clothing recomendations

sweetswing

hi everyone , i could do with some help .i just got my self my first proper bike with the idea of building up my stamina. going to take it easy at the start and build up to hopefully 100k by the end of the summer{thats the plan anyway} now i need cycling clothes ,and i dont have a clue what to get ,what brands are better than others and so on . i have 400 euro to spend tomorrow and id like to know a little bit about what i need ,instead of putting my trust in the shop sales mans hands .would appreciate any help thanks

Captain Havoc

Compare prices with chainreactioncycles A good pair of gloves (I'd go for waterproof), fingerless gloves, wintercap that goes over your ears, cycling cap for when it's raining, glasses, don't skimp on cycling shorts i.e. €20 won't seem like a bargain when you can't sit down, jersey, chamois cream, multi-tool, small pump, spare tube, tyre levers, valve adapter to use in petrol station, cheap phone.

EDIT, I forgot to say, 100km, you might be surprised how fit you are, I had the same plans last year and ended up doing a 100km after 2 months (I was smoking at the time). I did a 200km sportive during the summer as well as a few 150km+ ones.

c0rk3r

If i had €400 to spent this is what id get

National Team Belgium 2008 (bib shorts)

Mercatone Uno (cycling jersey Marco Pantani)

Team CSC 2008 bib shorts

bib shorts Scott Authentic (black/chinese red)

Liquigas 2008 (cycling jersey)

Windbreaker jacket Scott Authentic (chinese red/black)

Spend the rest (maybe €70) on leg warmers, gloves and arm warmers. Its all about style and no substance. Personal style that is.

sweetswing

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Compare prices with chainreactioncycles A good pair of gloves (I'd go for waterproof), fingerless gloves, wintercap that goes over your ears, cycling cap for when it's raining, glasses, don't skimp on cycling shorts i.e. €20 won't seem like a bargain when you can't sit down, jersey, chamois cream, multi-tool, small pump, spare tube, tyre levers, valve adapter to use in petrol station, cheap phone.

EDIT, I forgot to say, 100km, you might be surprised how fit you are, I had the same plans last year and ended up doing a 100km after 2 months (I was smoking at the time). I did a 200km sportive during the summer as well as a few 150km+ ones.

thats fantastic thanks very much just what i needed. what about jackets ,will it be to warm soon ? why do you wear thights ,is it for heat?whats the advantage of bib shorts over ordinary shorts. i never even thaught about pumps and tools and tubes. what shorts has the best padding?sorry for all the question but i realy dont have an idea:D

sweetswing

Username-in-use wrote: »

If i had €400 to spent this is what id get

National Team Belgium 2008 (bib shorts)

Mercatone Uno (cycling jersey Marco Pantani)

Team CSC 2008 bib shorts

bib shorts Scott Authentic (black/chinese red)

Liquigas 2008 (cycling jersey)

Windbreaker jacket Scott Authentic (chinese red/black)

Spend the rest (maybe €70) on leg warmers, gloves and arm warmers. Its all about style and no substance. Personal style that is.

thanks for that , but im starting from scratch so i need shoes helmet basicaly one complete outfit

ckeego

Hi there..
Jaysus, I wish i had the pleasure of the 400 euro tomorrow!!

Jackets wise, the only way to go is the web..CRC, Wiggle, JeJames, they are yer only man, pricewise.

As long as you are a relatively standard fit, the savings make the risk worthwhile.

I find at the moment, that a good thermal underneath the jacket is perfect (try an Underarmour or a CCC or a Helly top..they are great for the cold)

Jackets wise, my sis very kindly bought me a Mavic Inferno jacket and it is the best thing ever...The Gore bikewear range is pretty good too, particularly in a shower and if Cycleways have a sale on, my Dad swears by the Campagnolo bike gear too, but it is pricey

Like most bike stuff, you tend to get what ya pay for..ie Buy cheap and you will buy twice!!

Enjoy the spending spree and enjoy the ride! I wholly agree with the comment about surprising yourself distance wise (although you would not have thought so if ya saw me going up the Devil's Glen on Wed after a week on the beer and the snow board!!)

Captain Havoc

sweetswing wrote: »

thanks for that , but im starting from scratch so i need shoes helmet basicaly one complete outfit

Actually the man speaks sense, if you check the online shops of a lot of the pro-tour teams (list on wikipedia) you might see they're selling off last years kit (or before) for a good price.

sweetswing

ckeego wrote: »

Hi there..
Jaysus, I wish i had the pleasure of the 400 euro tomorrow!!

Jackets wise, the only way to go is the web..CRC, Wiggle, JeJames, they are yer only man, pricewise.

As long as you are a relatively standard fit, the savings make the risk worthwhile.

I find at the moment, that a good thermal underneath the jacket is perfect (try an Underarmour or a CCC or a Helly top..they are great for the cold)

Jackets wise, my sis very kindly bought me a Mavic Inferno jacket and it is the best thing ever...The Gore bikewear range is pretty good too, particularly in a shower and if Cycleways have a sale on, my Dad swears by the Campagnolo bike gear too, but it is pricey

Like most bike stuff, you tend to get what ya pay for..ie Buy cheap and you will buy twice!!

Enjoy the spending spree and enjoy the ride! I wholly agree with the comment about surprising yourself distance wise (although you would not have thought so if ya saw me going up the Devil's Glen on Wed after a week on the beer and the snow board!!)

thanks mate , i also believe ,buy cheap buy twice

sweetswing

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Actually the man speaks sense, if you check the online shops of a lot of the pro-tour teams (list on wikipedia) you might see they're selling off last years kit (or before) for a good price.

i get ya man , but the only colour ill be wearing will be black till i can peddal propperly . . i like to think im fairly fit ,i train almost every day and when im not, im playing squash or golf, im 40 but still weigh the same as i did at 20 . i hope i can progress as good as your good self , are you still smoking?

cdaly_

Worth noting too that CRC and the like have a pretty easy return policy. Download a form, fill it in and post back the stuff that doesn't fit...

BTW, when you say you need shoes, have you clipless pedals or ordinary ones? If ordinary, just use trainers until you get to the stage where you decide you need cleats. Then go buying cycling shoes.

rflynnr

If you are looking for a rain jacket, can I strongly recommend you look at Wiggle's own brand DHB eVent jacket. I bought one last year and for windstopping, rain protection but mainly for breathability is it superior to anything else I've used. AND it's on sale at the moment for a mere €80 (I spent €130 on mine).

The only downside is a complete lack of pockets which may make it a non-starter.

DirkVoodoo

I have twice broken the rules and gone for pro kit to supplement my wardrobe:





If you want regular, non pro-team cycling gear then DHB have a pretty decent and well priced line on wiggle. You could buy a good starter kit (bib shorts, baselayer, jersey, windproof jacket, gloves and mits) for the same price as a pair of assos shorts.

Lumen

I think the year-round basics are:

- Helmet
- Shoes (and clipless pedals if you don't have any)
- Neoprene shoe covers
- Bib shorts
- Short sleeved jersey (with pockets)
- Rain jacket
- Winter tights (possibly the cheaper non-padded sort that can go over your bib shorts).
- Winter gloves
- Summer gloves

Of these, the most important items to get absolutely right are the winter gloves, bib shorts, rain jacket, shoes, and shoe covers. Most winter gloves are fairly useless, check out various threads we had on these.

When spring/summer comes you can add arm warmers and a gilet (with rear pockets) which is more versatile than a rain jacket.

An alternative is to swap the rain jacket (waterproof thin shell) for a winter jacket (less waterproof but thicker and better insulated), then use a gilet for waterproofing your torso.

In very cold wet weather you can just stuff more layers of ordinary clothing under the rain jacket.

If you want to spoil yourself get some Assos F1 Uno bib shorts. They're very expensive, but of all my cycling clothing they're the one thing I'd hate to lose.

sweetswing

thanks for all the replies lads it was just what i was looking for .. my first spin should be monday morning:D so if ya see a guy struggling up howth head all in black on a red cervelo say hello , thanks again guys:)

Lumen

sweetswing wrote: »

if ya see a guy struggling up howth head all in black on a red cervelo say hello , thanks again guys:)

Wait a minute, a red what? More Assos, more Assos!