Originally Posted by
ghostgirl
I commute about 10 miles round trip, all year in Boston. I have no car so the bike is my only viable source of transportation except for the bus. I have been getting by with generic rain/winter clothing for the most part. I see people out in fancy stuff they have bought from the bike store and have wondered if there is much of an advantage to wearing that equipment. I don't have much money, so what would be a good first purchase to get a chance to try out the benefits of bike specific clothes.
http://www.campmor.com
http://www.sierratradingpost.com
http://www.nashbar.com
http://aerotechdesign.com
Purchase online and out of season as much as possible. Wear wool baselayers...100%. 100% silk is good, too. STP always has good deals on silk baselayers. No blends. Cashmere if you can find it. Haunt thriftstores. Do layering. 3 at the most. Get an upper and lower body 'windstopper' jacket and pants or tights. WSD as the cut is different. Ask other female cyclists you spot where they got their stuff. Wear mittens in real cold weather.
AFA 'the bikebuddha post' I can only say there's a
sizeable difference in latitude that would render the perspective expressed irrelevant.
Cycling specific gear
can be pricey, but w/craigslist, thriftstores, yardsales and a good eye one can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars in clothing investment for commuting. Alot of climbing gear is transferrable as well as cross-country skiing and hiking stuff. Patience is the key. Stuff will turn up for you.
