Commuting - Clipless in the winter

Last winter I used platforms and err... what are they called... foot cages? It worked great because I could wear big boots and thick socks. Sometimes, around -5 to 5 degrees (F), I'd still have numb toes, but it wasn't too bad since I only have a 5 mile commute.

I got clipless pedals in the spring. I love them. Who uses clipess in the temperatures below zero? What's the secret?

Also: I have look pedals right now, not shimanos, which seem to be more winter friendly due to the variety of footwear you can use with them.

Clipless Sandals

I can wear as many layers of socks as i wish. Including Gortex socks for wet days.
When i get to work, their dry in 10 minutes.

In the summer, no need to change to summer shoes, just remove the socks :)

I use clipless pedals all year round. I wear Pearl Izumi shoes till its wet or cold then I wear Northwave winter road shoes. Sometimes I wear toe warmers too.

I tend to use them less in the winter these days, but it can be done. Neoprene shoe covers, and somewhat expensive socks were key for me. If I was going to be clipping in much below 0F I might try something involving a battery... I've seen a few insoles with heater coils that could be fitted in regular bike shoes.

I use Eggbeater pedals year round. Temperature, rain, mud, etc. doesn't affect them. Can't say if snow is a problem. Didn't have any snow for me to ride in last year. Snow gods listen up, I'm not complaining. :o

I've been debating the same thing. With my Look road shoes I've always used neoprene booties and thick socks (bought my shoes a bit big with this in mind). Now I have SPDs for commuting and don't know what to do. I was thinking of getting booties to fit my SPD shoes because road booties don't fit them (the SPD shoes are made like hiking shoes, not road shoes) and a pair of fancy Goretex socks along with some new thick hiking socks (my old ones are toast).

I bought some Lake winter boots for the winter commute. They only take SPD cleats but that's ok since that's what I have on my commuter. I got a second pair of the same pedals to use on my cheaper road bike so I can ride that in the winter too without fear of losing a toe or two. My only concern is build up of ice around the cleats and not being able to clip in. We don't get a ton of snow (although we usually have one big 24" dumping at some point) and I imagine I'll have the backroads to myself so I won't be unclipping much. I'm hoping for the best.

dont worry about not being able to clip into spd in snow or ice, I have ridden mine in every condition with little problem. If you get ice/snow buildup covering your cleat, just grind your foot down on the pedal until it engages.

I use Frogs on my commuter (Bianchi Volpe) with MTB shoes, in very cold conditions I put on a VB socks (vapor barrier) over a liner, then wool socks, follow by the shoes and the neoprene booties, very nice and toastie. My MTB shoes by the way are conveniently un 1/2 size oversized for this set up.
Hope that helps.

Corsaire

Clipless Sandals

I can wear as many layers of socks as i wish. Including Gortex socks for wet days.
When i get to work, their dry in 10 minutes.

In the summer, no need to change to summer shoes, just remove the socks :)
That would require an investment in new sandals and new pedals, unless there are clipless sandals that I haven't seen yet. Are there?

What's the lowest temp you commute in and how many socks do you wear for that?

I use Frogs on my commuter (Bianchi Volpe) with MTB shoes, in very cold conditions I put on a VB socks (vapor barrier) over a liner, then wool socks, follow by the shoes and the neoprene booties, very nice and toastie. My MTB shoes by the way are conveniently un 1/2 size oversized for this set up.
Hope that helps.

Corsaire
How cold do you go with that setup? I've never heard of vapor barrier socks before.

That would require an investment in new sandals and new pedals, unless there are clipless sandals that I haven't seen yet. Are there?

What's the lowest temp you commute in and how many socks do you wear for that?

The sandals I use are shimano. Ive used them with spd and with time atak cleats. If you already have a clipless pedal system, the sandals should work.
I have not gone down to low temps, since i live in Vancouver, it doesnt get cold here. Others on the forum have commuted year round in Chicago and other cold windy places just fine with them.

Even though it doesnt get too cold here, ive worn as many as 3 pairs. Coolmax, then wool, then gortex.

Jarery- I didn't know gore-tex socks existed! I'm always minimally prepared for days where I need some way to try to keep my feet dry- maybe i should go that route!

I use SPD-compatible clipless. For cold weather, I wear a pair of Specialized shoes with wool socks. The shoes are suede with no mesh and have no venting so they are pretty warm.

What I use depends on the temp. Most of the time I use SPD with Lake winter cycling boots. That is for temps 15-25F. Below 15 for longer rides I just use winter boots. I have what I think are called "campus" pedals...spd on one side, platform with teeth on the other.

I have not had any difficulty with snow/ice buildup and cliping in. I have had some scarry moments when riding through what I call soft-pack snow when I thought I'd go down before getting unclipped, and usually I flip the pedal around when encountering these conditions so I can put my foot down quickly to stop a fall. That doesn't work on ice though, just snow.

I've got Neoprene booties that have served me well down to 4 F.

They're annoying to walk in, though.

I've got Neoprene booties that have served me well down to 4 F.

They're annoying to walk in, though.

I hadn't thought about that, walking in booties that would fit my SPD (recessed cleat) shoes. I guess I walk so little in booties with my Look-cleat shoes it never crossed my mind. In any case, it can't be worse than it is with Look cleats. :D

I for one haven't decided yet what to do. Booties for my SPD shoes? I like that idea more than the sandals + many socks because of the road sludge factor -- booties are easy to rinse or OK even to leave a little dirty. I'm not sure how to find booties that will fit my shoes, though, because the booties I have for my Look-cleat road shoes which are nomially the right size, do not fit the heel. I'm fairly sure to pick-up some Goretex socks in any case. :)

I was going to try Lake clipless sandals (on sale at several online stores) but the sole is way to narrow for my feet. Lake uses the same Shimano sole as the Shimano sandal so I know that isn't an option either. The size 47 was barely wide enough for my foot but was way too long. Lake 46 wide MX101 MTB shoes fit me fine.
I guess I'll use the same setup as last year and wear the MX101s with wool socks for cool weather and my Lake road shoes with booties for cold weather.
Craig

I hadn't thought about that, walking in booties that would fit my SPD (recessed cleat) shoes. I guess I walk so little in booties with my Look-cleat shoes it never crossed my mind. In any case, it can't be worse than it is with Look cleats. :D

I for one haven't decided yet what to do. Booties for my SPD shoes? I like that idea more than the sandals + many socks because of the road sludge factor -- booties are easy to rinse or OK even to leave a little dirty. I'm not sure how to find booties that will fit my shoes, though, because the booties I have for my Look-cleat road shoes which are nomially the right size, do not fit the heel. I'm fairly sure to pick-up some Goretex socks in any case. :)


Just picked up the booties from performance for my spd shoes. (Specialized Sonoma) the shoes are 10.5 and I bought size 12 booties. They fit great and are total winners. I have picked up a bit of moisture in the heel and I am not sure if that is from water rolling into the tops or through the zipper. I might combine this with Gore-Tex socks plus wool socks as a complete solution as the temp drops.

Just picked up the booties from performance for my spd shoes. (Specialized Sonoma) the shoes are 10.5 and I bought size 12 booties. They fit great and are total winners. I have picked up a bit of moisture in the heel and I am not sure if that is from water rolling into the tops or through the zipper. I might combine this with Gore-Tex socks plus wool socks as a complete solution as the temp drops.

So 1.5-2 sizes up is the recipe, eh? Thanks for the tip! (I rather fond of the Performance booties for my road shoes, so booties it is for the SPDs!)

A propos, any good deals on Goretex socks??