You Don't Need The Most Expensive Cycling Kit - Here's Where To Save 

i love decathlon gear, they usually offer three price brackets as well, you can start out with the lowest one, it will still perform perfectly as everything is well tested and will be absolute value for money. You can then find out what you like and dislike so when you do trade up you also know why you are paying more. most of the mid tier grade kit would easily be perfectly fine for most amateur riders. For all the premium brands, 100% you can get an equally good product for half the price. You are just paying for marketing at that point.

I trust I speak for entire majority of us when I say We need in depth video on good quality bibs Like proper explanation for idiots such as myself😅

Pearl Izumi and Gorewear when discounted. Also the Decathlon gear is worth taking a look at.

I always buy off season kit, from two years ago, and it goes by a very affordable price… I never spend more than £30 on a jersey… same with bib tights. Altura has a very affordable line, especially from older collections.

Cade Media is turning in the BBC with the repeats😂

I used to work for Pearl Izumi. We had a Pro level rain jacket wind up in our clearance. It was originally $375 I got it on clearance with my discount I paid less than $20 for it as it was a few seasons old. Great jacket.

Honestly, Aliexpress cycling kit has served me so well. $20 bib and jersey set, really only had a couple over the years that were bad. I live in this stuff

On helmets I use the Virginia tech testing as a guide - you can get a top rated MIPS one for less than £50 normally

My list on products I use when riding m bike: Dry-Fit T-Shirt : $6-$10 (Walmart) Cargo Shorts : $20-$60 (Levis, Marks, Oakley, etc) Cycling Raincoat : $80 (Mountain Warehouse) Gloves (Waterproof or not) : $8-$20 (Winners, Local Bike Shops, Amazon) Multitool : $20 (Crankbrothers M19) Front Light : $80 (600 Lumens MINIMUM : Bontrager) Rear Light : $40 (150 Lumens : Lezyne) Helmet : $160 (Giro Cinder MIPS) Tires : $40 for the pair (Continental Ride Tour)

Living in Sydney, it never gets cold enough to worry about cold hands. As a motorcyclist, wind chill is a factor. In winter I wear glove liners with summer riding gloves. The advantage of this combination is that it is not bulky so you retain the feel of the bars and controls. With thick winter gloves, you loose some of that connection. I wonder if silk glove liners might help cyclists riding in colder climates.

After years of buying useless 'waterproof' rain jackets I bought an Endura. Bloody superb. Best thing is it cost £150 - the same as a Gore-Tex jacket I bought in the 90's!

I swear by Siroko, great value, design and durable clothing . My rain jacket from them has been well up to Irish weather. Worth a look

Jersey - the paramount thing is that it ventilates well on a hot day. A jersey made of cheap heavy cloth is an absolute misery. It's easy to add layers on cold days, and there's lots of hiking and outdoor companies that make stuff to keep you warm and reasonably ventilated. I now love Castelli bibs with their Progetto 2 pads. Absolutely the most comfortable for multiple long days in the saddle. Their stuff is expensive and sizing is bizarre. Wait till stuff goes on sale or clearance. The pad is the important thing. There's always some new thing with the rest of the short assembly every year but the pad is the important thing. Nothing wrong with last years stuff if you can get it. The hard thing to find is the right saddle for you - no specific guidance here. Socks - no big deal - whatever you like except when it's raining. Waterproof socks by Endura or Showers pass have kept my feet warm and dry during cold Scottish downpours. Shoes that fit are hugely important - again no specific guidance. The only time I use gloves is when it's really hot so my sweaty hands don't slip or when it's really cold. Oddly enough, every single glove I've used with fancy pads has made my fingers number. For truly cold wet days I use my whitewater paddling gloves. Supple and warm. For cool days I wear light windproof gloves with no padding. Available in general outdoor shops they look good and aren't expensive. The Amazon glove option looks good.

When I started snowboarding in the early 90s, I had a pair of mitten-style gloves that looked just like those gloves called Nutz . Fleece lines. Grippy. . They were brilliant.

Tape is not just tape. Love the 3mm Enve tape. If there's anything similar for less money, I'd love to know about it.

Biehler- made in Germany bib shorts, very nice especially on sale.

I'm a massive Castelli/Sportful fanboy, but I've never ever paid above 60 quid for any of my bibs! You have to shop wisely, buy everything in the sale! This is where Castelli trumps rip off Rapha on discounts! Gore Primaloft lobster glove for cold, dry weather! 👌 Tyre levers...Topeak Shuttle. Lights (front)....cheap Chinese with external packs. Rear light...Niterider Solas 250 Shoes...Sidi. Had a pair of Sidi Dominator, lasted 15 years!

Interesting insights into bike kit. Please can you post up the link for the Amazon cold storage gloves please?

Insulated leather work gloves. What I use in the winter. In Minnesota, USA.

I live in southern Arizona. What’s this “rain jacket” thing you speak of?

Skytec gloves are amazing 👍

I agree with pretty much everything 👍🏻👍🏻. I have worked in a bike shop for 10 years so I could have gotten a lot at discount but it just doesn't fit. I ride assos Millie short because they fit. I do go for the long distance one at £165 RRP but the assos shorts at £200+ just don't fit, same with shoes. Also exposure light, I have a mk2 joystick and a mk11 race both of which are now on mk17. But mine still works, the race didn't have to be repaired a few years ago after a crash but its great that you can get them repaired 👍🏻👍🏻

I like full fingered gloves. Push bike specific ones are dear as poison so I went to our local hardware and bought mechanics gloves for 20 bucks, not 50 or 60. They work a treat.

I bought some Pearl Izumi Men’s Select liner shorts for $18 plus tax and shipping and they work great for me. I’ve never used anything else though so I have no idea what I may be missing, but I don’t get sore or chafed even after riding 30 or 40 miles in them. I just put those on with some exercise shorts and I’m good to go.

Two factors in expensive vs affordable helmets is weight and good fit adjustment (like removable padded inserts and floating head harness fit etc.

Cold fingers and toes are often a symptom of the rest of the body being cold 🥶 Body cuts circulation when it needs to conserve energy elsewhere. Good gillet might help more than an extra pair of mittens

The only rain jacket worth getting is a goretex shakedry jacket like the C5. Shakedry is the best!

One thing you guys missed on rain jackets... The chemical coating (DWR or Durable Water Repellency) is important because it stops the outer fabric from wetting out. As soon as that outer fabric is wet, moisture can't move from the waterproof membrane through the outer fabric. Easiest way to renew the DWR it is to apply heat - either a warm iron or a warm cycle in the clothes drier. Usually takes many washes to get it gone completely and therefore need to reapply with a spray or even easier, wash-in treatment. I worked in an outdoor store for many years, this advice is tried and tested. Keep your jacket beading, keeps it breathing. DWR wears off from rubbing, always roll your jacket instead of stuffing it.

Crab 🦀 mittens for the win in winter.

Girodana FRC PRO. My go to for all rides. Cycle over 12000 miles a year, good quality gear is so important.

I stopped bothering about rain jackets because where I life you'd get wet anyway and more likely be even more wet from the inside. There is no water resistant jacket that can breathe at the same time. It only works one way or the other. I prefer a lightshell jacket that actually breathes and is only 80% windproof and water repellent because is dries much faster.

On the jersey front, I'm in a jersey for the pockets. I'm trying to reduce the use of fabrics that shed microplastics, but cotton bike jerseys with pockets are hard to find.

I wear jerseys because I keep my spares, food and phone in the pockets. Just prefer this to a bar bag or top tube bag. Also I live in Florida and like how breathable the materials are.

great video guys! It would be GREAT to have timestamps so we can check what are you talking about in the timeline =) thanks!

I think that it makes sense to pay a premium for cycling clothing that is made in the USA/Canada/Europe with good labor and environmental standards. Search and State, Mission Workshop, Ornot, and there are certainly others. There are brands that demand premium prices but are built with cheap labor.

I brought some planet x pro line 365X bib short of a friends recommendation, cost me £20 they are brilliant

Shirts: breathable outdoor shirt. Usable for hiking and skiing. Shorts: agree. Jacket: if it’s waterproof it’s not breathable, so you sweat. But it protects you from wind, which is what will freeze you. Get outdoor stuff, usable for hiking and skiing. Gloves: mtb gloves. Multitool, lights, helmet, saddle, shoes, tape: agree Inner tube: go tubeless Sealant: agree Tires: agree

shirts, dri-fit fabric. gloves, garden gloves with rubber coating on the finger grips and palm areas. tires, Leo tires and inner tubes. Tire sealant, goes into the inner tubes so it doesn't muck up the inside of your tires and the rim. Helmets, I don't wear one, hehehe. I'd prefer those multi function tube fabric baclava. Btw, all my bike accidents happened with helmets on. ymmv P.S. Bike lights, a tactical torch with 18650 battery. Instead of bibs or padded shorts I use stretchy leggings as underwear. Shorts, mtb shorts.

For rain jacket, I have to say that a very good one, even if it's pretty expensive, is always worth the money : waterproof (at least 15000mm), super breathable and allowing you to move !

I sweat a lot, so a short sleeve button up shirt is best for me all summer. On the bike, you can open more buttons and it flows better. Aero? No. keeps me dry and cool? Yes!

I prefer something against water ingress in bibs, especially soaked chamois. And don’t really care when my jersey is wet. But soaked bibs and socks, horrible.

I have the issue with chamois in road cycling bib shorts being too thick for me and putting pressure on in the wrong places causing me pain. So I have to wear tri shorts. Problem is they don’t come as bibs and so they don’t stay in place as well. That said, I find the Castelli tri shorts for 80-90 EUR really good.

1:31 i used to ride on T-shirts but when i started wearing jerseys was a day and night for me, but i never paid more than $60, the Bib shorts are different story because i had to get something more expensive but some people pays for fashion, that’s why those cycling kit are so expensive and it doesn’t worth it.

For me if i just cycle not for profession tshirt and mid range bib should be fine for me

I always buy jerseys and bibs on sale from those "fancy" brands.The thing that makes those brands stand ou is the FIT. I can't ride a loose jersey/ bibs, itst just not comfortable at all.

Can you add time chapters to video?

I’ve got assos bibs and rapha bibs. the cheapest of the rapha bibs are better than the mid range assos bibs.

T-shirts and Hawaiian shorts for me. All cheap stuff.

X tiger and west biking stuff from ali express

Regarding the bib shorts: I kinda disagree. I do have the normal assos mille (for around 130 euro). A few years ago I wanted to know if the expensive shorts from Assos (around 300 euro) are actually worth the money. So I got one and yes, it simply is. The quality upgrade is absolutely noticable. I can understand everyone who doesnt want to spend so much money for it, but for anyone who has a sensitive butt (like myself) I can highly recommend it (well, in case of Assos).

... here are (3) things you do not go cheap on ... (1) the helmet (needs "MIPS") ... 2) a good bib shorts (the chammie is important) ... 3) the "multi-tool" w/ a chain press so you can repair a broken chain and "press" the chain pin in/out ( I do carry "quick-links)

Waterproof/Breathable jackets need a DWR to be breathable at the same time as being WP, when the face fabric wets out then the membrane can't breath anymore and you need mechanical venting from pit zips etc. Gore shakedry is clear because it doesn't need DWR to be breathable as it always beads up but it has 0 durability because there's no face fabric.

last time i bought cheap tyres was for a commuter i rode to school , they were made in india and made from NYLON they lasted a long time but they had no grip othet than what the tread pattern provided , after a year ad a half i had to cut them off the rims because they shrunk

I don't like to ride in rain because it makes my bike dirty

I have just purchased a rear exposure light and had to send it back as the battery was running out after 90 mins and the feedback I have had is that there have been some faulty batches with certain product codes, I’m now waiting for a replacement

pedros, i thought they are well forgotten

I bought a rain jacket and basically never use it because it turns into a sauna within minutes of wearing it I rather get wet

If you aren't racing or putting 3k miles a year on your bike. A good condition 2013-2010 can be very nice. Even

There are “washes” that reseal waterproof clothing. Warm gloves are too thick for me. Poogies all the way!

I don’t need the most expensive? 😳😳😳 unbelievable!

"If you really want a good jersey, there's no need to spend more than £50... the rest is just paying for a designer brand. " Meanwhile, Attacus jerseys: £90

T-shirts suck. I need back pockets and a zipper on the front. 50-70€ a piece and you wear them for years

eBay for me and sales.

For rain buy a poncho, such as the people's poncho. Rain jackets are horrible boil in the bag

Ali Express for a jersey

I wouldn't be caught dead in a rapha kit

Endura all day long

Being so far anti-snob you’ve become snobs.

I tend to buy a lot of mid to higher end stuff. Usually not new, but it depends on the item. I have several used saddles, several used cranks, several new old stock carbon bars, but tires is one thing I buy new. I ride Challenge Strada H TLR tires. The ride quality is incredible. Better than vittoria or continental or Scwalbe. Better than Pirelli. I ride hundreds of miles per month, so tires and saddles and all contact points in general matter for me. The things that make a ride comfortable and safe, I splurge a bit more on.

For lights I can’t speak more highly than UK manufacturer Four4th. They are incredibly good value, the engineering is second to none and they repair on return. I have had Exposure in the past, yes they are good but very expensive.

Helmet!!! well save a tenner and be a vegetable in whelchair rest of you life.......then standard IS NOT same, get some who perform best in test.

Can they do one episode without the greenwashed BS? :D

Again, Nick confusing his good opinions with dopey edge lord stuff. Tee shirts are awful to ride in. I've done it when I was new to cycling, and they suck. Jersey's are waaaaaaay better. Gravel rides are better in jerseys. MTB, wear a bigger road jersey..... And, nowadays, there are (like everyone said), lots of good options at low price points. In Australia, I'm a big fan of NeoPro, who do plenty of jersey's at $64 AUD.

It's becoming more and more obvious that this channel is more targeted towards commuters than actual road cyclists

NIck is absolutely right about good ventilation in helmets being a priority in lots of places. It gets very hot in the summertime where I live and my old helmets were just nasty sweatbuckets. Now I will always pay extra for a helmet with good ventilation and preferably one with a spot for my sunglasses - these enable longer, more comfortable rides. But if you live in grey ass England... whatever you like I guess.

bold dude need to stop embarrassing him self with his wtf jackets, girl has fokall to say, and the knowing all moner moan as usual