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Frivolous Cycling Appareil?
I was very amused the other day to see the article about the new Assos glasses (/content/news/47673-assos-launch-their-first-cycling-glasses-video), whose cost we assume will run into hundreds.
It made me think it might be .....er......"enlightening" for other people to share their experiences of when they've gone seemingly OTT in terms of expensive bikewear they've gone out and bought.
I myself am a fan of Assos, albeit more on a "peripheral" scale (I wish I could afford for everything I own to be by them). I generally collect a couple of items every year, so have a collection of their socks, mitts, gloves and even an excellent pair of bibtights from previous years. This year I went completely mad and bought both a winter jacket and a waterproof jacket, albeit in out-of-season sales. I have yet to buy any summer stuff (nor shades, I hasten to add) from them...I wish.
In my own defence I not only ride for pleasure but also to commute. So as far as the commuting goes there is a definite equation which says "every week I ride the bike saves me £x on the tube" (around £100/month, so quite considerable over time). So from that perspective I am prepared to set aside some money in order to buy clothing which keeps me on the bike, especially during the winter. That I can also use these clothes for my weekend rides is a bonus.
Anyone else prepared to admit their excesses?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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20 comments
I got a trainer last year and the experience was pretty rubbish so I hardly used it.
This year in an effort to make it more interesting I upgraded the trainer to VR. It is a bit more fun (I can import my actual rides and it shows my course on a Google map, with me as a little red dot) but sufficiently mind-numbing that I've still only been on it a couple of times so far.
Maybe Radio 2 is the secret!
This is an elliptical cross trainer, you know stand on thingy, ebay bargain :). That's fun to use. I have a turbo trainer from last year but it is mind numbingly boring as you say. It's in my wardrobe hidden under some jeans. However, part of the persuasion to the other half of getting a winter bike was that I could put my other one on the turbo for the winter. This means I will have to use it!
we have a Lidl quite close but our nearest Aldi is a fair distance away and in the wrong direction. I wore the Lidl baselayer this morning and whist for the price it is great value, its not going to be warm enough when it gets really cold.
Ironic really, what I think I want is a merino base layer...
Shame about the base layer but I'm sure it will come in handy. You can never have enough gear! I was going to go out this morning but the winter bike hasn't come yet. I got my bike out, started doing some bits of maintenance, changed the stem, started cleaning it, finished cleaning it, looked outside at the rain and muck and decided cross trainer and radio 2 instead! Not normally bothered by rain but I stripped my bike down a couple of weeks ago, soaked the cassette, derailleur, chain etc in deisel and they are all shiny. I just couldn't dirty her!!
I just experienced the other end of the scale tonight.
I was talking to my mate saying I was looking forward to an upcoming trip to France, I said I had a Decathlon run planned as I needed a couple of winter base layers.
He happened to mention that he was in Lidl last weekend and they had some ski base layers in stock.
So I popped over after work and picked up what seems like a perfectly decent base layer for just £12.99.
Aldi had Merino zipped polo neck base layers in a few weeks, I think they were £15 ish. If I could get on with Merino I'd have got one as they were really good quality. I also picked up a perfectly good floor pump with a guage for a fiver in Lidl a few weeks ago. They had bike stands too, should have got me one of those. If you check Lidl and Aldi (if you have an Aldi near you) on line, they tell you what special buys are coming in and when. Aldi in particular regularly do some decent cycling/running gear
The winter bike really is a cheapo, very basic non branded road bike. The theory being that I can upgrade components as I go along but for now it's just a starting point so I don't hammer my current bike in the bad weather. It's heavier so I'm either going to have to loose 2.5 kg in weight or pedal a lot harder!
I'm more envious that you're getting a "winter bike". I've just got a "bike"!
well I concur with your fella there I'm afraid. You see, a guy should have the right to walk around in his undies in his own house. He probably wore the romper suit (which sounds cool, by the way, I have to make do with a normal sleeping bag) just to spare either his, or you friend's, blushes
Sleeping bag envy!
well I must admit I'm currently sitting watching the football wearing socks, padded shorts and a base top....had to take the bibtights off or it would have been stifling!
Just as well the missus is so understanding.
My other half was trying out this sleeping bag thing he bought once. It was like a sleeping bag upto chest height but with with braces over the shoulders (bit like a thickly padded romper suit). He was in another room watching TV (I had a friend over, chatting away with a glass of wine). Then he comes jumping through the living room in this bag, goes to spend a penny then comes jumping back without saying a word...the cycling gear I get, this was beyond my comprehension!
I think to get 10 years out of a pair of bibshorts is amazing, that kind of timescale easily justifies the initial layout. Congratulations that they still fit after all that time!
Good luck with your Oakleys shollin, soon be christmas!
Just ordered a Winter bike as my Christmas present to myself Pete! Endura ones will have to do for now! Although,,, birthday in January. Hmmmmmm...
I think if you spend a little bit more on cycling gear that lasts it doesn't work out any more expensive that buying 2 or 3 of one thing because it falls apart or isn't a good fit etc. I tend to go for medium range stuff by Gore, Mavic etc. I don't consider this excessive, at least that's what I keep telling the other half. Perhaps I'll show him the Assos glasses and then say look these Oakley ones are far better value!
i, agree with that. find i'm happy to spend say £70 odd on cycling kit but bulk when i have to spend that much on 'normal' clothes..hmmmm
Do we need normal clothes??...I did the hoovering in my thermal bibs the other day after coming back from a ride. Comfy, warm, sorted
Yup, Assos bib-tights (10 years) Giro Helios (I think) helmet (9 years) Assos bib shorts (2 years & 4 years) Oakley sunnies (8 years) Castelli rain jacket (2 years) but then I apply the same principle to normal clothes as well. I hate shopping with a vengeance so take the view that a few relatively well-made clothes last longer and cost less eventually than lots of cheap ones. Still think Assos are pushing their luck with those glasses. Expect to see a lot of bike shop owners wearing free pairs.
Schutt VR Buff(s) had one for my neck and now have a matching one for my head, £15 is a small price to pay for colour coordinated Buffs or is it, I'm not so sure anymore..
Rapha socks. at a tenner a pair (if you buy the 3 pack bundle) is still 'exspensive' for socks.. but they are good and i cant see myself wanting to wear any other kind now..