[ramtaajogi]

first i have read the forums containnig the word WINTER, however, I am still left with problems on what to buy to ride in 30 degree F temperature. What do people who ride in these conditions wear. Are these thermal tights im seeing enough? Should I add arm and leg warmers to the mix? What would be your full wordrobe before riding in DRY 30 degree F temperatures. Many Many thanks for your help guys and please include brand names if possible.

--jayson

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[oaxacarider]

http://icebike.com/

[Lucky07]

Thermal tights should be enough, esp. once you start moving. I'd be more concerned with extremities: hands, feet & head. If it's bitter cold I'll wear a balaclava (sp?) heavy gloves and socks. I wear Shimano MTN shoes in the winter. Ankle high, thicker and warmer than my road shoes.

[Guest]

I have thermal tights, and I use my rain pants as a wind shell. For shoes, I have the shoe covers, but I also wear wool socks and nylon socks under the wool socks. For the upper body, I wear my jersey. Over that, I wear a long sleeved woolen or polyproplyene warmth layer, or I wear a fleece jacket. Over that, I wear a windbreaker gore tex jacket.

Koffee

[timmhaan]

get yourself a good base layer. something that won't retain sweat.

[HiYoSilver]

What do people who ride in these conditions wear. What would be your full wordrobe before riding in DRY 30 degree F temperatures. Many Many thanks for your help guys and please include brand names if possible.
--jayson

30F isn't hard to dress for. You can't serious mean the NE stays above 30F in winter.

Here's what worked for me at that temp last year:
windbreaker [illuminite jacket from performance]
black diamond ice climbing gloves [from mtn store]
fleece shell [almost any will do, get full zipper style in case get too hot]

If you want to ride down to 10..20F just add ski mask/baclava [rei/ski store] and goretex coveralls [lands end]

[Jim O]

here in central VT, a good set of thermal tights will do. You can always add leg warmers underneath if neccessary. Layer up top, thermal jersey, fleece layer and something to break the wind. Consider a helmet cover if a skull cap will not fit comfortably under your helmet. Carry a fleece neck gaitor for really cold conditions, although I find using a gaitor to be too hot; my upper body doesn't seem to vent. I use to have trouble with my feet, but using Hot Tronics heated footbeds inside the Lake winter shoes is the best. No shoe covers required, which makes shoe strap adjustments easy. You can get the Hot Tronics from Precision Tandems. Check out their website.

[nick burns]

Like the other poster said, 30F is no big deal. I'm in S. Jersey & have ridden through the winter for the last 3 or 4 years. My usual drill is knickers w/ tights, smartwool socks, full finger knit gloves under normal cycling gloves, long sleeve wool base layer, long sleeve old school acrylic jersey (cheap on ebay & great for cold weather riding) & maybe a nylon shell if its windy. Oh yeah, a scull cap under the helmet, too.

The rule of thumb is if you're warm when you first get on the bike, you're probably over dressed. You'll warm up quickly after the first mile or so.

[TJHOO]

smartwool socks, .

Which smartwool socks?
Where do you get them?

[TJHOO]

but I also wear wool socks and nylon socks under the wool socks.
Koffee

Which wool and which nylon socks?
Do you go up one shoe size?

[TJHOO]

Which smartwool socks?
Where do you get them?

Like these?
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=2254&parent_category_rn=0&vcat=REI_SEARCH

[nick burns]

Which smartwool socks?
Where do you get them?

I like the 3/4 crew for winter riding, but it seems the only place to get them right now is direct from the smartwool.com website. Maybe when the temps. start to dip other stores will stock them again. Here's a link to the regular crew length at Colorado Cyclist:

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=34154&CGRFNBR=417&CRPCGNBR=417&CI=1,259,417&TextMode=0

They're not cheap, but they do last a long time.

[TJHOO]

Took my 1 size large cycling (MTB) shoes to REI today. They are good balance of outdoor activities eg hiking, but also have cycling dept, so figured they'd know what's up.

Ended up getting 1 pair Smartwool crew medium cushion hiking socks. Fit nicely over top thin cycling socks inside the shoes. Will be able to use this in combo w/ thick neoprene booties. Will be putting my MTB pedals on the road bike :eek: :eek:

Also bought pair of Pearl Izumi winter cycling gloves (Large) and wicking liner (small).

Definitely pays to try this stuff on in store.

Love REI! :)