Clothing for cycling - I'm utterly clueless

[Galveston]

Hello,

I'm hoping you can tell me what clothes I should buy for cycling at this time of year...? Frankly I don't have a clue where to start.

Bit of context... I have moments of enthusiasm on the bike, especially last year when over the spring and summer I rode about 2,000 miles and did a couple of 100 mile days. That's a 10-fold increase in either figure over any of the previous 10 years. Then autumn came and it's been forgotten again.

Being a summer cyclist I usually don a comfy t-shirt and pair of normal shorts and off I go. I have an old pair of Nike padded lycra shorts, but actually find them less comfortable than without. They've remained at the back of the drawer.

I tend to ride road in the summer, but probably more likely to use the MTB at this time of year.

With another lockdown to focus the mind and fitness rapidly waning I'd like to get back out on the bike, but I need the clothes to do it. When I look at the websites I'm overwhelmed, really don't know where to start.

So, what's a basic kit?

Cheers, Rob.

[i4got]

Galveston said:

Hello,

I'm hoping you can tell me what clothes I should buy for cycling at this time of year...? Frankly I don't have a clue where to start.

Bit of context... I have moments of enthusiasm on the bike, especially last year when over the spring and summer I rode about 2,000 miles and did a couple of 100 mile days. That's a 10-fold increase in either figure over any of the previous 10 years. Then autumn came and it's been forgotten again.

Being a summer cyclist I usually don a comfy t-shirt and pair of normal shorts and off I go. I have an old pair of Nike padded lycra shorts, but actually find them less comfortable than without. They've remained at the back of the drawer.

I tend to ride road in the summer, but probably more likely to use the MTB at this time of year.

With another lockdown to focus the mind and fitness rapidly waning I'd like to get back out on the bike, but I need the clothes to do it. When I look at the websites I'm overwhelmed, really don't know where to start.

So, what's a basic kit?

Cheers, Rob.

I am not a fan of lycra. I wear clothes that I wouldn't be embarrassed walking into the pub mid ride.

These are the winter trousers I wear. Nice and warm.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01M7VDDLW/ref...

[castex]

Try here.

[georgefreeman918]

Mud guards
Neoprene gloves
Buff (round neck or over ears)
Base layer
Wind proof jacket
Full length fleeced leggings
Merino wool socks
Winter shoes or neoprene overshoes

Unfortunately all the above will set you back a not so little amount, but it will keep you warm!

[Galveston]

Thanks all, that's given me a few ideas. 😊

[sociopath]

i4got said:

Galveston said:

Hello,

I'm hoping you can tell me what clothes I should buy for cycling at this time of year...? Frankly I don't have a clue where to start.

Bit of context... I have moments of enthusiasm on the bike, especially last year when over the spring and summer I rode about 2,000 miles and did a couple of 100 mile days. That's a 10-fold increase in either figure over any of the previous 10 years. Then autumn came and it's been forgotten again.

Being a summer cyclist I usually don a comfy t-shirt and pair of normal shorts and off I go. I have an old pair of Nike padded lycra shorts, but actually find them less comfortable than without. They've remained at the back of the drawer.

I tend to ride road in the summer, but probably more likely to use the MTB at this time of year.

With another lockdown to focus the mind and fitness rapidly waning I'd like to get back out on the bike, but I need the clothes to do it. When I look at the websites I'm overwhelmed, really don't know where to start.

So, what's a basic kit?

Cheers, Rob.

I am not a fan of lycra. I wear clothes that I wouldn't be embarrassed walking into the pub mid ride.

These are the winter trousers I wear. Nice and warm.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01M7VDDLW/ref...

Whats embarassing about lycra? I've frequently gone into a pub (pre covid) in cycling gear, a pint in the summer on a ride is one of life's pleasures

Georgefreeman918 has more or less given you the perfect list, although I dont like neoprene gloves and get multi layered ctcling gloved

[Mars]

See if there is any cycling stock in Aldi. The Crane brand is cheap and has lasted me years. I tend to pop in from time to time and see if I can pick up anything to replace what I have currently... which is winter trousers and thermal vests notably, although I also have a HiViz rain resistant jacket too.

On top of the vest I just have a T-shirt, a long sleeve cycle jersey (a winter one) and the jacket. Four layers in this weather.

Under my helmet I have a buff and a thin cap.

Feet... I've been making do with overshoes for a while but mine have finally ripped apart. I'm hoping that the pair of horribly expensive Northwave winter shoes I've ordered turn up and actually fit my wide feet soon.

I wear two pairs of thin socks.

And a pair of winter gloves from Aldi. These are great.

[gangzoom]

This is the first 'winter' I've commuted to work on via my pedal bike. Apart from a few really wet days when I gave in and took the car, temps of down to -5 degrees windchill is actually fairly OK, not experienced colder than that yet though.

Layering is key, as is a wind proof jacket, overshoes, and gloves.

I tend to wear -

Full length bib shorts
Long sleeve T shirt
Long sleeve cycling jersey
Waterproof jacket

Thermal socks - really thick
Normal cycling shoes
Overshoes

Ski gloves- currently heated ones
Skill cap covering ears under helmet.

All my gear is from Amazon, the most expensive stuff is the heated gloves and thermal socks.

Its great fun cycling in winter, the scenery looks totally different. I would still recommend avoiding going when its wet/snowing. Wind chill + wet clothing doesn't make for a fun experience!

Oh mudguards are vital, make sure you aren't running summer slick tyres, and take it SLOW around corners. Don't even try rapid changes in direction at speed which you do easily in summer, and be ready for understeer/oversteer at any moment!

Edited by gangzoom on Wednesday 6th January 03:24

[fiju]

What would you wear for mountain biking?

[Mr Scruff]

fiju said:

What would you wear for mountain biking?

I get out and about quite a bit (well, twice a week) MTB only.

For me:

Thermal long sleeved tshirt (Primark)
dbh Trail Hoodie - here - I bought mine for £50 in the sale and it's the best piece of MTB kit I've ever bought, can't rate it highly enough
Muddy Fox cycling tights here - honestly not all that great but they're cheap and do they job. Anything more than about 90 minutes and they get a bit uncomfortable but I only wear them when it's really cold (1-2 degrees and below), otherwise I'm in shorts.
'Modesty shorts' - I'm not built for lycra. My old Altura shorts have a removable liner so I wear those over the top. Not these exact ones but something like them
Sealskinz socks - I like these as they have a grip strip at the top so they don't fall down
I'm a victim, so have to have some FiveTens
Full finger gloves - I tend to find that I get quite hot after the first decent climb so I just wear normal full finger. I have some Specialized Sub Zero but in all honesty I think they're overkill!

It's the bottoms that I'm not totally sure about. Told bib shorts/tights are the way forwards but they all seem kinda expensive!

[Mastodon2]

Bib shorts are indeed the way forward. As is proper cycling kit in general really, once you've given it a go and you realise how comfy it is and how much quicker it is, you won't look back. If you enjoy cycling but insist on not wearing the proper kit then that's up to you, but it would be like playing football in hobnail boots because you don't want to wear a football boot.

[Mr Scruff]

Mastodon2 said:

Bib shorts are indeed the way forward. As is proper cycling kit in general really, once you've given it a go and you realise how comfy it is and how much quicker it is, you won't look back. If you enjoy cycling but insist on not wearing the proper kit then that's up to you, but it would be like playing football in hobnail boots because you don't want to wear a football boot.

I might have misunderstood but I think the list I made was proper kit? I think the distinction needs to be made between MTB and road cycling; they're different disciplines and therefore require different kits. Bib shorts are generally used for the road are they not?

[Mastodon2]

Mr Scruff said:

I might have misunderstood but I think the list I made was proper kit? I think the distinction needs to be made between MTB and road cycling; they're different disciplines and therefore require different kits. Bib shorts are generally used for the road are they not?

Sorry, the part about proper cycling kit was aimed at the OP, who is a road rider but wears baggy clothing.

I know some MTBers wear bib shorts as they keep the chamois in the right spot and are just all around comfortable, but you're right about lycra for MTB, I probably wouldn't bother with a lycra jersy for MTB, where speed and efficiency generally don't matter so much.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Mr Scruff said:

I might have misunderstood but I think the list I made was proper kit? I think the distinction needs to be made between MTB and road cycling; they're different disciplines and therefore require different kits. Bib shorts are generally used for the road are they not?

Calling bs on that one, although it might depend on the type of mtb riding you do. Half my time is on the road, half on my mtb on the South Downs (not trail parks, not suicidal drops etc). The discipline is riding a bike, and proper cycling clothing is better than non cycling clothing. I'm too tight to have two sets of clothing, or don't believe the marketing people who tell you you need two sets.

4 layers on your top this time of year. A long sleeved base layer (Craft are good, not too expensive) maybe two of them, a Giro winter jersey and an Altura coat do it for me.
I have some budget fleecy Wiggle bibtights that are brilliant down to zero degrees, don't need anything else on my legs. Castelli Rosso Corsa winter gloves aren't cheap but are the warmest I have found. Alternatively, silk glove liners for a tenner from Amazon and some ordinary gloves work pretty well. Skull cap and helmet work for my head, shoes and feet I still haven't found the best solution. Sealskinz waterproof "socks" are ok but not that warm, overshoes on an mtb quickly get tatty. Planet X are doing some winter boots at the mo for £69 which is very tempting.
I don't get on with a buff or snood; it seems to be the one area I can leave exposed and not suffer. If I wear one, I want to take it off after the first climb, and that's a pita with glasses, cap and helmet to come off first.

[Mars]

Mars said:

See if there is any cycling stock in Aldi. The Crane brand is cheap and has lasted me years. I tend to pop in from time to time and see if I can pick up anything to replace what I have currently... which is winter trousers and thermal vests notably, although I also have a HiViz rain resistant jacket too.

On top of the vest I just have a T-shirt, a long sleeve cycle jersey (a winter one) and the jacket. Four layers in this weather.

Under my helmet I have a buff and a thin cap.

Feet... I've been making do with overshoes for a while but mine have finally ripped apart. I'm hoping that the pair of horribly expensive Northwave winter shoes I've ordered turn up and actually fit my wide feet soon.

I wear two pairs of thin socks.

And a pair of winter gloves from Aldi. These are great.

And they turned up this morning. They're a size bigger than I usually need but still a little tight. I think they'll give a bit so I'll wear them around the house before I put cleats on them and use them on the bike. There's no way I could use thick socks with them though, or even a second pair of thin socks.

[Your Dad]

I've got two different type of Northwave boots, both slightly larger than my normal size. They don't 'give'.

[Mars]

Your Dad said:

I've got two different type of Northwave boots, both slightly larger than my normal size. They don't 'give'.

I've been walking around the house for an hour with them on now and I'm actually very comfy in them. Maybe "tight" was unfair. I'd go with "snug" instead. Definitely no room for a second pair of socks though but they are already warmer than my summer SPD shoes and my old pair of overshoes (now consigned to the bin - ripped and thoroughly knackered).

I can certainly see why the boots won't give though - they are made spectacularly tough. Kind of like the DeWalt of the cycling shoes industry.

I'm looking forward to giving them an airing tomorrow.

[AC43]

I do up to 4 layers on top when it's cold plus a few other bits and bobs;

- you can get really cheap base laters and long-sleeved shirts from the likes of Trespaaa/Decathalon/Amazon.
- then I have a zip up Altura tracksuit top type thing. Mid-priced.
- then an (expensive) Goretex cycling jacket. Keeps the wind & water out

- Altura shorts with liners

- skullcap, gloves, Sealskin socks & neoprene over-boots.

I commute all year round (or did....) and that does me for a 20 mile round trip in the coldest weather.

[snotrag]

Bib shorts, Bib shorts, Bib shorts.

I wear them for all riding, mainly MTB, even indoors on the turbo.

Nobody has to see them - they are usually under some Troy Lee or Endura baggie shorts or trousers.

But they are the 'basis' of all cycling gear. Keep the chamois in place, and prevent the gap between bottom and top halves (which makes a big difference in winter!).

[Ares]

Galveston said:

Hello,

I'm hoping you can tell me what clothes I should buy for cycling at this time of year...? Frankly I don't have a clue where to start.

Bit of context... I have moments of enthusiasm on the bike, especially last year when over the spring and summer I rode about 2,000 miles and did a couple of 100 mile days. That's a 10-fold increase in either figure over any of the previous 10 years. Then autumn came and it's been forgotten again.

Being a summer cyclist I usually don a comfy t-shirt and pair of normal shorts and off I go. I have an old pair of Nike padded lycra shorts, but actually find them less comfortable than without. They've remained at the back of the drawer.

I tend to ride road in the summer, but probably more likely to use the MTB at this time of year.

With another lockdown to focus the mind and fitness rapidly waning I'd like to get back out on the bike, but I need the clothes to do it. When I look at the websites I'm overwhelmed, really don't know where to start.

So, what's a basic kit?

Cheers, Rob.

If you are a t-shirt and normal shorts rider, then full winter cycling gear probably isn't for you.

A pair of thermal tights under your shorts, or a fitted pair of jogging bottoms will suffice. A long sleeved base layer under a T-Shirts with a down jacket will sort you for upper body. Assuming your clothing choice means you're not on cleats, then a pair of winter trail runners will be a good choice with some thick socks. Then add a decent pair of gloves, probably cycling gloves so they have the right movement.


If you do want to move to more dedicated cycling gear, then my gear in near-zero temperatures is typically:

Winter cycling shoes & socks with SPATZ overshoes.
Thermal bib tights
Long sleeved base with either long sleeved merino jersey or more usually a windproof training jacket.
Carry a good waterproof for cold and/or wet protection, and if you want, a Gilet.
Good gloves (again SPATZ are my gloves of choice, two different levels of protection)
Thermal Casquette.