Originally Posted by
ksryder
Oh to answer your last question -- this will be a matter of personal preference but I start with arm warmers once it's in the 50s and add from there. Also, there's a big difference between 55 and sunny, 55 and cloudy, 55 and wet, 55 and windy, 55 and wet and cloudy and windy, etc. I kept a chart for a while so I could keep track of what worked.
So true. And of course dark (late autumn commutes, for instance) feels 10 degrees cooler than when the sun's up.
A chart is a good idea. Start with arm warmers or long sleeve jersey, then leg warmers, add warmer gloves, then ear warmers or skull cap, then leg warmers and a base layer under LS jersey, eventually it'll get cold enough to need a jacket, and pretty soon it'll be winter.
As for brands, Performance house brand stuff is pretty good, and downright excellent when you can get it on sale. If you ride enough to figure out what its shortcomings are, feel free to upgrade.