winter bike clothing

cgres123

I usually stay inside on the trainer in my OS but this year once a week I will brave the NE temps and ride outside.

Albeit once a week, I'm going to buy some better wether bibs and I was looking at Cold Front ( Bellwether ) as well as a cap and gloves.

Any suggestions in the Haus on gear?

Thx, D

Al Truscott

From 97-'10 I bike commuted year round in Pac NW weather...rainy, cool, windy, 10-12 miles one way, 40-50 minutes. Thoughts:

1. Mantra: No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.
2. Head... For temps <45F, a poly or silk balaclava; alternative is thin beanie.
3. Body ... Layers, using bike specific clothing. Topped by "podium jacket", maybe a vest, long sleeved bike shirt or short with arm warmers, underneath a skin tight poly underlayer. < about 35, a fleece pullover replaces the podium jacket, topped by vest for wind. A thin nylon jacket is also a great tool, as it can be removed and carried easily, will breathe. Loose fitting stuff is an irritant ...noisy, flapping, not aero.
4. Hands ... Fleece gloves with pull out 4finger mitten shield http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/03/08/stuff-fatty-loves-pearl-izumi-convertible-glove-mitten/ or thin full finger gloves for 45-50F
5. Bib shorts or even a tri suit to help upper body layering
6. Leg warmers, or below 38F, Bellwether pants with zip ankles, nylon fronts.
7. Feet...there are many variations on shoe covers. I used three: toe covers <50, thin ankle high for <40, neoprene for real cold or wet.

I won't go into the advanced topics of ice, snow, or rain...only for madochists.

Remember, if you work the least bit hard, and are over dressed, you'll sweat. Then, when you ease off, you'll chill as it evaporates. Better to start off feeling too cold the first ten minutes, and be prepared to remove layers as needed and store in back pockets.

Dino Sarti

I do a thermal base layer (craft), cycling jersey, arm warmers, a vest and in really tight spots a light jacket over the top. For the bottoms consider fleece long legged bibs. So comfortable. They are like jammies.

Al is right about layers. you can then mix and match, remove and add as the day wears on.....

Woody Freese

For the money, Bellwether gear is difficult to beat! I used their "Aqua-No" line for quite some time - pants and jacket - for cycling, running and XC skiing. I am a HUGE fan of Pearl Izumi clothing - the AM-FIB bib tights are really nice for colder temps. Craft makes outstanding base layers - a bit pricey, but well worth it. Lobster gloves are a must have in colder temps - where your index & middle finger are in one channel, your ring finger and pinky are in a second channel. They are warm and still provide the dexterity for road or mountain bike shifting. Smartwool made very thin, but incredibly warm hats and a balaclava that easily fit under a helmet. Smartwool socks are a must. If you are going to ride outside regularly, you may want to consider shoes that are a bit larger (for thicker socks) and Pearl Izumi AM-FIB shoe covers.

Remember to have blinking lights in the seat post - Nite Rider is an old favorite of mine for a helmet or handlebar mount light.

Al is correct: No such thing as bad weather... just bad clothing!

cgres123

Thx all, this is an awesome place here in EN. Amazing.. post a question and get some very good answers.

I'm liking the Bellwether, lobster claw or mitten very good ideas as I have a pair of mittens for running when it gets really cold out and they have drops of water in them after a long run very warm.

Smart wool ... man you can drop some dough on socks?

Brad Marcus

For me, I especially focus on the hands and feet. That's where I tend to have the issues, even after my core warms up. On a temps <35-40 I put hand warmers inside my gloves - they can always be removed if you get too warm. For my feet, I'm big on the neoprene booties. I find that if my toes and fingers get frozen (with me it doesn't take too much compared to others), my ride becomes miserable pretty quickly. <br />
As mentioned above Al, Dino and Woody, layers are the key...I especially like clothes that can be removed and stashed if possible.

Woody Freese

True - Smartwool socks are pricey - BUT, I have SW socks that are 10 years old that are as good as the day I bought them. IMHO > This company is a perfect example of getting what you pay for -

MattAaronson

I bike-commute to work in Chicago year round and have plenty of recommendations on gear.

HOWEVER...that is for commuting and not a workout. Honestly, I wouldn't do outdoor workouts in sub-40 temps and/or with any snow/ice/salt/etc on the ground. Not worth it IMO.

Keith Wick

I've done a few commutes this year in 40 degree weather. Either a vest with arm warmers or I also have a nice, light fleece cycling jersey which is awesome. Full finger gloves, but I don't go with my big winter riding gloves unless its really cold. Leg warmers were fine, but I also have a light fleece pair of knicker bibs. I hate cold feet, so I'm a booty guy always....yeah!!!

scott dinhofer

I have 2 pairs of winter bibs and tights if anyone wants them just for the cost of shipping, barely used, one is a Adidas bib, XL w pad,
other is a perlzumi (I think) tights, not pad size L.

bkcomiskey

I can't say enough about the awesomeness of the DeSoto Polypro Thermal Hooded Jersey. The hood fits perfectly under your cycling helmet and seals out any wind on your ears. I have three of them and use them for every run or ride when temp is below 50 degrees. On the bike , I use the Gore Phantom SO Jacket over the Polypro.

Gloves: Mizuno Breath Thermo (old version) with a wind proof glove over it.
Shoes: Gore Overshoes
Tights: Mizuno Breath Thermo over tri shorts

http://www.desotosport.com/product/PZ1