[Closed] what roadbike jacket

My advice would be to just get a windproof softshell and carry a packable waterproof jacket if you're likely to be out in the rain, if it's just showers then Gore windstopper should handle that anyway. Not sure what you class as expensive but they start around £60 although I'd recommend the Gore Phantom which can be had for around £100. Going up from there you're looking at silly money for Assos/Rapha stuff although I'm not convinced they add anything more apart from a slightly better cut if you're beanpole shaped.

On- one have one for 40 quid - waiting for mine to arrive.

A windproof/showerproof shell as FuzzyWuzzy says will do the job in most conditions. When it gets colder you can just keep adding layers underneath.

I do have a thicker race cut windproof (Campag one) which is great, but it actually has to be very cold to wear it as otherwise I just get too hot. Was below freezing and all I had on my top half was the jacket and a thermal base layer and I was plenty warm enough.

Definately not a plastic outer shell, unless of course its raining.

Ground Effect Baked Alaska FTW. IMO waterproofing is fairly pointless on any bike but particularly on a road bike, but windproofing is the way to go.

Gore Windstopper is what you want with a wicking baselayer.

I have a Santini 365 but it was rather expensive.

lol

I got a Protective one from Edinburgh Cycles. Good shape for on the road, waterproof, as breathable as any single layer jacket. Merino or similar thin base layer underneath.

I really like the Endura FS-260
http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=126&prod_id=233

If it's much colder than about 5 deg though, you may need something a bit thicker or more layers underneath it.

I'm using a Solomon Fast 2, think it's a ski jacket. Very lightweight and very comfy, and seems to stop water getting in. It has those thumb hole things so the sleeves don't ride up when your arms are stretched out as you can be on a road bike. Those also make sure more of the waterproof bit covers your hand so the palms and tops of the gloves dont get all soggy. Seems warm enough so far, but has vented under-arms so you won't overheat.

Gore phantom works fine for me.

I just wear a gilet. Occasionally a thin windproof which holds the rain off for, oh, 30 seconds...

TBH, windchill is worse than being wet.

My advice would be to just get a windproof softshell and carry a packable waterproof jacket

+1

I have three windstoppers:

Gore Oxygen SO. More of a roadie cut than the Phantom.
Endura FS260 - not as thick as the Oxygen so better for 'warmer' days
Gore N2S - older but good in the wind

I use these and a SS or LS base down to pretty much freezing.

For the shell I run a Montane Velo.

Endura Helium

munqe chick bought me a montane H2O packable waterpoof as its small enough to stash anywhere. Rode in S. Wales last weekend and got the wettest Ive ever been (tipping water out of shoes mid-ride, wringing out shorts in car park) and my upper half was bone dry. Absolutely amazed as it is featherweight and thin (so much so I'm reticent about MTBing in it due to thorns tearing it) but as it's a tightish fit it would be perfect as a roady packable waterproof.

I've had much thicker waterproof jackets that have succumbed to prolonged downpours, we did the Wall (shorter than normal due to logging operations cutting out first section of singletrack so all in all not the greatest ride).

I thought it was expensive for such a small basic looking item but it's impressed me more than any other bit of kit I own (and I didnt buy it so no purchase-justification). MC was annoyed as she had a "showerproof" montane (H2O has better coating and taped seams) and got soaked 😆 er i mean 😥

Take a look on this website someone mentioned on another thread. They have Scott jackets which use Gore windstopper material for £30. Can't be bad? I ordered myself a gilet..

http://www.startfitness.co.uk/prodtype.asp?strParents=4262,4271&CAT_ID=4165&numRecordPosition=1

I like Northwave for long-sleeved road stuff, summer and winter. Proper road cut, and good fabrics.

Windproof is vital. Waterproof isn't necessary provided you keep the workload up. If you're stopping a lot for whatever reason then it'll help - best bet is whichever of the myriad pocketable tops fits best.

The Endura soft-shell one (Stealth) looks like convincing as a roadie jacket. If that's what you've got you will be fine.

As others have said it needs to be properly cold for a full on roadie winter jacket 5C or less with mine.

A decent long sleeve jersey and gilet is fine above that - or LS and shell if it's raining.

Hands, feet and knees are where you will feel the cold first though...

loeka seem to make some nice female stuff.
got some girls some pearl izumi stuff and it's been well received.

@winterfold - I have an Endura Stealth but it's not especially breathable, I only ever wear it when it's very cold (sub 5c) as otherwise you overheat (even with just a thin baselayer underneath)

Altura ergofit, 71quid at ribble......great jacket! Got one for when dont wana be out in team kit! 😯

this looks quite good...its wind n water resistant.....yet it says its a 'running' jacket... cant see it being any harm for usuing on the roadie bike ?
http://www.gearforgirls.co.uk/north-face-torpedo-jacket/

The Gore Phantom just made me cold no matter what...just bought Polaris's equivalent Tornado jacket (£80) and I'm well pleased.

I got a top shell - wind proof and drizzle resistant from Gore - fitting jacket - superb 🙂 Can layer it up so if you get hot and the sun comes out then you can stuff it into your pocket 🙂

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-xenon-active-shell-windstopper-jacket/

hmmm thanks for that foxy...but its out of my price range unfortunately..has to be colour co-ordinated too....blue n white or blue/black... 😉

Oh that was just a link - I got mine a fair bit cheaper than that 🙂 was a little while ago though. Was just that if you layer garments you can have the right combo for the conditions if you know what I mean 🙂

? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gore-Bike-Wear-Power-II-Lady-Waterproof-Cycling-Jacket-/120802900145?var=#vi-content

Two layers ( + packable jacket if likely to rain) is my rule for the road bike, if you need more then either you've not bought the right kit or there's ice on the road and I'm staying indoors anyhow :p Layering cuts down the ability to cool down quickly by opening zips after climbs etc. and if you need to start taking layers off then you quickly run out of places to put them (assuming you aren't wearing a camelbak on the road)

I had the On-One jacket delivered yesterday and for the money it looks great. I'd imagine with a few other layers it will be perfect for most conditions over the winter.

I've got a Foska jacket which is great when the temperature drops, not very waterproof mind....

another vote for the Gore Phantom, Endura do a nice softshell to with an offset zip, can't remember the model though 🙁

I like to wear base layer (vest style), merino mix jersey, roubaix arm warmers and then a softshell gilet, Montane thingy in the pocket (packs down to apple size). I find that this combo works well for me as I get too hot easily and agree with above that keeping the wind out/off my chest is the trick. I wear neoprene overshoes which totally takes care of me feet.

Cycling Weekly are doing a winter clothing round-up this week.