Spring is here. Bask in the sunshine, feel the warm breezes blow and watch the flowers bloom. Or, as is the case in most of the country, be prepared to go from warm sunshine to blizzard conditions in the blink of an eye. This is spring in the UK after all…
But spring is also a great time to grab a cycling bargain. Lots of high-end kit is now on sale and, let's face it, the weather certainly justifies the purchase of a warm, breathable jacket or new pair of bib tights. If you like, think of it as an investment for next winter.
There's also a few great summer items on sale now, so long as you don't mind purchasing last year's kit. With the discounts on offer here, the bargains are so good it's almost like you're saving money as you spend. Well, that's what we tell ourselves anyway.
Castelli Women's Gabba Long Sleeve Jersey £170.00 £124.99
The Gabba jersey could have been designed with British springtime (or, for that matter, autumn) in mind. The jersey fabric is supremely stretchy and windproof, and although it's not designed to be completely waterproof, it can withstand a good amount of wet before giving up.
Its main advantage is that it's very breathable, making this an excellent, versatile choice for days when it's too warm or not wet enough for a full-on waterproof, and you need some protection from he elements.
Castelli released the first women's-specific version of the Gabba in 2015, and now you can grab it for a substantial discount. The black version here is available in XS, S, M and L, but the popular purple only in S at Tweeks Cycles. However, search online and you may spot it elsewhere if you're set on that colourway.
Specialized Rbx Pro Jersey Short Sleeve £89.99 £26.99
A form-fitted performance jersey, the Specialized Rbx Pro Jersey features a full-length zip, 'VapoRize' Lycra designed for increased breathability and a fabric that's designed to protect against harmful UV rays. Granted, it's not particularly sunny right now, but we're optimistic that it will be at some point this year, and when the great glowing orb finally does put in an appearance, you'll be ready.
Primal Pink Floyd Triad Cycling Jersey £59.99 £30.00
We'll fully admit that we just had to include this jersey from Primal in this week's BikeRadar Bargains, even though it's only left in a size small, because of the print. It's a Pink Floyd jersey! Perfect for music fans out there, and guaranteed to stand out. Display your love of cycling and your love of music in one fell swoop.
And on the technical side of things, this is a sport cut jersey from Primal with a 3/4 length YKK zip, three rear cargo pockets and, for comfort, tagless labels.
Hoy Vulpine Women's El Toro Bib Short £79.99 £39.99
Designed from the ground up for female riders, the Hoy Vulpine women's bib shorts feature a women's-specific CyTech chamois pad, and a lightweight and breathable mesh upper that doubles up as a wicking base layer. The leg grippers are designed not to dig into the skin, and the panelled Lycra construction hugs the body shape, supporting a race position on the bike.
Sportful Women's Fiandre Light Windstopper Jacket £165.00 £75.90
Designed to be lightweight, breathable, windproof and provide some protection from light rain, the Sportful Women's Fiandre Light Windstopper jacket has been designed for just the weather conditions you get in autumn and spring.
The fabric is water-repellent and features a waterproof front zip, and the fabric is designed to be both extremely lightweight and windproof. The three rear pockets have drainage holes to help the water come out again should you be unlucky enough to get a pocket-full, and the cuffs have a soft Lycra trim to keep them flush against your skin and in place.
GORE Power 2.0 Reflex Thermo Men's Bibtights £109.99 £44.00
Designed for medium- to long-distance riding, the GORE Power 2.0 Reflex Thermo men's bib tights also include plenty of reflective features to help keep you seen on the road.
Castelli Sottile Due Jacket £70.00 £31.50
A race cape is an essential piece of kit if you're riding in changeable British weather. It might be sunny now, but we know how quickly the clouds can move over. Stash a light race cape in your back pocket and, while it won't keep you bone dry, it'll certainly help keep the worst of the wind and rain off on long rides or descents.
The Sottile Due jacket from Castelli comes in a performance fit and is available in Fluo Yellow in Small, Medium and Large at this reduced price. The fabric is stretchy and the jacket features mesh underarm panels for improved breathability.
Specialized Element Sl Expert Women`s 2016 Jacket £119.99 £47.99
The weather is certainly more wintry than spring-like in large parts of the country, and if you're feeling the cold, but don't want it to stop you riding, then a cosy jacket like this one from Specialized will definitely come in handy. In fact, even if you don't need it for this year, with 60% off the retail price it's worth considering in preparation for next winter.
The Specialized Element SL Expert women's cycling jacket combines a windproof membrane and water-repellent treated fabric, plus soft and cosy Lombardia fleece fabric at the back, designed to keep the elements at bay. It also features two back pockets for stowing essentials, a zippered secure pocket, and a full-length front zip.
Sportful Gruppetto Bib Tights £90.00 £45.00
The upside to the Sportful Gruppetto Bib Tights is that for under £50 you get a pair of winter bib tights designed for cool weather riding, that feature fabric that's designed to keep you warm but wick away moisture, ankle zips, and a flat-locked stitched straps.
The downside? They're only available in sizes at each end of the size spectrum. So if you're an XXL or a XS, you're in luck!
