Beginners guide to what to wear

[smckrr]

I'm new to the cycling game and need help to clarify what is the best to wear

Is my first purchase best to be a good base layer and should I use it in the summer with another tshirt or on its own

In the winter should I use a base layer, jersey and waterproof jacket.

In both situations I dont want to get too warm

Your advice on what to wear in both seasons would be appreciated

 

[marinyork]

Wear whatever you want. If you divide stuff up into layers and have panniers/rucksack you can add/take layers off. This counts for summer and winter. Starting out I would be looking to spend very little, especially as it is summer.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I have several cheapo wicking base layers from Mountain Warehouse which I wear .. on their own in summer (with maybe a waterproof jacket on top), or with the addition of a midlayer and / or waterproof jacket in winter.

Bottom half is a pair of padded cycling shorts, and I add a pair of lightweight waterproof trousers as required to keep rain / wind off. And to keep my knees warm in winter.

That does for me.

 

[HelenD123]

To keep warm enough in winter you'll need something that's windproof. I froze when I went out wearing a fleece as the wind went straight through it. Otherwise just wear what you already have and see how you get on. What sort of budget are you on?

 

[Dan B]

I'd say that padded shorts (whether lycra or baggies with a padded liner) have to be your #1 purchase - assuming that you're looking at rides over 30 minutes and it's an upright (not recumbent) bike, anyway

Top half is more comfortable with wicking fabrics (a base layer, or a jersey - I like jerseys with back pockets to put keys etc in) but not as critical as the bum-saddle interface is

 

[marinyork]

In terms of budget stuff Ronhill tights without padding are very cheap at the moment (from the unspeakable website).

 

[leoc]

these guys http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/ seem to have a lot of reasonable price and quality own / unknown brand stuff

 

[jimboalee]

Wear the same as those two idiots from Bournemouth.

Only a fool fails to see how beautifull their shorts and jerseys are

 

[Crackle]

If you need to try out a few things cheaply, Lidl and Aldi normally do bike clothing offers. Lidl have one coming up soon. See this thread.

 

[John the Monkey]

...or a jersey - I like jerseys with back pockets to put keys etc in

PLEASE don't put keys in the pockets of your clothes - landing on them REALLY REALLY hurts, believe me, and you won't have chance to think "Haha, I shall roll this way, thus avoiding the pointy things in my pockets" if you do head roadwards.

Keys need to go in your bike luggage (pannier, saddlebag, rucksack, whatever) - only put soft things in your bike clothes. A top tube bag can be useful if you don't carry any of those things.

Back to the op;

Summer:
Cycling Jersey (shortsleeve)
Bib shorts
Baggy shorts over the bibs (for train ticket + wallet, work id card)
If it's a bit chilly - Arm warmers + windproof gilet

Autumn:
As above but dhb Earnley (normal weight lycra) bib 3/4s instead of bib shorts.

Winter:
As summer with dhb Merston (fleecy lycra) bib 3/4s
If it's REALLY cold - long sleeve jersey, sometimes a baselayer under a shortsleeve.

If it's raining the whole thing is supplemented with a waterproof jacket (dhb Amberley).

 

[Hacienda71]

I bought a pair of mtb shorts reduced in decathlon this week reduced by a tenner removable padded inner shorts and zip pockets comfy and practical

 

[pinkkaz]

Sometimes I wonder whether padded shorts really are essential. I've just come back from touring in Normandy, so in the saddle up to 6 hours a day, and didn't use padding at all. And my bum was fine! OK so there were a couple of times when I could feel it, but surely this means a good saddle is more vital than shorts?

Or maybe I'm just hardcore!

FWIW my summer cycling gear is 3/4 length sports leggings, t-shirt from h&m, sports bra.

Winter I add a long-sleeved base layer (proper wicking cycling one), Gore rain/windproof jacket, and long leggings/trousers if needed.

Also I have cycling shoes that I can walk in too.

Might invest in more specialist stuff if we go touring in Iceland next year as planned including very warm socks!

What kind of cycling are you doing?