[_Darragh_]

I'm thinking of getting into biking and have my IBT session coming up at the end of the month.

I'm on the lookout for some biker gear. If I don't have it by the end of the month, its okay. The guy I'm doing it with supplies me with everything ( even the bike! ) .

So I was in Lidl and Aldi this weekend. I seen loads of biker gear. What do you think about all the gear they have?

I was thinking of getting the Helmet, Jacket, Trousers, Gloves and Kidney belt. They seem like really good value compared to the stuff I was looking at on the cotters website.

[_Darragh_]

I injured my back a while ago so I'm pretty much getting the belt to support my back and stop it shaking around when on rough roads.

I went to Aldi and Lidl yesterday evening and I picked up the Jacket, Gloves and Kidney belt. I wasn't sure the overalls would fit me so I said I'd think about it.

I'll go to Cotters when I get the chance and see what sort of helmets, trousers and boots they have. Should the trousers have protection for the hips? Or is that not really common.

[drummer]

fabio, on 18 April 2011 - 11:39 AM, said:

I have a pants I got in Lidl and it's better than a similar Richa item for waterproofness. Though I have other Richa stuff and in general find it a quality brand.

I wouldn't go with a helmet from Aldi/Lidl, wouldn't have said this before mind you but the last time I saw them in there I saw kids trying them on and then battering their heads and throwing them back...not good for any lids!

You can pick up a decent helmet with a good Sharp test rating for under a hundred quid now so you'd be better off going to a bike shop, asking for help with fitment and buying one of these.

Here's some top quality ones for over the hundred quid mark but Shark lids are good for 5 years so it's an investment... http://www.cottermc....Path=11_210_208

I'm with you on this - go to a proper shop and get fitted for a lid. The more you spend, generally the better. Having said that, there can be 100euro extra for a lid with a fancy paintjob, so don't get lulled into that one. I like plain black myself, having said that if you are big into safety, white is good as it makes people think you're a copper.

[drummer]

Like any thing in the market place, with much of the biker stuff if you got for the big brands, a lot of the time you are paying for the name. Having said that I have had a pair of these for years: http://www.hein-geri...el-schwarz.html

I've done 5 or 6 years driving in them including daily commuting. I was off the bike for a few years but have been using them for an additionaly 2years since I started again. There are only two issues I have with them now. One is that they don't stay closed as the velcro is wearing and the other is the grip isn't fantastic anymore. I am strongly considering having them re-soled and a strap put on them, that is how comfoy they are.

Anyway, I hope this gives you and idea of what to go for. Otherwise try go for the middle of the road stuff. Richa would be a good brand without the big brand prices. I think Lookwell are pretty good aswell, although, I find them excessively warm as you can see from thread on "Trousers".

[_Darragh_]

I bought a Lidl lid and Aldi jacket. I really like the helmet and jacket. But the jacket is already getting a bit grubby.

The Lidl gloves I bought are fine, but I may need inner gloves come winter. The wind seems to go between my cuff and jacket, so maybe that is a downside to the gloves. I'm not sure if that would happen with other gloves.

I have a pair of Sidi strada boots, much like Drummers pair that he linked to. They are perfect!! Really comfy and perfectly warm. But once again, maybe a nice pair of socks for winter. http://www.webbikewo...idi/strada-evo/

My trousers are Dainese with gortex. I really like them. A little bit short for my height (6'3). The padding on the hips is good and the knee and shin guards are well designed.

This post has been edited by _Darragh_: 08 June 2011 - 02:46 PM

[bosley]

When first got kitted out at Cotters, got Buffalo jacket,pants and boots for €180, 3 years later all working fine but got heavy duty backguard on-line for €20 - well used now. Watch out for gloves with loose liners - pain in the a55 on sweaty days as takes ages to get on again if dont pinch liner when taking off. Did get heavy rainproof pants which are great as keep you warm and dry - €30 - worth every cent. use old long gaitors over boots because of drainpipe effect from pants.

got other Buffalo jacket, all weather, 3 layer - within 1 year was letting wind and rain-in - weather liner literally falling apart - not great value at €140.
Helmet €100, jaw opening G-max - handy for going into pay for petrol, gloves are light for handling - have hotgrips so dont use winter gloves.

Kids use lidl or aldi stuff which is okay but long term use.?????.

This post has been edited by bosley: 08 June 2011 - 04:32 PM

[Pilot]

bosley, on 08 June 2011 - 04:31 PM, said:

Watch out for gloves with loose liners - pain in the a55 on sweaty days as takes ages to get on again if dont pinch liner when taking off.

I second that emotion, bought a cheap pair once without checking and they've caused me endless hardship after stopping for smoke breaks along the way.

[fabio]

We rarely see long term test reports and stuff like that on gear which is a shame but I'm giving my verdict here anyway on the Lidl bike pants I bought about this time last year. It wasn't used everyday, just now and then when the rain was very heavy because it was extremely waterproof but the other day the stitching on the upper thigh came apart. Now I think the weather liner inside (or whatever it is) is fine but the protective fabric, the rough stuff on the outside like, that's split due to the stitching coming apart. I'm going to get it repaired but just be aware of this and keep an eye on the stitching on things because this happened me before on an Aldi bike pants too. And it's not like I slid down the road on them either...

[drummer]

I've often thoughf doing two things with jeans.

1. Wearing jeans on the bike, but using moto-crpss kneepads etc as protection.
2. Spraying jeans with waterproof stuff you can get for shoes.

This way you can wear jeans on the bike, be protected from rain and have some knee protection if you come off.

Is that a ridiculous idea ?

[The Wraith]

drummer, on 09 June 2011 - 02:38 AM, said:

I've often thoughf doing two things with jeans.

1. Wearing jeans on the bike, but using moto-crpss kneepads etc as protection.
2. Spraying jeans with waterproof stuff you can get for shoes.

This way you can wear jeans on the bike, be protected from rain and have some knee protection if you come off.

Is that a ridiculous idea ?

I know what you're saying but your knees is not the problem in an off! If you come off, depending on the spill, you could be sliding down the road on your hips/side. What good are the knee pads gonna do you then? And the jeans will have burst/ripped after about 20ft. (if even) that's why i'd rather leathers/textiles as they're burst tested and will save your skin from road rash for longer than jeans ever will. The exception being the kevlar or "Draggin'" jeans.

With regard to the Aldi/Lidl stuff, the jackets and pants and stuff are ok, but I wouldn't be touching their helmets! You can scrimp on geaar, but not on something that protects your noggin.