Usmaan Jamil
Well-Known Member
- Location
- London
Poor British weather is something almost every UK cyclist will have to face at one point or another in their cycling career. As a newbie to the sport, I was bewildered when it came to riding in the wet (clothing and bike changes). I decided to consult the interwebs in an attempt to come to a conclusion on what I really needed. I thought I would write this little guide as an idea for all the budding cyclists out there (like myself) who are about to face the same issues that I did when riding in typical British weather!
If you want excellent kit which is going to last you a long time, maybe this is not the right guide for you. This is really intended for people who really just need something to keep them going through the winter without sacrificing too much on performance.
The list of things to buy for winter cycling can stretch far into the distance if your not careful. As this is for the cyclist on a tight budget, we'll keep it to a minimum.
First and foremost, get a baselayer! They're great for keeping the cold out and the warmth in. Ensure you get a "warm" baselayer and not just a compression shirt. www.sportsdirect.com will help you out in this category. Take a trip down to your local store and have a browse taking note as to whether its a winter baselayer or a summer one. A decent one should set you back around 15-20 pounds but if your really on a tight budget, Sondico one may have to do. Also decathlon have a warm baselayer advertised for £6 on their website called the "simple warm"... check it out!
Secondly, you will need a soft shell jacket. This is going to be the most expensive item of clothing you will need to buy by far, but also the best money you spend in pursuit of winter cycling glory. The DHB windslam available at www.wiggle.co.uk has had excellent reviews however if your a commuter or travelling on busy roads I suggest getting something with a little more colour for that extra visibility. As well as the DHB, B'twin do a soft shell entitled the membrane 5 coming in red and blue (a little more visible than the all black DHB) both jackets will leave you around £50 worse off however if your riding in sub 10 degrees, It would be a wise choice to invest in one of these.
Thirdly, unless you want to be cycling in your underwear, pick up a pair of cycling tights. I've got the MuddyFox ones from sportsdirect.com and they're not bad for a beginner but realistically they don't keep my legs too warm in the winter so I would recommend going to decathlon and getting the Bib tights 3 retailing for £22.99 but if you'd rather not spend 22.99, the MuddyFox ones are on the market for around a tenner.
Cycling gloves are also a must in this bitter weather, take a trip down to decathlon and have a look at the £4 called the warm gloves 3 (fleece ones). Excellent price and extremely cheap!
***Optional extras
Overshoes (decathlon, wiggle, halfords)
glasses (decathlon 4.99)
Winter tyres (continental gatorskins, £40 brand new ebay)
under-helmet cap (covers your ears keeping them warm, decathlon 10 pounds)
wind-proof/ rain jacket (decathlon, wiggle- DHB one 22 pounds, breathable)
Hope this helped and if you've got any tips for beginner cyclists like myself, starting out in the winter, leave a response!
If you want excellent kit which is going to last you a long time, maybe this is not the right guide for you. This is really intended for people who really just need something to keep them going through the winter without sacrificing too much on performance.
The list of things to buy for winter cycling can stretch far into the distance if your not careful. As this is for the cyclist on a tight budget, we'll keep it to a minimum.
First and foremost, get a baselayer! They're great for keeping the cold out and the warmth in. Ensure you get a "warm" baselayer and not just a compression shirt. www.sportsdirect.com will help you out in this category. Take a trip down to your local store and have a browse taking note as to whether its a winter baselayer or a summer one. A decent one should set you back around 15-20 pounds but if your really on a tight budget, Sondico one may have to do. Also decathlon have a warm baselayer advertised for £6 on their website called the "simple warm"... check it out!
Secondly, you will need a soft shell jacket. This is going to be the most expensive item of clothing you will need to buy by far, but also the best money you spend in pursuit of winter cycling glory. The DHB windslam available at www.wiggle.co.uk has had excellent reviews however if your a commuter or travelling on busy roads I suggest getting something with a little more colour for that extra visibility. As well as the DHB, B'twin do a soft shell entitled the membrane 5 coming in red and blue (a little more visible than the all black DHB) both jackets will leave you around £50 worse off however if your riding in sub 10 degrees, It would be a wise choice to invest in one of these.
Thirdly, unless you want to be cycling in your underwear, pick up a pair of cycling tights. I've got the MuddyFox ones from sportsdirect.com and they're not bad for a beginner but realistically they don't keep my legs too warm in the winter so I would recommend going to decathlon and getting the Bib tights 3 retailing for £22.99 but if you'd rather not spend 22.99, the MuddyFox ones are on the market for around a tenner.
Cycling gloves are also a must in this bitter weather, take a trip down to decathlon and have a look at the £4 called the warm gloves 3 (fleece ones). Excellent price and extremely cheap!
***Optional extras
Overshoes (decathlon, wiggle, halfords)
glasses (decathlon 4.99)
Winter tyres (continental gatorskins, £40 brand new ebay)
under-helmet cap (covers your ears keeping them warm, decathlon 10 pounds)
wind-proof/ rain jacket (decathlon, wiggle- DHB one 22 pounds, breathable)
Hope this helped and if you've got any tips for beginner cyclists like myself, starting out in the winter, leave a response!
