maartendc

Hello everyone,

Long story short: I am biking from Belgium to Germany around Christmas, and expect to encounter the worst conditions if unlucky: Cold (around 0 degrees C), wind, rain, some light snow. I am looking to beef up my cycling wardrobe for this trip, preferably without having to take out a second mortgage.


I've got a decent base layer and thermal jersey (not windproof), and looking for a Softshell jacket to wear over those as a third outer layer. I was looking at the Gore Bike Wear Windstopper jackets (love their gloves), but looking for similar.
- Warm
- Completely windproof (Windstopper fabric)
- Not waterproof (too sweaty, will carry extra jacket for real rain)
- Around $120 preferably

My current tights are not sufficiently warm or water resistant. I'm looking for some good quality bib tights for these conditions- Warm
- Windproof
- With chamois
- preferably at least water repellent
- Around $120 preferably.


What are your favorite brands and product lines for these items?
Thanks a lot!

biketampa

I have a castelli Perfectto convertible jacket. It works great. Sleeves come off to make a short sleeve jacket. probably can find it on sale to get around $120. I actually bought a nashbar softshell jacket for like $30. It's not bad. not as nice as the castelli but fits well and is warm and pretty soft. the castelli is just more streamlined fit, flexible use.

jmess

For temps under 45 degrees, Pearl Izumi Amfibs bib tights work well rain or shine.

Lazyass

I ordered some Bellwether Thermaldress bibs last week. No review yet, there hung up in USPS somewhere, I was supposed to have them yesterday but the prices on ebay are very good. They also make windproof tights you can wear over them.

https://www.ebay.com/b/Bellwether-Cy...854/bn_1852565

Slash5

I bought bib tights for mountain biking so that I wouldn't have to muck around with suspenders but then realized that it makes it very difficult to stop and pee. Ended up using them just for short rides.

TimothyH

Castelli Alpha Wind Jacket - $129
Castelli Alpha Jacket | Jenson USA

Gore Zenon 2.0 Windstopper Bib Tights - $160
Men's XENON 2.0 WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell Bibtights+ | GORE BIKE WEAR®


-Tim-

maartendc

Cool, I will check oujt that Castelli, thanks.

I was eying those, they seem reasonably priced. I will have to try those. Thanks.

Heard good things about that Alpha jacket, unfortunately only available in XL at that price. Will have to do some measuring to see if it fits.

Gore do seem to have some good bib tights at reasonable prices including windstopper material. Need to check them out. Thanks!

Yeah, but for longer rides it is also really annoying to have your tights slip down, and expose your lower back to the cold.

Depending on the cut and elasticity of the waistband, I figured you could just pull down the waist and get access that way.

lmike6453

I have a Gore Phantom 2.0 soft shell jacket and it's great. $117

fietsbob

why not add suspenders to a warm set of ski pants? wear bike shorts as the base layer..

Sy Reene

+1 on the Perfetto convertible.. quite versatile with Gore windstopper facing. FYI, look at Performance, where I think with one of their 25% off sales/coupons I got it for about $110

Sy Reene

Well reviewed for warm, water-resistant tights (if I rode in the rain during winter months, I'd get a pair):
https://www.all4cycling.com/shop/spo...pm-111736.html

jefnvk

I've got a Specialized/686 softshell. Cost about $70, pretty nice. Windproof, and 5000mm^2 water resistant to hold out light rain.

I've also got a 66 North softshell, nicer coat but the tail isn't as long and can ride up exposing my back.