Clothing advice for a newbie
Discussion
Decathlon is a good bet, don’t stick to cycle clothing though. I wear generic long sleeve thermal tops probably designed for other sports because it’s cheaper and they still fit well. You basically just want breathable man made materials that won’t hold moisture when you sweat.
Stuff like this or this
Personally I don’t like flappy clothing on any bike so wore my roadie lycra tops on the mtb albeit with baggy shorts with a proper pad in them. Still had shaved legs mind….
Stuff like this or this
Personally I don’t like flappy clothing on any bike so wore my roadie lycra tops on the mtb albeit with baggy shorts with a proper pad in them. Still had shaved legs mind….
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 17th February 21:04
pablo said:
Still had shaved legs mind….
Hmm shaved legs, nah still too cold for that atm. Edited by pablo on Thursday 17th February 21:04
OP i concur what Pablo said. most of us regular riders have a plethora of different clothes to suit different conditions.
It can get expensive so i tend to buy "ex-display" or items from Wiggle's ebay shop where the items have been worn for one race then returned to wiggle. It's a cheaper way to find what's suitable for you and what isn't.
I should stop telling poeple about the Wiggle shop; i'm just increasing my competition
NordicCrankShaft said:
One of the best things I bought were proper mtb trainers, the grip levels in the pedals are night and day, a pair of FiveTens.
+1 Plus seal skin socks, Endura shorts with a waterproof arse are essential IMO. Everything else I have is pretty generic outdoor kit.
Decent shoes - FiveTens or Ride Concepts, paired with Seal Skins knee socks for the crap weather. Just be aware the socks are pretty thick and can make the shoes seem small / stuff up your sizing.
Decent pedals to go with the shoes, the plastic Nukeproof ones are great VFM
A waterproof - only if you're out in the muck.
Padded shorts / liners
Knee pads. No one likes skinned knees if you do just happen to mess up (my mate clipped a post one day trying to avoid a dog, the only day he didn't wear pads).
Decent pedals to go with the shoes, the plastic Nukeproof ones are great VFM
A waterproof - only if you're out in the muck.
Padded shorts / liners
Knee pads. No one likes skinned knees if you do just happen to mess up (my mate clipped a post one day trying to avoid a dog, the only day he didn't wear pads).
pablo said:
I wear generic long sleeve thermal tops probably designed for other sports because it’s cheaper and they still fit well. You basically just want breathable man made materials that won’t hold moisture when you sweat.
100 agree I’ve had many times my moneys worth out of Peter Storm (Millets) base layers, long sleeve top and thermal leggings which I wear under ‘summer’ Lycra/road shorts in the winter. If you’re not bothered about brands etc then mountain warehouse is a good shout for tops;
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/ski/base-layers/...
Personally I’d buy some decent shorts like endura Humvees. If you shop about they can usually be had for around £35.
I’ve tried cheap MTB shorts and they’ve just been ruined just from normal riding.
I got some new ones from Chain reaction cycles for £35 the other week & there’s a 10% off code at the top of the site at the mo
I went through 3 pairs of cheap gloves in 2 months because I refused to pay £30ish for some fox ones….. gave in and bought some fox rangers and 18 months later they’re still good.
Try eBay or chain reaction or Tredz (if you browse the Tredz website you normally get a pop up with £5 off of not use the little online messenger on and say you lost your code and they’ll give you £5 off)
As said above Five Ten shoes if you’re riding flats. I was riding in Vans and didn’t think Five Tens would offer anymore grip I was very wrong, they’re so much better and more confidence inspiring.
In fact I’d go as far to say that they’re the first thing I’d buy.
It doesn’t really matter what shorts or t-shirts you wear so long as you’re comfortable but the shoes make the biggest difference.
(Other MTB shoes may be just as good but I can’t vouch for them)
Try the adidas website for the FiveTens and have a google for voucher codes as they’ll normally have some decent ones floating around
(I sound a right tight arse with my voucher codes haha!)
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/ski/base-layers/...
Personally I’d buy some decent shorts like endura Humvees. If you shop about they can usually be had for around £35.
I’ve tried cheap MTB shorts and they’ve just been ruined just from normal riding.
I got some new ones from Chain reaction cycles for £35 the other week & there’s a 10% off code at the top of the site at the mo
I went through 3 pairs of cheap gloves in 2 months because I refused to pay £30ish for some fox ones….. gave in and bought some fox rangers and 18 months later they’re still good.
Try eBay or chain reaction or Tredz (if you browse the Tredz website you normally get a pop up with £5 off of not use the little online messenger on and say you lost your code and they’ll give you £5 off)
As said above Five Ten shoes if you’re riding flats. I was riding in Vans and didn’t think Five Tens would offer anymore grip I was very wrong, they’re so much better and more confidence inspiring.
In fact I’d go as far to say that they’re the first thing I’d buy.
It doesn’t really matter what shorts or t-shirts you wear so long as you’re comfortable but the shoes make the biggest difference.
(Other MTB shoes may be just as good but I can’t vouch for them)
Try the adidas website for the FiveTens and have a google for voucher codes as they’ll normally have some decent ones floating around
(I sound a right tight arse with my voucher codes haha!)
Edited by EddyBee on Saturday 19th February 09:43
I’ll also vouch for Five Ten shoes if you’re riding flats, and Endura shorts.
I wear Endura Singletrack in all weathers - winter in Canberra is below freezing btw - and have a pair of Lycra shorts to wear underneath on those colder days.
I don’t bother with padded shorts off road - full suspension is comfy enough and my arse is conditioned through road/gravel riding anyway. Only bother if I’m going on a 4+hr road ride.
Lycra cycling tops are pretty useful as they’re designed for the job, and I find a short sleeved top over whatever thermal stuff I’m wearing keeps it all from flapping around. In the summer they work brilliantly off road.
I generally DGAF as to coordinating a ‘look’ or what others might think, go with comfort and functionality.
I wear Endura Singletrack in all weathers - winter in Canberra is below freezing btw - and have a pair of Lycra shorts to wear underneath on those colder days.
I don’t bother with padded shorts off road - full suspension is comfy enough and my arse is conditioned through road/gravel riding anyway. Only bother if I’m going on a 4+hr road ride.
Lycra cycling tops are pretty useful as they’re designed for the job, and I find a short sleeved top over whatever thermal stuff I’m wearing keeps it all from flapping around. In the summer they work brilliantly off road.
I generally DGAF as to coordinating a ‘look’ or what others might think, go with comfort and functionality.
NordicCrankShaft said:
Chain reaction have an extra 10% off certain sale items too, I've just had a pair of 100% trousers, a pair of 100% gloves, a pair of fox gloves, a Fox open faced helmet and some DMR V12 Magnesium pedals for £220
I'm now wondering if 50% trousers is half that and the other half a skirt and 50% gloves are that + the other 1/2 being sunglasses 
Been riding for 12 odd years now and definitely say buy cheap, buy twice with mtb gear. Shoes - tried a couple of different brands But 510 free ride pro is the one to go for (grippy on the pedal but also for walking, lots of foot protection as well). Tend to use fox and Troy Lee for most other clothing but plenty of other brands available. Expensive liners and knee pads for a comfee life on the bike. Helmets, go for fits your head the best
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