Padded cycle shorts

[Scruffmonster]

In winter you will need leggings not shorts othwerwise you will freeze. 21 miles round trip is a significant distance. I would NOT recommend cycling in work clothes unless you are a chav who works for the council and wear one of those huge fluorescent hi-viz coats and huge hob nail boots ......... in mid July.

Decathlon shorts are very good value. I've had several pairs for 4 years now and they are still going strong. A good comfortable pad, panelled to keep shape and about £15-20. Also extremely good are Endura Thermolite tights/bibs for when it is VERY cold. They are warm and also have reasonable water repellancy to keep you dry. The tights cost about £65 and the bibs about £75, but they are worth the cost. If you want cheap leggings then SportsDirect do pretty good panelled ones for £10. I have a few pairs. Wear them over the top of your cycling shorts. You can wear another pair of non padded shorts on top these as well to give you three layers when it is chill and to protect your veg.

If you don't have anywhere to dry your kit at work for your ride home then you will need a spare set of kit to take with you in the morning for the ride home unless you can put up with putting on wet clothes, but if it is freezing weather you will struggle to wam up and probably catch flu or pneumonia. After a long day it is not nice putting on damp or wet kit.

Also ditch the rucksack and fit a rack to your bike and use panniers ideally water proof ones such as Vaude or Ortlieb. Riding with a rucksack over longer distances ruins your back. It is so much nicer riding without anything on your back affecting balance and your ability to control your bike.

You will also need pretty good cycling shoes, several layers of good socks, over shoes, warm and waterproof gloves, fleece hat and neck fleece. Proper cycling jacket such as an Endura.

Several spare tubes, tyre levers, gas canisters and pump.

It will cost you a few £££££. Maybe you would prefer to start in the Spring?

I really hope that this is not a serious post.

The requirement of a cycling commuter consists of 1 item. A bike. (Plus £10-15 on lights if it's going to be dark)

That's it.

 

[Crankarm]

I really hope that this is not a serious post.

The requirement of a cycling commuter consists of 1 item. A bike. (Plus £10-15 on lights if it's going to be dark)

That's it.

.

 

[inkd]

I have spent out a fair amount just getting essentials. I think the last thing i actualy need rather than want is waterproof trousers. I am not going to commute when its pouring down but rather have some handy if i get caught short. As the shorts go i have ordered a pair of Azore ones so if i get on with them i can spend out abit more in Feb when work pays out bonus.
Many thx for the replys

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I really hope that this is not a serious post.

The requirement of a cycling commuter consists of 1 item. A bike. (Plus £10-15 on lights if it's going to be dark)

That's it.

That's how I started, over a year ago.
Waterproof jackets I had plenty - I do live in Scotland added a pair of waterproof trousers for a tenner.
For 5 mile commute you don't have to spend a fortune.
You start spending a fortune when commuting becomes fun, you want better tyres, more tools, another bike, brighter lights, a yellow cycling jacket like every body else ... the list is endless - where's the "I'm skinned" smiley??

 

[Licramite]

when I commute in, I leave a spare set of cloths and office shoes in the office, change into cycling kit for the commute, saves humping cloths and shoes, so no need for a back pack after day I. other than for lunch and a handlebar bag is good for that.

If you find you need padded shorts, rather than having several pairs, just wear a set of y fronts under them to keep them clean , you can get them in packs of 3 for £9.

I don't do it in the winter (to wimpy - don't like the dark, ice and rain.) but it's great in the summer.

If your office has a shower - great , otherwise I tend to have a squaddie shower, quick wash and spray on de-oderant

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If you are comfortable enough not wearing padded shorts then why would you want some?
Are you not comfortable on your bike at that distance?
However they do make a bike ride more comfortable.

The thing is, if you are doing a 5 day commute then you would need 5 pairs of shorts if you are not able to do washing midweek. Wearing padded shorts 2 days in a row is a filthy no-no.

But seeing as your commute is not far then I would go for something like Wiggles own brand DHB or Decathlon etc

I know it is sacrilege to the purists, but I wear boxer shorts under my tights/shorts, that way I can get away with one pair and wash them at the weekend.

 

[Crankarm]

It is possible to keep yourself clean and therefore not soil cycling shorts. I put a clean pair of cycle shorts on twice a day, one for the ride to work and a clean dry pair for the return, as I do jerseys, socks, etc as I like to ride in clean appareil. I have worn kit two days in a row when I haven't had the time to wash it, but I prefer not to, as salts from sweat can cause irritation and the smell.

 

[Crankarm]

when I commute in, I leave a spare set of cloths and office shoes in the office, change into cycling kit for the commute, saves humping cloths and shoes, so no need for a back pack after day I. other than for lunch and a handlebar bag is good for that.

If you find you need padded shorts, rather than having several pairs, just wear a set of y fronts under them to keep them clean , you can get them in packs of 3 for £9.

I don't do it in the winter (to wimpy - don't like the dark, ice and rain.) but it's great in the summer.

If your office has a shower - great , otherwise I tend to have a squaddie shower, quick wash and spray on de-oderant

And what do you wear for your ride home, the same cycling clothes you wore on your way into work?

 

[Licramite]

yes, the same cycle kit. -
but then in my soldier days 10 day exercises in say the Gallow Mountains or around Snowden in all conditions , didn't even see us take our boots off. -
sweat and dirt - makes you waterproof.
I found boxers ruck up, tight fitting pants cover the important bits without any chaffing.