a Three-and-a-half season wardrobe. Possible? How?

[robeambro]

I'm not sure I can add much to the above, but I'm sorta with you on the reducing kit idea.. I have four staple items which with varying combo's see me through any cold or nippy weather in winter, spring, autumn.
1x Rapha Merino Long Sleeve base layer
1x Rapha Classic Long Sleeve Jersey
1x Assos Skull cap (covers ears and makes you look like a cosmonaught!)
1x Shakedry jacket

I'm no rapha fanboi, but I won't hear a bad word about the items above.
It's also the shakedry jacket which turns the other garments into 'deep winter' or 'wet' riding capable.

Gloves wise, I hate neoprene, lighter windproof gloves are my preference, if it's cold, I'll put mitts over the top, if it's 'icy cold' then it's ski glove weather.

Thanks! I have to say, everybody seems to like Rapha's functionality, so I'm quite sold on trying some of their items. Did you find the Assos skullcap to be any different than most others? Just wondering whether it's worth the splurge. Probably yes, but if you tried others, would like to hear any opinion.

Gloves = gripgrab primavera merino. On their own for mid-temp days and with a thick and windblocking liner underneath on colder days.

I can't stand stitched gloves for cooler months - they've gotta be knitted if you want proper dexterity and lever feel. Very difficult to get stitched gloves right.

If RTW is still reading this thread - why doesn't Assos do tubular knitted gloves? 1.3, 2.3 and 3.3...... ?

Thanks for the gloves rec. They seem to be also quite cheap, so can't hurt to try! I won't hold you responsible if I don't like them!

[dastott]

Unlike Assos and some others, the Rapha stuff can be worn off the bike too as their jersey designs are mostly low key without garish colours. My fav. winter item is a La Passione winter jacket. Looks and feels great, and plenty warm enough for -5c with a base layer and arm warmers.

[RTW]

I work for Assos. But I think what the above poster says is a matter of opinion. That said, our focus is performance and product that works when cycling. Others can compromise to ensure its comfortable in a coffee shop, but it isn’t our priority.

Is our product worth the money. I believe so. The cut is really good, it really lasts and there is a crash replacement and repair policy.

[ryanw]

I have been a fashion queen of general (not racing) cycling kit since day one.

I've owned:

Rapha
Black Sheep
Q36.5
Cafe du Cycliste
Pedla
Assos
Maap
Castelli
Sportful
Gore
Probably others I've forgotten about...

Tights / bibs - Assos, best on the market, no questions asked.

LS Winter baselayer - Assos, even though I never go more than their 2.4 Spring/Fall model.

Summer baselayer - Rapha Pro Team sleeveless.

General jersyes - Rapha Pro Team Aero. Just the right fit in large for me @ 6ft & 85kg.

Summer jersey - Maap. Very light and breathable yet no saggy pockets and supportive fit.

Rain jacket - Castelli Idro Pro. This thing is made from black magic. Amazing and breathable.

Windbreaker / gilet - Rapha Pro Team. Does the job and very lightweight and packable.

Winter jacket - Assos Mille Winter Jacket. Just the normal one (non-Ultraz) is more than up to the job paired with a 2.4 skinfoil.

Winter gloves - Assos Bonka, thank me later.

Spring / fall gloves - Rapha Pro Team.

Arm / knee warmers - Maap. Not waterproof but do what they're intended to do and look subtle.

[iheartbianchi]

Completely agree with you. I just find it odd that people spend more money on things which will make no difference to their experience (buying DA over Ultegra, or the top of the line shoes, frame over the tiny bit heavier version or whatever), while saving money on things which you certainly will feel the difference in experience (correct clothing, fitting correctly, correct bike fit etc).

But people derive value in different ways. It surprises me how many people spend a lot on their bike, and then clearly save money on their clothing. They will buy the top of the line helmet though, and also find £££ to spend on Oakleys.

It's like people who spend loads on money on a car, but have a super tatty house / home.

HAHA excellent point and you got me! I never thought about it that way before...maybe it's because in the spring/summer/fall, cycling is all I do so I don't mind spending the $$, but in the winter cycling is something I only do begrudgingly, and that's when I'm not skiing, so I'd rather not spend the money?

[RTW]

Good post - and super cool of you to concede the point!

[peted76]

I'm not sure I can add much to the above, but I'm sorta with you on the reducing kit idea.. I have four staple items which with varying combo's see me through any cold or nippy weather in winter, spring, autumn.
1x Rapha Merino Long Sleeve base layer
1x Rapha Classic Long Sleeve Jersey
1x Assos Skull cap (covers ears and makes you look like a cosmonaught!)
1x Shakedry jacket

I'm no rapha fanboi, but I won't hear a bad word about the items above.
It's also the shakedry jacket which turns the other garments into 'deep winter' or 'wet' riding capable.

Gloves wise, I hate neoprene, lighter windproof gloves are my preference, if it's cold, I'll put mitts over the top, if it's 'icy cold' then it's ski glove weather.

Thanks! I have to say, everybody seems to like Rapha's functionality, so I'm quite sold on trying some of their items. Did you find the Assos skullcap to be any different than most others? Just wondering whether it's worth the splurge. Probably yes, but if you tried others, would like to hear any opinion.

It just seems to fit where you want to fit and cover what you want to be covered, it's also light so goes under anything. The Assos skull cap can be brought cheap too, it's always on sale somewhere. I think I paid about a tenner for mine.

[RTW]

Actually this is super easy.

1 x Assos shorts
1 x smart trainer

Done. Ha.

[dolophonic]

RTW sorry but do you count this as work when you post here ?

First you say don't buy dura ace or top shoes etc, then you say buy issos ? wait till you try to start making shoes again then what ?its worth buyisng issis shoes?

Second (in jest i hope ) you say ride the trainer.. ok well forget me. i like to ride outside.

TBH to the original poster there are lots of great recomemdations here but i would also look at Decathlon for some bits of winter kit. (gloves, gaitor, socks etc) save even more money.

[robeambro]

RTW sorry but do you count this as work when you post here ?

First you say don't buy dura ace or top shoes etc, then you say buy issos ? wait till you try to start making shoes again then what ?its worth buyisng issis shoes?

Second (in jest i hope ) you say ride the trainer.. ok well forget me. i like to ride outside.

TBH to the original poster there are lots of great recomemdations here but i would also look at Decathlon for some bits of winter kit. (gloves, gaitor, socks etc) save even more money.

Thanks. While it is a factor, the main idea is not necessarily just to save money, but also to buy less clothing to do good for the environment - and today I've also learned that some DWR treatment is nasty on this regard. So buying winter gear from Decathlon wouldn't necessarily be what I'm looking for.
I just would like to avoid to buy a lot of jersey and bibtights, using accessories to fill the gaps between seasons as much as I can.

Regarding RTW it's fine, I am ignoring his comments as they are clearly not meant to be constructive - and sometimes outright taking the piss. You can do the same, I would like this thread to stay clean and in-topic, as I've received plenty of inspirational and helpful comments

[RTW]

Apologies if you think I am being deliberately disruptive. The line about the smart trainer was a joke.

Of course I understand the idea to rationalise your clothing. A few, good quality items will be better than disposable fashion. Because i work for a brand however, I’m not going to list the products I would suggest you invest in from our range.

In your position I would buy a range of 3 base layers. You’ll find that really good ones do a lot of what you want from a jacket. Get a fleece spring fall jersey, some thermo bibs and leg warmers. Arm warmers and a skull cap. Then a pair of summer bibs, a summer jersey, a variety of different weight socks and 2 or 3 different weights of gloves. Finally you need a rain shell. A bike with mudguards is also well advised as it will keep you warmer and drier (water from the road is usually colder than from the sky), and help protect the clothing from constant washing and the damage that abrasion from grit can do.

To the other poster, please re-read what i said. I haven’t told anyone not to buy anything.

[frommel]

Interesting to see so many brands listed but no mention of Castelli. In fact, I see very few people talk about them in this forum. Is it because their quality is not good enough compared to the other options? I always thought they made good products.

Ps. I don’t work for Castelli


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ryanw]

As I mentioned, their Idro Pro rain jacket is immense.

[robertbb]

Castelli Idro Pro is Gore Shakedry which is their only fabric that actually breathes. Shame it only comes in black!

Ornot has a "magic shell" which is made of Polartec Neoshell, which is at least as good as Shakedry if not better in CFM breathability terms. Also only black unfortunately.

Sportful had a fiandre "extreme" line which used an exclusive grid-backed and 4-way stretchy version of neoshell that polartec tweaked especially for them. TVery expensive, and simply the best winter active material I've ever seen. It's different to the neoshell fabrics I've seen on other garments. That line has been killed - I believe Gore forces many companies to commit to their product line only, or they get blacklisted or financially penalised. Gore has a long history of poor and questionably "competitive" tactics.

DHB has jumped on board with Polartec and Schoeller recently (two very technically advanced fabric design houses with state of the art mills) and while there are only a few products out so far, I'm looking forward to the other garments they'll release eventually.

RTW - I envy your job. I'm a data centre specialist (IT) but after that I'm a bit of a textiles geek.

[TheRich]

No mention of vests?