I’ve been trying to put it off as long as possible, but it’s time to admit it: summer cycling is over and the shorts have to be packed away once more.
A few of my recent morning commutes have seen me arrive at work with legs so numb it felt like I’d left them at home – and I normally only question the presence of my legs when I check my speedometer.
When things get to this stage it normally means taking on my annual rite of passage: jostling for position at the opening of the Aldi winter cycling sale to stock up on the cosy essentials.
But where once I had to fight for the bargains against legions of sharp-elbowed club cyclists, nowadays it’s all become a bit easier: it can be done online.
But can Aldi’s wallet-friendly gear stand up to the Scottish weather?
This week saw the launch of the store’s Cycling and Pro-Cycling ranges for men and women and, with some well-timed wind and rain thrown into my commuting mix, I was able to put some of the new line-up to the test.
Pro Performance Jacket (£29.99)
I still have some of my Aldi jackets from my first winter of cycle commuting and they have always done the job even if they lack a bit of style. However, this coat from the ‘Performance’ range really is a step up in class.
It’s more expensive at £29.99 but the difference shines through – quite literally. The jacket features amazing glow-in-the-dark luminous panels that are so bright, they caught me by surprise when I looked over my shoulder and found myself glowing like a Ready-Brek man.
Sizing was spot on for me and it looks great, with very muted branding and pockets in all the right places.
It compares very well with much more expensive jackets I’ve bought and I suspect this one will also become a favourite choice for the night-time dog walk.
Rating: 4/5
Merino sports midlayer (£19.99)
This is my favourite garment of the new line-up.
I’ve read plenty about the wonders of merino wool but had never tried it. However, everything they say is true: it feels great on and performs wicking miracles.
There’s nothing too flash about the styling here, with the expectation that it will be worn below other layers, but my nearest and dearest are going to have to get used to seeing me in this. I love it.
Rating: 5/5
Winter cycling gloves (£4.99)
I’ve been searching for the perfect winter cycling glove for the last four or five years and, unfortunately, the search continues.
I’ve owned previous versions of these gloves and, although the design has changed over recent years, my opinion hasn’t: these just don’t work for me.
They remain too bulky for my Ultegra gear paddles and I find the feel and movement of the inner lining quite unpleasant when gripping the handlebar.
They are perfectly usable for when out walking on a cold day, and they certainly don’t break the bank, but my hands actually start to hurt when I use them on the bike.
Rating: 2/5
Merino blend socks (£3.99)
More merino magic here. It’s fair to say I’m converted.
These are available in a number of styles and, like the midlayer top, offer a great combination of warmth and wicking.
It didn’t take me long to realise finding the right sock is one of the most important things in feeling comfortable on a bike, and these are as good as any I’ve worn before.
Once again, the value pricing means you can easily buy enough to keep you going for a good while.
Rating: 4/5
Rain jacket
This jacket perfectly sums up the choice to be made when deciding between value and prestige in building up a winter cycling wardrobe.
Aldi’s rain jacket definitely lacks some of the refinement of my Altura Night Vision Evo, but it’s less than a third of the cost.
And while it might not look quite as good, the huge reflective panels make a massive amount of sense on these dark nights when those of us on two wheels seem to become even harder to see behind wet and smeared windscreens.
The most important stuff is still here: it’s breathable and fits well, if perhaps a little baggier around the chest than absolutely ideal.
It’s not my favourite raincoat, but it’s fine and affordable for keeping in the locker for those days when the weather deteriorates just before the evening ride home from work.
Rating: 3/5
Pro Performance jersey (£29.99)
This one was a bit of a mystery. If there’s one thing I’ve found from years of stocking up on Aldi cycling gear it’s that it’s made for the normal person.
Some of the high-end brands seem to believe the average consumer is built like the whippets we watch racing up mountains on the Tour.
If I don’t fit into an Aldi ‘large’, it normally means my diet and exercise regime has been more sugarfest than sufferfest.
However, the Pro jersey was entirely out of kilter size-wise with everything else in the range. While it’s a perfectly decent top, and a nice complement to the Pro jacket, I reckon I’d need to go up two sizes to use it.
My advice: unless you don’t mind the faff of postal returns, this one might be better to try in-store than than ordering online.
Rating: 3/5
Winter tights (£13.99)
While these don’t belong to the ‘Pro’ range, they are a major improvement on tights I’ve bought from Aldi before.
Well-fitting without being dangerously tight, they provide great protection against a cold wind. They also do a good job of fending off light rain and will easily get you through most days.
Whether on their own or under waterproof trousers, these will be what I wear to beat a Scottish winter.
Rating: 4/5
Muc-Off bike care (from £3.99)
So that’s the rider taken care of. What about the bike?
I’ve dabbled with a range of different and more expensive brands but haven’t found anything that beats Muc-Off sprays for easy and effective cleaning and maintenance.
The dry chain lube will have to stay in the drawer until sunnier days, but the wet lube is already my favourite choice – quickly adding that sense of glide to the chainset without picking up too much of the crud that plagues streets and paths at this time of year.
From experience, the Muc-Off products tend to remain in the Aldi stores for months after the special cycling sale weeks and at these prices are always worth stocking up on if you find them.
Rating: 5/5
Summary
Aldi’s cycling sales have taken on something approaching cult status among Britain’s riders, and were a large part of why I was able to start and then continue to cycle every day whatever the weather. Although many people will move on to more expensive brands as the cycling bug bites, Aldi’s gear remains a dependable choice – particularly in winter, when having multiple garments of each type makes washing and drying easier.
The ‘Pro’ range bridges the gap still more, offering style, comfort and features to rival far more expensive options.
* Aldi provided a sample of products from their Cycling and Pro-Cycling ranges for review. The full selection for men and women is now available in store and online while stocks last.
