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Five cool things for autumn cycling from Vulpine, Muc-Off, Altura and Swrve

These are some of the autumn's must have cycling things we're reviewing at the moment

Unfortunately, it does seem as if summer is officially over and it's time to rummage through the drawers for some long-sleeved autumn cycling clothing and gloves, and all the rest of the off-season kit that you've happily forgotten about for months... or a week, if you live up in Scotland! Regardless of your location, here are some of the autumnal essentials we're reviewing at the moment, ranging from some casual rain clothing to wet lube to keep your drivetrain in check. 

If you cannot wait for the full verdicts of the below things to hit your screen, we've already published our first autumnal reviews of the year - and loads more, of course - that you can find over here in our reviews section

Vulpine Men's Rain Trousers - £150 

Vulpine Men's Rain Trousers

These bottoms are water-resistant trousers designed for both style and functionality. Crafted from 'Epic Cotton', a breathable and water-resistant fabric blend, these trousers claim to offer comfort and durability, and they look hardly any different to your normal trousers. 

They feature a few cyclist-friendly adjustments, though, such as a button ankle adjuster and a higher rear waistband. There are also multiple pockets, reflective seams, a key carabiner, and a "seamless diamond gusset" (i.e. the crotch). 

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Swrve 4-way stretch indigo Cordura slim fit jeans - £90

Swrve 4-way stretch indigo Cordura slim fit jeans

These 4-way stretch indigo slim-fit jeans showcase what casual cycling gear can look like. Similarly to the Vulpine trousers above, these jeans feature a seamless diamond gusset, low front waist, higher back waist, and reflective details to ensure both style and functionality. 

The fabric combines the toughness of denim with the comfort of 4-way stretch, offering exceptional durability and freedom of movement when you pedal away. 

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Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable jacket - £125

Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket

The Altura Icon Rocket Packable Cycling Jacket is a lightweight and packable waterproof shell that's easy to carry around for changing weather conditions. It boasts waterproof and breathable fabric with a PFC-free, water-repellent coating. The jacket is made with mini ripstop fabric which means it won't rip if you scrape it a bit, and there is some stretch built into the material to ensure freedom of movement in a riding position. 

> Best waterproof cycling jackets

There are reflective elements that enhance visibility in low light, a rear stash pocket and a convenient two-way zip for jersey pocket access.

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Swrve softshell Belgian cap - £30

2023 Swrve softshell Belgian cap - 1.jpg

Caps are not for everyone, but for those who like them, autumn, spring and winter are really the ideal season. They keep your head toasty and dry (as long as you don't sweat too much) and can obviously complement your overall look on the bike. 

> How to winterproof your bike

Swrve's Belgian-style winter cap features fleece fold-down ear flaps and a 10K water-resistant softshell material. Designed with flatlock seams for a snug fit under a helmet, it offers protection from wind and water with a short cycling-style brim. 

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Muc-Off eBike Wet Weather Chain Lube - £9

chain lubes

Do e-bikes need their own lube? Well, Muc-Off thinks they do. The eBike Wet Weather Chain Lube features "proprietary ceramic formulation containing integral Boron Nitride compounds for low friction", and is specifically designed for electric bikes with added torque. 

> Best bike chain lubes

The brand says that using the e-bike lube "will help to dramatically reduce fiction while riding and will keep the chain running smoother for much longer than a traditional lube, however there will always be higher stresses on the chain due to the power assisted motor reducing the life of any chain more so than on a normal bike". Whether that is true, we'll need to wait for the full review. 

Muc-Off says it's also ideal for other bike components, such as cables, shifters, derailleurs, and pedals.

Read more

Suvi joined F-At in 2022, first writing for off-road.cc and then road.cc and ebiketips too until August 2024. She contributed to all of the sites covering tech news, features, reviews and women's cycling content. A lover of long-distance cycling, Suvi is easily convinced to join any rides and events that cover over 100km, and ideally, plenty of cake and coffee stops. 

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11 comments

Avatar
check12 | 1 year ago
0 likes

Wouldn't trust muc off their stuff is usually beaten by competitors. Try silca synerg e

Avatar
Paul J | 1 year ago
1 like

+100 for diamond gussets.

Wore vulpine shorts for the commute at a previous job to avoid wandering through office just in lycra - they were great. They eventually wore through, and I wore some ordinary shorts. Cycling with the normal, straight-down-the-middle seam under me very quickly caused me a... sizable and painful... bottom issue.

Diamond gussets, didn't know how crucial they are, till then.

Avatar
Brauchsel replied to Paul J | 1 year ago
4 likes

I think I saw Diamond Gussets supporting Racey back in 1983. 

Avatar
ktache replied to Paul J | 1 year ago
1 like

My swrve "denim" shorts are my go-to shorts, proper comfy for general wearing. Alright for the bike, though a little warm, prefer my Endura Zymes.

Avatar
kinderje | 1 year ago
1 like

Hope the Muc-Off lube is better than their 'normal' wet lube - one application and ride and my chain and cassette were as black as if I'd spent the whole winter just adding more and more oil. Haven't used it again and reverted back to Morgan Syn-lube. 

Avatar
Pot00000000 replied to kinderje | 1 year ago
1 like

All muc-off lubes are utter shite, but they smell nice 😊 

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agp replied to kinderje | 1 year ago
0 likes

that stuff is brutally bad - sticky af, i piffed the chain rather than try to get it off.

Avatar
Brauchsel | 1 year ago
8 likes

"the e-bike lube "will help to dramatically reduce fiction while riding"

A likely story. 

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Brauchsel | 1 year ago
1 like

Brauchsel wrote:

"the e-bike lube "will help to dramatically reduce fiction while riding"

A likely story. 

Well, they're comparing it to a "traditional lube" which might be a bit of lard or something

Avatar
quiff replied to hawkinspeter | 1 year ago
3 likes

Check the spelling of the quote...

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to quiff | 1 year ago
0 likes

quiff wrote:

Check the spelling of the quote...

Oh yeah, I was wondering what happened to the book I was reading...

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