Suitable cost effective winter wear

[craig kennedy]

ok so winter is on the way, and I know I wont be able to cycle every single day, but I would like to go out some of the time, however my wife is already peeved at the cost of cycling, having had to get a new chain and rear cassette recently, so I need to look at getting suitable winter gear that can be used in all weather conditions (excluding the warmer dry days.

Looking at shoe covers, gloves, trousers and jackets.

Can I assume that I would simply put any water/wind proof trousers over standard shorts? I know it may seem stupid to ask, but it was only recently I learned not to wear underwear under shorts, so I am looking for both advice on this, that is going to be extremely cheap, so what I dont need I wont get, if over shoe things are not needed (a spare pare of socks instead) then so be it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sharky]

leg warmers with your current shorts will take you into the really cold months, especially down here in sunny Kent

 

[puffinbilly]

The Aldi winter bike sale - last Thursday in September will pretty much cover all needs - it's cheap but good quality and durable. Their jackets are excellent and if anything as you get fitter you'll find them a little too warm for anything over 5C. One area they won't cover - is probably trousers - may have some long tights but if it's casual trousers you've after, M&S are selling their cycling chinos off cheap.

There's loads of good cheap gear about - from the DHB range at Wiggle through to various bargains on here that are posted in the shopping thread.

 

[vickster]

Look at www.cycle-clothing.co.uk and Planet X bundles

 

[Nibor]

I wear ron Hills over my shorts for colder days, works well for me. Also cheap solution to warm feet but can be sweaty is plastic bags over your socks before you put your shoes on.

 

[LonesomeWanderer]

There's some Lidl stuff (including long leg wear) coming up on Monday.
http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?id=633

I find leg/knee warmers are usually enough down here in the South West though....

 

[jefmcg]

+1 on lidl aldi. I haven't had much luck with a lot of their kit, but the merino leggings over summer shorts have done me well for a lot of riding. And when I came of on some wet metal cover in the road, I binned them at then end of the ride without much grief.

Also, their ski socks a pretty good under normal shoes.

 

[AyJay]

I wear ron Hills over my shorts for colder days, works well for me. Also cheap solution to warm feet but can be sweaty is plastic bags over your socks before you put your shoes on.

I too wear Ron Hills. They were the thing to have for MTB several years ago but not so easy to find now. I don't need to be the height of style these days! They are fine for me.
Plastic bags? I might give that a try. Cheers.

 

[MichaelW2]

Sealskinz socks are a modern, high tech version of a plastic bag. They are very cosy and comfortable, as long as your wp trousers drape over the top. I usually wear thin woolen socks underneath to keep them clean.
Over-booties are the usually roady means of foot protection.

One small, cheap, useful item is a neck-warmer tube (buff/headover). I have fleece and merino ones.
You can use them as hats and with 2 you can make a baklava.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Is there a lot of point in overshoes if you're not riding clipless? I have reasonably fierce flats on my commuter and have been told they'd probably make short work of overshoes, even if I could find a set to slot over my trainers.

 

[fimm]

Another +1 for Ron Hills or similar over shorts.

 

[MichaelW2]

There are some aspects of the 1970s best forgotton, but RonHills are ace, no matter what the decade.

 

[AyJay]

There are some aspects of the 1970s best forgotton, but RonHills are ace, no matter what the decade.

I love them. Even bought a new pair last week.

 

[craig kennedy]

lol, thanks all, so much advice.

Seems Lidl are pretty good for cheap stuff so Ill take a look at that again (advised on here to get a pump from them and I did, and its great)

My wife is knitting me a snood (neck warmer) which I believe they are called, and yes they are a great idea.

 

[mjr]

Is there a lot of point in overshoes if you're not riding clipless? I have reasonably fierce flats on my commuter and have been told they'd probably make short work of overshoes, even if I could find a set to slot over my trainers.

They're OK if you get less fierce flats (rubber grips not teeth) but there's more choice in waterproof shoes if you don't need cleats. I mostly prefer military boots (with channels that drain the water off) for expected deluges... heck, I rode in wellies for charity in the spring and they were surprisingly comfortable, so they may get another outing later in the year

Seems Lidl are pretty good for cheap stuff so Ill take a look at that again

Ah, Lidl and Aldi can be a bit of a lottery, like a lot of the discounters. Some lines vary in quality from year to year and sometimes one shop is good for something and the equivalent from the other is awful. Give it a good check over before you buy, so far as you can, and don't spend more than you can afford to lose

I like the sales of the outdoorsy sorts of shops - often what they intend for hikers, but I'm not a sports cyclist so it usually suits me OK. My sports mittens and reusable handwarmers came from their sales, but it's the wrong time of year to be getting discounts on winter ranges.

My wife is knitting me a snood (neck warmer) which I believe they are called, and yes they are a great idea.

Two can be good: one for around your neck and one twisted halfway and folded back on itself to make a beanie. I tend to use long scarves for my neck or for extra head wrapping inside a hood, though.

http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/ can be good too, depending on what offers they have on.