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Nix

Nix

Nix

Soldato
Joined
26 Dec 2005
Posts
19,841
Hey guys,

I'm currently in the market for a few things and would like some recommendations/help if you're able to assist. ;)

1. Hydration Pack

- I don't really know what I'm looking for here. Ideally want something of value and with space to store extras such as keys, wallet and phone, etc. whilst riding with or without the reservoir. No budget, but don't really want to be paying silly money (e.g. >£70) for it. Also, are there any brands that I should be focusing on and any I should be avoiding?

2. Cycling tops

- Not necessarily lycra or jerseys here. Basically, I commute daily and I'm finding my bog-standard cotton t-shirts are getting a little sweaty to say the least after 20 minutes hard peddling. I've got a 56 mile ride coming up soon and suffice to say, I'd like to be wearing something that keeps me comfortable. I have a MTB so obviously being completely lycra-clad would look a little odd to say the least.

3. Rain jackets

- Again, don't know what I'm looking for exactly. I've got some triclimate coat/jacket from North Face where the outershell has pit-zips and is made of goretex but I find even walking in it can be very uncomfortable unless it's quite cold as I get very warm in it, so cycling is a no go. I have considered buying an outdoors paclite but I worry I would have the same problem in that I get too hot to cycle comfortably.

Can anyone recommend a good waterproof? Cycling and/or outdoors. I'm basically thinking of those annoying days where it's a little too warm for anything but you need something breathable to keep you from being soaked.

Also, whilst we're on the topic: how do people stop their heads from being soaked if it's a large downpour as most of the cycling jackets I've seen have no hood. Indeed, I imagine a hood whilst riding would be problematic in its own right.

4. Cycling glasses/sunglasses.

- Do you have any personal recommendations and if possible, photos of you or someone wearing them? They all seem more or less the same to me, except the cheaper end I imagine you might look like a tool wearing them. But as I said, I don't really know hence why I'm asking here. :p

Thanks in advance! :)
 
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Nix said:
Hey guys,

I'm currently in the market for a few things and would like some recommendations/help if you're able to assist. ;)

1. Hydration Pack

- I don't really know what I'm looking for here. Ideally want something of value and with space to store extras such as keys, wallet and phone, etc. whilst riding with or without the reservoir. No budget, but don't really want to be paying silly money (e.g. >£70) for it. Also, are there any brands that I should be focusing on and any I should be avoiding?

2. Cycling tops

- Not necessarily lycra or jerseys here. Basically, I commute daily and I'm finding my bog-standard cotton t-shirts are getting a little sweaty to say the least after 20 minutes hard peddling. I've got a 56 mile ride coming up soon and suffice to say, I'd like to be wearing something that keeps me comfortable. I have a MTB so obviously being completely lycra-clad would look a little odd to say the least.

3. Rain jackets

- Again, don't know what I'm looking for exactly. I've got some triclimate coat/jacket from North Face where the outershell has pit-zips and is made of goretex but I find even walking in it can be very uncomfortable unless it's quite cold as I get very warm in it, so cycling is a no go. I have considered buying an outdoors paclite but I worry I would have the same problem in that I get too hot to cycle comfortably.

Can anyone recommend a good waterproof? Cycling and/or outdoors. I'm basically thinking of those annoying days where it's a little too warm for anything but you need something breathable to keep you from being soaked.

Also, whilst we're on the topic: how do people stop their heads from being soaked if it's a large downpour as most of the cycling jackets I've seen have no hood. Indeed, I imagine a hood whilst riding would be problematic in its own right.

4. Cycling glasses/sunglasses.

- Do you have any personal recommendations and if possible, photos of you or someone wearing them? They all seem more or less the same to me, except the cheaper end I imagine you might look like a tool wearing them. But as I said, I don't really know hence why I'm asking here. :p

Thanks in advance! :)
Click to expand...

1. Cant go wrong with a camelbak but you pay that bit more for quality. Sometimes can be had on a special offer but its worth looking in Decathlon again because they do some decent ones, also Field and Trek (Sports Direct) do them fairly cheap.


2. Sports Direct - Karrimor running tops £5. Sweat wicking,cool and comfortable, I have a few.

3. Again Sports Direct or Field and Trek for Karrimor rain jackets. Good quality and a lot cheaper than bike shops.

4. Endura Stingray. Best value riding glasses you can buy. Read some reviews :)
 
CamelBak Blowfish 2010 Silver/Black

Just got one of these - great value for Last seasons camelbak. Small enough for basics but also can be made bigger for jacket etc. Great value and good service from them.

Rain Jackets/Cycling tops etc - check out Sport Direct or alike for rain jackets. I got a Karimoor cycling jacket for £12 a while back and it's very good value and works well.

Also got one of these in grey - LS JERSEY WHITE - slightly fitted but enough room and works really well. It was in the sale for £15 a few weeks back - wish I had bought a couple of them
 
booyaka said:
CamelBak Blowfish 2010 Silver/Black

Just got one of these - great value for Last seasons camelbak. Small enough for basics but also can be made bigger for jacket etc. Great value and good service from them.
Click to expand...

That's a good price for a Camelbak!

My bag is an Aldi's own IIRC, with a 2L Gelert hydration bladder. I think it's been a comnination of possibly 3 different bag/drinks systems - cost me about £40 in total for them all then I've sold bits off that I've found upgrades to.

Glasses-wise, I use Madison Shields. You can get a clear lensed set for around £15, they cover almost all of the eye area and you can get replacement nose bits, lenses and everything else.
A word of warning on them though - if you're taking them off and storing them when not in use, remove the lenses from the frame arms. Otherwise the arms fold back on themselves and scratch the lenses.
 
Lidl and Aldi often have cycling gear on offer. Sells out pretty rapidly usually and I haven't actually got any of it myself, some of my friends rave about it though.

For a hydration pack I use an Osprey Raptor. Had for about a year and have to say there are probably much better alternatives for the same price or less. It's mainly a comfort thing (which is probably due to my build). Link

I also have a Karimor cycling waterproof from Sports Direct for £12. No complaints about that so far. Link

Edit: Added some links ^
 
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Thanks very much guys. Will quite likely be ordering that camelbak and Karrimor jacket - absolute bargains!

I've got some time to kill next week so will likely head to the Decathlon Lakeside store and have a look around for some tops and stuff!

For £12 you really can't complain! How's the breathability?

EDIT:

Ah, bugger. The jacket's only left in the wrong sizes!
 
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If you've got a Sports Direct near by it'll be worth checking out. If they don't have the jacket, they might have something similar in your size.

I can't really give a useful comment on how breathable it is. I don't have anything to compare it to. I've ended up pulling the sleeves up and unzipping the front when I've used it for biking or running. I haven't ended up drenched in sweat after I've used it though.
 
1) Camelbak. Great quality and usually lots of little pockets.

2) Any running/wicking top will do.

3) I have a €7 top from Decathlon that I have yet to experience getting wet in, in even the heaviest downpours. Reasonable breath-ability too. You can't stop your head getting wet, save using something like a Buff but it will get soaked through eventually. Hoods are dangerous.

4) Glasses I won't recommend, other then to say get whatever fit your head, I presume you dont need prescription glasses.
 
For your waterproff think about a featherlight smock, something like a Montane one. Ultra thin, breathable and windproof. You'll not want more than a t-shirt underneath though. Basically, on a bike if you stop the wind getting to you you're effectively removing your natural cooling system and you'll get hot. I use my Montane one in winter over a very thin long sleeve top and it's plenty to keep me warm. Unless it's hammering down with rain I don't use it when it's warmer like this.
 
I've ordered the Camelbak and a pair of Endura Stingrays.

Will look around Decathlon and local Sports Direct when I get a chance. If all else fails, it'll be a trip to GoOutdoors.

As for prescription, I actually do need glasses as I'm slightly short-sighted but I will be sorting new glasses and contacts out this week anyway. Just nice to have options as I can - although it's better not to - get away without wearing any. Indeed, I bought a brand new pair of glasses last November then about a week later decided I hated them so only really wear them in the cinema. Finally got a week off work this week, so finding an 'every day' pair is high-up on the list of things to do. :)

Jonny, do you have any links to the jacket you're referring to? Ideally I'm after something for warm weather at the moment, so I can ride in how the weather's been the last couple of days with the warm-mugginess and lots of rain.
 
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