No doubt you’re sick of turkey, Twiglets are no longer the treat they once were and if you see another sausage roll this side of 2012 it’ll be too soon. Yep, Christmas is over and it’s time to start working off that excess blubber. What better way to do it than by getting out on your bike in all the lovely new kit your family bought you for Christmas. What’s that? They didn’t?! Fear not, spend some of your Christmas wonga on our latest and greatest new jacket. It’s the dhb Southsea cycling jacket and it’s on test in our final dhb Tuesday review…

dhb Southsea Jacket

Here at Wiggle, we like to move with the times. We know that cycling is no longer the enclave of Lycra clad roadies or muddy off-road types, so we’ve created a jacket to reflect this. Recreational cycling has never been so popular – be it biking into town on an uber-cool fixie, commuting on a hybrid or just cruising the streets. The only problem was (in pre-Southsea times) too many cycling jackets tend to make you look anything other than cool: they’re usually big, bulky and a bright orange neon colour, which just ain’t a good look off the bike. That’s when our dhb wizards came up with the Southsea. It’s a jacket which looks as good off the bike as it does on it.

The Southsea has all the features you’d expect to find in a top-end bike jacket: it’s 100 per cent waterproof with fully taped seams and a waterproof zipper; two roomy rear pockets; Velcro adjustable cuffs and drop-tail hem plus subtle reflective branding. Available in brown or grey, it moves away from cycling jacket territory and picks up style points with its flattering cut, sleek design and high slimline collar. It can be worn off the bike as easily and comfortably as it’s worn on the bike and is sure to be a real winner in 2010.

View the dhb Southsea Jacket

We’re buzzing with excitement here at Wiggle HQ – not because Christmas is only three days away (well, that is exciting), but because our new 2010 jackets are now in stock and they’re looking pretty special. Today’s dhb Tuesday takes a closer look at the dhb Droxford Jacket…

dhb Droxford Jacket

New for 2010, the dhb Droxford Jacket is a superlight waterproof shell which has the same sleek cut as last season’s phenomenally popular Wickham Jacket.

With its fully taped seams and 2.5 layer highly breathable fabric, it has been designed with one purpose in mind: to provide optimum comfort when riding. Features such as the single-handed waist pullers, Velcro adjustable cuffs, drop tail hem and waterproof zipper all work to ensure the rider’s comfort comes first.

Available in black or hi-vis yellow in male and female-specific versions, both jackets feature stylish piping and contrast seams. The high slimline collar design earns it even more style points and the fact there are no unnecessary pockets, venting panels or storm flaps gives it a real performance feel. Reflective piping and dhb branding help ensure you’re safely seen on the road.

For £89.99, the Droxford is a great investment for riding in the winter months. It is the ultimate in lightweight waterproof shells: simple good looks, great performance and unbeatable comfort. Give it a try – you won’t be disappointed.

View the dhb Droxfod Jacket

When Blike agreed to cycle to Copenhagen with Christian Aid for the UN Climate Conference (COP-15) we were a bit worried. Don’t get us wrong, we think climate change is a serious issue and we wish the politicians well in a getting a deal that’s good for the planet – we just weren’t sure what 28 cyclists were going to achieve.

But after two days with the group who have committed their free time to this mad mission, we’re fairly sure they’ll make a big noise in Denmark’s capital.

The group ranges in age from 15 to 72 which includes students, vicars, teachers and even ex-bankers; the only thing they’ve got in common is the fact that they care about climate change enough to cycle their way through a foreign land.

We arrive at COP-15 on Saturday and join with thousands of others from Christian Aid all calling for Climate Justice. Blike will be riding in on a Focus Corrente Courier bike – new for 2010 – and so far this machine has eaten up the miles.

With a camera, a laptop and all of Blike’s clothes stuffed in to the panniers the bike is still light, comfortable and cruises up inclines with ease.

Blike’s not alone on this trip and riding the new Focus Hybrid is Ben. After two days and 110 miles of cycling, Ben’s remembering why he should have done some training before taking on the ride.

The deep pain in his groin is a constant reminder that he hasn’t ridden a bike since he was 17. He’s 25 now. He’s been lucky, the bike he has is top quality and the flat terrain of Denmark is proving no problem. It’s just his sore arse that is causing the trouble.

The Christian Aid cyclists don’t know if their efforts will make any difference, but they’ve had a bloody good time getting here so far and nearly raised £50 grand in the process. Help them out if you want by clicking here.

Or, if you want to follow the group’s twitter just click here

Wiggle kindly lent Blike the Focus bike’s and dhb cycling gear for the trip to Copenhagen

With Christmas only 10 days away, this week’s dhb Tuesday takes on a special festive theme. Here at Wiggle Towers, the elves are working overtime to make sure everyone’s stockings are packed with Wiggle goodies come Christmas morning. We have a great working relationship with the big man himself and just last week were privileged to meet up with Santa. Over a glass of sherry and a mince pie, he even let us into a few secrets, including the most sought after dhb gear on your Christmas lists. Here it is…

1. Everyone seems to be going mad for the ever-popular dhb Merston Padded Bib Tights 2010 The award-winning bestsellers were a real hit in 2009 and it seems the 2010 version are going down a storm too. At £39.99, it’s not hard to see why!

2. The dhb Amberley Waterproof Cycling Jacket always scores big in product tests – and it’s doing the same on your Christmas lists. Popular with competitive cyclists and commuters alike, for £54.99 it’s an absolute bargain. It was featured in The Independent’s “10 best bike buys” last week.

3. Also from the Amberley range, the waterproof overshoes are must-have items in this wet, wintry weather and you’re all after them this Christmas to stop Jack Frost nipping at your toes.

4. The dhb Ladies Rogate Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey is a smart and stylish top which plenty of you ladies are hoping Santa will bring you on his sleigh.

5. The dhb Finchdean Windproof Jersey is flying out of our warehouse at an astonishing rate. Santa’s Little Helpers are having to take on more SiS Smart Gels just to keep up!

So that’s the top five, but don’t forget our two new 2010 jackets which have just come into stock: the dhb Droxford Waterproof Jacket

And the ultra trendy dhb Southsea Jacket

Happy Christmas and happy shopping!

The Wiggle Team

A few weeks ago Daily Mirror journalists Kieron & Greg were equipped with some Focus cycles and some dhb cycling kit to assist them with their challenge to ride from London to Copenhagen with riders from Christian Aid to attend the UN Climate Conference.

Below is the first of many updates they will be posting via the Mirror’s Cycling Blog

There’s a really important meeting taking place in Copenhagen next week, and apparently it’s going to decide whether we turn the world into something resembling Mad Max or save the planet like Bruce Willis in Armageddon.

The UN Climate Conference is a big deal. So, donning our journalistic helmets, we’ll be cycling from Stanstead to Copenhagen along with riders from Christian Aid.

Our good friends at Wiggle.co.uk have given us some tasty new Focus bikes to test out along the way as well. (Focus Corrente Courier 2010 and Focus Crater Lake Hybrid 2010)

We’ll not be alone though, along the thousands of back-slapping politicians and lentil eating hippies there’s also going to be a lot of cyclists in Denmark making their voices and bells heard.

Saw this article on Cycling Weekly and noticed Alain Baxter is wearing the highly acclaimed dhb R1 Road Shoe.

Former Olympic skier Alain Baxter made his delayed track racing debut, after having to miss the British national championships due to illness. Baxter contested the 200 metre sprint, clocking a time of 11.6 seconds to give him eighth place behind winner Matt Crampton with 10.31.

“Well for me as you know it’s the first time in competition with a real crowd and a proper set up but I’m only doing the flying 200 but as long as I can get a time posted and see where I’m standing against these guys, is all I need to know really,”

Baxter said after his ride.

Two events remain on the 2009/10 Revolution calendar at Manchester velodrome, on January 16 and February 27.

Full results and more information on the Revolution track series can be found at www.cyclingrevolution.com.

Alain Baxter made his competitive track debut at Revolution on Saturday

View the dhb R1 Road Shoe

The rain has hardly stopped here @ Wiggle Towers so we’re continuing with our waterproof-themed dhb Tuesdays. This week, it’s time to delve into the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Trousers…

dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Trousers

If you’re keen to finish your ride in the same dry-as-a-bone condition in which you started it, you’d best be pulling on a pair of these hardy trousers. They fit superbly and are 100 per cent waterproof with fully taped seams which work brilliantly at keeping the rain out. Because they’re made from the highly breathable eVent fabric, you won’t sweat yourself silly while wearing them either.

All gear in the Wickham range is unashamedly performance-orientated, so it’s no surprise to see these trousers are designed for optimum comfort when riding. They’re toughened in the seat area and have a stretch fabric in the knee, thigh and rear panels as well as a higher back panel to help protect your liver and kidneys from the elements.

Intelligently designed features such as reversed zippers on the ankles and storm flap protection panels allow you to make adjustments to find the optimum fit – and this is something which proves popular with commuters and product testers time and again.

At £89.99, they’re definitely a worthy investment for anyone who regularly faces riding in the rain. Try ‘em – we guarantee you’ll be neither disappointed nor soggy.

View the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Trousers

Reviewed: 27 November 2009 by David Arthur RCUK

+ Comfortable, great fit, knee panel, chamois.
- Ankle zipper perhaps unnecessary.

Wiggle’s in-house clothing brand dhb has earned a reputation for being well priced over the years. For 2010 its new Finchdean bib tights aim to take things upmarket a little, with a higher price tag allowing for some fancier materials and a posher pad to be used.

They’re made from a Thermo-stretch wind resistant fabric which is soft as you like next to your skin, with a double layer Windtex panel over the front off the knees to keep the joints further protected from the cold. The bib straps and back are lined with a fleecy type material too, and it all goes to making them incredibly comfortable and warm on even the coldest days. They’re rated for temperatures between -2°C and +10°C, a fact which seems about right in testing, though I can’t vouch for their sub zero performance, yet…

Fit around the legs and torso is good, with multiple panels around the legs and the large panel over the knees giving enough freedom when pedaling and avoiding any bunching or pulling of the material. Ankle zippers help pulling them on, though I found I could slip my legs through without having to unzip them first. But some may need to open the zips first so they are a nice addition to have. Above the waist there’s a short zipper which makes getting into and out of the tights a cinch (and also helps with toilet stops as well!) with a large flap of material behind the zipper and a protective flap for the puller.

It’s easy to see where some of that extra money has gone when you look inside. A dazzlingly bright yellow Cytec Endurance 2 X-Tract anti-bacterial pad is an immediate improvement over the regular dhb Merston chamois, with a comfort level more suitable for long distance rides.
Verdict

Are they worth the extra £35 over the Merston bib tights? Yes, they’re just that little bit nicer and more comfortable

www.wiggle.co.uk/m/cycle/7/dhb

Score breakdown

Performance 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value 5/5

Continuing our waterproof theme from last week, today’s dhb Tuesday looks at the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Shorts.

dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Shorts

If you’re after a sturdy, versatile pair of shorts which can be used in the saddle as well as off it, then these Wickham eVent shorts are just the job. Made from the popular eVent fabric, which as well as being 100 per cent waterproof is also extremely lightweight and breathable, these shorts have a robust, durable look and feel.

Although waterproof shorts might seem like a strange concept to some, commuters, mountain bikers and recreational riders alike all tell us they love these shorts. They are usually worn with Lycra bike shorts or tights underneath and do a superb job of keeping your butt dry.

The toughened panel in the seat area means you can spend hours in the saddle without the material so much as flinching. They have been designed to fit perfectly on the bike with a stretch fabric in the back of the leg and on the upper rear panel to allow unrestricted movement while riding. Be warned: sizes come up quite small.

For £69.99, these shorts offer top performance and value and are a great investment if you’re planning on spending plenty of time in the saddle this winter.

View the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Shorts

Fed up of arriving at work with a soggy backside after yet another wet and windy commute? Get yourself a pair of dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers then. They’re on show in today’s dhb Tuesday review…

dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers

Commuting through the autumn and winter can be a grim task, which is where the dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers step in to help make life a little easier. Made from Nylon ripstop fabric with fully taped seams, they can be worn over bike shorts or tights to protect you from the worst weather imaginable.

The ripstop fabric has a tough, durable feel and works wonders at keeping the rain and wind out. However, it’s not the most breathable fabric, so if you like to up the pace on your daily commute, things could get a little sweaty. That said, plenty of thought has gone into these commuter-friendly trousers. They’re extremely lightweight and can be folded up into panniers with minimum fuss. The toughened seat panel and drawstring waist offer top comfort and the Velcro adjustable ankles are an excellent feature, ensuring material isn’t left to flap in your chain. This also means you’re spared the embarrassment of wearing those ridiculous neon bicycle clips around your ankles which so many commuters still insist on wearing – or worse still, pulling your socks up over your trousers. Please – just don’t!

Before ordering, bear in mind that these trousers tend to come up small on sizing so if in doubt be generous, especially as you’ll be wearing over shorts or trousers. For £39.99, the Amberley Waterproof Trousers are a commuter’s must-have and will enable you to arrive at your destination warm, dry and ready to work. Well, we can’t guarantee the latter – but two out of three ain’t bad…

View the dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers