Winter Cycling - Why pay the big bucks for winter wear, it's just really a waste!

This is my first winter riding because I just started riding last summer. At this time I can't afford the perfect winter gear either, but you can get some nice things that work from Wal-Mart, Cabelas, etc. I just bought a pair of Rem Tech long johns for I think around 16.00. They are a stretch, wicking material and look like tights. I put them under my bike shorts and a pair of the silk type warm up pants over them. My legs were fine. Would like too find one of the rem tech tops but they were out so I bought a long sleeve UA type shirt with a wicking jacket over that. Next time I'll wear some type of wind block and I'll be fine. I do plan to by some boots to go over my clipless shoes as my toes get cold and I'll also by a thin hat that I can get under my helmet. Just need to work on keeping the toes and fingers warm.

Layering works and stay away from cotton. I bowhunt deer and with proper dress can sit in a tree without moving in some cold temps.

I second Wally World & Target. Just last week, I scored big. I got my winter/spring tops for under $30.

Starter Dri-fit long sleeve baselayer top-$10
Starter 1/4 zip poly/nylon midweight pullover-$10
Hanes 1/4 zip long sleeve midweight fleece-$7

I tried them out today in 36 degree weather today. Toasty warm torso.

I wonder why it seems like no one uses toe clips and straps anymore. I find they're way more efficient than plain pedals and you can still wear most shoes with them. I'm sure they aren't as efficient as clipless, but that's about the only reason I can think of why they aren't as good. Some people say they aren't safe, but I've never had a problem.

This kind of a late response, but I use toe clips year round. I commute 10 miles round trip and can not justify getting cycling shoes and clip in pedals. The toe clips work nicely in the summer or winter boots. In the summer I use my Merrell Ventilator shoes (no more sweaty feet!), and in the winter I have a set of Merrel winter boots. Both sets of foot wear I use daily outside of cycling therefore I get good user from them. I also found that spending some money on good shoes and boots is worth it as they last a lot longer and fit much better than the cheap stuff.

I have never had any problems getting my feet in or out of the toe clips. All I have to do is loosen the straps a bit to fit my boots in the Fall, and in spring when there is definitely no more snow, I'll tighten them again for Summer riding.

Happy riding,
André

I ride hard, and riding hard means I sweat. No matter what I'm wearing when I take my helmet off and come inside, it's obvious I've been riding, by the way my hair looks and by all the sweat. Looking like a sweaty dude with messed up hair in jeans and a sweatshirt at the local starbucks isn't any better than walking in dressed in riding gear. In fact the riding gear would be better becaue it would explain why I look like I do.

If you just want to ride a beach cruiser to the local starbucks, jeans and a hoodie is fine.

I have the same. At least people have stopped asking if I am cold. Even with 8F last week I was sweaty and hot when I got to work. My cycling gear was slowly built up over the past 9 months and everything was bought on sale. Here is what I use to cycle all year round in the Buffalo NY area:

For Summer riding:
Breathable T-Shirts: 6 @ $20 each (some Nike, some other brands, all bought at Dicks Sporting Goods)
Swim trunks for Summer commuting: $20
Padded cylcing shorts for longer rides: $40
Rain Pants: $40
Rain coat: $15
Athletic socks that breath: $20 for 6 pair
Summer cycling gloves: $15
Wind breaker: $40
Total cost of riding gear: $310

Add the following for winter riding:
Fleece Pull-over: $40
Beany cap for under helmet: $25
Illuminite Tights for Winter commuting: $60
Winter gloves - use old Ski gloves I've had since '85: $0
Total additional cost for winter gear: $125

The only real cycling specific gear are the cycling shorts and Summer gloves. Everything else I wear at other times as well (the tights work nicely for cross country skiing as well for instance). I figure each week I avoid about $15 in gasoline costs. I've been riding almost exclusively now for 43 weeks. Take out 5 weeks for vacation time and various days that I've had to take the car to work and I've save 38 weeks of gas: That means I saved: $570 in fuel this year alone. That easily pays for any extra cycling gear I needed.

Happy riding,
André

I'm sure after 9+ pages someone's already pointed this out, but just in case













troll

Hi,
all, I see this thread keeps growing. I have been making through winter with very little extra clothing and I am surprised, but we are talking 40 -50 degrees, so I am sure that is a heat wave to a lot of you.
Most times I just wear my tights with padded seat and one or two layers of shirt and the synthetic jacket I bought for $5.99 at Susie's deals has been perfect. I even found a visor tote at a $1 store that is for a car, it velcros around the visor. I put in on my handle bars just to bring ID, a little money and kleenex which I have to use frequently because the riding cleans out my sinus's great.
The other day I took a long leisurely ride for me. 11 1/2 miles total and took pictures. I crossed two intersections to get to the freeway and the other side of I-40 from where I usually ride. The weather was nearly a spring day! I would post a link to my slide show but can't find it at the moment. If anyone would like to see where I ride you can email me. Have a great week. By the way the weight is still dropping 39# now and my tryglicerides dropped 25 points, doc said I am doing so good that he doesn't need to see me for 9 months! I usually go every 3 to 6 months.:)

This is my first winter commuting to work on my bicycle.

I read the original post, compared it to what I have learned about riding on my motorcycle in cold weather, and I decided that *some* special winter gear was worth having, especially when you can get it on the cheap.

For example, I just picked up:

Performance Toesties (keep my toes warm) = $10

Performance Variant Gloves (keep the fingers warm) = $20

Performance Balaclava (keep face from freezing solid) = $15

That is less than $50 worth of gear and if I combine that with the thermal baselayers I already have (which should be part of anyone's normal wardrobe if you live in a place that sees below freezing temps), I will be able to commute to and from work via bike and save a crapload of money on the ever spiking cost of gasoline.

Heck if you can keep your face, fingers, and toes warm....the rest will be warm enough if you are even half-trying. I did 12 miles in 30f weather yesterday in no hat, no balaclava, fleece gloves and normal sweats.

I guess my point is that you CAN get specialized gear and still NOT pay ridiculous sums of money for it.

I used to be a budget rider and then I just decided screw it and found a bib and jersey at a bike store going out of business, and it makes such a difference having the right equipment. The biggest thing Im worried about coming up this winter is keeping my dong warm.

I used to be a budget rider and then I just decided screw it and found a bib and jersey at a bike store going out of business, and it makes such a difference having the right equipment. The biggest thing Im worried about coming up this winter is keeping my dong warm.

Use the same method you use to keep your ding warm.

See my post about homemade goggle costing about $5 that work better than others I have tried costing more than $50.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=450685

post #5

I don't understand gloves for winter cycling. A few people in this thread have
mentioned them, but mitts are a lot warmer and you can still ring the bell with
them. Repairing the bike on the way might be more of a problem, but otherwise
I don't see the point of gloves?

Last winter I had one trip about 8 miles each way at -33 C. It was in difficult
conditions with uncleared snow slowing things down. I used to wear winter
underwear bottoms for my first winter on the really cold days, but haven't since,
including that trip. It was done with regular work pants, a cotton poly blend. It
seems like the leg exercise keeps them warm enough. The rest of me was
covered more throughly, including 2 pairs of mitts one inside the other.

I am still buying my cycling clothes on the internet. At half the price! I will admit that cycling pants with padded seats are wonderful. My hubby finally just bought himself shorts and a jersey, both for $45 on Ebay. I paid $29 for my summer capris and $39 for my heavier winter pants. I just bought a jersey at Wal-Mart for $6.00. I bought naturalizer shoes with zippers instead of laces marked down for $12.00, they work fine with inserting my orthontics. I don't believe you have to spend big bucks for nice cycle wear. It doesn't get that cold her, 40's around 7 in winter or 30's. I wear a thermal shirt and an undershirt and a synthetic jacket I got at Suzy's Deals for $5. I got cycle gloves on the net, and full suede gloves for $6 at Ross. I'm happy with all of it. But of course I am happy with my LandRider auto shift bike too at less than $400 and most people doing marathons and super elite athletes wouldn't have it. But for this 53 year old and my hubby it works. We aren't aiming for a marathon just to be healthy!
Linda:thumb:

The whole point is just being out there turning the crank, dosen't mater what you wear or what you ride,just get out and do it!enjoy the day.

I agree, I want it to be fun, but the pants do make it more comfortable. I am going 15 miles now. But find the next day I am tired, but then allergies are always acting up too. Especially if it is windy. We have group rides now too of about 9 or 10 early Sunday morning. That is fun.
We are all at different levels , so it is more leisurely ride and we meet at Sonic for breakfast if we want.
Linda