LexRides

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

Thought it might be fun to get some responses on how folks here prepare for riding in sub-freezing temps and icy/snowy road conditions. Feel free to share your methods, gear, etc.

Personally, I used to layer tons of clothing on when it got this cold, but the more I rode the more I hated the feeling of being restricted by all those thick layers - plus, I always got really hot and sweaty by the time I got to where I was going. Now, I prefer thinner layers with more wind protection.

• base layer (lower and upper) - either wool or something equivalent to Patagonia's Capilene under wear.

• long-sleeve thermal shirt

• a variety of gear made of Windstopper material (jacket, balaclava, shoe liners over my socks, gloves). I've tried to invest in one good article of winter bike clothing each year for the past few years. The stuff can get pricey, but I find it's worth it if you're going to ride a lot.

• polarized sunglasses to brighten things up (makes a difference when everything is in shades of gray!)

• bike: fenders pretty much stay on all winter, and I'll either ride my fixed gear or whatever bike has the knobbiest tires on it.

• maintenence: I just make sure I wipe down my chain and that there's not any impacted slush in my drivetrain

Here's a good reference site that I've found for some good winter riding tips and other useful info:
http://bikewinter.org/tipsAndResources/ginstips.php
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politicalhero · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:53 am Post subject:

Good post.

Here is my work/commuter usual getup because it makes me comfortable while on the bike and at work with having to deal with "technical" and "street" clothes.

Base layer (either capilene or union suit)
Main layer cahart pants, top is usually a wool layer or just a t-shirt depending on how cold it is.
Jacket is a windproof fleece, sometimes down vest
Helmet with ear covers and/or OR helmet liner
Gloves Descente wombat
Feet Smartwools
Polarized glasses (always)

Other additions include mask when the beard wont cut it, neck warmer, clear glasses for night/morning, plastic layer (rain jacket, etc)

rocknroll · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:35 pm Post subject:

2 pair pants ( jeans and camo )
1 long sleeve shirt
1 short sleeve shirt
cheap carhart bibs
1 hoodie
1 jacket ( leather or cheap carhart with hood )

elzie5000 · cutter Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 1177

underpants (men's)
t-shirt*
wool long johns*
long sleeve t*
army pants*
wool socks*
fleece pullover
leather jacket
hat w/ear flaps
neck gaitor
neoprene face mask
ski gloves

*alternating layers overlapped

jdbaum3 · hipster Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 132

mountain biking the past few days:
windproof cycling jacket
wool short sleeve jersey
baselayer
heavy windbreaking tights
shorts
booties
endura skullcap under helmet
corazzo motorcycle gloves

back when I used to commute in the winter in ND:
long underwear top & bottom
jeans
snowpants
snow boots
hoody
ski jacket
thin gloves
snowboarding gloves
ski mask
snowboarding goggles (awesome when there is heavy blowing snow)
that got me down to about -50 windchill (not counting riding speed)

robert brandon · training wheels Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 42

I love riding in the winter!

Baselayer: I 've found that Calpeline lasts 2 seasons, but Mountain Hardware lasts 4 seasons. I like the silk weight that I can wear all day long, and Duofold wool when it gets single digits.

Socks: Woolrich 40 degrees below, I keep Sealskins waterproof in the pack in case it rains. I have Adidas touring shoes one size larger for the thick socks, and OR mini gaitors to go over the tops of the shoes.

Midlayer: Workshirt then fleece on top, workpants on bottom.

Outerlayer: Northface waterproof, windproof zip leg pants (takes 4.5 seconds to take off when I get to work), and a Verve waterproof, windproof softshell cycling jacket.

Head: Pearl Izumi baklava, Northface fleecelined waterproof hat with bill and earflaps under the helmet, Bell Metro with winterkit. If it gets in the single digits, I wear Scott ski goggles so my glasses don't fuse to my temples ala icecream headache.

Gloves: Pearl Izumi Lobster Claws.

Although everthing is waterproof, I still use a Carradice waxed cotton raincape for anything other than a sprinkle. It's nice pulling in to work, taking the rain cape off, and having your torso, legs, arms, hands, pack and bike completely dry. Roll it up and put it in your pack when not raining.

Bike: 1973 Raleigh Supercourse, 42 x 17 fixed with room for fenders and 37c Conti Top Touring Tires.

Thanks for reading my geekout!

robert brandon
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politicalhero · Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:46 am Post subject:

For those that know me real well know that I am attached as hell to my 1996 blue Capilene shirts. I still wear the hell out of it but it is now vented version 2.0!

I agree with Robert that it only has about a two year lifespan in the seat but the upper layers last a long time.

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iridetoobs · Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:10 am Post subject:

I'm gunna make that the wall paper on my iPhone.

elzie5000 · cutter Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 1177

Forwarding to BearLovers.org.

mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

I agree with brian I hate feeling uncomfortable from a lot of think clothes. The smartwool long underwear is nice and thin and super warm so that goes top and bottom. Then I just put on work clothes over that, hooded sweatshirt, scarf, smartwool hat, windbreaker and some pearl izumi gloves and I am out the door. Sock oh forgot I really like smartwool socks as well with the long underwear tucked into them. I think next years investment will be some face protection. that is really the only part of me getting cold. But then again my morning commute is only about 15 minutes.
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brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I haven't tried a lot of different wool brands (because honestly, all of it is pricey), but I am totally pleased with what I have from both SmartWool (socks) and Ibex (top and bottom base). The Ibex stuff is merino wool and is super thin and soft... Mine has last me three seasons so far and is just now starting to get holes worn in the elbows - although not as badly as Tim's trusty Capilene.
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mattypichu · hipster Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 52 Location: bike shop

Patagonia makes me happy. Tim I've got that same blue capaline and it looks about the same with the holes and all. The weight just above the silk weight is awesome as is the mid weight. Tops with a zipper and high neck are the way to go as they have the most versatility and allow you to take them off or put them on with your helmet on. One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread that I usually start breaking out in November is my legwarmers. Not the cycling specific kind but an old pair that my Mom wore for aerobics in the 80's, super nice if you are of the rolled pantleg persuasion. I really like this kind of stuff and have lots of stuff that I don't use for varying reasons, if you are out there riding and are cold and broke PM me and let me know what you might need, I might have it and not want it any more.
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selfpropelled · townie Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 183 Location: local

Fun post. My office at work is often really warm so I have experimented with my gear in an effort to eliminate the capeline base layer. Here is what I have come up with:

Base (top and bottom): Work clothes=khakis and dress shirt

Shell (bottom): Camo wind/water proof army issue rain pants ($10 at surplus store)

Shell (top): Patagonia down jacket

Gloves: Burton Snowboarding mits, Gore Tex with pocket for handwarmer

Shoes: Dress shoes with over booties

Helmet: down to about 15 degrees I rock the Bell Metro with Winterizer and my sunglases. Below 15 I break out the snowboard helmet (Giro) with goggles.

Neoprene face mask.

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metro biking · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 4:26 pm Post subject: Winter Gear

My commuting uni...
Base layer is whatever cheapies I can find at TJ Maxx or Marshalls or a duo-fold layer - Christmas gift from my wife.
Shirt is a cheapie athletic rayon from TJ Maxx or Marshalls
LL Bean ragwool sweater
Waterproof Craft Hi-Viz cycling jacket
Duo fold long john pants.
Water proof commuter pant
Neoprene bootie covers.
Base layer full cycling gloves with cheapie winter gloves over that.
Patagonia microfleece beanie.
Bandana face cover for below 25 degrees
I change clothes at the office and keep black and brown shoes there w/ deo and baby powder.
Careful out there.
I note a lot of the potholes at corners around town fill with water that gets splashed out by cars and slickens/ices up making a lot of turns trickier.
See you on the road
MB
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Metro Biking

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

Just a head's up if you're looking for quality Winter riding gear:

J&H Outfitters on Moore Drive here in Lexington now carries a brand of Merino wool base layers clothing called "Minus 33", and they have it at a much cheaper price-point than other leading brands of wool base clothing, and even cheaper than Capilene. Tops and bottoms are $20 - $30 less than say, SmartWool. (For perspective, mid-weight SmartWool tops are around $75)

They have 3 different weights, and different styles / colors in men's and women's. Pretty nice stuff.
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