Essential/Minimal Clothing

CormacH94

What would you consider the essential pieces of kit for year round weather?


What would be the minimal number of items for all seasons? i.e, do you need bib tights if you have decent leg warmers for winter, what is the best rainy day riding set-up?



Looking to invest in my cycling wardrobe (have the basics, jersey, bib shorts, softshell jacket) but also want to keep the amount quite minimal due to lack of wardrobe space.

magicbastarder

the aldi arm warmers have been the best bang for buck of any piece of clothing i own - especially useful for commuting where the conditions between morning and evening can vary greatly.

Bluefoam

CormacH94 wrote: »

What would you consider the essential pieces of kit for year round weather?


What would be the minimal number of items for all seasons? i.e, do you need bib tights if you have decent leg warmers for winter, what is the best rainy day riding set-up?



Looking to invest in my cycling wardrobe (have the basics, jersey, bib shorts, softshell jacket) but also want to keep the amount quite minimal due to lack of wardrobe space.

That all seems a bit excessive for cycling to work... I jus wear some random sweat wicking gear, similar to gym gear & change at the office.

magicbastarder

the OP didn't say it was for the commute, i was the first to mention that use case.

Bluefoam

magicbastarder wrote: »

the OP didn't say it was for the commute, i was the first to mention that use case.

I just assumed... what else would they be talking about. If he's talking about mountainbiking or something else, he can just disregard my comment.

CormacH94

Bluefoam wrote: »

That all seems a bit excessive for cycling to work... I jus wear some random sweat wicking gear, similar to gym gear & change at the office.

Not for commuting, looking for opinions on the bare minimum required for year round road cycling kit

loyatemu

there's cycling gear in Aldi on Thursday. The shorts aren't great but tops and base-layers are usually fine for everyday use.

Wildly Boaring

Bib shorts
Smelly helly x 2
Jersey
Good socks

Arm warmer
Leg warmers
Overshoes
Cycle jacket

Tights for over bib shorts in very very bad weather

CormacH94

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Bib shorts
Smelly helly x 2
Jersey
Good socks

Arm warmer
Leg warmers
Overshoes
Cycle jacket

Tights for over bib shorts in very very bad weather

Smelly Helly? HH Base layers I'm assuming haha


Recommendations on good socks would be super? Was going to pick up some in Aldo on Thursday but I imagine these would be more summer socks


Re tights over bib shorts, is this a more cost efficient option than having bib tights AND bib shorts?

magicbastarder

i have two sets of full bibs - one 'standard', one windproof. the windproof one usually only comes out if i'm out in 4C or less.
i have a better tolerance for cold than most, though.

Wildly Boaring

CormacH94 wrote: »

Smelly Helly? HH Base layers I'm assuming haha


Recommendations on good socks would be super? Was going to pick up some in Aldo on Thursday but I imagine these would be more summer socks


Re tights over bib shorts, is this a more cost efficient option than having bib tights AND bib shorts?

I'd go nowhere without HH or craft base layer. Have plenty of thermal and warm weather ones.

I do a good bit of running and kayaking. Have lot of tights about so yes I put over the bibs shorts.

dahat

Under Armour base layer for €50 has been my best buy, takes multiple washes and been on the go for last 18 months.

Wildly Boaring

dahat wrote: »

Under Armour base layer for €50 has been my best buy, takes multiple washes and been on the go for last 18 months.

Ha. I've probably got a helly or two on the go 18 years!!!

lissard

Here's what I have. What I wear depends on the temperature.

< 5C
Winter jacket
Full bibs
Gloves
Shoe covers
Merino Baselayer
Flandian hat (covers your ears)
Neck warmer

5-15 C
Arm warmers
Leg warmers
Bib shorts
Jersey
Long sleeve base layer
Gillet
Gloves
Cycling hat - to keep the sweat out of my eyes!


> 15C
Shorts
Jersey
Summer base layer
Mitts

The items with the best bang for buck in my eyes are
- Gillet
- Waterproof armwarmers (e.g. Castelli nanoflex)
- Neck warmer
- Leg warmers

A jersey like the Gabba or equivalent will cover you from 0 -> 15C which in Ireland is most of the time. I have a warmer one I use in winter, but if it had to be only one, the Gabba covers the biggest range.

velo.2010

I stick to the turbo trainer if its just a couple of degrees outside!

CormacH94

lissard wrote: »

Here's what I have. What I wear depends on the temperature.

< 5C
Winter jacket
Full bibs
Gloves
Shoe covers
Merino Baselayer
Flandian hat (covers your ears)
Neck warmer

5-15 C
Arm warmers
Leg warmers
Bib shorts
Jersey
Long sleeve base layer
Gillet
Gloves
Cycling hat - to keep the sweat out of my eyes!


> 15C
Shorts
Jersey
Summer base layer
Mitts

The items with the best bang for buck in my eyes are
- Gillet
- Waterproof armwarmers (e.g. Castelli nanoflex)
- Neck warmer
- Leg warmers

A jersey like the Gabba or equivalent will cover you from 0 -> 15C which in Ireland is most of the time. I have a warmer one I use in winter, but if it had to be only one, the Gabba covers the biggest range.

Deadly, thanks a mil for this reply, really comprehensive

CormacH94

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

I'd go nowhere without HH or craft base layer. Have plenty of thermal and warm weather ones.

I do a good bit of running and kayaking. Have lot of tights about so yes I put over the bibs shorts.

Regarding tights over bib shorts, are we talking about tights with no chamois over chamois shorts or just regular/thermal tights?

Wildly Boaring

CormacH94 wrote: »

Regarding tights over bib shorts, are we talking about tights with no chamois over chamois shorts or just regular/thermal tights?

Bib shorts with chamois
Regular tights over the top.