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TECH NEWS

Aldi offers low price winter clothing and large range of accessories

Tights from £13.99, jackets from £16.99, plus a £79.99 Garmin Edge 500 computer

Aldi will be offering a ‘when it’s gone, it’s gone’ cycling range later this month that includes winter clothing, a turbo trainer and lights, as well as the Garmin Edge 500 GPS bike computer for £79.99 that we told you about last week. It all comes at very low prices.

The Pro-Cycling Performance Cycling Winter Jacket, for example, is priced at £29.99. Most of the panels are made from a stretchy and windproof/waterproof fabric with thermal fleece used on underside of the arms, where you don’t need as much protection. A breathable fabric used down the centre of the back is designed to shift moisture effectively.

The jacket has some good features like a high collar, a YKK front zip with a neck guard at the top, and a zipped valuables pocket around the back in addition to the three standard pockets. There’s also plenty of reflectivity from all angles.

We’ve not used the jacket in the temperatures for which it’s intended – it just hasn’t be cold enough – but we do have one here at road.cc HQ so we can tell you that the build quality certainly looks up to scratch. The cut is fairly roomy. Like the rest of the clothing, it’s available in both men’s and women’s versions.

The Pro-Cycling Performance Jersey is also £29.99. It’s mainly made from a polyamide/elastane fleecy fabric and it’s super-stretchy so it’ll comfortably fit a whole range of sizes. It offers similar features to the jacket along with extra-breathable panels along the sides and down the centre of the back.

I’ve ridden in this jersey a couple of times on cold mornings and it feels pretty good, although all that stretch in the fabric means the back can sag down if you load the pockets right up with heavy bits and pieces.

The Pro-Cycling Performance Bib Tights are £29.99 too. These come with panels down the front that are made from a windproof and waterproof fabric (the same material that’s used in the jacket), and the seatpad is way better than you’d expect at this price. It’s a deep gel pad with a Coolmax facing and it’s genuinely very good. The knees are anatomically shaped, you get YKK zips at the ankles, and there’s good reflectivity.

I must say that I struggled with the fit of the tights. I’m tall and pretty slim (my enemies might use the word ‘lanky’), and I found that I couldn’t get the leg length I needed. If I sized up, the tights were too loose around the middle. If you’re of a similar build, I’d suggest you check out the sizing carefully.

Aldi will also be stocking Waterproof Lobster Gloves (£7.99) and wool blend socks (£3.99) in the Pro-Cycling range. On top of that, there will be a whole range of standard cycling clothing at even lower prices, such as tights (£13.99), jackets (£16.99), base layers (£9.99), and waterproof socks (£12.99).

Plus, there are plenty of accessories on offer, including the Garmin Edge 500 GPS bike computer for £79.99, and a turbo trainer for £49.99 (we’ve not used it so can’t comment on the performance). There’s a range of cleaning/maintenance products from Muc-Off, tyre sealant, lights/LEDs, energy gels, and loads more.

The whole range will be in Aldi stores nationwide on Thursday 24 September and will be available while stocks last, so you might want to arrive early to ensure you get what you want.

www.aldi.co.uk

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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26 comments

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Bigtwin | 6 years ago
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My kids have been running on their summer gloves - £2.99 - and cycling glasses - £1.99 - for a good while and they couldn't be better.  Can't argue with that, especially as the nearest Decathlon is a hour's round trip away.

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JumpingJalapeno | 8 years ago
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Had a look in Aldi today, unsurprising not much cycling gear left. I did pick up a merino base layer, which is great for the cash, but does not feel it would particularly last me years. I'll probably return it and get a more robust one for double the price. I think you do get what u pay for (to a certain extent) these days, but its great that there are retailers like aldi offerig perfectly acceptable apparel. 

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a.jumper | 8 years ago
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"The cut is fairly roomy" - euphemism of the day! If you're a fat git or you like your clothing hanging off you where a beer gut would be if you weren't a cyclist, then this is the kit for you! Anyone else suspect that a lot of it is bought by a certain type of people as general sitting-around clothing and that's why it goes on sale when most working people are at work?

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dunnoh | 8 years ago
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I look at the Aldi stuff and think 'Ooo must buy it'. However my wife has bought me round and pointed out that its cheap for a reason. Like many cyclists I have had many years of buying kit that is nearly as good as something else. But after learning the hard way, come winter it will be my usual few expensive items that work every day, day in day out.

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bike_food | 8 years ago
1 like

Gypos

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crikey replied to bike_food | 8 years ago
1 like
bike_food wrote:

Gypos

Really? Resemble a dull racist clown much?

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Bmblbzzz | 8 years ago
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I have two winter softshell jackets bought several years ago – in fact they could have been from Lidl, but I think it was Aldi. Definitely one of Lidli or Aldl. Anyway, the first one (blue) was so good I bought another (red). Windproof, warm and costy, decent fit and showerproof due to thickness.

I also got a pair of winter tights. Oh my, those were made for a Siberian winter. And never fitted properly and the pad (not that I'm a great fan of padding) was odd. They went to the club auction.

And a pair of shorts. They also had an odd fit and went to the club auction.

Finally, a pair of winter gloves. I've still got these! They're incredibly warm but not at all waterproof. Too bulky for use with STIs but good for the mountainbike in really cold weather – or just as winter gloves for non-cycling uses.

So my conclusion is they're ok for jackets and probably jerseys but not anything on the legs. The problem is the sizing, as others have said it's odd. Gappy. They do (did) a 28-30" and a 32-34", which leaves a big sizing hole to fall into. My very limited experience of Decathlon gear suggests it probably is better, but they have so few stores.

Edit: Just remembered, I also have a weatherproof/windproof packable jacket from Aldi. It's a copy of a Montane design, I think, but for only £8! The weak point on it is not the fabric but the zip – if you have it only half-way done up, the wind blows it down, even at my pace! OTOH, it's cheap, light, fits in a jersey pocket. Nevertheless, I haven't used it for a year or two, because I've got something properly waterproof now.

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Danger Dicko | 8 years ago
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I have a Rapha jersey.

I've never felt luxury like it. I don't want to wear it for fear of damaging it.

I bought it in the sale though with 50% off.
£45. I'm not sure I would get/afford one full price.

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JumpingJalapeno replied to Danger Dicko | 8 years ago
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Danger Dicko wrote:

I have a Rapha jersey. I've never felt luxury like it. I don't want to wear it for fear of damaging it. I bought it in the sale though with 50% off. £45. I'm not sure I would get/afford one full price.

Danger Dicko I registered just to reply to ur post. Why buy something nice and then not have the plaesure of wearing it?? Wear ur Rapha and appreciate it for what it is, after all if it gets damaged Rapha will repair it for free!! 

 

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fuzzywuzzy | 8 years ago
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IME Aldi stuff is mostly OK and good for the price - certainly not 5x worse than the premium brands that cost 5x as much, however it's still far from being on-par (at least with Assos and Castelli, I don't have any Rapha stuff)

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Dr_Lex | 8 years ago
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"the sizing is odd"
Four words that sum up why I haven't bought any Crivit/Crane kit. Decathalon is less odd, IME.

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werdna67 | 8 years ago
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I've got some Aldi & Lidl gear. The Aldi stuff is better quality than Lidl. I bought a short sleeved top from Lidl, the sizing is odd, very long front & back. Their gloves, socks & sport glasses are ok. I've had two long sleeve jerseys, winter tights & bib shorts from Aldi. The jerseys, one thicker than the other are great. The bib shorts are my first pair & I like them, though the pad in the bib shorts isn't as good as the tights I bought a few years ago or even a pair of muddy fox shorts I got from Sports Direct. Can't compare socks with Road CC ones as they've never picked me as a winner

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WolfieSmith | 8 years ago
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Ahhhh. The irony of expensive kit ranters now moaning about cheap kit..

I'm happy with my 'overpriced' Rapha kit. My oldest winter jacket is 8 years old and as I bought in the spring sales for £120 it's cost me £15 a year.

I'll get my (expensive) coat...  4

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Judge dreadful | 8 years ago
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Most of my cycling kit comes from Aldi and / or Lidl. Okay, it's not what I'd call Gucci kit, but I've never had any complaints, it's perfectly acceptable, and you don't pay Gucci kit prices. I've got some pricey kit as well, and there is a difference (I'd be a bit cheesed off if there wasn't) but for wearing over the winter months, I really don't mind the budget Aldi / Lidl kit.

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Danger Dicko | 8 years ago
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I got some socks from them a few years back.

The seams were all over the place. I wouldn't have them again. I'll stick to my Road.cc socks, although I'd love another pair in the Monday giveaway.  3

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Stumps | 8 years ago
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I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the top's i've bought from Aldi and i would defo buy from them again. However Lidl gear was not a patch on Aldi and i wouldn't touch it.

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michophull | 8 years ago
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I've had mixed results with Aldi kit. With what I've tried so far, I'd say:
Jacket with removable sleeves - good for short chilly commutes but too boil in the bag for anything serious.
Rain jacket - useless. Replaced with far superior B'Twin one.
Sunglasses - good and comfortable but bolts work loose.
Mitts - good but require slits cutting in to prevent pinching.
Arm warmers - good but I've got very thin arms. Had to stitch velcro hooks on the tops get them to stay up.  3

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Danger Dicko | 8 years ago
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I have to work on Thursdays.

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backflipbedlem | 8 years ago
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Bought most of my basic cycling kit from Aldi and Lidl, really pleased with it, great prices and the kit is generally pretty good! never had a problem with any of it!

Bike work stand
thermals,
gloves, mitt & lobster
bib shorts & full length
jackets
rain jacket

All great!

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nniff | 8 years ago
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Their socks have been really good - I've worn them to the exclusion of the pairs that cost 4 times as much. Need some more now, but the last batch they had were too short in the ankle.

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MamilMan | 8 years ago
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I have 2 jackets, a jersey and the windproof bib tights. All from different sales.

Jacket with zip off arms - ace. Shame it's black.
Normal jacket - warm... in fact probably too warm.
Jersey... has a 'flap' at the back. I cut it off. Thin. Don't need a flap in summer spec jersey.
Bib tights. Wore them twice. Wind proof panels do not stretch well but if they fit and you like sub zero riding they are a third of the cost of the 'real' stuff. Warm bits, thighs, knees... cold shins. (I see from pics that the wind protection now goes down to the ankles on these new ones)

That red jersey looks better than the fake Rapha/Sky one I got from Mr Woo's dodgy toy shop c/o eBay. Might give it a go.

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demonkarlos | 8 years ago
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I have bought cycling stuff from Aldi in the past, and have been generally impressed. Their 'Cycling Pro Winter Jersey' has been my go-to jersey for two years now (lets face it, we rarely get to wear summer jerseys in the Midlands). Problem is, it is black... if it was available in red (as pictured above), or almost any other colour, I would buy it again.

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Username | 8 years ago
1 like

Buyer beware.

The stuff is priced well, and some of it can be very good but I ended up giving away their winter jacket after wearing it twice.

The neck was too loose, useless on a cold morning; and the fabric was no more breathable than a black plastic bag, useless on anything other than a cold morning.

It was cheap but it was a waste of money.

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boardmanrider replied to Username | 8 years ago
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Thank you! It bugs the hell out of me when someone here give's Rapha a hard time and say's 'my aldi stuff is just as good blah blah.....' when clearly it's cheap rubbish.

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Dnnnnnn replied to boardmanrider | 8 years ago
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boardmanrider wrote:

clearly it's cheap rubbish.

I think the view here is that it's variable - some's good, some's not. That's been my experience too.

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CommotionLotion replied to Dnnnnnn | 8 years ago
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I agree, my ALDI road shoes left a hole in my sole and a big lump attached to my cleat !

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