Spec me some warm clothing for cycling outdoors!

pumaz · 3 Dec 2017 at 23:06

I’ve made a real effort this year to get back in to cycling on my Roadbike, been doing around 100 miles a week on Zwift and when it was warmer one or two 30 mile rides a week. Now I feel I need to start venturing out in to the cold but I only have summer jerseys and bib shorts. I doubt I’ll brave it outside if it’s already raining, snowing or iced over but would like to venture out when it’s not so extreme!

My wife wants to know what I want for Christmas so I’m thinking bib tights, base layer, long sleeve jersey and anything else I might need to keep warm up to a max of £150. I do already have a light weight Castelli rain jacket but nothing else that can be described as weather proof.

So can anyone suggest a reasonable quality attire within my budget? I appreciate I’m not gonna get Rapha etc. but as long as it’s fit for purpose and not totally uncool I’m not massively bothered about brands!

Thanks

Bear · 4 Dec 2017 at 05:52

DHB stuff on Wiggle is generally very good value. I would add a buff, skull cap, overshoes and long fingered gloves to your list and that should be pretty much it.

pumaz · 4 Dec 2017 at 07:54

Thanks for the advice Bear I’ll look at DHB, not thought about buff or cap! any thoughts on Altura stuff, Looks nice but is it any good?

Shamrock · 4 Dec 2017 at 12:07

I'd choose dhb over Altura any day.

pumaz · 4 Dec 2017 at 17:55

I priced up a full kit at Wiggle.

dhb-Original-Buff-Cycle-Headwear-Black-Grey-AW16-NU0475.jpg

1 x dhb Original Buff®
One Size Black/Grey
£10.00

dhb-Windslam-Cycling-Peaked-Cap-Cycle-Headwear-Black-AW16-NU0495.jpg

1 x dhb Windslam Cycling Peaked Cap
One Size Black
£12.00

1 x dhb Windproof Overshoe
Large Black
£15.00

dhb-Classic-Thermal-Sock-Cycling-Socks-Navy-Red-SS18-NU0635NAVY-REDUK-2-5-6.jpg

1 x dhb Classic Thermal Sock
UK 9.5-12 (EU 44-47) Navy/Red
£7.99

dhb-Classic-Thermal-Long-Sleeve-Jersey-Stripe-Internal-Black-Red-AW17-TW0508BLACK-REDXS-0.jpg

1 x dhb Classic Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey - Stripe
Medium Black/Red
£50.00

dhb-Classic-Thermal-Bib-Tights-Cycling-Tights-Black-NU0288-X-S.jpg

1 x dhb Classic Thermal Bib Tights
Medium Black
£48.00

dhb-Aeron-Merino-Base-Layer-M_37-5-Base-Layers-Black-AW16-NU0485.jpg

1 x dhb Aeron Merino Base Layer (M_37.5)
Medium Black
£28.00
Edit basket
VAT (included)£28.50
DeliveryFree
Total£170.99

Bit over budget but what’s people’s thoughts?

Fusion · 4 Dec 2017 at 18:02

Looks good. dhb kit is very good for the money. I have one of their Windslam jerseys and it's spot on. Overshoes and the like to me seem a bit unnecessary, but they're not silly money so if you think you'll benefit from them, why not.

pumaz · 4 Dec 2017 at 18:18

Thanks fusion, I did have a pair of Dhb windproof cycling gloves at £20 but they went out of stock and out my basket, I do actually feel the wind through the mesh on my Shimano shoes so I thought the overshoes would help during cold rides. if there’s anything on the list you’d change I’m all ears.

This will sound daft but I intend to join the local cycle club at some point, will I stick out like a sore thumb wearing dhb in a kind of peasant way? Lol

Fusion · 4 Dec 2017 at 18:24

dhb seem pretty well respected if you're concerned about that. I'm sure one or two of the Rapha brigade in certain quarters may form a view, but A) they probably feel the same about anyone not on a Colnago or De Rosa and B) if they're shallow enough to judge you on appearance they aren't worth riding with/knowing anyway.

pumaz · 4 Dec 2017 at 18:43

Cheers Fusion

Lethal` · 4 Dec 2017 at 20:28

pumaz said:
1 x dhb Windproof Overshoe
Large Black
£15.00

I'd personally forget these. I got some the other day and they're going back untested. They don't feel like they'll be particularly good or last very long at all.

I've got some of these too: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-road-softshell-overshoes/
They're worth it for the extra £10 if that's your size. Much thicker material and they keep my feet warm even around freezing temps.

UTmaniac · 4 Dec 2017 at 20:39

Received the DHB thermal bib tights last Weds, they were great in the bitter temps Weds and Thurs.

Bear · 4 Dec 2017 at 20:40

I use the dhb neoprene overshoes and they work pretty well in keeping my feet warm and is only a few quid extra compared with the windproof version you listed. You can even get the extreme weather version for about a tenner more. As Lethal mentioned, the thicker material helps prevent your feet from freezing.

Lethal` · 4 Dec 2017 at 21:00

I used to have the neoprene ones as well. Very good but pro tip: they don't last long if you walk on mtb trails

(I seem to have gone through about 5000 pairs of overshoes in just 2 years cycling...)

pumaz · 4 Dec 2017 at 21:55

Thanks for the tip, I’ll change the overshoes

jpaul · 4 Dec 2017 at 22:39

pumaz said:
dhb Classic Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey - Stripe

I think I would be going for the windproof, however the product details (windproofing aside) do not make it clear how thick the insulation is on the two.
but maybe you will use the castelli.

pumaz said:
dhb Aeron Merino Base Layer

also sceptical about how well merino stuff wears ? can you handwash this in an evening and it is dry the next day say like an artficial base layer.
(I use some Patagonia base layers for running/cycling/walking still good 10years +)

pumaz · 10 Dec 2017 at 18:24

For better or worse this is what I decided on! I realised I could get more or less the same stuff from Chain Reaction for the same price minus British Cycling discount, so ordered from them

Endura Frontline Base Layer 2017

Black, L - sku56837