warm top

anon said:

I'm after a warm cycling top for 8-4 commuting during Oct/Nov & March/April
I'm not sure of recent fabric advancements, but is there something that
gives stretch & figure hugging properties and is also as near as damned it
windproof?

I saw a nice jacket in Decathlon the other day, full zip with what
looked like a windproof fabric in black. Around 30 pounds.
I didn't buy it, so I can't comment on how windproof or stretchy it
really is.

I've got one of these
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360029727&N=Altura%20Stream%20Windproof%20Jacket
and it works well

SW

anon said:

I'm after a warm cycling top for 8-4 commuting during Oct/Nov &
March/April I'm not sure of recent fabric advancements, but is there
something that gives stretch & figure hugging properties and is also
as near as damned it windproof?
No need for it to be waterproof, but I do want it as windproof as
possible whilst still not flapping about at all. can be jacket full
zip or the usual short zip.
What do people wear when it gets colder? I'm finding I'm okay with
just a short sleeved bike top upto about this point in the year with
a morning temp of no less than 13°C, then I add a long sleeved
http://www.mikedyason.com/productDesc.asp?text_product_id=GSJ which
is about as windproof as a colander, which does down to ~10°C. I've
got a long sleeved bike top with a slighty fleecy inner face, ancient
- about 20 years old, (Castelli Thermodress). If I recall that does
me down to about 7°C. After that I have to combine things in an
unsatisfactory manner. So hence the imminent purchase.

Any suggestions, and links to good online shops to browse?
Do the cycle propmotions road tour lot come up with anything
worthwhile? Think they're due here next week.

You can find very warm jerseys, even ones with windproof fronts, but much
more versatile is simply to wear more thin layers instead. This will keep
you just as warm, but allow you to adjust your temperature more precisely
for each day, and during rides by removing or adding layers, or undoing
zips.

Start with a proper (non cotton) base layer, short or long sleeved, then a
mid-weight long-sleeve jersey, then a windproof gilet or jacket. You should
find the Ozzo one you have good enough for much of the year. I have one
too. It's true that it could be more windproof, but it's a lot more
breathable and a lot less flappy than some others.

I also like the Lusso tactel Gilet - and often wear that instead or as well
as the Ozzo one (underneath).

~PB

Don't forget what's on your legs as well. You'll need less on top if you're
warmer altogether. In the winter, wear longs made of roubaix . Bib
versions will add some insulation round the waist and back as well.

And cycle harder too ;-)

Anyway it was another warm day today (in London at least), so it seems a bit
early to start talking about winter gear already.

~PB

anon said:

I'm after a warm cycling top for 8-4 commuting during Oct/Nov & March/April
I'm not sure of recent fabric advancements, but is there something that
gives stretch & figure hugging properties and is also as near as damned it
windproof?
No need for it to be waterproof, but I do want it as windproof as possible
whilst still not flapping about at all. can be jacket full zip or the usual
short zip.

Foska training jackets are slim, warm and windproof, and come in
some fantastic finishes (Roos has a "Bones", the others are good
too, see http://www.foska.com/acatalog/Jacket.html)

If you like Henry Ford colour schemes and don't mind paying a stiff
price, Rapha's soft shell is, according to the reviews, very nice
(http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=21&gclid=CL_i8MjNyI4CFQsrlAodOXpiBg).

Quoted message said:

What do people wear when it gets colder?

Layers.

Pete,
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

anon said:

I'm after a warm cycling top for 8-4 commuting during Oct/Nov & March/April
I'm not sure of recent fabric advancements, but is there something that
gives stretch & figure hugging properties and is also as near as damned it
windproof?
No need for it to be waterproof, but I do want it as windproof as possible
whilst still not flapping about at all. can be jacket full zip or the usual
short zip.
What do people wear when it gets colder? I'm finding I'm okay with just a
short sleeved bike top upto about this point in the year with a morning temp
of no less than 13°C, then I add a long sleevedhttp://www.mikedyason.com/productDesc.asp?text_product_id=GSJwhich is about
as windproof as a colander, which does down to ~10°C. I've got a long
sleeved bike top with a slighty fleecy inner face, ancient - about 20 years
old, (Castelli Thermodress). If I recall that does me down to about 7°C.
After that I have to combine things in an unsatisfactory manner. So hence
the imminent purchase.

Any suggestions, and links to good online shops to browse?
Do the cycle propmotions road tour lot come up with anything worthwhile?
Think they're due here next week.

The property you are looking for is a 'wicking' base-layer, i.e. one
that transfers moisture away from your skin to the outside. The Helly
Hanson (blue and white striped-sleeved form hugging tops you've
probably seen) are good and cheap, or Berghaus' technical base-layer
does a similar job but has a zip down the front so is more versatile
(lets you trap or free excess heat at will).

For a mid-layer there are several fabrics that will keep the wind out
and still have some wicking action, Windstopper and Polarflece are two
well known ones.

I wouldn't be too hung up on finding a dedicated cycling specific
brand - mostly they wont be as good in extreme weather as hiking gear
(and cost more). Although finding a mid-layer with pit-zips (zips
that undo to allow venting in) can be as good as removing a layer
without having to stop.

This site is packed with great advice and knowledge:
http://www.icebike.com/Clothing/clothing.htm

I recently ordered some rain-pants from Lou at www.foxwear.net, he's a
really helpful guy and even let me pay him after the goods arrived
(from the US - HM Customs will apply a small charge on top),

Regards,

Duncan

"anon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What do people wear when it gets colder? I'm finding I'm okay with just a
short sleeved bike top upto about this point in the year with a morning
temp of no less than 13°C, then I add a long sleeved

Keep your eyes peeled for the Aldi winter cycling clothes promotion. It
must be due soon.

I use the Aldi winter jacket, an Aldi cycling shirt and a Canterbury base
layer designed for rugby but very suitable for cycling.. The base layer is
skin tight and justb the three layers were worn for a 60 mile ride to
Darlington from Leeds in freezing fog and I was as warm as toast. I couldn't
believe that just three layers would be sufficient and I had several spare
layers in a pannier but they proved to be unecessary.

The Aldi stuf is arounf £12 for the jacket £6 for the shirt and the
Canterbury base layer is around £18.

HTH

VErnon

"anon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What do people wear when it gets colder? I'm finding I'm okay with just a
short sleeved bike top upto about this point in the year with a morning
temp of no less than 13°C, then I add a long sleeved
http://www.mikedyason.com/productDesc.asp?text_product_id=GSJ which is
about as windproof as a colander, which does down to ~10°C. I've got a
long sleeved bike top with a slighty fleecy inner face, ancient - about 20
years old, (Castelli Thermodress). If I recall that does me down to about
7°C. After that I have to combine things in an unsatisfactory manner. So
hence the imminent purchase.

I rather like my lusso long sleeved top - I think it's similar to this one

http://www.lusso-clothing.co.uk/viewdetail.php?target=60212

Clothing seems to have varied solutions - here's mine, which is yet another
variation...

Summer - thin short-sleeved top. Then the Lusso one. Then both if it's
really cold. That seems to work down to temperatures where my beard
freezes - for commuting-length rides at least.

If you're stopped for any time, things are different, but I generally get
quite warm from riding.
I put a waterproof on top if I'm too cold - a 2-layer + mesh lining goretex
thing. That copes with pretty much anything, but I've only needed to do it
on longer rides after a stop, or a puncture. (and I wear it when it's wet
too...)

Legs are the bigger worry for me - my knees don't like cold. Ron Hill
bikesters for a little chill, then some nice roubaix tights for late
autumn/most of winter, and the bikesters on top for when it's _really_ cold.

Thin fleece gloves, with thick walking mitts for if it gets really cold.
Fleece balaclava for really really cold.

cheers,
clive

"Steve W" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I've got one of these
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360029727&
N=Altura%20Stream%20Windproof%20Jacket and it works well

I too am a fan of the Altura Stream - it can be hard to find in larger
sizes though, supplies are either spasmodic, or it has stopped being made