno

coriordan wrote:

Read the alpha thread. Depending if you run especially cold, I'd say the jersey covers almost all uk winter temperatures with a good base layer. I tried one on the other day as I'm buying it for a mates bday and what someone interestingly said: given the choice of alpha jersey or rapha PT jacket he'd say alpha.

That thread is endless.

You tried it out before giving it as a present!?

Anonymous

Tried it for size. He's scrawnier than me so definitely a small.

Can PM you key findings tomorrow if you care that much

pinno

coriordan wrote:

Tried it for size. He's scrawnier than me so definitely a small.

Can PM you key findings tomorrow if you care that much

I'm sleeping just fine thank you.

But whilst we are at it, what chest size are you? Seem to recall you being a tall skinny bloke and medium was too big? People say it's tight off the bike but fine on it.

Anonymous

I'm a 36 chest or thereabouts so quite pigeon chested. The S fit me perfectly, fractionally more racey than a small PT Jacket. Off the bike it fits pretty well. The jersey has a thick waistband which is tight off the bike, but not uncomfortably so. Simply by leaning forward and bringing your arms up to mimic the riding position and you can see how the shape works.

I think on the basis of what I've read (slightly more water resistant than the PT jacket, wider temp range depending on choice of base layer, and a better fit (I am slim and like a race fit) I would go for the alpha jersey in retrospect. I would say it's a very close fitting jacket rather than a jersey (imaging a s/s jersey with long sleeves)

pinno

coriordan wrote:

I'm a 36 chest or thereabouts so quite pigeon chested. The S fit me perfectly, fractionally more racey than a small PT Jacket. Off the bike it fits pretty well. The jersey has a thick waistband which is tight off the bike, but not uncomfortably so. Simply by leaning forward and bringing your arms up to mimic the riding position and you can see how the shape works.

I think on the basis of what I've read (slightly more water resistant than the PT jacket, wider temp range depending on choice of base layer, and a better fit (I am slim and like a race fit) I would go for the alpha jersey in retrospect. I would say it's a very close fitting jacket rather than a jersey (imaging a s/s jersey with long sleeves)

Solid unequivocal response. Get a job on BR reviewing products. You're already doing it.

That's sold it to me. I am 99cm so bang on the dividing line but will go for medium. Evans Cycles has it on a Price Match but the Claret/Burgundy call it what you want, isn't available.

Cheers.

Have you really got size 26 feet?

Anonymous

Euro or UK?

Evans also has a 10 quid off code (SAVE10 or SALE10) or another personal 10 quid off 75 code if you're a BC member.

pinno

coriordan wrote:

Euro or UK?

Evans also has a 10 quid off code (SAVE10 or SALE10) or another personal 10 quid off 75 code if you're a BC member.

ProBike kit has it £10 less than Evans and in the right colour. Pay day Friday

Angry Egg

hmm... after reading this I think I have a problem.

head to toe;
1 helmet (Giro)
5 Caps (Castelli, LG, Lusso)
3 cycling glasses (Oakley, Bolle)
2 Balaclava (Mavic, Buff)
2 Neck warmers (Castelli, Buff)
22 Short sleeve jerseys (Castelli, Sportful, Pearl Izumi, Altura, De Marchi, Rose, Rh+, etc)
4 Long sleeve jerseys (Castelli, Sportful, Lusso)
3 pairs of arm warmers (Sportful, Planet X)
3 water proof hard shell jackets (Castelli)
4 Soft shell jackets (Sportful, Castelli, Lusso, Mavic)
5 baselayers (Planet X, Rose, Sportful)
14 Pairs of Gloves/mitts (Castelli, Mavic, Specialized, Campagnolo, Altura, Rh+)
8 Bibshorts (Castelli, Sportful, De Marchi, Rose)
2 Bibtights (Castelli, Pearl Izumi)
3 Pairs of leg warmers ( Sportful, Planet X)
25 pairs of socks (Castelli, Sportful, Altura, Compression sports, Rh+, Planet X)
2 Oversocks (Planet X)
2 Shoes (Louis Garneau, DHB)

Non roadie specific;
12 Wiggle event T-shirts
1 Sky Rapha t-Shirt
5 other cycling related t-shirt
2 ted baker cycling smart shirt
1 ted baker cycling chinos