Cycling UK Forum

Vorpal wrote:I have a Pearl Izumi wind breaker (long-sleeved, but unlined) that I purchased 20ish years ago. While machine washing (or age?) has slightly reduced it's water-proofing, it still does good duty. Even on cold winter and rainy days, once I warm up, I seldom need more than a long-sleeved base layer and the Pearl Izumi on my upper body. If I had to replace it, I'd get the closest I could find to the same again, even at full retail price.

They sound like a good choice assuming they've kept their quality in recent times, thanks Vorpal, I'll see what they have available.

eileithyia wrote:I find Gore, Assos, Specialized and Pearl Izumi can look both stylish and is very functional.
Some of these items are expensive because they use top quality material and correct cuts of the material so they do not become shapeless after being worn and washed once.
Like so many things you pay for what you get, ie cheap can very often mean does not last long

Hi eileithyia, that's what I was thinking and it makes sense but there's not been much said about the longevity (other than the zips) or material quality.
I'm quite keen on knowing more about the materials that is used, are the cheaper gilets just as good at keeping the wind off?
How do you care for a gilet, do you machine wash, hand wash or try not to wash it at all?

andrewjch wrote:Using the Rohloff is much as per everyone else's experience: great flexibility of gear ratios and a bombproof feel, especially in the drive chain and the symmetrical back wheel.

I thought they still had two lengths of spokes and were slightly dished?

I'd always go for vertical dropouts and an Eccentric Bottom Bracket, but that is what my Thorn has.
Having had a Nexus bike with standard dropouts and no way to tension the chain I wouldn't go back there again.
Having a chain tensioner on the bike kind of negates the benefits if you ask me.

Hope your plans work out for you.

Gearoidmuar wrote:The best gadget I've used for cycling is a Rohloff hub.

+1

eileithyia wrote:Stupidly enough (as someone who has done a lot of dressmaking) it would cost more then the actual garment in the first place.

That is a shame, it's like a lot of things nowadays though and if you are like me you'll really hate throwing anything away.

eileithyia wrote:would just rather pay extra to look good on my bike, or to have something that will last longer.

If you met me you'd know how little I care about how I look when I'm on my bike lol
I guess with this in mind I'm looking for the ability to keep the warm in, the cold wind out and water out as much as possible. If more expensive clothes improves on these three then I'm sold, if they have extended lifespan then I'm interested too, if all they do is look and fit better then I'm not really too bothered for the moment.

What brands would you suggest?

Thanks everyone for your responses.

So far I've got ebay, lidl/aldi and sale / out of season bargains... I don't see much love for the luxury brands. Is there a reason for this (e.g. they aren't worth the money) or are most like me and on a (relatively) tight budget?

alicej wrote:Work out what you want, then keep searching Ebay and be prepared to wait a while before you find one cheap....

Thanks for your ebay tips, I'll keep those in mind, very useful, thank you.

jawaka wrote:... (medium is almost always the right size for me). So it has had little wear. Send me a personal message if it is your size and if you are interested in buying it.

Thanks for the offer jawaka, I'm unfortunately an XL, I wish I was smaller as it'd help on the hills but sadly I eat too much and I know of no cure since the more I cycle the more I eat.
As I've never had a gilet the same may happen to me, I may buy one and rarely use it, but I'm really hoping it'll be much better than my current setup and I'll make good use of it.

reohn2 wrote:I've been using a Lusso Gilet for about 6years, at the time it cost £17,they're now about £25, great kit!

Thanks for the recommendation, do you by chance have a link or "model" for the gilet?

Gearoidmuar wrote:Another thing about cycle-clothing is that you can get great useful garments which are not designed for cycling at all

That's a valid point and I'm quiet happy with my casual cycle wear being, well, non cycling specific and erm... casual.
Where I am struggling (and definitely struggled last year) was the cold wind cutting through my casual clothing and freezing my chest and stomach. I have some bargain arm warmers (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_E ... 360021724/) and some more expensive (but less comfortable) gore arm warmers (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/-_-/5360044638/) that keep my arms warm. If I put on more layers the wind it kept out but I overheat and can't unzip to cool off as my jumpers don't have a zip.
I assume a gilet would be the best thing for this?

Si wrote:I've had two Aldi gillets - both under a £10er. Wouldn't bother again - zips died on both very quickly. Shame because the rest of the garment was of a good quality.

It sounds like fixing zips on the Aldi gilets would be a nice little earner for someone, any volunteers?

Hi there,

Recent discussions with my cycling friends normally consist of me asking for advice on some item of clothing that I'm interested in buying with the most recent being a gilet.
I have one friend who is a Rapha fan, he naturally believes in forking out £150 for a top quality gilet.
For me that is 3 times the upper limit of what I was thinking of spending and I normally go for the lower end of the price range.

Does anyone have any advice on clothing cost verses quality and value for money?

For example if a £150 gilet will last 4 times longer than a £50 gilet then I'm sold, I'll buy (out of my vastly overspent cycling budget), but if it is a mere matter of slight incremental quality improvements (e.g. offset zip) then I will gladly get the £50 one.

Your thoughts and experiences shared would be grately appreciated.

I lean and tilt my bike, the Thorn Raven MK1 then grounds a pedal and I get into trouble.
Spinning my legs and leaning into corners is something I try and avoid nowadays.

Will the ride involve any off road?

Hi guys, hope you had a good xmas, all the best for the new year.