Basic road cycling clothing

[D4MJT]

Righty, I'm looking at getting some cycling clothing, as it's becoming apparent that I'm woefully under prepared.

Currently, I either cycle in loose jogging trousers, or some 3/4ish length camo shorts, and then T-Shirts, and usually a sleeved high-vis waterproof jacket. The jacket isn't tight fitting, and now that I'm getting a bit quicker, it's like wearing a parachute in the wind lol.

I guess really, I'm wondering what sort of basic kit people use to start out with? I have shoes and socks covered, what are good online suppliers, hopefully with size guides, as it's not easy for me to get to a cycle shop compared to buying online.

I'm thinking at the moment of a pair of compression shorts at a minimum, and some sort of top. In poor weather I can still use my high vis waterproof I guess, as I'm less likely to be flying along as it were. What about tops? What's the deal with bib shorts and whats the benefit, to my uneducated eye they just look bizarre and uncomfortable!

Thanks

[Accelebrate]

You can't go too far wrong with the DHB range from Wiggle, they have a very good returns policy as well.

[HurryUpAndWait]

Accelebrate said:

You can't go too far wrong with the DHB range from Wiggle, they have a very good returns policy as well.

[TwistingMyMelon]

DHB is good

Some good jerseys here http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/

I wear a Karimoor running top (£7 from Sports Direct) , some cycling shorts (£7 Aldi) and some Nike football shorts on top of my cycling shorts, when commuting 20 miles a day. Works well I find and means I can stop at shops etc without being all "Lycra'd out" .

Then full lycra for evening/weekend rides

[richardxjr]

Near a decathlon? Good and cheap. Sizing is mental for cycling stuff. Gets smaller as price gets bigger. 12.5 stone / 5'11, I'll be a Medium in some, Large in most, and XL in others.

Bib shorts stay up

[Mr Bishi]

HurryUpAndWait said:

Accelebrate said:

You can't go too far wrong with the DHB range from Wiggle, they have a very good returns policy as well.

Have to agree, I've just got into road biking and bought some of the DHB bib shorts. Used them for the first time yesterday and no complaints from me.

Edited by Mr Bishi on Monday 3rd June 14:23

[Silver940]

Just bought another pair of DHB shorts £24, last ones looking a little tired ~3 years and ~4000 miles! So yeah they last well, value for money I'd say!

[S10GTA]

Deffo bib shorts as opposed to just normal shorts. The straps over the shoulder are a must.

[scubadude]

D4MJT said:

What's the deal with bib shorts and whats the benefit, to my uneducated eye they just look bizarre and uncomfortable!

Yes, they look Bizarre (but no-one gets to see the top half so who cares) and No, they are not Uncomfortable :-)
The "braces" hold the shorts up so no need for tight waistband over your tummy. As you'll be bent over cycling and belly-breathing for maximum efficency these are important plus points.

Most important they won't slip down leaving a butt crack view the the person slipstreaming you!

Another vote for wiggles kit too, cheap enough to start with and good enough to feel the benefit. I've also got a couple of cheap tops from Mountain Warehouse, some generic outdoors type breathable tops and cycling ones too, cheap enough you don't need to worry about the constant washing and mud, blood and sweat when MTBing :-)

[Steve vRS]

Another DHB user here. When you first wear Lycra, you feel like everyone is looking at you but it is so comfortable, having close fitting clothes, especially shorts. Get bib shorts though as they prevent you showing the crack of doom to those following you!

Steve

[D4MJT]

Steve vRS said:

Another DHB user here. When you first wear Lycra, you feel like everyone is looking at you but it is so comfortable, having close fitting clothes, especially shorts. Get bib shorts though as they prevent you showing the crack of doom to those following you!

Steve

Thanks for the replies folks!

Trust me, knowing what I look like when I get off the bike looking like a drowned out of breath rat on a wet winters day, clost fitting clothes aren't going to make the look any worse

Bib shorts sound like a plan then, I like the idea of no belt line, I hadn't considered that!

[Silver940]

Never had any problem with normal shorts, certainly not enough to justify the extra cost of bib ones. I have to cycle on a tight budget to keep it wife friendly!

[D4MJT]

Silver940 said:

Never had any problem with normal shorts, certainly not enough to justify the extra cost of bib ones. I have to cycle on a tight budget to keep it wife friendly!

wife friendly?

The amount I save on fuel the wife loves me cycling! I get it in the neck if I fancy driving

[HereBeMonsters]

Halfords and Sports Direct have some reasonably priced cycling gear at the moment. Good entry level stuff.

[JustNeil]

Or wait until the next Aldi bike gear sale and get some there. It's not the best quality, but it's pretty cheap. They do a decent selection of gloves, shorts, tops, jackets, and so on. Might be worth a look if there's one coming up.

I'd say if nothing else, get cycle shorts/bib and some gloves. Your contact points with the bike will thank you for it.

[HurryUpAndWait]

JustNeil said:

Or wait until the next Aldi bike gear sale and get some there. It's not the best quality, but it's pretty cheap. They do a decent selection of gloves, shorts, tops, jackets, and so on. Might be worth a look if there's one coming up.

Buy cheap, buy twice. DHB stuff lasts, does the Aldi stuff?

[Gizmoish]

HurryUpAndWait said:

JustNeil said:

Or wait until the next Aldi bike gear sale and get some there. It's not the best quality, but it's pretty cheap. They do a decent selection of gloves, shorts, tops, jackets, and so on. Might be worth a look if there's one coming up.

Buy cheap, buy twice. DHB stuff lasts, does the Aldi stuff?

I used an Aldi winter jacket all winter.

Agree that DHB or Altura ProGel are great on a budget though.

[frag68]

Aldi, Lidl or Decathlon are excellent value for money. All good quality, especially the Decathlon gear. I have clothing from all stores, as well more expensive high end brands from the local bike shops

[covmutley]

I have altura, dhb and aldi. The aldi stuff is only half as good, but quarter the price. Fine for when the wife has forgotten to put the wash on (or in truth, not told me to do it) ,

Dhb is good and at a price point which seems on par with what I would expect to pay for non- cycling clothing of a similar quality. The logos do seem to come off in the wash though.

[Jayfish]

Re: Bib Shorts, I have two pairs, one Madison made one Silvini, both similar price £40-50 so nothing fancy.
The former I bought with the bike and the seams chafe, the pad is too large for my bony butt and rubs against my thigh, the belly section is so high that 'nipping to the hedge' is nigh on impossible.
The Silvini ones I got via spam central Sport Pursuit, flat seams, pad is thinner but actually more comfortable, mesh sections on the back for wicking and hedges not an issue.