Winter Cycling Gear

I haven't been road cycling all that long and I'm very light on kit. At the moment I only have a long sleeve jersey and some uninsulated 3/4 length bib knicks.

I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for kit that have. What do you find you use most? What is most important to have? What wouldn't you bother with?

I haven't been road cycling all that long and I'm very light on kit. At the moment I only have a long sleeve jersey and some uninsulated 3/4 length bib knicks.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for kit that have. What do you find you use most? What is most important to have? What wouldn't you bother with?

Roubaix material leg warmers, with standard bib shorts are usually warm enough for winter.

Neoprene overshoes keep your feet warm and usually dry.

DeFeet wool gloves are good for autumn, not too heavy but keep your hands warm.

A lot of Decathlon cycling kit is ill fitting rubbish but the thermal undervests are good value.

Thanks, i was trying to decide on tights vs leg warmers. What about the top half? Just something like Castelli Gabba jersey? Do you have a rain jacket? I've just been getting wet over summer.

Thanks, i was trying to decide on tights vs leg warmers. What about the top half? Just something like Castelli Gabba jersey? Do you have a rain jacket? I've just been getting wet over summer.

Only have a rain jacket (a cheap ill-fitting waterproof from Decathlon) for the commute, and even then, don't really wear it much.

For training, no waterproof, just get wet.

Mudguards are the best thing you can fit on a bike you will use over the winter, keep you much more dry than without. If you can fit full size, fixed mudguards (SKS chromoplastics are the best), then so much the better. If not, SKS make a variety of other options.

Read lots of good things about gabba stuff, but I don't own any.

A cap under the helmet retains a lot of warmth, I usually take a spare in my back pocket, so I can put a dry one on after a cafe stop I've also got an under helmet skull cap which goes over the ears for when its really cold.

Try the Velotastic, Chesterfield website

It depends upon your budget of course. There is some very good quality clothing out there, but it comes at a price. Agree that some roubaix style bib tights are a good investment for the bottom half. Top half you need something to keep the wind out, you can always build up warmth by wearing an extra thin layer when it is colder.

Most heat is lost through the extremes of your body, so think about keeping your head hands and feet warm too.

I bought some army gortex socks of Ebay after getting very cold and wet feet. they are awesome!!

I always buy cheap woollen (non cycling) jerseys off ebay - if they get damp, they dry ok and don't smell. I always find man-made materials smell foul too quickly.

Cheap thinsulate gloves for most days(about £1); old skiing gloves when it is really cold. These always get too warm after 20 mins or so

Marathon winter (spiked) tyres for when it is icy/snowing (not needed for a while, but I keep them on in case. These were great a few years ago)

I keep a cycling cap for under the helmet in my panniers, but it usually doesn't stay on for long, once I've warmed up.

You learn that unless you are looking for tiny weight advantages then most high end gear is a waist of money.

For me:

Bib shorts and summer lycra top for a base layer then any cheap cycling long trousers and on top another thicker layer then a wind/waterproof.

Gloves are worth spending a little time choosing as your figures are vulnerable to the cold on a bike.In really cold conditions I use ski type gloves.

Also recommend some "overshoes" and something to keep your head/ears warm under your helmet.

All available cheaply from Decathlon/similar or Expensively with a nice brand name from one of the specialist bike shops.

I have shed loads of good quality clothing. All medium 38' chest 1and 32 waist. Contact if interested.