Jersey / Clothing advice

dnme

Folks, can I ask your advice. Is there any advantage to using a proper cycling jersey over ordinary t-shirts? also, what is meant by a base layer?

I am unemployed and very broke so I cannot afford to spend much money on a jersey. Cheap and effective will do me. Also is it possible to get a jersey in a plain one colour design? I am not into wearing flash colours, liveries or text at all.

Many thanks

Whitehawk

Firstly - base layer - this is a layer that is right next to your skin say under a jersey and or shorts. add extra warmth during winter/cold weather.

2nd - proper cycling jersey over ordinary t-shirts - if you going at speed normal t-shirt will blow around alot to start with on its own, you can get cycling t-shirts (jersey ) that you can wear on there own or put a long sleeve over it (cycling type ) if you cold but while cycling you will get hot! thats for sure.

I personally would advice getting cycling shorts and jersey (even 1 of each as you can wash them) shots will give you nice padding, etc

shorts and jersey should come in around 70e all in all

Some bike shops say buildabike-cycle bike in dublin sell their own jersey/shorts cheaper and just put there name on it - in this case cyc, i use them and their fine nice price when you dont want to spend to much - all in all should be at least 20 to 30 euro cheaper. tho im not sure on cyc exact price.

Also some online shops sell off old stock at good price if you can find ur size sometimes you can get a top worth 70 euro for 30 euro so all in all thats kick ass
Sites like http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/
and http://www.evanscycles.com/
i use top 2 are good prices, last one at times has good deals on old stock.

Whitehawk

heres a links to some stuff you could look at on one site -

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32187
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9331

dnme

Many thanks, I have a few cycle shorts and always use them. So would I be correct in assuming that in summer you could use just a cycle jersey, and in winter you would use a base layer + jersey?

Hermy

Sadly you'll be needing those base layers in the current summer conditions.:(

C3PO

Really cotton has no place for cyclists, if it gets wet through sweat or rain it takes forever to dry and is very uncomfortable in the meantime! Aldi and Lidl regularly have proper base layers for sale at reasonable prices.

triggermortis

I bought some base layer gear in Aldi last week - 12.99 for shorts and sleeveless top. Works well for me

Whitehawk

dnme wrote: »

Many thanks, I have a few cycle shorts and always use them. So would I be correct in assuming that in summer you could use just a cycle jersey, and in winter you would use a base layer + jersey?

in stead of base layer you could buy a cycling long sleave top, and then for under it just get some cheep running tops in say tk-max, its still layers of clothes but also means you just have a 2nd top as well and running clothes will be of same materal, this is what i do anyhow and it works out nicely so far however

ontheditch2

What about Ebay?? There seems to be some really good value stuff, mainly from Asia. I know its probably not authentic gear, but is it any good?? Some of the Team jerseys and shorts appear very cheap.

dnme

In the end I have gone for the following

Base layer
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=38873

Jersey
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32197

It cost 55 quid but delivery is free and the products get good reviews. I'm always scared about buying stuff like this from our eastern friends on ebay, especially fabrics.

Lemag

Hope you didn't pay by credit card :eek:

Another site worth mentioning for base layers is www.timetirun.co.uk. I've found their clothing items to be of really good quality.

HivemindXX

As Trigger already mentioned the Aldi and Lidl stuff is fine and it's cheap. Keep on eye on their special deals, they do cycling gear frequently enough and then you can get shorts, short sleeved jersey and/or long sleeve jacket as you want.

In addition to the already mentioned benefits of the proper cycling tops the fact they are long in the back so they still cover your lower back when bent over the bars is a benefit. They generally have fairly deep zips in the front which is great for cooling yourself down on a tough climb. The rear pockets are a lot better than the pocket locations in regular clothing both for storing food/phone/whatever without causing discomfort or squashing the stored items and also for getting at those things while riding.

dnme

Lemag wrote: »

Hope you didn't pay by credit card :eek:

why?

triggermortis

dnme wrote: »

why?

Chainreaction had an issue at the start of the year where some customers card details were stolen and attempts were made to buy goods using the stolen details. This happened to me but luckily BOI informed me and I got all the money refunded - 1500 euro went through and two more attempts at 750 each were made in my case.
I only found out about it being linked to CRC a couple of months later purely by accident, and have had no word of apology or anything from them, even after contacting them. Its safer to use paypal, although it may work out slightly more expensive as the exchange rate comes into play.

blorg

Generally speaking there is not as much of a difference between a cheap or expensive jersey as there is between cheap and expensive shorts. Shorts are more critical and it is easier to find bad ones. Some of my favourite (most comfortable) jerseys are the Wiggle DHB ones which cost me £6 in the sale.

Regarding PayPal, there is NO difference in cost to using your credit card directly. You can select at checkout whether you want PayPal or your credit card to handle any currency conversion (there is very little in it anyway.)

christeb

I've recently got some Skins stuff in TK Maxx - sleeveless base layer for €12 and the shorts for €18. Worth having a look around

Whitehawk

triggermortis wrote: »

Chainreaction had an issue at the start of the year where some customers card details were stolen and attempts were made to buy goods using the stolen details. This happened to me but luckily BOI informed me and I got all the money refunded - 1500 euro went through and two more attempts at 750 each were made in my case.
I only found out about it being linked to CRC a couple of months later purely by accident, and have had no word of apology or anything from them, even after contacting them. Its safer to use paypal, although it may work out slightly more expensive as the exchange rate comes into play.

Yes PayPal is the way to go - re exchange rate dose not really come on to play its like a 1e in diff at times.
Everyone should just use PayPal then your card details are safe!

frant2

great value here

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXOOTEAMSS/planet-x-and-on-one-team-short-sleeve-jersey

frant2

frant2 wrote: »

great value here

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXOOTEAMSS/planet-x-and-on-one-team-short-sleeve-jersey

actually sorry there are sold out

some of these left though

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXOOTEAMLS/planet-x-and-on-one-team-long-sleeve-jersey

Lemag

dnme wrote: »

why?

Link

Because of the situation which triggermortis described.

dnme

Lemag wrote: »

Link

Because of the situation which triggermortis described.

bit late now

dnme

After some of you bringing the issue of credit card fraud and chainreactioncycles.com to my attention, I emailed them last night stating that I was happy for the order to go through but asking them to remove my credit card details from their systems. I sent another email today as a reminder. I've had no reply so as a precaution and as an anti-head wrecker, I have had the credit card replaced.

I think once an online trader has any sort of issue with their financial security systems, be-it actual or alleged, that crosses a major boundary. Financial information is sacrosanct and any breech is unforgivable. Add to this the fact that emails go ignored and what you have is an organization that simply dig their own grave. They do not deserve any customer's hard earned cash nor loyalty.

I will never touch these guys again, and I would advise others do likewise. There are plenty of vendors out there who treat customers with respect and value their loyalty. There are plenty of online bargains and bricks and mortar shops where friendly advice and good service is on offer.

Who needs to be messing about with the likes of chainreractioncycles.com.

Whitehawk

dnme wrote: »

After some of you bringing the issue of credit card fraud and chainreactioncycles.com to my attention, I emailed them last night stating that I was happy for the order to go through but asking them to remove my credit card details from their systems. I sent another email today as a reminder. I've had no reply so as a precaution and as an anti-head wrecker, I have had the credit card replaced.

I think once an online trader has any sort of issue with their financial security systems, be-it actual or alleged, that crosses a major boundary. Financial information is sacrosanct and any breech is unforgivable. Add to this the fact that emails go ignored and what you have is an organization that simply dig their own grave. They do not deserve any customer's hard earned cash nor loyalty.

I will never touch these guys again, and I would advise others do likewise. There are plenty of vendors out there who treat customers with respect and value their loyalty. There are plenty of online bargains and bricks and mortar shops where friendly advice and good service is on offer.

Who needs to be messing about with the likes of chainreractioncycles.com.

Fair point but paypal also works well!!