A brief guide to looking the part on two wheels this spring/summer – without breaking the bank

When, in the past, we’ve tried out bike clothes from posher outlets like Rapha or Vulpine there’s often been a (perfectly fair) response of: hey, we can’t all afford £200 for a jacket, what about something cheaper?

The alternative often mentioned is Aldi, and while they do some amazing offers – you can’t argue with £20 cycling shoes – these are intermittent and so not ideal to review. Hence I turned to Decathlon, the French sports good behemoth which sells cycle clothes under its in-house B’Twin label. They sent me a selection of spring/summer items, nothing costing more than £25.

Time, first, for a quick aside. In our review of winter cycling gear some commenters noted that there’s absolutely no need for winter “cycling clothes”, when you can just get on your bike in any winter clothes.

It’s a perfectly fair argument, and many people ride very happily in everyday wear. But it’s not for everyone, especially those with, say, a longer commute, or who are riding for sport or fitness. So, if you think Lycra shorts or a cycling jersey are pointless fripperies, fair enough. But perhaps don’t opine that any other view is heretical and must be quashed.

Back to the clothes.

Starting from the top, I tried out two jerseys, the bargain SS320 – a mere £15 – and the slightly more sport-focused SS500, at £25. Both are fairly low-key in look, and seem well-made – all the B’Twin items I tried are guaranteed for two years – even if the zips feel a tad lightweight.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest The B'Twin SS320 jersey (L) and SS500 jersey. Photograph: Decathlon

They’re cut more loosely than many cycle tops, particularly the SS320, which many will like. The cheaper of the pair has only two rear pockets rather than the traditional three, only an issue if you’re heading out for a bag-free ride with pockets bulging with spare tubes, pump and the rest.

They’re lightweight, especially the slightly meshy SS500, and would work pretty well on spring or summer rides, with the addition of a base layer or arm warmers if needed. They’re arguably not as breathable as some more posh jerseys, but they’re also a fraction of the price, and by that measure work very well.

Next, the shorts, where I was sent the 500-type shorts in bib and non-bib variety, both £25.



The B'Twin 500 cycling shorts, in bib and non-bib versions Photograph: Decathlon

Both fit well, even if the padding is a bit bulky, while the material is verging on the 70s disco end of shiny. I’ll always pick bib shorts over non-bib – to me they’re just hugely more comfortable – but both were very wearable on the bike.

That said, shorts are the area of bike clothing where, if you’re cycling for any great length of time, I’d recommend spending as much as you can afford. Without wishing to point out the obvious and graphic, it’s your primary contact area on the bike, and an area worth taking care of. A while back I spent a profligate-feeling £70 on some posh DhB bib shorts, but every time I wear them it feels worth every penny.

So, the 500 shorts are fine, but keener riders could maybe also try out the well-reviewed next step up in the B’Twin range, for a shade over £40.

For me, where the Decathlon products shone most (not literally; that was definitely the shorts) was with the cheaper items.

The short-sleeved base layer, costing a fraction under £7, is absurdly light and thin but suitably warming on chilly spring mornings. I used it with some arm warmers under a jersey on several rides to work and it stuffed down to almost nothing in a bag or pocket for the way home. While you wouldn’t necessarily want to stand too near a naked flame wearing 100% polyester, it wicks away sweat pretty well.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest B'Twin Ultralight base layer, 500 gloves and 500 bike socks Photograph: Decathlon

The £12 mitt gloves, meanwhile, feel as comfy as my twice-as-expensive regular Specialized ones. They’re quite minimalist, with very little padding on the palm, but I find that gives you a better feel for the bike.

Finally come the socks and… well, socks are socks, and there’s never too much you can say about them, but you wouldn’t feel robbed paying £7 for these lightweight numbers.

It’s worth mentioning the obvious point that Decathlon is by no means the only purveyors of cheaper bike gear. The aforementioned dhb, the house brand of internet bike mongers Wiggle, have a very good basic range, while the Rotherham-based Planet X/On One empire can have some bargains – I got a great if basic pair of spring/autumn gloves for all of £4.

More generally, the issue of how much people opt to pay for cycle gear is an interesting one. There are some who believe – and say so, quite vocally – that all beyond the most basic item is absurd affectation for anyone not of near pro standard. Others argue, with equal vehemence, that cheap bike clothes can be a false economy: you’re less tempted to ride in them and they don't last as long.

I prefer a mix-and-match approach. I’d quite happily use the B’Twin base layer, socks and gloves, maybe also the pricier jersey, and match them with my £70 shorts.

And if you can afford it, some indulgences can be eminently practical in the longer run. A year or so ago I visibly winced as I handed over my debit card in a bike shop so the assistant could chisel something north of £170 from my bank account for a mere pair of shoes.

But the shoes – near-top of the range Specialized MTB shoes, since you ask – will last at least five years of near-everyday use. They’re an active pleasure to use, every single time, so the hefty cost feels worth it.

