Roadie Clothing
Discussion
I"m cycling a lot now, 2-3 times a week and I'm looking for kit. What does everyone recommend brand wise? I'll need some tights for winter as i've been getting away with a set of unpadded thermals and some DHB Padded bib shorts, but I also want overshoes, some winter jersey clothes (I have a Polaris cycling jacket for when it rains) Also gloves please!
So what do you lot wear when you're putting the miles in?
So what do you lot wear when you're putting the miles in?
Chicken Chaser said:
I"m cycling a lot now, 2-3 times a week and I'm looking for kit. What does everyone recommend brand wise? I'll need some tights for winter as i've been getting away with a set of unpadded thermals and some DHB Padded bib shorts, but I also want overshoes, some winter jersey clothes (I have a Polaris cycling jacket for when it rains) Also gloves please!
So what do you lot wear when you're putting the miles in?
When I've the £££, Castelli: once you get over the typically "Italian" sizing (going a size, maybe two, bigger than you normally would), it's so, so nice. Proper "Sunday Best" stuff, especially their Aero Free bib shorts and their GPM/Prologo jerseys. Don't bother with the "accessory" stuff like socks and oversocks, it's expensive and not that good.So what do you lot wear when you're putting the miles in?
Endura: meh. It'll do, although quality isn't amazing. Fine for commuting attire and/or MTB in that if it gets ruined I don't care, but that's it. Use FS260 Pro bib shorts, MT500 jerseys, Singletrack shorts, Thermolite knee warmers
Gore: nice! Overshoes, gilet and leg warmers so far, all work well. Pricey, but quality and not overly "flashy".
DeFeet: socks. Wool-e-ator and Woolie-Boolie socks are ace.
Prendas: Oversocks are excellent, and have heard that their socks and arm warmers are just as good. Also, nice "retro" jerseys: have the DAF/Cote d'Or one.
Rapha: only have the merino base layer (best bit of kit I have), neck warmer and cap. Nice stuff, but too damn expensive.
Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 3rd November 15:37
a lot is about fit, some brands have odd sizing whcih wil lsuit you but not me so regardless of the quality, sometimes its a non-starter. the team sky adidas bibs fit me a dream and having tried on a lot of shorts i just knew straight away that they would be comfy. i didnt really want team replica stuff but the fit was too good to dismiss them just for that.
i like endura stuff, the fabric is tough and although the pads arent the best a liberal dose of chamois cream (assos, always assos) does the job!. speaking of which, Assos shorts are brilliantly cut, the materials are top notch and you pay a higher price for such features!.
Shutt stuff is very well designed, again they go for the minimal panel/stitching approach so fit can suit some body shapes more than others.
for jerseys, i like altura stuff, it just fits my body shape. as for baselayers, i either wear Helly Hansen lifa stuff or a Montane base layer. Both of which are generally mountaineering orientated but this is quite well cut to suit running/cycling and i cant afford a separate wardrobe for every hobby so some stuff has to double.
places like sports direct or tk maxx often have cheap hi-vis jackets for sale and i get through two or three a year so i stick up on them. i like the really thin ones which can be easily stowed.
i like endura stuff, the fabric is tough and although the pads arent the best a liberal dose of chamois cream (assos, always assos) does the job!. speaking of which, Assos shorts are brilliantly cut, the materials are top notch and you pay a higher price for such features!.
Shutt stuff is very well designed, again they go for the minimal panel/stitching approach so fit can suit some body shapes more than others.
for jerseys, i like altura stuff, it just fits my body shape. as for baselayers, i either wear Helly Hansen lifa stuff or a Montane base layer. Both of which are generally mountaineering orientated but this is quite well cut to suit running/cycling and i cant afford a separate wardrobe for every hobby so some stuff has to double.
places like sports direct or tk maxx often have cheap hi-vis jackets for sale and i get through two or three a year so i stick up on them. i like the really thin ones which can be easily stowed.
The best warm thing I've ever found is a Lusso jersey, zipped all the way down the front. It's smooth tech fabric on the outside and kinda fluffy on the inside. It wicks like nothing else I've worn (I'm a sweaty git and waterproofs don't help!)... the outer material will be visibly wet, the fluff still feels dry (and so do I). It's quite warm but can be unzipped for cooling as required and now comes camping/hiking etc etc as well as riding 
t in lycra I'll invest in some better stuff though. Castelli shorts are fab
Descente do these knee warmers which are a little fleecey and extend well down the calf making them toasty even when it's quite cold - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/descente-coldout-roubaix-k...
Pearl Izumi and Gore tops are good
Keep wearing your thermal tights over your shorts, don't bother with padded ones
Liner gloves are very useful
Get a Buff neck warmer thing
A lightweight gillet is very useful in the warmer months
Descente do these knee warmers which are a little fleecey and extend well down the calf making them toasty even when it's quite cold - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/descente-coldout-roubaix-k...
Pearl Izumi and Gore tops are good
Keep wearing your thermal tights over your shorts, don't bother with padded ones
Liner gloves are very useful
Get a Buff neck warmer thing
A lightweight gillet is very useful in the warmer months
For winter you want shorts under bib tights. Shorts depends on which pad you prefer. Pearl Izumi and Nalini suit my arse bones. They might not suit yours.
Tights are all about fit. Assos fit me like they were cut for me. Every other make requires I knot the braces, which is a bit crap. Stirrups are a matter of taste - I love them.
Get some warm merino socks. I have buggered the circulation in my left toes by riding too many winters sock less in shoes with no overshoes.
Tops are easier. Summer top plus arm warmers plus windproof gilet will get you a long way through winter. A waterproof breathable rain jacket is quite useful. If you're going to ride through Dec/Jan, you want a toasty gore tex or windproof roubaix jacket. Again, try a few makes to find the one that is cut best for your body shape and arm length.
Gloves. Cold fingers can make you cry. Don't skimp on gloves, and think about lining gloves for deepest winter. Planet X did some good cheap non breathables, but after two winters they stank and were falling apart. Assos ones cost three times as much but are four winters old and look like new. Sometimes more is more.
Tights are all about fit. Assos fit me like they were cut for me. Every other make requires I knot the braces, which is a bit crap. Stirrups are a matter of taste - I love them.
Get some warm merino socks. I have buggered the circulation in my left toes by riding too many winters sock less in shoes with no overshoes.
Tops are easier. Summer top plus arm warmers plus windproof gilet will get you a long way through winter. A waterproof breathable rain jacket is quite useful. If you're going to ride through Dec/Jan, you want a toasty gore tex or windproof roubaix jacket. Again, try a few makes to find the one that is cut best for your body shape and arm length.
Gloves. Cold fingers can make you cry. Don't skimp on gloves, and think about lining gloves for deepest winter. Planet X did some good cheap non breathables, but after two winters they stank and were falling apart. Assos ones cost three times as much but are four winters old and look like new. Sometimes more is more.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 3rd November 22:41
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 3rd November 23:02
Cant put the miles in without the kit can I??
I'll bear in mind that I can continue to wear my tights and not need bib leggings. Theyre not roubaix though which I thought would have benefitted me in the long run.
I love the Castelli stuff but that stuff aint cheap! Sunday best only I guess.
Will look for a couple of Jerseys, some arm warmers and some overshoes. Cheers
I'll bear in mind that I can continue to wear my tights and not need bib leggings. Theyre not roubaix though which I thought would have benefitted me in the long run.
I love the Castelli stuff but that stuff aint cheap! Sunday best only I guess.
Will look for a couple of Jerseys, some arm warmers and some overshoes. Cheers
Greg66 said:
Gloves. Cold fingers can make you cry. Don't skimp on gloves.
Seconded. A couple of years ago I half gave myself frostbite riding in the snow, fell off because I couldn't pull the brakes and had to run my hands under warm water to warm them up. My left middle finger still stings when it gets cold. 
Agree wholeheartedly with the gloves thing. Mine were about £40 from Evans - waterproof, with liners, reflective and do the job brilliantly in some ridiculously cold weather up here.
As for everything else, I wear a lifa helly hansen long sleeved thermal top under my waterproof vented running jacket, cycling shorts under a pair of old jogging bottoms under waterproof trousers when it's chucking it down. I've got goretex sealskin socks which work reasonably well.
What I might have to consider this year is a thin hat to go under my helmet.
As for everything else, I wear a lifa helly hansen long sleeved thermal top under my waterproof vented running jacket, cycling shorts under a pair of old jogging bottoms under waterproof trousers when it's chucking it down. I've got goretex sealskin socks which work reasonably well.
What I might have to consider this year is a thin hat to go under my helmet.
oyster said:
The fastest riders I ride with wear the stuff they buy in Sports Direct. The slower ones look amazing (if a little camp) in Castelli, Rapha, Gore etc. They are almost always the slower riders.
Make of that what you will.
Unemployed people have more time to train, so are faster? Make of that what you will.
as above. I reccomend castelli, or campag clothing if you dont mind spending a bit otherwise you cant go far wrong with dhb and altura. Sizes are a bit of a minefield especially if you go with the italian brands (most you need to order atleast 1 size up with what you would for dhb or other uk brands).
BBB make good winter waterproof overshoes (mine are still going strong after 3 harsh winters)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
BBB make good winter waterproof overshoes (mine are still going strong after 3 harsh winters)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
I actually really like my DHB shorts. I think I'll look at getting one of their Jerseys as the designs are quite classic without breaking the bank.
Should I not get some unpadded roubaix tights for the cold days? I'm not going super roubaix as I think they'll be too warm
Should I not get some unpadded roubaix tights for the cold days? I'm not going super roubaix as I think they'll be too warm
Edited by Chicken Chaser on Friday 4th November 12:40
www.prendas.co.uk for me. If you don't want the replica/retro team gear then look at the santini stuff - top quality at a reasonable price with great service. Despite how it may sound, I've no connection other than as a happy customer keen to see a local (to me) business thrive.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff