Author Topic: Non Bike Specific Kit (Read 6368 times)

BigFoot · « **on:** January 22, 2018, 11:47:18 »

blokes

thought it would be interesting to start a thread on essential bike kit you use which is not bike specific.
Mine would have to be my Dare2b mid layers. £15 each and far better than any of the expensive techy stuff I've ever tried.

SuzukiSte · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2018, 11:55:00 »

My Ion Air Pro video cam, use it all the time and on the bike.

old git · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2018, 13:25:52 »

50 litre compressor. When you change tyres as often as I do it's a must have.

Frostilicus · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2018, 15:14:24 »

Superdry sweatshirt - I have a number of regular "hoodie" style sweatshirts I wear under my bike gear, but they are all quite thin and sometimes require a thermal layer under a t-shirt to keep me warm.
Bought a superdry sweatshirt in the january sales and it is warm! even at 2 or 3 degrees when I set out for work I'm perfectly OK in t-shirt, sweatshirt and Alpinestar Andes jacket

King Orry · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2018, 16:45:50 »

Until a couple of years ago I commuted year round, and though I had my bike gear on, I would usually wear a day-glow workwear jacket on top.
Partly because they we’re excellent Wind-Stoppers, hence even in winter I rarely wore anything other than a T-shirt under my bike jacket.
Also because of the reaction from dozy drivers, it made a massive difference, they would see me easier and take a longer look fearing I was the plod, especially when the jacket was new.
They were 100% waterproof, usually for at least six months if not longer.
And also they were cheap (especially if like me, they were company issue).
Something like this.. https://www.arco.co.uk/products/1870700
I still use or carry them theses days, the leggings too. Very useful. ????

In me shed · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2018, 16:50:23 »

must admit my day-glow jacket has reduced the number of near misses to 2 or 3 per trip

King Orry · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2018, 16:51:27 »

And don’t forget, the plastic bag you carry your leggings in, doubles, by slipping it over your boots one at a time, as the perfect tool to ease slide the leggings on over the boots.
Simples.

King Orry · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2018, 16:54:44 »

Yep, I hate the thought I’m choosing to wear such a jacket because of the poor observation skills of others, but are happy to do so if simply to load the dice a little more in my favour.
The wind-stopping, hence warmth retaining qualities of unlined waterproof stuff cannot be over-stated.

JonJo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2018, 21:03:09 »

Flipping this on its head. I use my old motorbike gear when I'm clearing gorse and birch scrub. It's a job that needs to be done at this time of year so as well as protecting me from the gorse it keeps me warm.

Angustoyou · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2018, 23:36:01 »

Decathlon do 2 pairs of cosy merino wool socks for a tenner. They are so nice I bought 6 pairs and wear nothing else all winter. It's an age thing....

Get them in season though, they don't stock them over summer.

Freddyfruitbat · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2018, 00:44:12 »

Quote from: Angustoyou on January 23, 2018, 23:36:01

I bought 6 pairs and wear nothing else all winter.

Is that not a bit... chilly?

kwackboy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2018, 06:52:29 »

I can also endorse the decathlon socks . Got a few pairs myself , very warm .

Also , Uniglo heattech thermals . Very warm but also very thin so can fit under just about any clothing.

Stonec0ld · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2018, 10:29:04 »

I got some merino long johns from Aldi that I always wear plus a really thin micro fleece from edz. Both great at keeping me warm and taking the edge off any wind

Hugo Magnus · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2018, 21:04:19 »

Quote from: King Orry on January 22, 2018, 16:51:27

And don’t forget, the plastic bag you carry your leggings in, doubles, by slipping it over your boots one at a time, as the perfect tool to ease slide the leggings on over the boots.
Simples.

This makes the difference between me being able to get my waterproof noddy suit on and throwing it away in disgust and frustration.

Angustoyou · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2018, 21:21:56 »

Quote from: Freddyfruitbat on January 24, 2018, 00:44:12

Is that not a bit... chilly?

I asked for that though!

James59 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2018, 21:59:49 »

Montane featherlight smock. Folds down to the size of an apple. Great wind protection, just a very thin layer, but so good and effective.

Sasquatch · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2018, 21:58:45 »

Quote from: In me shed on January 22, 2018, 16:50:23

must admit my day-glow jacket has reduced the number of near misses to 2 or 3 per trip

You must be joking

So far in 10k miles I had 2 near misses: one was cager not expecting me to jump across busy junction and pulled out of his driveway, other one...I was checking out girls in cabriolet next to me

...

In me shed · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2018, 16:59:10 »

My daily commute is 32 miles (16 miles each way) with about 15 to 20 miles of filtering. With all the numpties texting, reading the news, putting their makeup on, doing all 3, I'm lucky to still be in one piece

Sasquatch · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2018, 17:33:24 »

ouh, my commute is either 9 roundabouts in 7 miles or 6 miles of solid filtering. Filtering option means up to 2 videos per day submitted on Essex police website with some moron on the phone. Started enjoying filtering option

King Orry · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2018, 19:53:53 »

When it started raining I once forced my missus to slip a pair of neoprene cycling shoe covers over the fashion boots she insisted on wearing.
They fitted really easily, and she didn’t complain too much so they must’ve been good.
Even though it pisched doon for a couple of hours she said her feet remained dry and warm.
Like these..
https://www.planetx.co.uk/I/q/CLALNOSH/altura-nevis-overshoes-black