Winter Cycling - Cold Weather Ware

[Cold Weather Wear even :-)]

I know these threads are endless. I think I posted on this before myself but I'm going to go to the bike store tomorrow and will make some purchases. What clothing is useful for cold windy weather as opposed to wet weather? Around 10 C/ 50 F.

I don't like too much bulk and I do find that you can get pretty warm after a couple of miles. I want to pick up a pair of knickers, I usually go with shorts and sweatpants over but that's a bit cumbersome.

I also find this type of weather your face can really get cut up by the wind.

Any advice?

BadBreaks

Avoid bike shops. Get a long-sleeved thermal top from a camping shop. You dont need the fanciest premium grade ones. A zip at the front can be handy.
A pertex windproof smock will keep cold damp wind out.
A headover style neckwarmer will seal your neck and can be raised over ears and nose if required.
Ron Hill tracksters or bikesters will keep your legs warm without overhearting.
You an use any midlayer insulation. Sleeveless fleece or woolen tops are good.

At 50F you should not need too much. Like others have/will suggest...say away from cycling specific stuff if you can.

I use arm/leg warmers. Some people get too hot with leg warmers at 50. Personally my upper body gets overheated before my lower.

I would also recomend getting just a basic nylon sleeveless vest. I got one for $15 on clearance from LL.Bean.

So on a windy 50F day I would wear
Arm/leg warmers
Long sleeve synthetic shirt
Nylon shell.

You may want to get a headband to keep the wind off your ears.

But thats just me. Your mileage (or kilometers) may vary

On a 50 F day I would just wear a long sleeve jersey over a light weight base layer (wicking long sleeve tshirt) and a pair of tights. Either 2 pair of socks or one heavier pair, and a skull cap and long finger gloves. But then I usually run hot, so maybe you want my 40 F wear.
On a 40 F day I would wear a midweight/winterweight jersey over a base layer tshirt, a pair of tights, two pair of socks, midweight skull cap that covered the ears (Headsweats Midcap) and a light weight windproof glove. I don't really find wind proof clothing necessary until the temps are in the 30s and below.
If your face is drying out you can use a thin layer of vaseline which does wonders.
Its true that clothing at your LBS will be overly expensive but I've found some pretty good deals on sale priced stuff at Performance Bike and Nashbar, so I often wear cycling specific clothing. However most of my base layers, socks and winter gear come from hiking and winter sports catalogs.
Craig

I rode several times in the 50's this week. I wore:

LS cycling jersey. (similar to long underwear shirt but it is not cotton)

Regular cycling shorts.

Long fingered cycling gloves. (not even insulated)

50 F is pretty warm.


This morning it was 42 F. I wore same shirt and shorts with leg warmers and a lightweight nylon vest and a very lightweight balaclava.

Well, I guess I just need to toughen up with the 50F! Maybe a few ice cold baths or something.

BadBreaks

50F and dry is prime riding weather IMO. I'd wear:

polypro sleeveless undershirt
s/s jersey
armwarmers
bibs
kneewarmers
ragwool gloves

When it gets into the 40s and lower, I'll switch to tights and a longsleeve jersey, maybe add a vest and toewarmers and thicker gloves. Rarely gets below freezing here so I can't offer any advice about colder weather.

On a related note. Do you think a cycling jersey is more useful as an inner or outer layer? I often here people recommending them because of sweat but it seems some think they ar ebetter over something else. To keep the wind off?

BadBreaks

At 50F? A cycling jersey is probably better as an outer layer with a nice warm baselayer. Oh, I forgot to mention that I got a great silk l/s undershirt from Sierra Trading Post that's an excellent baselayer under a jersey. Super light, super breathable, and amazingly warm.

At 50 degrees I would wear tights and normal socks and bicycling shoes. On the top I would wear a thin wicking base layer like those under armor shirts with a cotton t-shirt over that. On the outside I would wear a nylon wind breaker. When I went out the other day it was somewhere between 40-45 degrees I wore the same on the bottom but wore a thermal layer over the thin wicking layer and the wind jacket over that. I wore a band over my ears and thin full finger gloves.

50F??? That's perfect cycling weather. Not cold, but not too warm, either.

I wear my normal shorts and short-sleeved shirts in that weather. If it is particularly windy and rainy, I might wear something long-sleeved.

Wearing a cycling jersey over a long sleeved jersey can be useful in temperate cool when you dont want full windbreaker protection. You also get bright colours and rear pockets.
You can also insulate your top or your legs in the inbetweeny temps, leaving some skin for cooling. I sometimes use full tights with bare arms.
You just need to experiment a variety of combos.

50F??? That's perfect cycling weather. Not cold, but not too warm, either.

I wear my normal shorts and short-sleeved shirts in that weather. If it is particularly windy and rainy, I might wear something long-sleeved.

I'm with you, Pampy!
We got a lot of thin-skinned BF'ers in this thread... :D