As you already know, I hate waste! I don't like paying more than what I should for a product, but I don't mind paying for something that I know will last and is of good quality.
I don't have lots of stuff/gear, but my philosophy is that, what I have has to be practical. I thought I'll give you a few tips on where I shop and which brands work for my figure, taste and budget. :)
I usually shop around, see what I like and want and then search on the Internet for the cheapest provider. There is so many good providers out there. Evans, Wiggle & Chain Reaction would be your best options most of the time, but don't think that they are necessarily the cheapest. They all offer free delivery and easy returns which make life easier. I prefer Evans & Chain Reaction's websites as it is more user friendly and easier to navigate around. Some shops also offer price matching, so do your research.
Apart from your bike number 1, 2 & 3 would be the essentials that you would need when you start riding, the rest you can buy as your need for them increase and as you get into the sport more.
1. Pearl Izumi Tights
I try and buy these when it is on sale. Expect to pay £34 - £40 on sale. Evans stock Pearl Izumi. In principal going into an Evans shop can be painful, but their online store is great. They have a great return policy, you can pick up in store and they also offer free home delivery, so you can order and take it back with no drama if it doesn't work for you.
http://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/ride/road/shorts-and-knickers/p/womens-quest-short
2. Specialized Gloves
Your hands need protection for a few reasons. Firstly, so that you have good grip on your handlebars. Secondly, your hands take a lot of shots and shocks so good comfortable padding is essential. Thirdly, your hands are also exposed to overgrowing plants as you swish past them and if you fall over you will avoid the graze marks we used to get when we fell on the school playground. I am a big Specialized fan and like their body geometry philosophy.
http://www.specialized.co.uk/gb/gb/ftr/gloves/womens-road-gloves/womens-body-geometry-gel
3. Helmet
Specialized... :-) It was a birthday gift. (I chose it though...)
4. Repair Kit
It is also important to always carry with you, a pump, a spare tube (the right size - check on your tyre if you are in doubt), tyre levers and a multi-tool
5. Camelbak Classic
Travelling light is key and my 2 litre water bladder is enough for the type of distance we do and also living on the island it is not often that you need to fill up your water reservoir. I usually fill mine to the 1.5l mark. The classic has one small pocket on the front in which I store my repair kit. Because I don't fill the reservoir to its maximum, I always have spare space for my rain jacket, house keys or anything else that needs to find a place to live.
http://shop.camelbak.com/classic/d/1043
6. Squirtlube
It is essential to keep your chain running smoothly, happy chain, happy bike, happy pedalling.:-) I prefer Squirt, less messy, works great in winter and summer and doesn't get clogged up with all sorts of gunk like other lubes. I can highly recommend it, a few places in the available. The latest shop that stock this is Specialized Concept Store and Wiggle also sells it online.
http://www.in2dust.co.uk/
7. Kalenji Rain & Wind jacket
Best £12 ever spent, this jacket is perfect in the intermediate and early winter weather as my 3rd layer. It is light and packs away easily and cheap from Decathlon.
8. Buff
Absolutely love these. They have so many purposes. In fact there are 12 things that you can use it as, so yes you pay about £12 - £15 for a tiny piece of material, but there is so much that you can do with it. I use it for sweat wicking in summer and to keep my hair out of my eyes and in winter for warmth over my ears and head, sometimes also as a balaclawa/scarf.
http://www.buffwear.co.uk/buff-headwear/original-buff
9. Shimano Clip-ins
They are cheap and cheerful and do the job, I bought all 3 pairs of mine from the cheapest Internet free delivery provider. A good sale price is about £18 for entry level clip-in pedals.
10. Shoes
Again I love Specialized so I've only ever had Specialized shoes. Even though I love their brand I know that their shoes don't really cater for those of us with a wider foot, so it would probably be best to go for a brand like Shimano. I've bought both pairs on sale so keep an eye out for sales.
11. Short sleeve cycling tops
Thankfully I don't get cold easily and feel restricted in cycling tops with sleeves, so I basically buy any brand as long as it has the right material, I stay away from those shiny material that sits on your love handles. :-) Pearl Izumi, Altura and Bontranger, but I think it comes down to personal preference.
12. Clif Bars
Some of you might know that I don't really like fruit, very sweet stuff and can't stand peanut butter. So Clif Bar is the only bars that make an all chocolate chip bar, raisin and oat bar and their latest new flavour that was unlikely for me to like, but I LOVE it, is white chocolate and macadamia. I would usually only take a bite and then later another bite, but this white chocolate and macadamia is so nice that I had the whole bar in one go which is not preferable, but hey ho.
http://www.clifbar.co.uk/food/products_clif_bar/
13. Clif Shots
Clif Shots are like jelly babies, but in the shape of an icecube. I don't like jelly sweets and sweet stuff as mentioned above, but these are great to take on any ride. I don't use any gels as you have to have the whole gel in one go which is just revolting and if you don't have the whole gel, then you are basically wasting it. So clif shots are very convenient and handy to have. I always have them with me and they are also great to hand out when someone has fallen or crashed to get over the shock.
http://www.clifbar.co.uk/food/products_shot_bloks/
Winter Apparel
14. DHB 3/4 Thermal Bib Shorts
Wiggles in-house brand DHB has been an absolute treat. I'm short, so the 3/4 length works perfect for me, I usually wear my South African arm warmers as legwarmers and it does the job. The bib also provides warmth and you feel nicely tucked in on your winter rides.
15. Seal Skinz winter waterproof socks
These babies have saved my feet from freezing plenty times. They have merino wool on the inside and are waterproof, don't misunderstand me, your feet still feel the cold, but at least they are not wet and cold, they are just cold. Don't get me wrong, they are nothing to look at, but they do the job.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealskinz-Mid-Light-Waterproof-Socks/dp/B001E66XK0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376994606&sr=8-2&keywords=waterproof+socks
16. Signature South African Arm Warmers
I use these all the time, they were the best gift given to me by my sister during the Fifa World Cup in 2010. Wearing them as arm and leg warmers all the time and we've used them as a make-shift bandage before too. Multi-purpose in many ways.
17. Gloves
In winter your hands and shoes feel the cold a lot more than other parts of your body so to keep them warm is going to make you a happier rider.
I use Gore wind and rain proof gloves, they are not tight fitted enough to my liking, but they keep my hands warm in most normal winter conditions.
18. Overshoes
Overshoes, neoprene material, wind and waterproof overshoes will help a lot. Overshoes will be the most unattractive item of clothing you will ever own, BUT for the benefits you will get from them, it is worth investing in them. Warmer, dryer feet, cleaner shoes!
I hope you found this useful, if you have any other kit relating questions, please drop me a line and I will try and answer your question. tangocycling@outlook.com
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| Wearing my Favourite Things 1. Specialized Shoes 2. South African Arm/Leg Warmers 3. Pearl Izumi short tights 4. Kalenji Rain & Wind Jacket 5. Specialized Gloves 6. Buff 7. Specialized Helmet (my old one - not a gift) 8. Borrowed Camelbak Classic which convinced me to get my own |
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