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Cold weather riding gear

JClisheJClishe
in General Training Discussions

I'm starting my OS next week and want to ride outside as long as possible before there's snow on the ground (I live in Cincinnati). I come from a running background so I have plenty of cold weather upper-body clothes, but the thermal sweat pants that I wear running are probably too baggy around the anles to wear riding. Any tips for gear to keep my legs warm, down to about 20 degrees or so? Once it hits sub-20, Jason will hit the pain cave image

Jason

Comments

  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    ALways a good resource: bicycling.com/whattowear
  • s7334s7334

    Jason - I find that thick running tights (any manufacturer) work well over a pair of cycling shorts.  I've ridden while it's snowing and my legs are never the cold part of me.  Although I've never tried cycling bibs with legs perhaps someone else has and can weigh in.

    The parts that freeze on me the most are my hands (good thick gloves), my feet (booties to cover your shoes) and a face mask (similar to running).  I've never been sub 10 degrees but have found these are sufficient when I'm outside in the cold.

    Hope this helps and perhaps someone else will weigh in...good luck

    Steve

  • Keith WickKeith Wick
    here's what I look at when trying to figure out what to wear:

    http://www.civiacycles.com/whattowear/
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Jason,

    I don't ride the tri bike outside in bad conditions but road a mountain bike year round for many years in Canada.  As long as the layers don't cause chafing it's fine and I can pretty much wear anything for less than an hour.  Sorry I don't have any really good gear suggestions as I'll wear jeans and a couple running layers with a wind break.

    The trick  is to have something to break the wind on top.  I find that my feet are the biggest challenge after about a 1/2 hour in the cold. 

    The issues with bagging closes in correct especially on the chainring side.  You can buy velco straps to hold the pants or layers down to help alleviate this problem. 

    Finally your head can also be an issues when you have to get the helmet on. 

    I know that you want to ride outside but switching from outside to a trainer typically causes you to have to retest your FTP.  Most people have enough of a difference between the outdoor and indoor FTP that you won't be able to hit the tagets inside.  Just a note that you may have to retest  the FTP when you come inside.

    Gordon 

  • NortonNorton
    Legs? The SportHill SP3 pants/tights over any tights gets me comfortably down to 20 degrees.

    Feet? I just this fall purchased the Lake CX302 shoe/boot; I don't know why I waited as this is the answer to my winter cycling prayers.

    Overall? Any Assos winter gear, while stupid expensive, hands down works.

    Hands? The Craft winter gloves do it, again down to 20 or so.
  • Steve WestSteve West
    X2 on the Sporthill stuff.

    I have several pants and tops I use for running and xc skiining that are awesome. I can't say enough about the 3SP fabric - claims to be windproof to 35 mph and really seems to live up to the hype. The other fabric is Swift - not quite as wind proof but great for the not as cold days or over long johns.
  • DCorsoDCorso

     I were knicker bibs to around 30 degrees then it's time for the full length bibs.  Bibs are a must in order to keep the lower part of your back warm and dry.  Shorts/tights combo just doesn't cut it when it really gets cold.  

    I were a wool sweater over a long sleeve base layer down to around 30 degrees too. If it gets colder, windy or wet I break out my Gore soft shell.  

     

     

  • Steve WestSteve West
    @ David - if I dressed like that I'd be a popsicle stick in less than 15 minutes! I really need to layer up with a thermal something....
  • Chris GChris G

     Not sure that I would take any cold weather riding advice from Dave Corso, while what he wrote there seems reasonable enough, riding all winter, IMO is not 

  • J.T. ThompsonJ.T. Thompson
    Check out Colorado Cycling or World Cycling Production (www.worldcycling.com).....a couple of good catalogues with a bunch of cold weather gear....
  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer
    i recently got a great castelli jacket at www.theclymb.com, though you have to wait for what you want to come up, another good site for stuff is sierra trading post. sign up for specials and you get a good discount coupon in the email most every day. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/181_Mens-Bike-Shorts-and-Bibs-and-Tights.html
  • jamison.gaddyjamison.gaddy
    My "A" race is 2 weeks around the corner. The prior heat wave has been great training as "REDMAN" as it is usually hot. However, it has been a little chilly. Rumors of Temp below 40 here in Missouri. I've ridden several time in the cold with heavy appropriate clothing, but I have not had to deal with any chilly/cold conditions while racing. I don't have a team jersey, but I will be in a typical tri top. I've got zoot arm coolers which help reduce the sting of cool air. Does anyone have any success stories of something that has worked well for them? I've come across De Soto: Cool Wings which might work. The well will likely be very hot, but I've prepared for everything else, I would hate to overlook this. Thanks
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I use running tights when cycling in cold weather. I'll commute on my bike down to about 20 degrees F...at that point I am wearing a windproof balaclava and goggles PLUS a hat and windproof gloves. My legs are the least of my worries.

    In terms of training, I don't train outdoors on the bike below 40 degrees F. I find that the training value gets compromised once staying warm begins to become such a priority. At that point it is pain cave time for me.
  • Beth_SBeth_S
    Posted By Jamison Gaddy on 14 Sep 2011 10:15 PM

    My "A" race is 2 weeks around the corner. The prior heat wave has been great training as "REDMAN" as it is usually hot. However, it has been a little chilly. Rumors of Temp below 40 here in Missouri. I've ridden several time in the cold with heavy appropriate clothing, but I have not had to deal with any chilly/cold conditions while racing. I don't have a team jersey, but I will be in a typical tri top. I've got zoot arm coolers which help reduce the sting of cool air. Does anyone have any success stories of something that has worked well for them? I've come across De Soto: Cool Wings which might work. The well will likely be very hot, but I've prepared for everything else, I would hate to overlook this. Thanks

     

    Oh, that's tough. If the air temp is forty and you are wearing a tri kit, I'm thinking real arm warmers/beanie/jacket to throw on for the bike -- anything you can fit in your kit pockets if the day gets warmer. 40 degrees might even be booties or toe covers.

    I did do one race with a good base layer underneath my tri top.

     

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Below 40 for an Iron distance race? Is that gonna be the temp for the whole day or will the temps rise? If that's gonna be the "high" for the whole day, I'd go with a base layer and the singlet, smartwool socks or toe covers, long finger gloves, and a beanie. If there is likely to be wind too I'd also add a wind vest to that setup.
  • jamison.gaddyjamison.gaddy
    I’ve got a great pair of leg warmers that I can put on and remove fairly quickly and comfortably but most importantly have worn confidently on several training rides. I was thinking of wearing one of my more form fitting NIKE dry fit shirts over my jersey and arm warmers and if needed ground it at an aid station as the temperature warms.

    Just looking for additional ideas to avoid having to wear some potential large loose clothing and becoming “that guy” on a very aero bike and disc wheel whose wearing a parachute.
  • jamison.gaddyjamison.gaddy
    It looks like historically the race has been warm. There has just been a rather long cold front which has been causing the temperatures to drop. This should be great for those of us looking forward to wearing our wetsuit...despite the lower water levels. The inconvenience I believe will be limited to T1 + and an hour or so on the bike. Otherwise we'll likely just not have to race in the crazy heat which will be great change.

  • DavidGHarrisDavidGHarris

    Jamison,

    I'm here in OKC . . . it won't get out of the 50s today, but the 10 day forecast shows a high of 88/low of 65 for the day of Redman.  Looks much warmer all that week, slightly above average highs and lows.

  • jamison.gaddyjamison.gaddy

    That is almost too much to ask for.  That is great.  Thanks

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