Couple of questions for all you peddlers.
Discussion
Two things...
I'm riding to work a bit, 5.5 miles, very upright gents bike, doing it in shorts at the moment, what trousers to wear as it gets chilli? I'll look a right pillock in lycra...Jogger bottoms?
Secondly, not carry a spare tube or tools, I guess I need to carry tube, pump, tyre levers and spanner for the nuts on the spindle? Anything else?
I'm riding to work a bit, 5.5 miles, very upright gents bike, doing it in shorts at the moment, what trousers to wear as it gets chilli? I'll look a right pillock in lycra...Jogger bottoms?
Secondly, not carry a spare tube or tools, I guess I need to carry tube, pump, tyre levers and spanner for the nuts on the spindle? Anything else?
Before I got used to just wearing lycra I slowly introduced myself to it by wearing a pair of Ron Hill lycra running trousers under my regular shorts on the cold days. Keeps you warm whilst still covering up the man parts and not having anything dangling around to get caught in the chain.
Like you I just cannot wear lycra leggings. Tried it once and got no end of ribbing from the office. I wear just above the knee army style shorts and it has to be nearly freezing for me to change. Then I tend to wear jogging bottoms, they're not ideal, but the cheapest/best compromise I've found for a relatively short journey.
I've also given up lugging around puncture repair kits. I bought a decent set of puncture resistant tyres and haven't had any issues (can't remember the name).
I've also given up lugging around puncture repair kits. I bought a decent set of puncture resistant tyres and haven't had any issues (can't remember the name).
Huntsman said:
Two things...
I'm riding to work a bit, 5.5 miles, very upright gents bike, doing it in shorts at the moment, what trousers to wear as it gets chilli? I'll look a right pillock in lycra...Jogger bottoms?
In five years of commuting I've never bothered with anything other than shorts. I've been toying with the idea of some knee warmers or whatever you call them. But probably won't bother. It's my upper body, feat, hands and ultimately head that get cold. Also, bear in mind that anything you put on your legs will get get soaked in the rain.I'm riding to work a bit, 5.5 miles, very upright gents bike, doing it in shorts at the moment, what trousers to wear as it gets chilli? I'll look a right pillock in lycra...Jogger bottoms?
Huntsman said:
Secondly, not carry a spare tube or tools, I guess I need ngito carry tube, pump, tyre levers and spanner for the nuts on the spindle? Anything else?
Again, I've never bothered. I've got "puncture proof" tyres (kevlar-lined) which have only once let me down once in 6000+ miles. On the odd occasion something has loosened off I've just borrowed a tool from one of the LBS's enroute. You don't need lyrca for such a short distance; a pointless affectation.
I wear shorts until it is only a few degrees above freezing, and then I wear craghopper hiking trousers with a fleecy lining. You do then need to tuck the legs into your socks or get ankle straps. If you were handy with a needle you could attach some velcro.
I've gone 4 years and over 12,000km without a puncture, thanks to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres.
I still carry spare tubes, levers, pump, and multitool. You never know - might need to assist someone else if not myself.
When it gets really cold I have a pair of Sealskinz "lobster claw" gloves which are so warm. Kept my fingers lovely and toasty even well into negative temperatures.
I wear shorts until it is only a few degrees above freezing, and then I wear craghopper hiking trousers with a fleecy lining. You do then need to tuck the legs into your socks or get ankle straps. If you were handy with a needle you could attach some velcro.
I've gone 4 years and over 12,000km without a puncture, thanks to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres.
I still carry spare tubes, levers, pump, and multitool. You never know - might need to assist someone else if not myself.
When it gets really cold I have a pair of Sealskinz "lobster claw" gloves which are so warm. Kept my fingers lovely and toasty even well into negative temperatures.
When I was about 15 I used to have a pair of Nike 'Just Do It' joggers, used to wear them predominantly for tennis you understand, rather than hanging about with hoodlums near the shops. I wore them out on my mountain bike one time though... big mistake... they got caught up in the chainrings and chain and looked like a mouse had chewed them after that. I was gutted and the sports trousers were retired.
Isn't it annoying when some ungrateful git comes onto a forum asking advice and then never comes back to say thanks....fear not! I'm here now.
Thanks for the above, will see how I get one.
I've got some jogger bottoms and some water proof troosers. It is only 5.5 miles and I'm more 'Dad's Army' than Lance Armstrong.
Thanks for the above, will see how I get one.
I've got some jogger bottoms and some water proof troosers. It is only 5.5 miles and I'm more 'Dad's Army' than Lance Armstrong.
Huntsman said:
Secondly, not carry a spare tube or tools, I guess I need to carry tube, pump, tyre levers and spanner for the nuts on the spindle? Anything else?
I carry an inner tube repair kit. It's really annoying getting a puncture on the way to work, changing the tube, then finding out there was a thorn you didn't spot which has now punctured your spare as well...Daveyraveygravey said:
v12Legs said:
You don't need lyrca for such a short distance; a pointless affectation.
Not sure I agree - have you ever had a pilonidal sinus? A lot less likely to get one with lycra shorts than most other kinds of trousers...If it gets really cold I find that lightweight hiking trousers work really well. Especially the sort that zip off just above the knee, as you can convert them to shorts if you get hot or soaking wet. Only bad thing is having to tuck the right trouser leg into your sock to stop it snagging the chain.
lufbramatt said:
If it gets really cold I find that lightweight hiking trousers work really well. Especially the sort that zip off just above the knee, as you can convert them to shorts if you get hot or soaking wet. Only bad thing is having to tuck the right trouser leg into your sock to stop it snagging the chain.
I've got Craghoppers, with the fleecy lining (not the zip off ones though). They are great for subzero weather, and they dry really fast if you get rained on.I've got a pair of reflective ankle straps for tucking in the trouser cuff, but normal velcro straps could work too, and you could sew them on if you could be bothered.
I've got two pairs of bib tights.
One pair I've had for more than 10 years and bought from a great company called Parrot (sadly no longer with us).
They're warm, don't flap about, don't get caught in the chain and dry really quickly when wet.
These were going home a bit so I bought a windproof pair from (I think) Altura a couple of years ago. The Altura ones are too warm and I'm back wearing my thinner ones - with some nifty needlework courtesy of my good self.
For the record, I always wear a pair of board shorts over the top of my lycra - though I have just splashed out on a pair of Fox camo shorts from Evans as they were half-price in the sale.
The only problem with bib tights (or shorts for that matter) is when you're desperate for the toilet and you've got to strip to the waist.
One pair I've had for more than 10 years and bought from a great company called Parrot (sadly no longer with us).
They're warm, don't flap about, don't get caught in the chain and dry really quickly when wet.
These were going home a bit so I bought a windproof pair from (I think) Altura a couple of years ago. The Altura ones are too warm and I'm back wearing my thinner ones - with some nifty needlework courtesy of my good self.
For the record, I always wear a pair of board shorts over the top of my lycra - though I have just splashed out on a pair of Fox camo shorts from Evans as they were half-price in the sale.
The only problem with bib tights (or shorts for that matter) is when you're desperate for the toilet and you've got to strip to the waist.
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