Thermal gear

BoardsMember

I bought some leg and arm warmers from that site that shall not be named. The material is just the same as light jersey material, i.e. it does not keep the warm in or the cold out. I had been hoping that some base layers plus these arm and leg warmers would do me through the winter, but even last Saturday I was cold on the bike.

So I've been looking for stuff with "thermal" in the title now. One thing I am not sure of re thermal leggings, can wearing these be a bit chaffing...aren't you supposed to have the pad in the shorts against skin? I suppose it would depend on the quality/properties of the leggings really. I thought these looked good (but pricey) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/canterbury-cold-legging/rp-prod29767

Anyhow, any advice welcome on what top & bottoms to look out for.

One other question...I am getting numb toes. Checked the temp of my toes when I finished the other day and they were not cold, so I think it is the borrowed shoes I am using, they are quite tight. I am stuck for time this week so dont have time to shop around, and dont want to take the risk with buying online in case sizes are wrong. Wondering if people has opinions on where would have a good & reasonably priced shoe range for Look Keo pedals.

Thanks.

Fian

May or may not suit, and tbh I haven't worn them yet, but I picked up a pair of "running trousers" in LIDL yesterday that I intend to use as winter tights under cycling shorts. I have used their "cycling tights" under shorts before, they are fine to wear under the shorts. These are warmer and thicker.

bcmf

Endura or GORE Tex.
You will have to pay good money for really decent deep winter kit.

BoardsMember

Fian wrote: »

May or may not suit, and tbh I haven't worn them yet, but I picked up a pair of "running trousers" in LIDL yesterday that I intend to use as winter tights under cycling shorts. I have used their "cycling tights" under shorts before, they are fine to wear under the shorts. These are warmer and thicker.

I went to lidl on way home and got tops and bottoms, thanks for the tip

nak

Fian wrote: »

May or may not suit, and tbh I haven't worn them yet, but I picked up a pair of "running trousers" in LIDL yesterday that I intend to use as winter tights under cycling shorts. I have used their "cycling tights" under shorts before, they are fine to wear under the shorts. These are warmer and thicker.

Tights should go over shorts so the chamois is in contact with your skin.

BoardsMember

nak wrote: »

Tights should go over shorts so the chamois is in contact with your skin.

Thanks.Does that mean you need outer layer above the long John type material?

nak

BoardsMember wrote: »

Thanks.Does that mean you need outer layer above the long John type material?

2 layers should be enough, never that cold here, anymore and movement will be restricted. I wear unpadded tights over bibshorts, Roubaix fabric is plenty warm for Ireland, some windproof tights available too.

Tigerandahalf

I bought some of those running tights from aldi last year for running. However once it rained and they were wet I felt colder. I would imagine with cycling the wet material would stick into the skin. But fine if dry perhaps. Went for a spin this evening and wore two jerseys, one short sleeved. I then wore a body warmer/gilet on top and it was still a bit chilly. Instead of normal gloves I wore a pair I got from aldi last year that I use for winter walks. They are ideal. Kept the hands warm without sweating. Feet were cold enough. Probably need a thicker sock. I have hiking socks so could use those.
If it is very wet is there any way to stay dry?

nak

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I bought some of those running tights from aldi last year for running. However once it rained and they were wet I felt colder. I would imagine with cycling the wet material would stick into the skin. But fine if dry perhaps. Went for a spin this evening and wore two jerseys, one short sleeved. I then wore a body warmer/gilet on top and it was still a bit chilly. Instead of normal gloves I wore a pair I got from aldi last year that I use for winter walks. They are ideal. Kept the hands warm without sweating. Feet were cold enough. Probably need a thicker sock. I have hiking socks so could use those.
If it is very wet is there any way to stay dry?

A good waterproof jacket, can get waterproof gloves and overshoes too, but they generally start to take on water if you're in the rain for a while.

UDP

Op, look for jerseys/tights labelled winter on that site. Wore a pair that arrived recently for the first time today when it was about 5°c, no complaints about the warmt. Will see what they are like when it hits zero or below.

Brian?

Winter gear is worth spending few quid on. Thermal longs, overshoes, full gloves, a decent jacket and a cycling specific beanie.

I wouldn't wear anything designed for running on the bike, the shape and fit is usually wrong.

Something like this is perfect for an Irish winter:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/castelli-mortirolo-due-jacket/rp-prod88500

You can later up base layers under it on the colder days.