Last week, discount supermarket Aldi, launched it's latest range of fab cycling gear and accessories. It's first come, first served for savvy cyclists with an eye for a bargain. Already selling like hotcakes, this autumn Aldi is stocking a wide selection of new and improved clothing and accessories for casual and commuter riders, as well as high performance pro-cycling gear for the more serious cyclist.
As well as the clothing range, there are some serious accessories available such as the Garmin Edge 810 (£179.99) which has an advanced touchscreen cycling GPS, suitable for use both on and off the road. Aldi is selling the Garmin more than £200 cheaper than the RRP!
For fair weather riders, Aldi has released a Fluid Turbo Trainer (£69.99) which they promise offers a quiet and smooth ride. This compact trainer features a sturdy base and adjustable resistance too. Cycle safely gadgets and gizmos are also on offer, as the nights draw in, with an ultra-bright Aluminium COB Bike Light for £12.99, Reflective Bands at £1.99 and a Bike Helmet Light for only £2.99. Water resistant and with a variety of lighting modes, these COB lights come with universal mounting brackets and a Micro-USB cable for easy recharging.
There's an easy to assemble Stand at £29.99 for storing and displaying your bikes. Spruce your steed up for winter with Bike Maintenance Spray (£1.99) and Muc-Off (£3.99), vital for prolonging a bike’s life. Ride Velo loves Aldi’s High Pressure Pump (£14.99) which would make a useful addition to any garage and features a stable alloy base and wooden handle with dual head for all valve types. Watch out for expensive imitations!
The official supermarket partner of Team GB has also designed a huge range of cycle clothing - from performance road wear and commuting kit to leisure cycling gear for men and women. Ride Velo were lucky enough to take the clothing out for a test ride. The packaging is impressive for the performance gear bib tights and long-sleeved jersey, with credentials advertised such as "optifit braces", "moisture zone" and "anatomical knees." And all this for £29.99 a piece. The whole ensemble is rather 'Robocop' - but if you don't want to be messed with on the mean streets then maybe that's no bad thing.
The women's range is strikingly pink, which is certainly a lot more feminine than builder's Day-Glo yellow favoured by so many cyclists, and features some very bright reflective panels on the jacket too. We like the fake Rapha style arm bands which, combined with the pink colour, gives a classy and expensive impression for just £16.99, or you can buy one in light blue.
Orange features heavily in the men's range, from the socks up, which will keep you looking freshly autumnal for many months to come. The rather more casual Half-Zip Cycling Jersey (£9.99) has all the features that you would expect on one for five times the price, such as an elongated back hem, three back pockets and a moisture management system. It'll keep you warm with its cosy brushed lining too. Watch out though, the sizing is generous, with a women's medium equivalent to a UK 12-14.
We took the kit to the office; gloves, socks, neck warmers and all, where it received a unanimous thumbs up from Aldi aficionados who loved all the great features combined with competitive prices. This gear is perfect for riding around town and to work and back and it will certainly keep you warm and cosy all winter long. Probably not for the pub, and you might not want to wear it on a club ride either - unless you like being the subject of banter... save the 'performance wear' for the stage, or even better, fancy dress party!
