School me on wool...

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Michael

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Jan 23, 2014, 11:36:21 PM1/23/14
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These days, cycling specific wool garment prices are astronomical.

Goodwill has wool tops that are non cycling specific. Sometimes they have 100% Merino wool sweaters, like Gap, etc.

Itch-and -fine-ness-factors aside, will these do just as well layering to keep warm and dry in the winter, and the t-shirts in the summer to keep cool and dry?
Or does one have to use cycling specific wool to get the desired effects?


I did have an Ibex score at Goodwill last year. 3 bucks and change for an Ibex t-shirt!

Lyle Bogart

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Jan 23, 2014, 11:51:23 PM1/23/14
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Michael, I wear mostly wool when I'm riding (or running, or rowing, or whatever) and, no, the clothing does not need to be cycling specific. My wool cycling trousers are my wool rowing trousers. Wear what you will. . .  I recently cycled around the west of Ireland for a week and wore a regular wool t-shirt, sometimes a slightly heavier wool cycling specific top (an old Earth, Wind, and Rider top) and wool gaberdine trousers. I also had with me a medium weight wool sweater, wool gloves, and lightweight wool over the calf socks (from Chrome; they're wonderful). I was quite comfortable in all conditions and went from bike to cafe or pub without looking "like a cyclist", whatever that means :-)

Cheers!

lyle


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Matthew J

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Jan 24, 2014, 7:23:02 AM1/24/14
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Some of the specialty shop items are well made to be sure.  But non-cycle specific clothes will work very well.

Personal I suppose, but I like to verify the merino is Australian or U.S. sourced.  Saving a few bucks is not worth contributing to environmental mayhem in central Asia.


Ron Mc

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Jan 24, 2014, 7:41:32 AM1/24/14
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I'm pretty much covered in Merino wool - I've bought one blue MUSA short sleeve from Rivendell (and a lot of MUSA pants - I dig them), A blue long-sleeve Icebreaker200 I bought from sierratradingpost matched exactly the blue MUSA short sleeve except for the label and the color of the thread.  I'm layered head to toe in 3 weights of merino, in 3 lengths, and tops in 4 colors. (also wear them under my waders for coldwater fishing). 
I take full advantage of sierratradingpost coupons.  .  Every time I place an order with them for anything, I add merino footies or boot socks or Icebreaker 150 undies.  With wise use of sierratradingpost coupons, my best deal is $108 for two merino tops and two merino bottoms (for my daughter) with retail value of $350.  Other than the bright blue which matches my bike, I go for bright colors - red, yellow and  blaze orange to be visible on the road.  I've got a red merino tee with an RV graphic on it - SoK, the price was right, etc.  Same with kayak clothes - especially for my daughter - women's outdoor clothing is three times the price of men's.  

Ron Mc

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Jan 24, 2014, 7:46:55 AM1/24/14
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here's a 45% coupon code that expires today BMV62489 Get on their e-mail list and you'll get a couple of coupons every week.  

Deacon Patrick

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Jan 24, 2014, 9:10:02 AM1/24/14
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Wool is wool and so long as it's a cut and softness you are comfortable with it will work just fine on the bike whether or not it is bike specific. I don't own a bike specific piece of clothing anymore, but I wear wool year round (skivvies and t-shirt in summer, other layers as needed). Brilliant stuff. Add in a cotton shirt over a few layers of wool and you have a great, breathable cold weather wind protection system. I use that down to about 20˚F.

With abandon,
Patrick

Patrick Moore

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Jan 24, 2014, 10:45:24 AM1/24/14
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Wool is wool. If you find the same quality and density in a garment from Good will, and if it fits, there you go. For some years I rode mostly in nice merino tops from Goodwill and I was perfectly warm.

What you lose is the bike-specific things like pockets, long tails, zip up plackets, and crew necks.

I've been lucky. A couple of years ago I scored from a list seller half a dozen nice wool jerseys including a very nice Rivendell Wooly Warm ragg type cycling specific sweater, wool tights (too small), and two pairs of wool shorts for the amazing price of $120 shipped. Just a couple of months ago I scored two ls merino jerseys, new, quite well made of well woven merino, for $76 shipped. So if you look around you can find good deals on cycling specific wool.


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Cyclofiend Jim

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Jan 24, 2014, 11:31:49 AM1/24/14
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There was a very good article about wool grades, types and applications which was in at least one catalog - to the ARCHIVES!

Ok - attached herewith...

- Jim
RBW_catalog19_pg15_wool.jpg

Bruce Herbitter

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Jan 24, 2014, 11:46:29 AM1/24/14
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really? The wool made by elves under waterfalls of Rivendell is surely
better for cycling!!

One of my favorite merino tops was $7 on the Target clearance table. No
pockets in back, but a handlebar bag holds my sundries just fine.
Discount store wool is likely to be Chinese in origin though. Just FYI.
Ebay is a source for used goods at lower cost, and of course what list
members here advertise from time to time. Most modern washing machines
have a wool cycle which makes care easier.

On 1/24/2014 9:45 AM, Patrick Moore wrote:
> Wool is wool. I

James P

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Jan 24, 2014, 11:55:47 AM1/24/14
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The only piece I'd add to the posts provided here relates to wool care.

Once upon a time Woolite was the "go-to" detergent for wool - but somewhere along the line the formula was changed and the "new" version appears to be a lot more aggressive, which is good for cleaning grime, but significantly reduces the life-span of garments - particularly the thinner weight merino items.

Personally, I found "Kookaburra wash" to produce extremely good cleaning results, without damaging the wool. Cold wash on delicate cycle & dried flat keeps the items in shape.

Regards
Jim 

Shawn Granton

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Jan 24, 2014, 12:30:08 PM1/24/14
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I agree with what Ron Mc says. Sierra is a great place to get cheap Icebreaker wool garments. Though I'll note that the 45% off coupon is only on "select" items. If you sign up for DealFlyer or use something like RetailMeNot, you can find other coupons for them pretty easy. It's pretty standard for them to offer AT LEAST a 30% off coupon on anything, so you shouldn't settle for anything less with them.

I also picked up a bunch of Icebreaker during the semi-legendary "Friends and Family" Icebreaker warehouse sales that happened during the holidays here in Portland. Imagine a warehouse room with boxes and piles of Icebreaker going for as little as $5. Imagine hordes of people throwing said garments in the air as they dig through the boxes looking for a deal. I managed to score a couple "mountain bike" jerseys for like $5 a few years ago. Haven't seen them do a warehouse sale in a while, though.

-Shawn

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Brewster Fong

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Jan 24, 2014, 12:41:22 PM1/24/14
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On Thursday, January 23, 2014 8:36:21 PM UTC-8, Michael wrote:
These days, cycling specific wool garment prices are astronomical.

Goodwill has wool tops that are non cycling specific. Sometimes they have 100% Merino wool sweaters, like Gap, etc.

Itch-and -fine-ness-factors aside, will these do just as well layering to keep warm and dry in the winter, and the t-shirts in the summer to keep cool and dry?
Or does one have to use cycling specific wool to get the desired effects?
 
I agree with others that "wool is wool!"  For things like wool socks, I buy whatever has at least 60% or more merino wool content.  I do have a couple of pairs of woolie boolies, which are bicycle specific, but those just happened to be on sale.  However, for wool arm and leg warmers, I only buy bicycle specific ones from Kucharik. Made in the US of 100% merino wool (they also sell a blend), its not cheap, but very warm and comfortable.  Further, I find that it holds up well and doesn't slip.  Good Luck!

Ron Mc

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Jan 24, 2014, 1:11:09 PM1/24/14
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agree with Shawn - you have to check on the coupons - sometimes the 45% coupon won't apply to merino items (other times it will) - I check them occasionally and put them on my wish list.  But do check to see if the coupon code applies to the item.  Put it in your basket, add the coupon code and check the price again.  35% coupons usually apply to most things.  

Shawn Granton

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Jan 24, 2014, 3:11:43 PM1/24/14
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Here's one that just got posted for Sierra: 35% off one item, until 11:59 PM MST on Sat 1/25:
KWP86920
-Shawn

Mike Schiller

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Jan 24, 2014, 3:39:49 PM1/24/14
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The Icebreaker clothing is made in China, so no surprise it's offered at big discounts.  I prefer to buy US or NZ or Australia made items myself in keeping with the Rivendell vision. 

I like the Ibex jersey's and they have sales at the end of the season that make the prices a little more reasonable. Their wool knickers are fantastic too.   Ground Effect from New Zealand makes some good blended merino jerseys that do better in warmer weather.  

For a really lightweight top, the Smartwool Mircoweight tops are really nice. They are made in Vietnam.  This place has good deals on Smartwool   http://www.moontrail.com/home.php?cat=485

~mike


Shawn Granton

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Jan 24, 2014, 3:46:35 PM1/24/14
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Mike, true that Icebreaker is manufactured in China, but they do make sure that workers are treated fairly, well, they claim that they do:


No one actually looks at email signatures anymore, but here goes nothing:

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Liesl

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Jan 24, 2014, 5:00:38 PM1/24/14
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And don't forget old Pendleton shirts.  Beautiful myriad plaids, usa-made (at least the old ones), different weights and cuts, can be really cheap at thrift stores...and they can be modified by cutting sleeves to short-sleeved or sleeveless especilly of they're in rough shape and you don't care 'cause you got'em for 3 dollars at savers...great for cool weather riding and layering.

-another happy dyed-in-the-wool rivster

Patrick Moore

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Jan 24, 2014, 5:09:32 PM1/24/14
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On Fri, Jan 24, 2014 at 10:41 AM, Brewster Fong <bfd...@gmail.com> wrote:

 
I agree with others that "wool is wool!"  For things like wool socks, I buy whatever has at least 60% or more merino wool content.

FWIW, Costco sells or used to sell a 3-pack of fluffy wool socks for $15. Thick and warm, but squish down for shoes. I use them in boots, in household slippers, and in my cycling shoes.

 
  I do have a couple of pairs of woolie boolies,

I want some boolies!

 
However, for wool arm and leg warmers, I only buy bicycle specific ones from Kucharik. Made in the US of 100% merino wool (they also sell a blend), its not cheap, but very warm and comfortable.  Further, I find that it holds up well and doesn't slip.  Good Luck!

Ibex arm warmers are also very nice and non-slip -- I have a pair. I hope soon to try the Kuchariks, thanks to the sale of some by Anne of this list. (I buy small 'cause I like them tight, so that they fit under ls wool jerseys without too much binding. (Yes, my arms' musculature is sufficiently developed. Back off.)

Regarding arm warmers: They make short sleeve jerseys into ls jerseys! I swap back and forth between ls and ss, generally using ss as base layers, with or without arm warmers. I've got a larger pair of arm warmers that can go over the narrow ones, for that matter.

Lastly: thick wool socks are great. Add a pair of skinny, properly cut down pair of plastic bags of proper gauge over them as a thermal barrier and wind blocker.

Patrick Moore, who just did a 16 m errand ride in 2 jersey layers of wool with wool dicky, wool socks, part-wool Peru hat, and wool gloves by DeFeet, in mid-30s ABQ, NM.

Patrick Moore

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Jan 24, 2014, 5:13:09 PM1/24/14
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I found a couple of pristine Pendleton shirts at GW -- as new, if even used -- and really wanted to wear them riding, but found that they were a lot itchier and less accommodating of temperature change (and riding position) than wool knits. I passed them on to others who will get better use from them; one to my outdoorsy bro in law. One would go very well with that never used pair of Swiss or Swedish army pants of very thick wool that I've been hoarding for 10 years in the hope one day of actually finding a use for it.

That said, at least around here, Pendleton (and other brands') wool shirts turn up from time to time at our local GWs. They certainly look nice.


On Fri, Jan 24, 2014 at 3:00 PM, Liesl <li...@smm.org> wrote:
And don't forget old Pendleton shirts.  Beautiful myriad plaids, usa-made (at least the old ones), different weights and cuts, can be really cheap at thrift stores...and they can be modified by cutting sleeves to short-sleeved or sleeveless especilly of they're in rough shape and you don't care 'cause you got'em for 3 dollars at savers...great for cool weather riding and layering.

-another happy dyed-in-the-wool rivster

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Hugh Flynn

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Jan 25, 2014, 4:43:15 PM1/25/14
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Woolite is great - just not for washing wool :-). 

I've been using Johnson's Baby Shampoo to wash wool for years. It's gentle, smells great, and seems to do the trick. 

Hugh Flynn
Newburyport, MA


Ron Mc

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Jan 26, 2014, 8:39:18 AM1/26/14
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been buying Kookaburra in pints - just broke down and bought my first gallon

Deacon Patrick

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Jan 26, 2014, 10:22:03 AM1/26/14
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Charlie's Soap or Soap Nuts. Either works great.

With abandon,
Patrick

Michael

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Jan 26, 2014, 10:29:58 AM1/26/14
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Thanks for the coupon codes.
The 45%-ER only applied to 21% off the RedRam wool base layers. If the whole 45% worked, I woulda took the plunge!

I will keep an eye out for more deals.

Ron Mc

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Jan 26, 2014, 11:19:19 AM1/26/14
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try this one  EBX48077

Shawn Granton

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Jan 26, 2014, 12:01:00 PM1/26/14
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Speaking of wool washing...

I just picked up some Ecover Delicate Wash, which is rated for wool. I got it basically because I was interested in how it works and it's about half as much as Kookaburra. Seems to be working, but I've only done a few loads. It's lavender scented, though. I don't mind it, but the scent isn't as nice as Kookaburra, and reading a few reviews online the scent is the #1 thing people comment on.

I've also used Dr. Bronners too, though it's not recommended for modern front-loading high-efficiency washers.

Another thing: While I like Kookaburra and its pleasant scent, sometimes it's just a bit too gentle to get out strong odors, especially from things like socks and baselayers. I usually put a little baking soda in the load, and that takes care of that.

yours,
Shawn

hsmitham

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:07:52 AM1/27/14
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I have smart wool products and liked them initially, but have since found them to tear a bit too easily and I'm generally very gentle with wool garments. I love their socks though wear em all the time in any weather.

I like the Ibex garments but I think they're extremely expensive...I have two short sleeve shirts, arm and leg warmers. What I've found is I don't like wool bike specific clothing, I can't stand rear pockets to stash things that's why I have racks and bags for goodness sake. I love the MUSA SS t-shirts that Rivendell sells great price and quality, they work well either as a base or by them selves well above 80 degrees. Planning on picking up a wooly warm tweed sweater real soon.

Disclaimer: Since I live in the land of the furnace I have come to accept that wool only suits very narrow times here in SoCal so the others obviously will have better feed back on temps below 40 degrees. Now if ya want to talk about hot weather clothing!!

~Hugh "parched" Smitham

cyclotourist

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:13:11 AM1/27/14
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I wear wool shirts (t-shirt, jersey, polo) pretty much year round. When it's really hot (95F+) I like them while riding, but don't like them when not. Kinda' weird, I guess it's probably the lack of air movement and evaporation.

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal





Hugh Smitham

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:13:59 AM1/27/14
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Well your just freakish.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein


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cyclotourist

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:20:03 AM1/27/14
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I've been called worse.

Hugh Smitham

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:22:48 AM1/27/14
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Oh was Freakish a bad thing? It wasn't meant that way. Like in he had freakish stamina.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein


cyclotourist

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:38:36 AM1/27/14
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I didn't take it too badly.

Hugh Smitham

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:41:42 AM1/27/14
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I'm glad I don't want to be on the RSR restricted list.

Can you try making this? Or is Friday too difficult?

cyclotourist

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:43:24 AM1/27/14
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Pretty booked up :( Feb & March are crazy busy! Too bad as it looks like a good one!

Hugh Smitham

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Jan 27, 2014, 12:46:27 AM1/27/14
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No worries.

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