Triumphrat

GeneralPig · 10-17-2006

Winter is coming-but not just yet.
What's your best and worst experience of winter clothing?
Last year, I wore a Frank Thomas Aquapore two piece (is that a twinset and pearls?) which was very old, but unused. I got it for £50. It was bulky and uncomfortable and the stitching on the jacket went in a few places. But it was waterproof and, with the trews on, far too hot except on the coldest of days. Mind you, it was pretty much all commuting or the odd 100 mile ride, no long journeys until April.
This year, I'm thinking of (good grief) buying something expensive...on a card, natch. What does anyone think of Rukka?
What else is good?

Oh-any faves on gloves? I've got a year old pair of Spada Force 11s for winter use-pefectly waterproof but the stiching leaves something to be desired-the inner liner on one finger has split and there's stray bits of cotton on the outside. I had a pair of Frank Thomas Aquapore but didn't get on with them. I've also got a pair of Richa winter gloves but am not too fond of them either-use as spares only.

Boots-my Oxtar Goretex lined things seem fine, with the addition of thermal socks.

[ This message was edited by: GeneralPig on 2006-10-17 04:06 ]

themaster · 10-17-2006

I have a Weise S-Type jacket and jeans, only for price (they weren't desperately expensive, since last January I didn't know whether biking would be a fad or not).

They're OK. Waterproof and the removable linings are toasty warm - I tootled to work on my 125 with a shirt and the jacket and was happy.

The quality, though, is dubious. The zips have bits of fabric you can grab, but most of them have fallen off. The zips around the ankles routinely catch the lining fabric, and when the lining is in, it likes to come out with your feet. Also the stitching is on display and some looks frayed.

So it's OK if you're on a budget.

Gloves, I did have Weise of some sort (sorry, I can't remember), and they were warm enough and dry, but went mouldy quickly. Yuk. I've just bought a pair of iXS gloves, which aren't as good in that they're a bit leaky so I wouldn't recommend those either.

A mate reckons Alpinestars for gloves with a thermal inner glove, which I might try when I have some money.

Boots, never had any problems with my Prexports (again don't know the model), but they're 10 months old, worn everyday and are only now getting whiffy.

[ This message was edited by: themaster on 2006-10-18 11:20 ]

themaster · 10-17-2006

Oh, Bike magazine this month has a brief look at winter kit if you're interested. Don't have it with me, but I might post some results if I remember later on.

spiki-spikester · 10-17-2006

I have just bought a Rukka & it is impressively good - but it should be at the price they charge !

Alpinestars Jet Road (I think) are excellent in the cold, bulky though. They are the Ride recomended ones.

10-17-2006

Try a Hein Gericke voyager, now made in gore-tex, so it's even better than the 4 yr old stuff I use, never leaked on me yet, in the heaviest of rain during the cold months.
Good price, good fit and lasts well.
I use Dainese gore-tex gloves, and a mix of boots, depending the severity of cold.

GeneralPig · 10-17-2006

Probably take the plunge with Rukka-2 people have told me that their jackets are 15 years old and as good as new. Which makes them fairly cheap.
I'll check out the Dainese gloves-my Spadas aren't really up to January/ February.
I saw the Bike mag list of jackets-they didn't seem to be comparing like with like.
Keep suggestions coming though..

Nickwiz · 10-17-2006

I still rember the days of a pair of me girlfreinds tights with the toes cut out, under long johns under jeans under plastic trousers, several sweatshirts T shirts etc under a rock hard frozen wax cotton Belstaff. Sea boot socks inside a pair of old jack boots or para boots. Big thick gloves with plastic diesel gloves over the top or underneath, and an arab shemagh wrapped around the face and stuffed up inside some shoddy old plastc Nolan helmet! Aah those were the days!

Having done my 20 year pennance riding in sub zero temps with sub standard kit I now wimp out and take the car when it gets that cold.

Treehugger · 10-18-2006

i splashed out when i got kit'ed up and went DAINESE gortex jacket and trousers. this will be my 3rd winter, I ride 365 around he city and on long trips away. The ear has gone way beyond any expectations I could have had. Its never let a drop in, and I've been ploughing through motorway in the dense'est rain. its built quality is excellent, still no loose threads or broken bits. Its pretection is fantastic. been in two accidents ( lowish speed) no harm taken. I thin it came to about £600 for the jacket and trousers £350-£250 but on my 3rd year and its still does the business and looks it too.

I have some gortex alpinestars mid season gloves, again they set me back £120 but they've done te job great. I can add an inner for winter, and its thin enough to enjoy the summer in. Unfortunately they do make them anymore, mine looke like proper race gloves with armour ad the new replacement looks like a winter mitten... shame

cos I need to replace them soon.

oxtar gortex boots, £120ish. great boot, its not trick plastic racer, but then I dont need that. I like the fact I dont walk around squeeking like a Ken doll, again, never let a drop in. being able to ride and not even think about the pouring rain, or that drip you feel running down somewhere... being perfectly warm when its freezing out... yes my mobile and wallet isnt getting soaked... means i can ride as i would normally and focus on the road ahead and not ride hurried.

yeah its expensive but it really does the business and lasts the duration.
with helmet too I paid out a grand. just calculated how much that is a wek for as long as i've been wearing the gear... £8 a week for top grade stuff. factor in your safety and its a small price, obviously every week i continue wearing it the cheaper and more cost effective that becomes.

Tomsk · 10-18-2006

well last year I had vented summer leather and gloves with a EDZ windproof top underneath and one piece undersuit. Works Ok until really cold but the hand ssuffer. I now have some winter leathers and the Triumph winter gloves but i use a one piece waterproof oversuit, ok but too bulky. I use the oxtar boots with goretex but find them cold even with big socks.
I would buy a fabric suit but I trust leather I'm amazed there isnt some sort of weather proofed leather/goretex hybrid.
If I can't find one its time for a fabric wind/waterproof outfit. Getting old but staying warm and dry!

superfour · 10-23-2006

Nickwiz, been there done that etc.Still no car though,just good quality gortex,and thermals.