[Closed] Tight stretchy cold weather top for road cycling?

Rab PS(Powerstretch) Mols - amazing, warm, windproof and fairly showerproof too.
They do leggings and shorter pants too.

Craft Windstopper base layer is a decent option and miles under budget - ver good warmth as a base for a regular jersey.

This http://www.prendas.co.uk/craft-be-active-extreme-gore-windstopper-black-long-sleeve-undervest-baselayer-194612-2999.html

I am looking forward to needing to wear mine again!

Rab PS(Powerstretch) Mols - amazing, warm, windproof and fairly showerproof too.

Except that it's not windproof. Or showerproof. It's just pretty much stretchy fleece.

Powerstretch, remember that from years ago. Very much not at all windproof IIRC.

Craft Windstopper base layer

I want an outer shell, not a base layer.

Catelli AR long sleeved jersey

Cheap form Merlin here @£50

[url] http://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-ar-long-sleeved-cycling-jersey-71578.html [/url]

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molgrips - Member

I want an outer shell, not a base layer.

Noted - what you want is a Gabba, but for less money! The Craft option isn't a bad idea, but point taken!

I'd say you want a soft shell gilet.

I want it to have sleeves.

spend the dosh on a gabba. does what you require and then when it rains you don get soaked.
i think sportful do a ‘no-rain’ thingy thats similar

spend the dosh on a gabba

if you want a fully windproof one then I 2nd that Gabba recommendation

spend the dosh on a gabba

What dosh?

And it's waterproof, which I didn't want. But yes otherwise that's what I want.

so if you just want a windproof thickish jersey, wear your regular jersey on top of that Craft and that's exactly what you've got 😕

A windproof base layer makes no sense if you think about it.

True, but I can confirm that it's bloody nice to wear. To put you out of your misery, you want a Gore Oxygen.

Endura Windchill?

I have a gore Phantom. Soft shell, with zip-off sleeves if required. So gilet or long sleeves in 1 😀

Not sure how thick they are but what about an [url= https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/endura_fs260pro_jetstream_3_windproof_l-s_jersey-ID_59505?gclid=Cj0KEQjw6vquBRCow62uo-_J_YYBEiQAMO6HileVPTPqSeaqxQhMlmThk86pRo4HlaJsXZYMkUKP_UgaAhcI8P8HAQ ]Endur FS260 Jetstream[/url]?

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Save up, find some sales, get a Gabba. It's pretty much exactly what you've described (at least for autumn cold, not proper winter cold.)

Would recommend the short sleeve one and some matching (or sportful norain) arm warmers. That way you can wear them with the Gabba, or pair it with some thinner ones for not so cold days. Just makes it all the more versatile.

Save up, find some sales, get a Gabba. It's pretty much exactly what you've described.

If it's waterproof, with a membrane, then it's not going to be anything like as breathable as one that's simply windproof.

The FS260 jetstream looks like a good option.

One of these would fit the bill, although slightly more

[url= http://stolengoat.com/product/stolen-goat-climb-conquer-winter-cycling-jacket-red/ ]Stolen Goat - climb and conquer jacket[/url]

Maybe santa will bring me one for christmas

Do you need it windproof over the entire garment or will various strategic panels be enough?

If the latter look at Spesh stuff over on Cyclestore - they had some deals when I looked a few days ago, some reduced stuff right on your maximum budget.

I just got a rapha pro soft shell base layer thing. They're 40 quid in the sale from 80. Needs to be worn with bibs due to the cut but it seems excellent. Essentially a very thin soft shell layer which goes under a normal jersey. Keeps your core warm.

Gabbas aren't really waterproof, they just keep the odd spot of rain out. Trust me. They are what you want.

Yes, not waterproof, just windproof. They sort of are water repellant but they seem to keep you warm when it's not too wet.

I have a gore windstopper jacket that converts into a gilet, can't remember which one, probably over budget if you can't find it in the sale though

I have a Craft top too, performance bike jacket something. It's a softshell jacket, feels awkward unless your in the riding position in which case it's excellent. It's well in budget, available from a few places, quick google throws up this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/craft-pb-stretch-bike-jacket/rp-prod110589

Rab Vapour Rise Stretch.

I second the softshell base layer. Kept me cosy on a wet and cold 25tt.
A lot of club mates swear by the Gabba. Wiggle had them for. £95 the other day short sleeve

Noted - what you want is a Gabba, but for less money!

A mate has the Stolen Goat jacket above.

They also do more of a Jersey that I think it was road.CC reviewed as being as good as a Gabba but far cheaper. Great stuff, I have one of their regular long sleeved jerseys.

The jet stream is a good top I have one .. I picked up a rapha winter jersey in sale last year and I'm so impressed with it I bought another !!

£105 in sale windproof front panels and plenty pockets/nice detail and excellent zips on front that really let air flow in as opposed to pit type that just flap 🙁

Really snug fit no flapping 🙂

As a gabba alternative, you could try a Sportful Fiandre, [url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-fiandre-no-rain-jacket/ ]like this[/url]. I have one and it is my goto winter road top. Can often be had well discounted

+1 on the Gabba (or similar). I've got a craft one that does the same job. They keep you dry for a good while, but once they do start getting wet you still seem to keep warm. Essential for UK riding.

Stolen Goat orkaan top, just ace, out gabbas the gabbas.

Rapha winter jersey.

The PS is wind proof and fairly showerproof- I own 3 of them and use them for work, bike, mountains, etc.
It's outer is a lightweight shell without the full blown construction of their jackets.

Molgrips, a lot the previous recommendations will do what you want but youre dismissing as theyre not what you expected. I thought wind proof base was completely daft til I tried one (borrowed), I now own 3 Craft Windstopper bases. Effectively does the job of a thermal base and a gilet.

Gabba or No Rain. It's not a membrane its a property of the fabric (silicone). Interesting article in a recent road mag- Castelli use Windstopper fabric and Gore told them not to claim it was waterproof as they worried it'd hurt Goretex sales.

You need not look any further than this Castelli item. One of my favourite road jerseys. It's front panelled with Gore Windstopper X lite. Nice tight race cut,zero flapping, looks fantastic and performs well.
http://m.probikekit.co.uk/sports-clothing/castelli-trasparente-due-wind-fz-cycling-jersey/10756659.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_clothing&affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gclid=CMelmNSxy8cCFQ3jGwodW-cOjA&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CIf3pdSxy8cCFUiE2wodCikOaw&variation=10756662

crashtestmonkey - Member

Molgrips, a lot the previous recommendations will do what you want but youre dismissing as theyre not what you expected.

Agreed. There are about 5 options in this thread already that are as good as you're going to get...

Sounds like you want a Castelli Alpha but not sure about the budget

Molgrips, a lot the previous recommendations will do what you want but youre dismissing as theyre not what you expected.

No, they are not what I specified, that's why I dismissed them!

The way it works is, you ask for suggestions, then people give them, and you evaluate them to see if you like them. You don't have to like everyone's suggestion. There's one up there I really like, and I said as much. I'm pretty sure I'll get it when I come to buy. What did I do wrong?

OK, based on OP - [url= http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Gore-Bike-Wear/Oxygen-Long-Sleeve-Jersey/71T4?gclid=CjwKEAjwjYCvBRC99sSm_frioAwSJACrKuPCkb_30vazw-FrZjEL6VFxXKQ8WG_O9wYjfDILiFEhhBoCi6nw_wcB ]Gore Oxygen[/url]. Where does that come up short?

Gabba

Gabba!

I got last year's Team Cannondale Gabba long sleeve for £80

I got an Altura Airstream jersey as a gift. Would never have bought one myself but I use it a lot now. It's a nice fit, warm (spring/autumn) and comfortable. Kind of half way between a jersey and a jacket. They're only £40.

I've never understood windproof base layers. In my mind to keep warm you need insulation - that is to trap a layer of warm air next to your skin to protect you from the cold. Normally fleece will do this if there is not much wind because the fibers stop the movement of air. However, when cycling there is normally a lot of wind so a windproof panel stops the breeze going straight through the fleece and removing al the warm air. If you put a windproof base layer on under a fleece then you lose this control of air movement and are not much better off than just wearing a the base layer.

See also - people who wear water proof nitrile gloves under winter gloves to keep their hands warm.

DHB has some interesting windproof jersey, plenty in the sale. Trying different makes on to get the fit is most important for the road as some tend to be quite flappy.

No, they are not what I specified, that's why I dismissed them!

Have you checked any Spesh stuff, as I suggested? Some of their stuff is windproof (although not entirely) and a snug fit.

Here's an example...

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/sl-elite-winter-partial-jacket/36134/2015equipappareloutermensfw14

But you'll probably reject it as it's not entirely windproof, at which point I'll call you a pansy...

Gabba. Very windproof, breathable, not flappy.

But you'll probably reject it as it's not entirely windproof, at which point I'll call you a pansy..

I'll reject it cos it's black 🙂

I'm struggling to understand what you want Molgrips. A cheap solution would be any Roubaix long sleeved top with a gillet over or under it. That's done me fine for about 8 to -8 degC with appropriate amounts of base layers underneath.

However the fancy solution is as people have mentioned something like the Sportful No-rain series, then pick the weight of jersey/jacket. Gore and Castelli as mentioned above do other options.

If you are in a club then you'll probably find the club kit supplier do a thick winter road jacket.

Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba
Gabba

So far... spot a theme?

I'll reject it cos it's black

Racist!

Other colours are available. Well, black with a colour to be more precise.

I'm sure I've seen more garish offerings from Spesh in a windproof flavour but you'll have to do the homework yourself as I simply can't be arsed... 😉

Just pointing out people have had and solved the same problem you are trying to solve, and you seem to be dismissing suggestions based on preconceptions and what you think you "like", not what might be the best solution. Which is entirely your perogative. I do 500 road miles a month 12 months of the year and spent a lot of money trying to find kit that works, some of it was stuff I was sceptical about and challenged my preconceptions, and some of it didn't live up to expectations.

Jonba I refer you my previous post on wind proof bases.I didn't get it, then I borrowed one, bought three...

http://www.cyclesuk.com/en/Sugoi-RS-180-Mens-Jacket-BlackRed/m-43681.aspx

Teasel how does the specialized sizing compare to others? I'm a 40" chest 33" waist but 6'2" tall so normally a medium/large for non-flappy?

You need not look any further than this Castelli item

cheers for the heads up

one ordered 😉

Teasel how does the specialized sizing compare to others?

Sadly I can't help with the modern stuff as I only have their similar type of kit from 2002.

Mine are medium and I'm 39" chest and 31" waist and 5' 8. It's a nice tight fit. The body on mine isn't the droptail design and is about as short as I would want to go. I don't have a particularly long body for my height, shorter than average if anything. Comparing that with, say, my Pearl Izumi where I take a small to get the same level of snug, non-flappy fit.

In fact, I only have PI and Spesh in the tight fitting top department so probably not much help.

Thanks teasel. I will ponder some more.

you seem to be dismissing suggestions based on preconceptions and what you think you "like", not what might be the best solution.

What?

Are you suggesting I buy them all to see which I like? Or are you saying that you know best and I have to buy what you want instead of shopping and browsing like everyone else does?

With regards the Gabba, I wasn't sure if it was a membrane since it's described as waterproof, but it's not - great, but it's too expensive.

I'm struggling to understand what you want Molgrips.

What I want is the Endura one. It ticks all the boxes, it's a reputable make, and it comes red which is highly visible, tasteful and matches my tights.

you don't see many 3-season long sleeved jerseys which have a windstopper fabric on the front and a thin thermofleece lining.
the bigger simpler brands seem to prefer to offer you a jacket instead.
it's a staple of road club kit though, maybe you should join a club and see what they've got?

I have some very expensive jackets for this time of year but I keep going back to an Altura transformer which I paid £35 for a few years ago.
For me it just works and the fact the sleeves are removable is great in changeable conditions.

I've been looking at tops like this too recently..

Something long sleeved that I can wear in cooler weather but still race in.

Cant make my mind up between the Endura or going shortsleeved with arm warmers?

And why is so much winter kit black ??? Just not sensible!

I've ignored the requirement for it to be about £90 and would recommend this:

http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/pro-team-jacket/product/PJC02CLR

The Endura FS260 range is excellent too (and much cheaper).
http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=33

And why is so much winter kit black ??? Just not sensible!

Put some lights on your bike and get on with it!

Have you considered the Castelli Gabba 🙄 Fwiw, the fabric is Gore Windstopper, which uses a completely windproof EPTFE membrane that also effectively waterproof. It's a different membrane to the fully waterproof Gore-Tex fabrics and a bit more breathable, but also the seams aren't taped, so eventually, in heavier rain, it'll leak there.

In addition, because the membrane doesn't have a protective PU smear on the inside, there's a chance that with contamination you'll get a bit of reverse osmosis where moisture from the outside wicks inwards...

You can get the Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Softshell Jacket for around £70 online and it'll be better made than anything by Endura. Sportful are a 'pro' fit mind, so beware.

^^^^ I am generally a L in Endura and my Sportful Fiandre No Rain is XXL..... 😯

I have a rapha pro team. Lovely, though the grime doesn't wash out so mine is less orange these days (a case for black?)

When it gets really cold I use an alp x which I can zip the sleeves off to regulate temp.

I have also just picked up a short sleeve gabba and some arm warmers based on recommendations.

With various base layers and a full gore tex hardshell that should cover me for most conditions.

I like that Fiandre jacket too. I'm now old enough to appreciate the high viz colour, but as I said my tights are red... 🙂

go to a proper bike shop and try some on - there's a huge amount of variety and what suits/fits me may not be what you need.
From a brand point of view I think Gore stuff is superb vfm and I love the fit of Mavic clothing.

Whilst not windproof I find the roubaix type long sleeve jerseys warm; an old Gore Contest does for me. Depending how hot you get though a thin SS/LS base or jersey or 2 with a windproof gilet might be more flexible. I find I use this combination for a longer stretch of the year when commuting.

And why is so much winter kit black ??? Just not sensible!

Most (e.g. the black Gabba) have reflective detailing which will make you a lot more visible than just being coloured yellow, which really doesn't do much at all.

Most (e.g. the black Gabba) have reflective detailing which will make you a lot more visible than just being coloured yellow,

At night, yes, but it does naff all on a dull day. Or on a sunny summer's day with dark shadows, for that matter.

which really doesn't do much at all.

From direct experience, it does a lot.

i went for the fluoro Fiandre No Rain - can't be too bright on the road IMO ...

Dark clothing is actually more visible in low sunlight, so it isn't as simple as hi-viz always being the best. Dark clothing with good reflective strips is probably better in dawn, dusk situations.

Dark clothing is actually more visible in low sunlight

Oh really?

I've never understood windproof base layers. In my mind to keep warm you need insulation - that is to trap a layer of warm air next to your skin to protect you from the cold. Normally fleece will do this if there is not much wind because the fibers stop the movement of air. However, when cycling there is normally a lot of wind so a windproof panel stops the breeze going straight through the fleece and removing al the warm air. If you put a windproof base layer on under a fleece then you lose this control of air movement and are not much better off than just wearing a the base layer.

To me a windproof base layer is basically doing the job of a light gilet but is comfy up to at least 20c so fine to wear all the time (rather than take it on and off). The only time I've regretted wearing a windproof baselayer was when I had it under a windproof jacket on a day that was the temp was at the upper limit for the jacket (12c-ish I think), I thought the temp was going to drop but the sun came out and with a normal baselayer opening the jacket zip would have been fine but with a windproof baselayer you don't get the quick cooldown effect so was harder to regulate my temp.

What you've described is a Bioracer Spitfire spring jacket. It's the consumer version of one of the team Race Proven jackets.