When can we next expect Aldi cycling gear?

[shouldbeinbed]

Agree with the above Aldi pannier comments, my set were v lightly used as I was concerned about how flimsy it looks and feels in use. I gave em away in the end. Surprising really as I've always found the clothing and bits of kit they sell excellent VFM and far better than expected.

Sara, you may well find. Lidl do a cycling special before Aldi do, they seem to stagger their events & its Lidl's turn. I got a decent pannier set from them last time too, not rolltops but the all in one fabric type with a zip off rack top bag part too, not huge capacity but good water resistance as is, a big waterproof cover as standard and well attached Velcro fasteners which hold it well on the bike and are pretty easy to flip up the pannier to get at. ~£15 if I remember correctly

 

[compo]

Sara, you may well find. Lidl do a cycling special before Aldi do, they seem to stagger their events & its Lidl's turn. I got a decent pannier set from them last time too, not rolltops but the all in one fabric type with a zip off rack top bag part too, not huge capacity but good water resistance as is, a big waterproof cover as standard and well attached Velcro fasteners which hold it well on the bike and are pretty easy to flip up the pannier to get at. ~£15 if I remember correctly

I can testify to the waterproofness of the panniers, especially when used with the waterproof cover. A couple of months ago I did a 50 mile ride in torrential rain and my dry clothing in the panniers was bone dry when I arrived at my destination. I actually didn't like them though and shortly after donated them to a charity shop.

 

[Sara_H]

I can testify to the waterproofness of the panniers, especially when used with the waterproof cover. A couple of months ago I did a 50 mile ride in torrential rain and my dry clothing in the panniers was bone dry when I arrived at my destination. I actually didn't like them though and shortly after donated them to a charity shop.

I had a pair of those fabric ones too and just didn't like them.

We've had a couple of sets of the Aldi roll tops, on one set the hooks broke, but it was our fault. My son use the other set on our mini tour last year with no problems, though I was very gentle when and hooking/unhooking them.

 

[compo]

I have tonight refitted my Avenir panniers. I have had them for a few years and they are OK but have little water resistance. I did however keep the waterproof cover from the Lidl set when I gave them away so that is no great problem.

 

[SportMonkey]

I looked at them. I see they go up to 4XL so brilliant I thought, rarely being able to get much in my size. Then I looked at their size chart,
4XL = 48 to 50, positively miniscule. I wish manufacturers would stop using this silly XL business of displaying sizes. With no set standard it is meaningless.

I am a 54" chest by the way but determined to get rid of some of it during 2013.

That is the standard UK sizing, 2" increments on chest size, with a British large being around 40-42".

e.g.:
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16791&category_id=308

 

[compo]

That is the standard UK sizing, 2" increments on chest size, with a British large being around 40-42".

e.g.:
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16791&category_id=308

If all retailers/manufacturers stuck to that standard I would have no complaint but they don't. For example some Sports Direct sizes give 52-54 with a XXL, this garment for example http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-short-sleeve-run-t-shirt-mens-451131
It is easy to dismiss Sports Direct as not being a good example but a few minutes on Google looking at clothing will show the lack of standardisation in sizing even among more reputable stores.

 

[Cush]

Dropped a right clanger on the 24th, bought two shirts in T Max as xxl, took them home, took the labels off on Christmas day because I was in a rush to get out and neither fitted. Now I am stuck with two shirts too small. Lesson learnt keep labels on till you see if they fitt.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I now mostly ignore Aldi (and Lidl) cycle kit sales as they seem to believe every male cyclist in the UK is size M and above* - and not many M, judging by the way they stock my local stores. They did stock running kit in Small last time I bought tights, and they fitted well. Sometimes I have bought womens sizes in the more unisex garments (merino top, for example), and that has fitted well. The running kit doesn't seem to be embellished with naff logos so much either. Sports Direct sizing is a joke.
* and M&S has stopped stocking 30" waist trousers in store too - we are so obviously becoming a nation of fatties.

 

[Blue Hills]

I wouldn't necessarily blame Aldi - Cycling stuff is generally in a world of its own when it comes to cycling and there is little consistency. I have an Italian local club cycling top that's a fairly tight fit and is XXL. Anyone who knows me knows I hope (though feeling decidedly verweight at the moment) that that aint so. I'd generally consider myself a medium in "normal" non cycling gear.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I wouldn't necessarily blame Aldi - Cycling stuff is generally in a world of its own when it comes to cycling and there is little consistency. I have an Italian local club cycling top that's a fairly tight fit and is XXL. Anyone who knows me knows I hope (though feeling decidedly verweight at the moment) that that aint so. I'd generally consider myself a medium in "normal" non cycling gear.

- but you're not Italian are you? IME most domestic Italian sizes are much smaller than UK ones.

 

[SportMonkey]

I now mostly ignore Aldi (and Lidl) cycle kit sales as they seem to believe every male cyclist in the UK is size M and above* - and not many M, judging by the way they stock my local stores. They did stock running kit in Small last time I bought tights, and they fitted well. Sometimes I have bought womens sizes in the more unisex garments (merino top, for example), and that has fitted well. The running kit doesn't seem to be embellished with naff logos so much either. Sports Direct sizing is a joke.
* and M&S has stopped stocking 30" waist trousers in store too - we are so obviously becoming a nation of fatties.

GAP still stock them, at varying leg lengths, and I avoid M&S because their sizing is usually vanity sizing ( I fit small M&S shirts, but am a medium-large elsewhere )

If all retailers/manufacturers stuck to that standard I would have no complaint but they don't. For example some Sports Direct sizes give 52-54 with a XXL, this garment for example http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-short-sleeve-run-t-shirt-mens-451131
It is easy to dismiss Sports Direct as not being a good example but a few minutes on Google looking at clothing will show the lack of standardisation in sizing even among more reputable stores.

I think it may be just the brands I usually buy, however the boundary of medium/large at 40" means that I am a pretty consistent size. I was trying to find the sizing link for Reiss, as they make the only suits that fit me well, and I'm a 40 in their sizing (they don't do long or short, when I'm generally a 40L or 42L everywhere else)