Mice Review Date 80 Every Lidl Helps - Or does it?

 21 03 13. 10.34 miles, average speed 8.4, 16.8mph max in 1 hr 13 on the Brommie.

A trip across Clapham Common and onto the much heralded by some CS7,  I was shocked to see the size and depth of potholes.  

From time to time Lidl has a special offers day in its store.  Lidl may have started life in the late 1930s as a grocer in Germany but is now across Europe and has branched out into a whole range of other things including cycling gear - for both the cycle and the cyclist.

It is phenomenally cheap.  It may not be all particularly  well made but for the money it is definitely worth keeping an eye on.  

Today's offers in Lidl Brixton included mini pumps, track pumps, tool kits in saddle bags, rechargeable lights, handle bar grips. waterproof tops, cycling tops and shoes - all of which I left behind - only because I didn't really, really need them - otherwise I would have bought the lot (apart from the socks and shoes because I like to treat my feet well).  

The thing about the shoes for me is that they were neither one thing nor the other. With cleats they would be impossible to walk in and without cleats I can find better footwear.  Like the shoes, the  socks were too high in nylon content for me and I worried they wouldn't fit and worse - would smell! 

Again the same problem with the gloves (the fitting not the smelling!)  But that's just me.  For the money there is little to lose if they go wrong. I am already regretting not buying the lights.

 

A pair of leggings for £3.99 is about as cheap as it gets.  They are quite thin and I suspect they may not last too long.  They are going to lose their shape fairly quickly and may also be see through...! (Something for me to check!)   I think I might save £3.99 next time and buy a sandwich and a mineral water instead!

 

The cycling shorts are also thin but might be ok in the summer.  The real problem with cheap cycling shorts is the shape and design of the padding.  I will wear them and see how long they last but probably not on a long ride until I have worn them in.  When I spend the extra on more specialist brands like Castelli, there is never an issue in wearing things in, they just seem to work first time.  The price however is a whole different ball game.

The gilet I bought two years ago - I'm not sure there was one for females.  It doesn't fit perfectly but for £9.99 why would it and also the pocket zip didn't last, it sticks, which is rather irritating.  Despite that I really like the gilet as it's a great small item to have on a day ride that, accompanied by armwarmers, can really help find the right temperature for the day.

 The glasses I really like the look of - if I wore contact lenses I would definitely have bought a pair.  Sadly I  need prescription glasses so for serious cycle rides have a pair of all singing, all dancing - wrapping - varifocals that also have reactolite lenses.  This means that whilst cycling at 35mph down a hill I can see pot holes in front of me at the same time as road signs ahead of me all whilst avoiding being blinded by the sun or by the tears caused by the wind in my eyes. I highly recommend  Obtilabs in Croydon.  They can even provide their glasses by post.

Back to Lidl.  I have heard from friends that each Lidl is different in terms of stock items so I left the Brixton one and headed for the Clapham Branch as a comparison.  They had the same stock but they also had a basket for the front of the hybrid. £9.99.  Too good to leave behind.  (Once I have worked out how to fix it to the handle bars I will take a pic!)

These Offer Days are normally on a Thursday (I think), they don't happen that often but are advertised on their website at quite short notice.  A great deal of my cycling friends take advantage of these deals and for good reason. 

Happy Shopping!