what to wear while cycling

fret_wimp

In the summer shorts and a standard t shirt were fine for cycling. its a bit colder now though , and i dont have any cycling clothes for this weather. what would you recommend? Would a standard long sleve tshirt be ok or should i be forking out the bucks for some fancy clothes?

Note, i have a light goretex jacket for if it starts raining

ednwireland

fret_wimp wrote: »

or should i be forking out the bucks for some fancy clothes?

there lies your first mistake, he goal of this forum is now to spend your money

i have so many fleeces and ron hills for commuting, on spins i were an aldi winter jacket and normally have a waterproof with me, legs is 3/4 length endura bibs or tights and have pro overshoes for me feet

redmaxi

fret_wimp wrote: »

should i be forking out the bucks for some fancy clothes?

Note, i have a light goretex jacket for if it starts raining

Get the fancy stuff - you know you want to !:D

A good baselayer really is worth a lot, bibtights & a long sleeve jersey, sorted.

Bunnyhopper

The trouble I find with a regular t-shirt is that cotton will soak up the rain like a sponge. You could get some polyester/lycra stuff that would have less soakage. TKMaxx often have sports tops that would do the job reasonably without costing as much as dedicated cycling tops. They'd be designed for running or football so they wouldn't have the tight fit of a cycling jersey, or the pockets etc., but they're a reasonable budget option.

blorg

If you are doing any distance on a regular basis get cycling clothing, it is designed for the task at hand and honestly works best. I cycled for fifteen years before doing so, I look back now and wonder how I did it.

BostonB

I got the altura leggings. Water resistant and warm on a cold morning. Not cold enough for them yet though. I found most of the cycling gear you get in cycling shops, way too tight fitting and quite expensive. So I picked up stuff in the running/football and hiking shops, which was beathable and windproof, and stops you getting too sweaty. Cotton stuff is just too heavy and not windproof. Stays wet too. A winter jacket cycling is great on a really cold day, but I find it too warm most of the time. Windproof is what you are looking for. Anything thats waterproof is too hot. For me anyway.

NewDubliner

fret_wimp wrote: »

In the summer shorts and a standard t shirt were fine for cycling. its a bit colder now thoug

Think in layers. That way you can mix and match according to what's needed.

Base layer should be a 'wicking' t-shirt. Not cheap, but the good ones are magic. Cycling jerseys have a cut to come down and cover your kidneys. They also have handy pockets to keep keys, wallet, phone etc so they're not going to interfere with your pedaling.

A light, bright, polyster cape on top and you're good to go for now. Add more as needed, later.

mockler007

clothes man clothes

shergar22

Went for a cycle today with only a baselayer and the Lidl jacket. Worked a treat....if I'd only remembered to bring my gloves!!

NorDub

Layers, layers, layers and combinations - and really try to avoid cotton...

Year-round cycling in Norway gave me a large wardrobe of cycle clothing which really helped me in my Irish time!

For my daily commuting (++) cycling back in Norway, I've:
- quite a collection of long and short sleeved t-shirts: long sleeved from those http://www.hellyhansen.com/product/BaselayerHHDry/StripeCrew/48800/view/350 down to really thin Madshus Super Underwear stuff, short sleeved about any runner's shirt I fancied or was on sale, and some really thin but warm Biehler shirts (http://www.biehler-sportswear.de/pi8/pi9/pd13.html and http://www.biehler-sportswear.de/pi1/pi6/pd1.html)

- short bibs & leg warmers or long bibs, possibly something under (old Madshus Super Underwear here, too, or Helly Hansen for colder temperatures), and if it really gets cold / windy, some runner's tights (Bavac Dry Drop tights) over

- jacket: for warmer days Pearl Izumi Vagabond (handy zip-off arms), colder days a Craft cycling jacket - older version of that http://www.craft.se/products/?tx_mdb_pi1%5Bview%5D=viewLVL3&tx_mdb_pi1%5Blvl1%5D=Craft&tx_mdb_pi1%5Blvl2%5D=Layer%25203&tx_mdb_pi1%5Bpageid%5D=134001325&tx_mdb_pi1%5Blvl3%5D=Bike , I guess.

- a head buff under the helmet when temperatures drop below zero

- several pairs of different gloves: thin and thick wind- and waterproof ones, thin and thick fleece ones, a pair of very thin woollen liner gloves and fingerless, of course. Typically I carry around 2-3 pairs and change combinations throughout the ride. Most days in autumn/spring the combination of fingerless and liner gloves is unbeatable...

All this in varying combination brings me through really most of the weather. (But maybe I should add that I'm quite a warm blood and don't freeze very fast.)

Ryaner

shergar22 wrote: »

Went for a cycle today with only a baselayer and the Lidl jacket. Worked a treat....if I'd only remembered to bring my gloves!!

After cycling today, I think wellys may be needed in future. Hit 3 completely impassable roads, one with a car being rescued by the fire brigade. Another that was passable had a car on its roof in a ditch. Passed over another river that was starting to break its banks and will be going over the bridge before the end of the day.
At least no ice

Captain Havoc

I like to go a la Lance:


Seriously though, the three key areas you need to keep warm are feet (good socks and overshoes, cling film), hands (gloves) and head (winter and cycling caps). Knees are also important (leggins or vaseline). For my commute I go waterproof and visable.

cdaly_

Went for a cycle today with only a baselayer and the Lidl jacket

You wouldn't have considered a pair of shorts/trousers? A bit chilly on the bum I'd have thought...

ROK ON

I would like to endorse DHB's range of cycling tights.
I have 2pairs. One for cool autumn weather and one for cold winter weather.
I wore the later on a four hour training spin in freezing high winds today and was never cold.
Windproof fleece lined they extend up to your rib cage.
The chamois is really good. I think they cost me 65notes on wiggle. They are every bit as good as my Assos airlock tights which cost three time as much.

Rumblefish

depends what type of cycling of course. If everyday commuting, or journeys around town, then anything in your wardrobe is just fine. If you're sweating it, then just take it down a notch.

Blanaid
www.galwaybikes.com

jwshooter

have a look at MandMDirect . the girl friend bought me some canterbury base layers off it there much cheepness.

shergar22

Captain Havoc wrote: »

I like to go a la Lance:


Seriously though, the three key areas you need to keep warm are feet (good socks and overshoes, cling film), hands (gloves) and head (winter and cycling caps). Knees are also important (leggins or vaseline). For my commute I go waterproof and visable.

I think this cycling thing has gone to my head. Looking at that picture of Lance and the only thing that I'm wondering about is the height of his saddle!