Cycling in a Chicago winter?

[citizen560]

Financial Aid checks are getting mailed out this week, and I'm spending every spare cent on cycling. To continue riding for most of the winter, I'd like some advice on a windbreaker. Here's what I'm looking at for layers:

Performance Polypro Crew by Duofold (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=17441)
Terramar Merino Men’s Wool Crew (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=17473)

I can add a thick wool sweater if it's crazy cold.

I probably won't be out much below 20, since I seem to have a problem with my brakes freezing up. I'd like to stay below $100 on the jacket, and I'd prefer something with underarm zippered vents so I can cool off if need be. I like softshell stuff the best. Has anyone ridden in Mountain Hardware softshell jackets? They're a bit more than I'd like to spend, but so sexy-looking - I just don't know how well they work for cycling.

[Guest]

I just used a pearl izumi jacket. It was an excellent windbreaker. I had a great fleece warmth layer I got from target, then I had my jersey on underneath. It kept me warm. I could ride in just about any weather. Now the feet were a different problem- I wore my Shimano sandals all year round, so I had to get those hydrosocks and heavier socks to wear under those socks. Then I also had the neoprene booties for really cold days, but when it wasn't really cold, I could wear the toesies instead of the booties.

Koffee

[jscott]

I used to XC ski a lot and now comute on a bike.

Wool sweter excellent.
I bought a wind shell from MEC mountain equipment co-op in calgary with the underarm vents. Think it was less than $100.

Never get wet when its cold. The wool wicks the under arm vents. We ski regularly at -7 C to -15 C.

[fitmiss]

I just used a pearl izumi jacket. It was an excellent windbreaker. I had a great fleece warmth layer I got from target, then I had my jersey on underneath. It kept me warm. I could ride in just about any weather. Now the feet were a different problem- I wore my Shimano sandals all year round, so I had to get those hydrosocks and heavier socks to wear under those socks. Then I also had the neoprene booties for really cold days, but when it wasn't really cold, I could wear the toesies instead of the booties.

Koffee

What kind of Pearl Izumi Jacket? -- Do you mean just a wind breaker like the "Whisper" jacket?

[Guest]

It was some kind of gore tex wind breaker. Not very thick at all. But if I layered correctly, it did the job totally awesomely.

Koffee

[robmcl]

If you can make it to Oak Park you don't have to pay for shipping. I just bought this jacket after reading a number of favorable reccomendations. Have not had a chance to try it yet though.



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