Help with Clothing for a novice

Meself

Hi Folks,

After 2 yrs of communiting to work on a Hard tail bike, i've finally decided to take the plunge and buy a road bike, mainly because i want to go on long cycles at weekend etc.
Im really looking forward to those long cycles thro wicklow on weekends. im based in rathfarnham so not far from good routes. My logic (flawed maybe) for sticking with the hardtail was - harder the effort better the fittness ! my commute was 10mile round trip.

Anyhow, i've more or less decided on the Giant Deffy 3 as i'll purchase throught the CTW scheme.. I'm trying to figure out what clothing i'll need. I have a base layer t shirt and shorts. should i buy better shorts/leggings and a good jersey? if so can you recommend what to buy ?

basically i need kitted out for spring summer cycling 20/30k possibly longer, so any suggestions links would be greatly appreciated.

I dont want to spend a fortune but i do want to be comfortable.

Many thanks in advance folks.

2 Wheels Good

Well Lidl have a few bits of bike gear on Monday. Link Probably quantity over quality though. Haven't bought their bike gear before so can't comment.

Captain Havoc

I've ordered last years full Skil Shimano outfit for €85 or so. Have a hunt around the pro-team sites and you might find some of last years gear going cheap

ednwireland

what size are you ?

try http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?cat=Craft%20Clothing%20%3A%20Up%20to%2070%25%20Off%20Sale%20Items&START=0&LIMIT=36

sorry most is weird sizes

some summer shorts and jerseys there cheap

i trawl the sales at the end of the season to bu cheap stuff on the websites

levitronix

Best advice id give would be get the best possible shorts you can afford good cycling shorts makes a huge differnce to your comfort levels. plenty of stuff on sale on chainreactioncycles, but if you buy cheap ldle or aldi stuff your ass my regret it and you might not like or enjoy your spins

Good cycing shorts are designed to be worn with no underware just so you know.

Meself

levitronix wrote: »

Best advice id give would be get the best possible shorts you can afford good cycling shorts makes a huge differnce to your comfort levels. plenty of stuff on sale on chainreactioncycles, but if you buy cheap ldle or aldi stuff your ass my regret it and you might not like or enjoy your spins

Good cycing shorts are designed to be worn with no underware just so you know.

thanks for the advise folks.. levitronix, what kid of shorts would you recommend withthe padding ? also, if i was to buy one type of top to be suitable for the spring summer months, what would it be ? amy pointers in the right direction would be appreciated..

ps.. trawling thro the internet, ive realised its a case of you get what you pay for so i may as well buy something mid range.

thanks again

SerialComplaint

Can I bump into this thread with a newbie question about base layer tops?

Do I really need to go 'all lycra' to get the benefit of these? Or will a base layer top under a sweatshirt be better than an oul t-shirt?

anoble66

I went for these:-

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Merston_Padded_Bib_Tights_2010/5360045075/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Merston_Long_Sleeve_Cycling_Jersey/5360038983/


Cant quite bring myself to go lycra yet - I might want to learn not to fall over when trying to unclip before going down that route :pac:

dave.obrien

I'll give you my 2 cents anyway. With the base layer under a cotton top, it will make you slightly more comfortable, but the sweat will still stay in the cotton, making it heavier and less comfortable.

As mentioned, the Lidl stuff is handy for beginning, grab their jerseys, which should be of a fine quality. Their shorts are likely to be ok, comfortable for maybe an hour or two, but I wouldn't spend all day in any of the shorts I got in Lidl or Aldi. In terms of what to get as it's heading towards summer, there are loads of bits you can get to make your kit as flexible as possible; a few short sleeved jerseys, a couple of good pairs of shorts, a pair of arm warmers and leg/knee warmers should have you set up for most conditions, as long as you don't mind a bit of rain. Stuff like winter jackets, long sleeved jerseys, overshoes, etc, can be picked up as you go along, and before you know it, you'll have amassed a hell of a wardrobe!

You probably will feel a bit weird about leaving your home in stuff that looks like it was last seen on the set of Fame (the original one), but you will appreciate it after a few hours on a saddle putting in effort, it will keep you warmer when it's cold, cooler when it's hot(or you're abroad, whichever one is more likely) and more comfortable about sitting down after you get off the bike, and earn you the respectful waves of other cyclists, which is crucial, really crucial.