Looks-wise, they have the appearance of – and sit like – a classic pair of chinos, but to wear they feel totally different, much lighter and more comfortable with none of the bulk, plus they come with an added element of stretch to make them more suited to physical activity. The Vulpine Men's Omnia Cycling Jeans are comfortable on and off the bike, practical, and fit very well – in fact tester George found himself wearing them more than his regular jeans.

Comfort in these shorts comes from a 5-panel design and the Velocio Signature chamois. This has an anti-vibration, super-high-density layer. Use of recycled Italian compression Lycra helps reduce muscle fatigue during and after a ride. Pearl Izumi's Rove trousers are stretchy, comfortable and thoroughly unrestrictive in the saddle. They look smart and have some excellent hidden reflective elements, too. But despite some claimed weatherproofing, they're a bit lightweight for year-round riding. The Rapha Men’s Technical Trousers are an ideal solution to this more-common-than-you-think problem, and thankfully look the business off the bike as well.The beauty of thermal shorts lies in their versatility. You can wear these POC Road Thermal Bib Shorts in low temperatures with a pair of thermal leg warmers. Or, use them as regular shorts during warmer spells. Some can even work with your smartphone, should you wish. Other designs don’t have individual fingers, but adopt a ‘lobster claw’ approach, grouping fingers together for extra toastiness. On the bike, it's super noticeable how light they are, even when wet. Thanks to the DWR coating the fabric simply shrugs off water, stopping the shorts from ever getting soaked through. Honestly, they're just as comfortable at their wettest as when they're bone dry." Here, we’re bringing together all of the commuting buying guides that we currently have on Discerning Cyclist, so that you can gear up for your own ride with the freshest and most cycling-friendly clobber. Decent commuting shorts on a low budget are a realistic prospect, as the ARSUXEO Men’s Loose Fit MTB Shorts prove. They are made with a 4-way stretch fabric that doesn’t resist your movements on the bike.

Out of the pair, the front Lezyne Super Drive 1600XXL light is definitely the star of the show. With 1600 lumens of output, the beam quality of the Super Drive light is excellent, completely illuminating unlit roads. Thanks to the wide-angle pattern, I found that the Super Drive lit up everything in my peripheral vision, not just the direct road ahead, making me feel much safer riding in the dark. The front light has seven setting options, with the Femto option able to run for up to 148 hours, meaning I rarely found myself worrying about forgetting to charge it. When it comes to charging, the rear KTV light features a handy built-in USB which takes away the need for a charging wire which was a really handy feature – it would be great if this was carried out to the front Super Drive light too. He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history. One of the things that's enabled the boom in dual-purpose clothing is the development of some very clever fabrics. There are breathable, water-resistant fabrics that look and feel like cotton, for example, and stretchy cotton blends that repel water — very handy for trousers. You’ll also want some padding on the palms and possibly the thumb, to cushion yourself from jolts and improve comfort. It can be made from foam or gel inserts, and will make a big difference. Finally, look for some grip on the palms, index finger and thumb, particularly if you’re riding off-road. These Lezyne lights have a long battery life, offer great visibility and are both waterproof and durable, keeping you seen while riding in the dark.Freeze your fingers on a long ride once and you’ll never forget just how miserable it can make you. It’s dangerous, too, particularly on busy roads: you need your digits for braking, changing gear, ringing that bell and clinging on tight to the handlebars. Y’know, the important stuff.