Lidl cycling gear!

Despite possessing shapely feet, neither too large nor too small and without unsightly lumps, I go through socks at a surprising and expensive rate. The Lidl sock drawer is therefore my second home, they are always wonderful value and I buy them by the dozen.

(Can anyone explain why the white variety lasts only half the life of the black?)

Good news folks - I went and checked out some of the stuff so you don't have to (unless you really want to, of course)

The bib tights are pretty much as expected. They're warm enough if not particularly breathable. The pad isn't too wide, but it's on the thinner end of the scale, so fine for an hour or two in the saddle but I wouldn't use them for much more. The straps are mesh and wide enough so they're comfortable over the shoulder. Otherwise my only real criticism is they're a bit on the baggy side around the calves/ankles so I can see them twisting a bit while on a ride. Still, £9.99 is a decent price for a spare set for winter commuting - and for that they'll do the job just fine.

Otherwise I picked up the winter gloves for £3.99 which come in a good range of sizes, but every pair I tried on had massive thumbs which I can imagine being annoying. I still grabbed a pair anyway for colder days. I picked up a couple of pairs of the socks at £2.99 as well, which are fine and a but of a no-brainer at that price.

The rest of the gear I wouldn't bother with. The tops and gilets (not advertised on the site looked sweaty and not particularly sturdy construction. The accessories (brick sized LED lights, horrible helmets, huge saddles etc) I wouldn't touch with a bargepole. They've got cheap pulleys to hang your bike up in the garage if you need that sort of thing. The track pumps look fine - but all shrinkwrapped to the nth degree so I couldn't give them a close inspection.

I have an Aldi track pump which has given excellent service for the past 2 years.

Good point. Less cycling, more cake.

Bib tights at £9.99 looks like a decent deal for commuting spares

Lidl cycling gear on sale again on Monday 25th August. Comparing the UK/NI/ROI websites it looks like there are shoes on sale in Ireland, north and south but not in mainland UK.

I picked up a few of the Aldi bits and pieces the last time around and the quality has gone downhill since the the previous run. The best thing I picked up was a cheap multitool which has actually served me well - and the gloves and socks were ok so I grabbed some of those. Otherwise, the clothing was pretty rubbish. You're better heading to Decathlon and getting the B Twin stuff which is much better quality and not much more expensive.

One thing I wish I hadn't missed was the Aldi merino tops last winter. They were great value. Sadly I think that was the last of the decent stuff.

I have several bits of kit from both Aldi and Lidl. I have the Lidl work-stand (about 3 years ago) and toolkit (4 years). Both are well worth looking at. The Aldi work-stand looks to be very similar and same price (£30). The toolkit is of decent quality but some bits like the spoke key, chain tool are very basic and you'll need to upgrade. I am using it as a starting point for building up my bike tools. I find that the Aldi clothing is slightly better quality than Lidl but both are worth a punt especially the mitts, at the price they sell them, buy a new pair every time they have them on offer .

Just picked up a work stand and it's absolutely SOLID. Can hold the bike horizontally or at 45 degree angle. Comes with additional front wheel brace. Base is huge for extra stability

Multitool looked pretty good too. It has a chain tool which is an added bonus. Also some giblets in there plus socks. I've had the socks before. Again no complaints.

I have had one of those stands From Lidel for about a year best 26 Euros I have ever spent. Only thing I found was that the whole clamp head could come off the arm. Just drilled a hole through the lot an used a nut and bolt no problems since.

Just had a look at the stand in the link and they seem to have done the same as I did with the clamp head.

My review of today's pickings: http://gateauvelo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/one-day-only.html

Well, I popped over to Lidl this morning, picked up the stand and I'm looking at it now. Thanks for the endorsements from those who bought one previously, I'm happy so far.

Work stand is great, I picked up a toolkit that included a chain whip, cassette tool etc for next to nothing. Very pleased.

I've got the stand too; it's good. Very solid, though the clamp could be a little better.

Plus a chain cleaner for less than £4...including solution.

The Lidl work stands are all right, I bought one a couple of years ago and it is still going strong. Might just go and get myself a spare one at that price. Anyone know if the lights are okay?

A replacement D-lock would be handy. Ta

Lidl cycling offers are on again from tomorrow (3rd April), and there's actually something I might take a look at.

They have a workstand listed for £30, and if it can hold a bike up in the air without falling over, that's pretty much all I need. Unfortunately the picture on their website don't show the legs.

Oh, they also have a cable lock for £2.49 if anyone is interested

A couple of years ago I went into lidl for some cheese and came out with a track pump ... it still works fine and reaches over 100psi ( the track pump, not the cheese ).

Have found that the Aldi kit is a bit better than the Lidl. Though on saying that. It feels like both aim at the weekly, cycle round the park leisure cyclist. If using on a daily basis for big miles the stuff just doesn't last. And is literally a season only purchase. Their socks are sound though, as are the base layers

Nothing in that little lot looks tempting at all. You might as well go to Tesco / Sports Direct / the Range and buy their cheapo kit.

Aldi stuff is actually half decent... my 'winter' softshell (£15) has paid for itself many times over.