Advice on cycling clothes.

[pantshavenames]

Hi, I hope there is someone out there who can give me a few pointers. I started cycling to work last September (about 25 mins each way) but as I still had a valid bus pass and a complete wuss when the weather has been bad I've bussed each. However the bus pass is expiring on Sunday and I cycled this week in the rain and discovered that I'm going to need a better coat and some waterproof trousers. I don't really know where to start, I think a really thin breathable jacket is best for the summer ( if we get one) and ideally I figure just have trousers that are waterproof rather than overtrousers would maybe be better as I get changed at work anyway. But I don't know brands to look at and how much I should think about paying.
So please, anyone have any recommendations?

Don't be afraid to spend a fair whack to get quality that will last & perform well.
You could do worse than buy something from Wiggle (they are the official CTC shop at the moment).
That said, I like trying stuff on so would browse in local shops first.
My guess is that any lycra trousers would do, bring a towel in a decent pannier bag in case your legs need sponging down, and a DWR-coated or Goretex cycling jacket.
LIke this and this (both of those are DWR items).

NB: DWR items have to be washed Very Carefully to retain their best properties, so Goretex might be better, but more pricey. Lots of cyclists just wear fairly cheap nylon type waterproofs in summer, the sort you can pick up in Lidl even.

If you're getting changed at work anyway - do you really need waterproof - waterproof is either very expensive and annoying, or very sweaty. I just use regular cycling shorts, taking a 2nd pair with me if it's very wet on the commute in. If it's very wet a towel will quickly dry your legs before you change. If you're not working hard enough to need a shower that is.

For the top, if you're not working hard and sweating then a cheap fully waterproof is fine - I use it through all my wet commutes. But that does mean you need to be able to either ride easy on your commute or like lots of showers as you will get sweaty.

Goretex cycling jackets are very good, and well worth it if you need it, like most things it goes much better if you have the right kit.

I agree with fredfred - I commuted by bike for years and never really bought much in the way of specialist kit. It's a bit easier if you can have a shower on arrival as it then doesn't matter how soaked you get. I wore shorts and a t-shirt in the summer with a cagoule if it was raining (a bright yellow one). I had some cheap cycling leggings for the winter which dried out quickly. Only thing I never bought and thought would have been useful was overshoes - pretty grim cycling home in soggy trainers!

I had some gaiters with overshoes but the water still gets up underneath them if you have to cycle through puddles. A breathable waterproof jacket is good for the winter but generally you have to choose between getting wet from the outside in (no jacket) or from the inside out (jacket). I never bothered with waterproof trousers - leggings dry out quickly.

What I would suggest is 1) a good pair of gloves, preferably in a garish colour, which drivers can see when you're indicating, and will stop your hands slipping, and 2) a fluorescent/reflective tabard which can go on over anything and aid visibility in bad weather.

I usually wear a Karrimor windproof gilet in hi-vis pink (cheap as from Field&Trek), but also have a Dare2Be cheapy waterproof jacket for proper rain. However, as BlueChampagne said it can get wetter in than out. If it's just raining a bit, then I wear a warmer top with the gilet.

I have a pair of New Balance running tights with windproof fronts that keep the rain off. Sealskinz waterproof socks are good, because then it doesn't matter if your shoes get wet.

I second the good gloves and also suggest spare pants. One red traffic light and you'll get rain on the saddle...