Commuting kit - cyclescheme - £600

[Sway]

Moving to a hybrid working pattern, 2 days a week in the office.

This opens up commuting by bike/train.

Bike is an Enigma Etape, Tailfin rack with top bag and one pannier.

I've got a pair of nice bib shorts, couple of short sleeve summer jerseys, and some tights.

Kit me out! One retailer, it'll be through cyclescheme. Suppose I need a packable rain/wind jacket, warm base layers, autumn/winter jerseys, winter 'accessories' like arm/leg warmers, overshoes and stuff.

Reckon £600 will get me kitted up for year round all weather (within reason - I've still got the car!) riding in relative comfort?

I'm 5'10", 70kg, long in upper body.

Cheers!

[louiebaby]

How long is your commute? I'd struggle to see past Planet X bundles for this specific purpose:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/deals/bundles

I like 3/4 length bibs for the winter. Don't go nuts on Jerseys, get your inlaws to buy you funny ones for Christmas and birthdays.

[Harpoon]

How long is the commute? I'd be tempted to spank a good chunk of the budget on a Gore Shakedry jacket. Incredibly breathable and lightweight - unbeatable on a wet day. Gore and a few other brands use the fabric. Downside is no full on hi-viz option - I think the Gore 1985 Viz version (which I have) with the small fluorescent panels are as bright as they get.

[Sway]

Harpoon said:

How long is the commute? I'd be tempted to spank a good chunk of the budget on a Gore Shakedry jacket. Incredibly breathable and lightweight - unbeatable on a wet day. Gore and a few other brands use the fabric. Downside is no full on hi-viz option - I think the Gore 1985 Viz version (which I have) with the small fluorescent panels are as bright as they get.

About 15 minutes cycling each side, an hour on the train. Not too worried about mega viability - the roads I'm on are pretty good, and I've got nicely attention grabbing lights.

Really top quality packable jacket was something I was thinking was a must.

[louiebaby]

If it's two consecutive days a week, you might want to consider doubling up on bibs, but otherwise:

Summer shoes
Winter boots (ideally) or warm overshoes
1 x 3/4 length bibs
1x regular bibs
Neoprene (wetsuit) gloves for cold and wet
Winter gloves for cold and dry
Full finger gloves for autumn / spring
Fingerless gloves for summer
Skull cap to go under your helmet in the winter
Short sleeve base layer
Long sleeve base layer
Short sleeve jersey
Long sleeve jersey
Gillet
Very bright winter coat

---

ALL the lights.

I know you say £600 and cyclescheme, but you should be able to manage it for £300 without cyclescheme too, which is cheaper even if you are on 40% tax.

[louiebaby]

Sway said:

Really top quality packable jacket was something I was thinking was a must.

When you're out for a ride, and you're on the move for 2-3 hours, you'll probably benefit from this.

When you're commuting, you're looking at about an hour, and there's a hot shower at the end of it. The focus shifts from high tech and breathable to keep you able to keep riding to staying visible and warm.

I've always kept a £5 packable rain jacket from Aldi in my desk at work for those days it was nice on the way in, and pissing it down on the way home. It wasn't very breathable, but it kept me warm, and was very bright.

Even if your commute is very well lit and on wide roads, assume everyone is an idiot and won't see you.

[JayRidesBikes]

Harpoon said:

How long is the commute? I'd be tempted to spank a good chunk of the budget on a Gore Shakedry jacket. Incredibly breathable and lightweight - unbeatable on a wet day. Gore and a few other brands use the fabric. Downside is no full on hi-viz option - I think the Gore 1985 Viz version (which I have) with the small fluorescent panels are as bright as they get.

I'd second a gore jacket. I have the castelli one and it's amazing compared to a cheap bin bag jacket that cooks you - well worth it for winter commuting if you want to stay dry and comfortable.

[Sway]

louiebaby said:

Sway said:

Really top quality packable jacket was something I was thinking was a must.

When you're out for a ride, and you're on the move for 2-3 hours, you'll probably benefit from this.

When you're commuting, you're looking at about an hour, and there's a hot shower at the end of it. The focus shifts from high tech and breathable to keep you able to keep riding to staying visible and warm.

I've always kept a £5 packable rain jacket from Aldi in my desk at work for those days it was nice on the way in, and pissing it down on the way home. It wasn't very breathable, but it kept me warm, and was very bright.

Even if your commute is very well lit and on wide roads, assume everyone is an idiot and won't see you.

I figure that I'll be getting kit that'll extend my leisure riding season too, so it'll be used for longer rides as well.

I want to be comfortable, on bike and on train. Otherwise I'll be lazy and jump in the car. Don't mind spending to achieve that - but don't want to spend unnecessarily.

If that's a £5 pack-a-mac and a hoody in the panniers for on the train, then all good! Equally happy if it's an uber modern nanofibre NASA specced whimsy.

I'm sorted on the absolute basics of shorts/tights/summer jerseys.

[louiebaby]

Sway said:

I figure that I'll be getting kit that'll extend my leisure riding season too, so it'll be used for longer rides as well.

[Dnlm]

louiebaby said:

If it's two consecutive days a week, you might want to consider doubling up on bibs, but otherwise:

Summer shoes
Winter boots (ideally) or warm overshoes
1 x 3/4 length bibs
1x regular bibs
Neoprene (wetsuit) gloves for cold and wet
Winter gloves for cold and dry
Full finger gloves for autumn / spring
Fingerless gloves for summer
Skull cap to go under your helmet in the winter
Short sleeve base layer
Long sleeve base layer
Short sleeve jersey
Long sleeve jersey
Gillet
Very bright winter coat

---

ALL the lights.

I know you say £600 and cyclescheme, but you should be able to manage it for £300 without cyclescheme too, which is cheaper even if you are on 40% tax.

Great list...

I was wondering about the cycle scheme plan too. Is there a particular retailer you're looking at? Things like gloves and jackets are typically done best by different brands.

I'd probably be willing to do this at sigma sports in person, but can't think of other bricks and mortar shops. Online imagine fit is an issue for the single shot of c2w? Would probably end up better off sale surfing without being restricted, personally.

If your thinking a 400+ jacket and some bits and bobs on top , then makes sense!

[Daveyraveygravey]

Sway said:

About 15 minutes cycling each side, an hour on the train. Not too worried about mega viability - the roads I'm on are pretty good, and I've got nicely attention grabbing lights.

Really top quality packable jacket was something I was thinking was a must.

Lots of good kit recommendations. Bear in mind that some rain fall is beyond any clothing (in my experience) so I don't spend a vast amount on kit. I can pick and choose when I ride to work, so avoid really wet mornings, and the very cold ones (on road anyway, I can ride over the South Downs to work and when it is dry but below zero it's magical)

I was looking at the length of the ride, 15 mins each way? I'd be looking to extend that and shorten the time on the train, even bin the train altogether if that doesn't mean riding on scary rides. For me, I want to be on the bike longer, it takes a little while to get everything ready for a bike ride, even when you have been doing it for years, but we're all different.

[louiebaby]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

In my defence, I read it as 15 miles. Probably because I'm a bit of a spud.

[Sway]

It's 15-20 minutes either side of the train - but equally, I don't want to be sat on a train for an hour gradually feeling more miserable.

I won't be picking and choosing days in - and want to commit fully to not taking the car year round, so there's likelihood of some pretty grim weather.

Winter boots sound like a great shout instead of overshoes, and I'll be checking out shakedry.

Like the idea of wetsuit gloves too.

[louiebaby]

You could do worse than a pair of these:

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Altura/Thermostre...

I have a pair of the equivalent Castelli ones. I don't wear them often, but I'm glad when I do.

Northwave boots are well recommended, be a bit careful as they seem to be MTB (2 bolt) or road (3 bolt). I don't think they have them that cover both. Look for bargains now, but if you have ENORMOUS feet, or love wearing umpteen socks, PLaet X have their version in size 49 for £40.

[Dnlm]

I've got the Shimano MW5 and definitely very pro no longer dealing with grimy overshoes.

They did 0 degree fine with merino socks in the dry, and probably 5/10 in the wet this winter, long rides. Think there is a MW7 which has more warmth and a boa thing too.

There is - they are on sale at Sigma actually, but dont know the EU sizes.

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Shimano/MW7-Gore-...

[IJWS15]

I wear a beanie under my helmet in winter with the helmet adjusted for the larger head, much warmer than a skull cap which is now somewhere at the back of the wardrobe.

When choosing shoes remember that you will be scaling stairs with the bike in the wet/snow etc., a good pair of trainers and flat pedals or MTB style clipless would probably be better than road style cleats.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Sway said:

It's 15-20 minutes either side of the train - but equally, I don't want to be sat on a train for an hour gradually feeling more miserable.

I won't be picking and choosing days in - and want to commit fully to not taking the car year round, so there's likelihood of some pretty grim weather.

Winter boots sound like a great shout instead of overshoes, and I'll be checking out shakedry.

Like the idea of wetsuit gloves too.

I read it the first time as 15 minutes in the morning, 15 in the evening, not two lots each way, duh!

Winter boots are great, a mate has some Northwave ones but they can be very expensive like £250. I got some Planet X ones down from 95 to 65 in the sale, they do road and off road. Overshoes are crap in my experience, they last two seasons if you're lucky. Zips break, they wear at the heel and toe, it's ANOTHER item of clothing to keep track of.

[louiebaby]

Another thought that occurred to me that you might not have considered.

MUDGUARDS

I know it's not clothing, but it's the single item of clothing that will make the most difference to your happiness on a wet road.

[Sway]

No, it's a good shout.

SKS will be taking care of those duties - probably raceblades, although I'm tempted to go the whole hog and run full length wraparound.

I'm shortening my list I think. Gore C5 Trail jacket looks a good versatile shout.