29 replies to this topic

[Matlock]

So far I’ve been lucky in that I’ve decent local train service that gets me to work in under 40 minutes, so I go on the bike when it suits me and if the weather looks rubbish I catch the train (wimp, I know).
But, my company is about to relocate me from the centre of Liverpool to one of those appalling ‘out of town’ offices with no decent pubs nearby. Public transport will mean a 90 minute journey time, so I’m going to go on the bike every day to keep costs and journey time down. It’s a 25 mile trip each way – half A roads and half motorway. If I decline a car parking space I get an extra chunk of cash for being green. I’m also told I can claim for any extra expenses as a consequence of the move. My winter biking wardrobe really isn’t up to daily commutes in the cold & wet, so I’m going to request some readies to buy decent commuting kit. I know some of you guys are hardened winter riders, so any one got any recommendations for a decent zip together textile jacket & trousers and waterproof boots? Total budget should be about the £600 mark – if I can squeeze it out of the accountant's sweaty palms.
Cheers,
Chris.

[SteveGlover]

I've got fairly ordinary Frank Thomas kit which is OK for the odd day in winter but truth is I wouldn't fancy having to use it every day. I think I'd want something with some heating built in, like a heated jacket or heated waistcoat.

[Pict]

Hairy Gerkin's Tuareg touring suit is bombproof, by all accounts.

[Geordie Guy]

Chris,

I went to Almac opposite the Hen and Chickens, Maghull,

Go on a Sunday morning as the owner is in, He knocked aload off for me.

I went and got, Sidi black rains, new lined SPADAR 100% water proof jacket and trousers, £250

The more you buy the more he'll discount it.

Go to Hienz Gerning and your lucky to the the steam of their p!ss.

Ivan

Edited by Geordie Guy, 02 September 2007 - 09:24 pm.

[David H]

Handguards and heated grips would be my first choice.
I'd also recommend a good quality turtle neck, the skiing type that stays windproof even when wet.

[jht]

Hairy Gerkin's Tuareg touring suit is bombproof, by all accounts.

Second that, and add...

HG Tuareg boots / a buff / v wipe fto fit on your glove fer yer visor/ WP force 2 gloves

all stuff I used last 2-3 winters & would happily recommend

[TDMTAM]

Second that, and add...

HG Tuareg boots / a buff / v wipe fto fit on your glove fer yer visor/ WP force 2 gloves

all stuff I used last 2-3 winters & would happily recommend

HG Tuareg boots are great, & i would recommend the HG goretex stuff to.
TAM

[ChrisG]

Another vote for Sidi Black Rain boots, they haven't leaked yet. Not tried the HG ones though, but took a look at the Tuareg jacket and trousers recently and would definatly consider them if replacing my kit.

If you've never used it give Rain-X a try, fantastic for keeping the water off your visor, above about 30mph you just turn your head slightly and all the water runs off.

I know you said it in the original post, but zip together is a very good idea. My IXS kit doesn't and I often wish it did.

Buff or similar, the fleecy ones are great in cold weather, I know a couple of people who swear by silk balaclavas.

Love my Eska gloves, neoprene cuff slides up inside your jacket with another cuff outside the jacket, the water that runs down your arms doesn't end up in the glove.

Nikwax Techwash and the wash in waterproofing stuff, well worth it to keep your kit waterproof.

[TonyDevil]

spend the bulk of your £ on a decent pair of boots, you can always get a cheap all-in-one waterproof to go over the top of your leathers

for work each day i wear a pair of draggin-jeans chinos, fine in the office as they look smart casual and have waterproof trousers in the topbox for emergencies.
i have a Buffalo textile set that is supposedly waterproof, but its never been subjected to a prolonged drenching, i'm told all woven fabrics will eventually let the water through
if theres a chance of rain i wear the Buffalo jacket, otherwise its just a cheap (but fully armoured leather jacket)

if you want armor for the knees then get some moto-x stuff to go under the draggins
also i always wear a full knox back protector, the stuff that fits inside a jacket is rubbish, it needs to be strapped to you.

for touring i use my decent summer leathers nearly all year round, just wear an all in 1 waterproof over the top

ps. handguards are your best friend in winter

[Lunlunzai]

I think I used the cheapest kits amongst in this group.

I used to wear 'proper' kits but found out apart from the armour pad, I was not happy with their perforamce especially on those wet and cold days.

I was feed up and went for the simple things:
-an outdoor cross-tech jacket
(a new generation of gore-tex developed by Gore, more or less gore-tex. Law enforcement use it as uniform jacket fabric as they prevent body fluid from penetrating through.) + a cheap (£3) fleece jacket underneath gives me the best warmth and 100% dry.

I think cross-tech may not be easy to find in the UK, I was wearing a gore-tex jacket (as shown below) for a year , it lasts and works even in most horrible storms + washing once every 2 weeks! very good value indeed.


- heated grips

- thin gore-tex gloves (dun wear thick gloves in conjuction with heated grips)

- handguards

- a good quality over-trousers (as I wear suits in office so it is easier to put on and off. Sometimes and again, I found armour trousers not being 100% waterproof and makes me look like I piss myself. Feeling like yr ass is soaking in a pond in extreme case).

- a cup of hot tea/ coffee before u shoot off


Again, I am doing a mix of dual-carriage way + country road so most of the time is between 40 - 70 mph and so far it works PERFECT for me

Edited by LUNLUNZAI, 03 September 2007 - 01:27 pm.

[MarkyMark]

I have 90 minutes to survive - so this is my two pennoworth

I leave a pair of trousers and shoes in the office and change every day. (I even had spare socks and pants in my drawer for really wet days).

I wear my leathers. Adjusting under-leather depending on temperature - e.g. wind-stopper leggings. fleecey sweat-shirt.

I wear waterproof trousers if it is really cold.

I always wear High Viz jacket. I have had tremendous value from "Dickies" bomber style jacke - sold in Halfords for £20.

Don't care about my feet.

Hands are the most difficult and most important - I wear frank thomas gore-tex gloves summer and winter. When temperature drops below 10ish, I put a pair of skiing mittens over the top of them.

It is extremely difficult to keep your ass dry. Waterproof trousers never last long - so I buy cheep and discard when they fail - always in the crutch at the point where the four seams meet. Again I have had good mileage out of Dickies waterproof trousers, and I like the fact that they are yellow with high Viz bits on them.

[Matlock]

Thanks for all your tips guys. I'm gonna visit my local HG branch on Saturday and take a look at what they've got - the Tuareg sounds good, especially if they're knocking a few £££s off it. Anyone know if the Tuareg suit has removable insulated linings - it doesn't mention it on the web site. The Sidi boots look good to, so a trip to Almac at Melling is in order too. Thanks again for your help.
Cheers,
Chris.

[stu]

Given the current exchange rate, have a look at the aerostich roadcrafter at www.aerostich.com

[jht]

Thanks for all your tips guys. I'm gonna visit my local HG branch on Saturday and take a look at what they've got - the Tuareg sounds good, especially if they're knocking a few £££s off it. Anyone know if the Tuareg suit has removable insulated linings jackets do, dunno re trousers tbh - it doesn't mention it on the web site. The Sidi boots tried 'em, feet didn't fit, boot too narrow! Glad because got Tuareg boots instead.... then noticed large no of dispatch riders wearing same, that good sign in my book look good to, so a trip to Almac at Melling is in order too. Thanks again for your help.
Cheers,
Chris.

[GIBBO]

I ride all year round and it's all good advice, decent boots, suit, heated hand grips etc. All amount to nowt if you do not keep your head warm!!!!!! Either a skull cap or a balaclava

[GIBBO]

I ride all year round and it's all good advice, decent boots, suit, heated hand grips etc. All amount to nowt if you do not keep your head warm!!!!!! Either a skull cap or a balaclava

Especially if, like me, you are folically challenged!