Everyone’s favourite budget supermarket chain*, Lidl, is having one of its seasonal cycling special offer week… so if you like a bargain it might be worth a look.
As usual with Lidl’s special offers, when it’s gone it’s gone, so you’ll need to get in there bright and early if you want to have your pick of the kit.
What’s on offer? Funny you should ask… There’s quite a big range this time around.
There’s a cycle top – a short sleeve jersey, to you and me – for the princely sum of £6.99. Yes, that’s £6.99. Lidl say that it’s made from a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric with an antibacterial, odour-inhibiting Silverplus finish. It comes in various colours and in both men’s and women’s versions.
There are shorts and three-quarters at £6.99, gilets at £6.99, and performance cycling underwear at, um, £6.99. It’s not all £6.99, though…
The 20L rucksack is £7.99, the cycling rain trousers are £7.99, and kids’ helmets are £7.99.
Basically, it’s all ridiculously cheap. There’s an aluminium floor pump, for example, priced at £4.99. We can’t vouch for the quality of any of these products – we’ve not seen them – but the pump comes with a pressure gauge, a dual head, and a two-year warranty.
Guess how much the 31-piece bike tool kit costs. It’s a little saddle pack containing a multi-tool, tyre levers, puncture repair kit and a couple of bulbs.
Wrong! It’s £4.99.
We bought a jersey last time Lidl did a cycling special offer and it actually looked okay. It wasn’t Rapha, Assos or Gore quality, admittedly – it was mostly acrylic but there was merino wool in the mix, and it cost about 15 quid. Mind you, we gave it away in a Schwag Grab so we’re not sure how it stood up to the test of time.
Anyway, check it all out at www.lidl.co.uk
* With the possible exception of Aldi.
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19 comments
I have purchased cycle gear both from Lidl and Aldi, The cyclign trousers from Aldi are wearing well a year after purchase, Cycle socks also very good quality. Lidl stuff isalso good, if any problem take it back usually no quibble. We are lucky here inLowestoft, both shops within a mileof each other. Thesepromo weeks are usually close together.
...and for those who don't want padded undershorts they're doing compression underwear for runners next week.
Quite impressed with the 'technical' undershorts. Size L is a snug fit and they performed well on my commute this morning.
I got some MTB shoes from Lidl which saw me through my LeJog and are still going strong over 1,000 miles later. I've more toolkits than I know what to do with but might look at the rainwear.
The floor pump looks like the Aldi one I bought. It was crap and wouldn't work so I got a refund. I subsequently read that a few people on Bikeradar had similar issues. A warranty isn't worth anything if it doesn't work in the first place, you're better off buying a real one.
The cycling shoes aren't bad value. Mine have lasted well. The kids cycling helmets aren't so good though.
Snagged a floor pump, at £4.99 seemed like a no brainer. Impressed with its low profile when folded up.
A set of lidl panniers saw me through a lejog with ease. Also, the floor pump is quite the bargain. I've had one for over a year with no probs. Lidl actually does cycle promos fairly regular, they're worth keeping an eye on. Oh and the socks are ok too.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/mar/14/businesscomment.supermarkets
Bought the locks for some charity rides I'm doing this year. Resilient enough for those cafe stops to lock a few bikes together.
The underwear (the vest/gilet) is the best thing to buy. Not great for summer as it's too warm, but for Winter, Spring & Autumn I find it really effective. Quality is on par with some Castelli undershirts I have.
I just bought one of their gilets .... haven't tested it yet, but it looks solidly enough constructed. Also bought a pair of their technical underwear shorts. Tried on a large and it fitted me well. For £8, the construction, comfort and value is actually a lot better than some Endura items I bought at £14 each (which were also good too).
Mooman
Do Lidl have changing rooms, or did you strip down in the aisles?
Go on...you know you want to
The panniers are Ortlieb lookalikes at £11.99 with sealed seams etc. Maybe they won't last round the world>
Quite a few of the members in my road "club" wear Aldi shirts and as stated, not up there with the top brands but they are servicable. Watch out for size though. I bought a long sleeve jersey last autumn for cooler rides and being somewhat lardy I went for XL. Girth wise it was slightly too big for me but not terrible. However the length was amazing. It looked like a dress on me and I'm 5'11". Had to take it back as with anything in my back pockets sent it heading for the knees. On the whole though for the sort of moderate effort road rides that me and the fellas do they are certainly good enough for spring/autumn/winter riding. I'm not sure I'd wear them in hot weather when I really do need something quality that will wick well.
Great. Thanks for the heads up, I need some new shorts.
The shoes are incredible value- I got some last time round and use them for mountain biking- no one can tell you're a cheapskate when they're covered in mud. They are very durable, the sole is extremely rigid, and the spd cleat sits nicely recessed so you can walk in them.
Been there, bought some socks and a hoist (though I'm sad to say I though it said 'moist')
Might go back and buy the rain jacket as, although it's not really what I want for the bike, I had one a couple of years ago for just casual wear and it was much better than any other budget showerproof I'd bought. V sad when it died...