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I've just started riding on the road so I'm in need of a little guidance. At the moment I've only got shorts, gloves and a jersey (obviously helmet and shoes too) and as the weather has been nice I've been fine but what do people wear when it's slightly cooler and/or raining a bit? I'm not talking Winter riding just a cool day.
I've looked at jackets bit they look like you'll sweat a fair bit unless you pay huge amounts for a Gore one?
Arm warmers, knee warmers and a gilet. Ideal if you're setting off early in summer when it's still cold, or for milder spring and autumn days.
If it’s raining I wear a jacket and just sweat a bit.
When it cools off I wear a thin /summer long sleeved base layer under my normal summer jerseys. Just a Nike one, nothing fancy.
I keep wondering about the arm warmers you can buy that are just sleeves - but never actually seen any in a shop to have a proper look at.
I tend to wear shorts until it starts getting below 5-10 degrees then swap to leggings. Years ago I wore shorts all year round, but as I got a bit older I thought getting purple knees probably isn’t good for their longevity as you get older!
I picked up a Rapha lightweight jacket in a sale, been the best thing in my kit bag really, light enough to take out when it's a bit dull but enough for a decent shower or strong winds
Decathlon do a long sleeved baselayer ("Aerofit") with a windproof chest. It's the most versatile item of clothing I have. Ideal for cooler days and doesn't get sweaty like a full jacket would if it warms up.
Roadies seem to wear more stuff than I was used to on the MTB [I do wear the minimum, though]. See Spring club runs out layered up to the max - maybe it's more of a steady state effort for a longer time so you need to be a bit warmer? There's a secret roadie signal that appears around April time that lets everyone know bare legs are now permitted.
Roadies seem to wear more stuff than I was used to on the MTB .
I feel the cold more on the road bike. Less effort combined with higher speed means more wind chill.
Yep, way colder on a road bike. Also roadies tend to have less ‘insulation’
I use mostly mtb stuff with leg warmers etc when it’s cooler, if it warms up it’s not too much hassle to stash leg warmers in a jersey pocket or just roll them down.
ransos has it, higher windchill, especially on a descent needs proper layers
arm warmers & gilet are a great combo because you have options and they can be stashed in the pockets
Brogues, cavalry twill trousers, Norfolk Tweed jacket, leather gloves, and a cloth cap.
Oh, and one of those pipes with a lid - you don't want the ash blowing into your eyes.
Then you're set for the road.
Warm = bib shorts and jersey
cooler = bib shorts, either long or short sleeve base layer, short sleeve jersey (arm warmers if it might be changeable).
bit drizzly = same as cooler, might go for waterproof socks or BBB overshoes
cold = as many layers as I need over bib tights, but setting off a bit cold as I warm up a lot after the first 5 minutes
only if it’s peeing it down will I wear my FLAB gaffer jacket
Windproof rather than waterproof seems to work for me. I find that waterproof is a bit too boil-in-the-bag, and I never wear waterproof gloves; a glove full of sweat is just unpleasant
Wicking underlayers, windproof front panels in top layers. Windproof lightweight jacket in rain, but I am easily swayed to avoid cycling when it's properly raining tho 🙂
It's about 10 degrees here so this morning's outfit will be bib shorts, short sleeve base layer, short sleeve jersey, gilet, arm warmers and knee warmers. Arm warmers will probably come off after 10 miles. I know it sounds like a lot but it means I can regulate temperature by unzipping or removing bits as I warm up.
Haven't cycled on the road for a while, but I used to have a decent long sleeved base layer, short sleeve jersey, Roubaix long sleeved jersey, gillet and a waterproof jacket. Then a normal pair of bib shorts, Roubaix bib shorts, knee warmers and a pair of thick neoprene over shoes. Depending on the weather, I picked the combo that would do the job.
You could always look at getting one of these "storm shield" type tops that are supposed to be water repellant.
Drizzly and cool (down to 10 degrees), base layer, short sleeve Castelli Gabba 2 with castelli waterproof arm warmers, 3/4 bib shorts.
Same temperature and dry, base layer, short sleeve jersey, arm warmers, either a gillet or I have a Rapha windproof lightweight jacket.
colder and drier, base layer and Rapha Pro Team jacket. Awesome bit of kit. Thermal bib longs (for below 6 degrees) with same jacket. Also have Rapha winter base layer for very cold days.
I have loads of different pairs of gloves and shoe covers, best shoe covers are a pair of Bontrager waterproof and thermal. I tend to wear shoe covers until it’s above 15 degrees. Always wear a beanie when it’s cooler as well.
I'll add my voice to the armwarmers, kneewarmwes and gilet combo, that does me down well into single figures even slightly below.
I didn't dig my tights out many times last winter, and I haven't got a jacket I'm happy with, I've got one long sleeve jersey that I wear when it's really cold.
Get yourself down to a decathlon, get some arm warmers, long a d short sleeved base layer a gilet and some long bibs. Play around and work out what works for you. I really wouldnt jump straight into any Rapha kit straight away..
The revelation for me last winter was softshell windproofs, either you don't sweat as much or you don't feel it as much, either way I could stop for cake without fear of getting hypothermia from cold sweat condensing on the inside of my jacket.
The challenge has been to find a lightweight softshell for warmer conditions, I think the Castelli Perfetto UL or Galibier Gino Light might be the ones...
Polaris do some decently priced thermal windproof / showerproof LS jerseys that I rode right down to about 3 degrees in last winter
Below 3, I'm not keen on ice so wait till it warms up. And cold and proper rain is no fun either.
Warm and rain - normal stuff with a lightweight showerproof if necessary
As above get some arm warmers, On-One/PlanetX do some reasonable ones for a couple of quid. Similarly for leg warmers if you get cold legs. A lightweight gilet protects the torso.
It's about being flexible: when commuting it's arm and leg warmers on in the morning then you have the option to wear them or not on the way home. They don't take up as much space as a full top. I'll often wear a base layer as well.
I dress pretty simply for most road rides:
Good weather - bib shorts, club top, arm and knee warmers if chill first thing. ultra-packable "emergency" waterproof in pocket. Summer shoes. Fingerless gloves.
Wet weather - as above, but have a better waterproof that takes a bit more space, but can still go in pocket when no longer needed. Legs get wet. Fingerless gloves. Might consider the waterproof shoes, but mostly these stay in the cupboard
Cooler weather - I love Endura's thermal tops so stick one of these under my club top. I also tend to wear this when doing club rides with the kids as they tend to be a bit slower so you don't get as warm. Tend to wear shorts anyway and MTFU. Full finger gloves. Waterproof socks - keep the chill out too.
Cold weather - bib longs, one-two layers of cooler weather gear + club top + one of a selection of soft shell tops depending on how cold it is. Full finger or thermal gloves. Snood under helmet to keep out the wind. Winter boots.
Snow - MTB 🙂
See a lot of other people with gillets, but I don't own one so rarely wear it 🙂
What mister P said
Same as above, arm and leg warmers are the way forward. For shoes, if it's likely to be wet I go for wooly socks rather than trying to keep them dry, but that's because I hate overshoes. Although there seems to be quite a trend for all sorts of weird and wonderful rubberised gimp overshoes these days. Clearly all the weekender mamils think they're in a TdF TT. 🙂
Jacket stays in jersey pocket until the rain starts, and goes back in when it stops. That's the same all year round, whether it's 25 degrees or sub-zero. If you're doing short rides you could get away with a gilet. Decathlon do one for a tenner or something.
Add baselayer for cooler days.
Roubaix style fleece lined full length jersey and bibs when temps go into single figures.
I have some Castelli half-overshoes for the spring/autumn which are actually quite useful. Although full winter boots I find just fine around that time of year too - just heavier.
Cycling cap helps with the cold and rain. But if it's really cold, a proper buff or winter hat.
Long fingered gloves, obviously. Although it can get pretty cold before your hands begin to suffer.
Thanks for the responses. For those that use jackets or gilet can you recommend any? Trying not to break the bank so somewhere around the £100 mark?
If it’s a bit chilly but dry then some thing like this:
https://www.endurasport.com/product/mtr-windproof-jersey-ss/
plus plus arm warmers and then baselayer is good. I find windproof is much more important on the road bike compared to the mountain bike. Also, a decent range of base layers from super warm through to wafer thin makes it easier to dress appropriately.
I've been really impressed with my Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket, you can often find them at around the £100 mark. CRC have the version I have in small for £78 at the moment.
Overshoes are a must in winter. Not bothered if I look like a gimp. Bright yellow ones are great for increased visibilty. But it's June. Let's not be thinking about cold, dark rides right now.
Being a bit of a tart most of my road kit is Rapha. Honestly for the technical kit, especially winter gear, in my opinion they are well worth their price.
i have two Rapha jackets that are awesome bits of kit, Pro Team Jacket and Winter Jersey. I hate the cold and the wet, but these really do help. I always keep a look at for the sale prices. Castelli Gabba is also worth a look at, great for Spring and Autumn.
I also have a very good Bontrager Softshell, paid about £80 for it in a sale. Works very well, just too big for me so doesn’t get worn much.
I do wear the rubber overshoes mentioned by DazH, very useful, but also very prone to ripping. For an hours race in the winter when it’s cold and wet these are really excellent pieces of kit. I’d also use them for fast team rides in the wetter weather. (I have expensive road shoes so cover them with £20 overshoes that wipe clean, useful when the roads are muddy and dirty)
Rubber overshoes? I use Velotoze when no real insulation is needed and I want to keep my shoes in good nick and most of the water out.
In winter I’ve been using Castelli Pioggia and pairing them with Woolie Boolies, seem like a good combination for me.
Pretty much identical to what I wear on the mtb.
Warm - bibs, base layer & jersey, loose the base layer if it's into the 20's.
Cooler - as above plus knee & arm warmers with a gillet.
Around 2 - 10 degC - Castelli Profetto converter jacket, craft long sleeved base layer, Castelli nano flex plus bib tights, over shoes & merino socks. Same if it's wet but not lashing it down.
Lashing it down - unless it's a Race, where ill probably go with either cold or cooler gear otherwise turbo or Tele