Clothing

On a nice sunny day there's no reason why you shouldn't slop about town in your shorts and flip-flops - no special clothing needed at all! But once it starts getting to be winter, you get to a point where a few bits of well thought out fabric will keep you warm and dry. There's no need to rush out and buy everything at once though - add layers here and there as the nights draw in.

Jackets : gloves : waterproof trousers : Softshell Jackets : Shorts : BaseLayer

We've got good stock of Assos clothing, so it's got its own seperate page here.
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JACKETS A proper waterproof jacket should be your first purchase if you're aiming to keep cycling through the winter. Any old jacket will do the job, but a cycling specific jacket will be longer at the back and arms, to keep your sensitive bits covered even when you're stretched out on the bike. Breathability is very important as well - possibly more so than waterproofness, because if you're working hard, you'll create enough moisture inside the jacket to chill you very quickly.
Altura Night Vision £59.99 Great winter commuting jacket - waterproof and sturdy. It really works. We stock it in yellow and grey. Women's specific cut in sizes 8-16 Men's cut in sizes s - xxxL	altura night vision
Altura Nevis Jacket £49.99 Simple and functional. We stock it in grey or yellow, Men's cut s - xxxL Women's cut sizes 8-16	altura nevis
Altura Strada Clear Race cape £39.99 Lightweight roadie-orientated keep-you-dry-but-no-features-to-scrape-scales-style. And, since it's clear, people can still see the jersey you're busting underneath. Perfect to tuck into your pocket for Sunday morning rides.	altura strada clear race cape
Altura Crosslite jacket £79.99 For the racier orientated commuter, this jacket folds away small, with reflective trim. Available in Red and Blue. Sizes from s to xxL	altura crosslite jacket
Altura Reflex Jacket £99.99 More features than the Crosslight, but the same close-fit cut. Plenty of pockets (including one on the sleeve for your sounds) and lots of neat reflective. The fabric is thin but very waterproof. Black and hi-viz yellow Sizes - s - xxl	altura reflex jacket
Gore Cross Jacket £120 Lean, mean, simple jacket for no-fuss commuting. yellow and black, sizes s to xxL	gore cross jacket
Gore Sportive Lady £110 Women's specific cut with a tapered waist. High, close collar to keep the draughts out. sizes s to xL	gore sportive ladies' jacket

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GLOVES We have a vast selection of styles, to suit every need, but here are a few of our favourites. It's a very personal choice though - much depends on how cold you hands get.
Altura Thermastretch £20 not a bulky glove, warm and breathable Night Vision £30 A bit more robust, with lots of reflectives to keep the traffic at bay.. 100% wateproof, windproof, breathable.	altura night vision
Specialized Radiant. £40 I've got a pair of these and I love them, really warm Deflect: £22 More of a lightweight autumn glove than a full-on winter number	specialized radiant
Gore Extreme £40. The reliable Gore name again, breathable, waterproof, durable Supertechno, £35 Another choice in windproof waterproof - for transition days. Can be worn with a liner (£12)	gore extreme

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WATERPROOF TROUSERS

Prices range from £30 to £135. More money gets you more breathability - important over your legs, which are working hard and generating heat. But come in and try them on - everybody fits them differently. Makes include Gore, Altura, Gill and Freestyle. Long zips at the bottom mean you can pull them on over your trousers without taking your shoes off - worth it to avoid standing in puddles in your socks.

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SOFTSHELL JACKETS
Softshell Tool Jersey £110 and worth every penny This is made of Windstopper, so it's more breathable than Gore's fully waterproof fabrics. Having said that, it's plenty plenty waterproof enough for getting you to work and back, and feels lovely to wear. It's superbreathable, so keeps you skin warm and dry by wicking all the moisture away from your sin. Lincoln's Must Have Item. 'Kept me properly warm last year'Next to Skin (N2S) technology - and yes, they really do mean that you're meant to wear the jacket directly against your skin. This item replaces a jersey and jacket combination. Sounds weird but works really well. Unparalleled breathability and comfort. Available in sizes s to xxxL.	softshell tool
Gore Soho £50 Gore Bikewear fine layer fleece, to be worn under a jacket in the rain or on its own in the cold. Also available: Women's Amazone £50 similar to the SoHo but a Women's cut.	gore soho

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SHORTS I know it's not the season but hey, you might end up with an excuse to get your knees out!
Endura Zyme Shorts: 3/4 baggy shorts in soft grey. Lots of well placed pockets.	endura zyme
3/4 length Meryl tights Endura also make our autumn/spring favourites - padded 3/4 tights.. You can wear them on their own, or under baggies. Specially important for those of us who've messed up our knees having too much fun, and now aren't as young as once we were. If they're creaky, keep them warm with 3/4's. Also known as 'knickers'.	3/4 length meryl tights

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BASE LAYERS

Endura Men's and Women's liners. you can wear these underneath your normal clothing, so you get all the padding you need for a comfy ride, but can arrive in the office in stealth mode so that nobody knows you commuted using the most sensible means of travel ever devised.

Base Layers. These are essential for keeping you dry - especially if you're wearing a basic jacket, since the jacket won't be as breathable as a more expensive model. A good quality base layer will wick sweat away from your skin, and stop that cold clammy feeling. Base layers start from £15

Jackets : gloves : waterproof trousers : Softshell Jackets : Shorts : Base Layer

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Cycling can still be comfortable, even if it's cold wet and dark out there. While ordinary clothing is often fine, cycling-specific clothing makes your life easier and more pleasant for a number of reasons.

• The cut is more comfortable, as it takes into account the strange position. Cycling tops require lower backs, because you are leaning forward, and sleeves need to be extra long because your arms are stretched out. Shorts and leggings need to come up high, to keep your kidneys warm. Legs need to be stretchy or baggy, so your knees can move.
  Breathable clothing keeps you dry from the inside.

• Waterproof clothing keeps you dry from the outside.
  Showerproof and rainproof clothing will not keep you as dry for as long as waterproof clothing. Mostly showers should be assumed to last about twenty minutes.

• Bright colours can make you more visible, although not necessarily more attractive.
  Windproof materials are warmer. Wind chills you, especially if you are wet. As you cycle, you create your own wind.

• Some fabrics dry relatively quickly. This is useful, as you may have to put the same clothes on to cycle home after work.

• Normal clothes can suffer badly when used regularly for cycling, especially shoes. It's more economical to buy cycling-specific clothing, and not destroy your normal clothes, if you cycle a lot.

A Fabric Glossary:

• Gore-Tex: this fabric is 100% waterproof, breathable and windproof. It is good value for money, although relatively expensive. Clothes made of Gore-Tex are very warm, as the heat created by your body when cycling cannot easily escape. So you don't usually need as many clothes underneath (too many bulky layers also affect breathability). Gore-Tex fabrics are guaranteed to be breathable, wind and waterproof , although this does not include wear and tear, or abuse. Gore-Tex can be washed in your machine using Grangers' fabric wash. The outer layer of waterproofing can be reactivated by tumble drying the garment at a warm setting.

• Lycra: life on earth without lycra is impossible to imagine. Different weights are available, thicker lycra is more comfortable, more durable, blocks more wind, and is more expensive. Cycling shorts, leggings and bib tights are usually lycra based. More expensive shorts and leggings are usually made with wicking fabrics increasing their comfort.

• Fleece: For cycling fleeces are fantastic insulating layers, and will keep you very warm even when wet, although a windproof layer over the top cuts the wind chill factor. Stretchy close fitting fleece shirts and leggings are ideal since they dont flap about, and trap a layer of warm air next to your skin.

• Whatever you choose, make sure it fits you well. Try sitting on your bike before you decide whether a garment suits you. Make sure the sleeves don't ride up and expose your wrists when you reach forward for the bars. The bottom of a jacket should cover your bottom, but not catch on the back of the saddle when you put you foot down. Check yourself in the mirror, too – you have to wear this stuff!

• Choose layers that can be used in different ways – for example, a summer cycling jersey is a good investment, as it can also be used as an extra insulating layer in winter.