td.tony

this is my first winter as a cyclist and im in dire need of proper clothing. I havent biked in 3 days because of the rain .
anyways, does anyone know where i can get the basics for cheap?? like a windbreaker jacket and breathable long sleeve layering shirts? although the biking specific jackets are REI are nice, they are really expensive. So are all biking specific apparel in general. I just found out wal mart sells compression shirts and mesh workout shirts for really cheap, im probably going to do some more shopping there.
Are there any other stores that sell athletic apparel cheaper than Wal Mart?? (i really hate walmart but i must admit they're prices are a lot lower than other stores )

Doohickie

Start at target for your base layers; they have the wicking, antibacterial stuff pretty cheap.

Where are you located? How cold is cold? I'm in Texas and I can get down to the high 20s with jeans with long undies underneath, plus t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt and/or turtleneck, and a heavy hoodie (with the hood up under my helmet). And of course warm gloves.

It's a little colder than that now, so I haven't ridden in a few days either. Yeah, I could HTFU, but I'm not so dedicated that I'll ride when I know I'm gonna hate it.... least not yet anyway!

td.tony

lol, im in in the bay area in California, the last few days have been reallllly cold, and its only about 40 degrees. yeah, living in california all my life has made me a pansie i wont lie.

politicalgeek

Sierra Trading Post online is a good source. Check out the thrift store and Army-Navy surplus for some cheap wool goods that will help keep you warm.

As to outerwear, I tried to go the budget route at first with a waterproof shell on sale from a big box store. It was pretty uncomfortable, didn't breathe and would arrive soaked in sweat. If you're going to spend a decent amount of time on the bike, it may be worth the investment for a decent jacket designed for cycling that will make it more enjoyable.

RepWI

Yesterday the wind chill was -25F. The roads are snow covered and slippery.

Much like the OPer, I had many needs and found REI and the bike places too expensive to cover them all.

I went to Fleet Farm and found a section of clothing that is designed primarily for people that work in the construction trades. I found a 3/4 length coat I bought larger than needed so I could layer up underneath. It is bright lime green with all sorts of reflector tape on it.

It's wind and waterproof and meets my need to be seen as I travel around my community.

Regular price = $52.00 on sale for $42.00.

dlk

steepandcheap.com has had a bunch of water/windproof + breathable shells recently. lots of stuff from merrell's new clothing line that I haven't tried, but looks pretty nice. look for one of these kinds of shells with pit zips so you can regulate your temp. 2nd the suggestion for cheap baselayers at target. for a midlayer you could go with a fleece from old navy.

dlk

or check out nashbar.com or performancebike.com. (say no to wal-mart!)

Jurgen

You might be able to find a lot of stuff at thrift stores. At least maybe a wool sweater or two.

jpdesjar

i believe there is a thread about this already-
+1 on thrift stores
any tj maxx or marshalls stores nearby? those are good for wicking clothing for cheap
target is great too...but stay away from wally world if you can

Basil Moss

Thermal vests and longjohns. They are dirt cheap because they don't have tech this and buzzword that. They just keep you warm, as they have done for many years. Also get your grandma to knit you a jumper. A nice long one that covers your arse up. She'll be delighted that you've asked her to, and will no doubt make it in revolting colours you wouldn't be seen dead in. It will keep you warm though.

gonzohill

Try this logging supply place the wool union suit is the best winter underwear
https://www.madsens1.com/catalog.htm

scoatw

If your going to be riding in rotten cold weather. Sometimes its best to spend a little extra for some good gear. It will make your ride alot more comfortable. Google around and find the best price. Sometimes you'll save up to 50%.

vger285

Try (www. starter.com) your gonna be surprised, i was, but for a base layer, i got some on the cheap and it's great stuff..

rogerstg

Performance has triflex tights on sale now for $40 and the Centrury II jacket is $35. Those are the only two pieces of bike specific stuff that I think you need - well maybe neoprene boots too for $30 on sale.

Otherwise, get a medium weight polypropelyne long sleeve shirt for about $12 and a polarfleece vest (on sale somewhere). Wierd colors are usually cheapest and you don't care because it's under your jacket. Cheap Walmart gloves, wool socks and you'll be good to 30F by layering with your other cycling clothes.

Billy Bones

Good advice so far.

As with all budgeting issues, begin with the end in mind. Specifically, determine with as much specificity as you can your temperature, snow, ice, and rain tolerances. Work those issues. Heed organic fabric and layering advice. Remember, cotton kills. In the end, it's cold and wet out there so it would be well to learn to enjoy that environment. If you're of European descent, it might be helpful to know it was cold and wet tolerance that put your people on the world stage.

StephenH

I had two wool sweaters I used for snowshoeing, and they came from a Goodwill store.

Also try Academy, if you have one available.

nancy sv

Another vote for thrift stores!! Depending on your size, you may be able to make some felted wool sweaters by buying 100% wool sweaters a couple sizes too big, then throwing them in the washer with hot water and lots of soap. They are very, very warm and quite wind-proof since they felt so densely. It might take a couple of tries to get the right size, but since you are only paying a buck for two for each sweater, it's not that big of a problem. I particularly like the 100% merino wool ones since they don't scratch at all.

I wanted a wool vest to go over my lightweight wool shirts, but I couldn't find one so I bought a 100% merino wool sweater and felted it in the washing machine. Once it was felted, I could cut the sleeves off and voila! - I had a nice felted wool sweater vest!

The problem is tights - I've never managed to find wool tights in the thrift store. those are expensive, but well worth it!

invwnut

I agree with TJ Max and Marshalls. I just bought a fleeced lined wicking high neck with zipper for $15 and they had 100% Merino wool sweaters for $15. I plan to wear the slightly dressy wool sweaters for base layer. Then you can check the classifieds for a good cycling jersey. You may find one online used for $50-$75. I think that a cycling jacket works best. Just make sure it is wind proof usually made of some kind of windstopper material. Make sure your jacket ventilates too so that you won't get cold because of the sweat.

Eclectus

This is my first attempt at real winter riding, in Kansas. Funny, I used to be fine in shorts and a jersey in January in SoCal. Kansas is not Montana or Minnesota, but temps go below 0F, and Great Plains winds are sick. (Think 25-30 mph gusting to 40+ as "normal weather".)

A terrific windbreaker for sub-freezing weather is the Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech jacket. It's been around for several years and has 5-star ratings at REI and trailspace.com. This isn't a rainproof shell (only water resistant), but breathes great, especially with pitzips open.

It is sized generously to accommodate multiple layers underneath, even when you go down one size from regular cycling-specific tops. For example, I'm a Clyde who wears 2XL in cycling tops, but my Tech is XL, and the fit is great.

MSRP is $185, but you can find it for $130, sometimes $120.

Outdoor Research's Sonic clava is excellent. It's also got Gore Windstopper fleece. When the windchill is below +10 F, I wear it over my nose and cheeks. It's been good to -12F windchill so far. Price $30.

Then I seal my face with Smith Option LST motorcycle goggles. Fog-free, with a transitions photochromic lens that is clear in overcast winter and night rides, going to gray tint in bright sunlight. Price $45.

I'm actually a cold-weather weenie, so I carry a lightweight short-waisted down jacket, and put in on after a couple hours, and for rest stops / flats when the temp is below 20.

My fingers get cold below 20 F. Moose Mitts are supposed to be good, but the company is backlogged right now.

Eclectus

BTW, good gear pays for itself. I wear a Patagonia synchilla snap tee under my windbreaker. It's close to 20 years old. "Pilely" lookin for sure, but it still does the job!

Roody

Think about other people who are outdoors in cold weather, like hunters, skiers, construction workers, ice fishermen. go to their stores and find clothing that adapts to cycling, but is cheaper than stuff from nashbar or the LBS. Also, Kmart and Meijer's are as good as Target or Walmart for wicking Tshirts, polar fleece and outer shells. The cheap stuff at discount stores is as good as the most expensive specialty clothing you could buy three years ago, thanks to trickle-down of technology.

metaljim

This is my kind of thread!

To add something, I went to Target to day with the lady and when I wandered off, I found they had all sorts of athletic clothes on sale for 30% off. I grabbed a fleece lined outer shell (water and wind resistant) for $25. It's all the Champion "C9 Performance Outerwear" on sale, so you can get compression layers for cheap as well. Hopefully they have some in stock next week when I can go back, because I'm gonna stock up.

roadrider65

Instead of "cycling tights," for quite some time I've been using "Techwick 3 LongJohns" bottoms from Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS). They have no fly (and so don't look like underwear at all) and keep my legs feeling fine down to 30 F (or lower if no wind). Good quality and good value. Regular cycling shorts underneath them gives the usual compression and padding.

urban rider

On New year's day I dragged my husband out to the Salvation Army where they have 50% off on clothes and other stuff. If you spend some time you can get great bargains out there. I once brought a cycling lime green jersey for one dollar. It was a great sale. The Salvation Army and other thrift stores have sales going on through out the year you should consider it. target is second and Walmart (If no one sees me.)

Gas, the price of a can of beans.

Creakyknees

the OP mentioned "Rain" so I'll just point out that fenders make a HUGE difference in comfort in the rain. If you don't have fenders... get 'em first. The full-coverage kind with flaps, not the cheap little do-nothing cosmetic kind.