Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Winter riding?

Do you guys ride in the sub 30s? If so, how do you keep warm? I tend to keep the bike at home when its freezing.

Anyday i'll be riding. Best thing i've bought for winter riding is a balaclava.

+1 to the balaclava. Good gloves are a must. Full fenders will let you handle snow/slush, and keeping dry is a huge part of keeping warm.

And if you really want good advice, check in the commuting forum.

Basic Things you need.
-Fenders
-Waterproof/snowproof + windproof gloves
-windproof jacket to keep your core warm
-beanie/headware

Important to remember, that initially you will be really cold then once you are moving, your legs and your core will warm up considerably. It is most important to keep the extremities (ears, nose, toes, fingers) protected as the rest of your body will take care of itself basically.

Does it snow where you are?

30's aren't really cold, 0's are getting cold.

I stop at -15 celsius

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=53

Best time to ride IMO. Nothing like riding late at night with fresh snow falling and absolutely no traffic to be seen.

Oh, and studded tires are pretty much the bee's knees.

Gets cold in chicago... I just layer up, gloves, balaclava, good shoes, throw some amphibs under the shins, and lower my gear ratio (from 52:17 to 48:17).

Def. lower gear ratio if you have snow/slush/ice to deal with. I usually take the fenders off once it get a little colder cold (below 0F) as the snow stops sticking for the most part. Most of the winter (30F-10F), I just toss on my waterproof hiking boots with wool socks, some flannel lined jeans, gore-tex gators, a cruddy old Berco (kinda like Carhartt) jacket, waterproof/windproof mitts (usually w/o liners), bandanna around the neck and whatever old hat is laying around (unless I am going for a long ride, then I make sure I have extra layers in case I have to stop or get hurt).

One thing that I found really helpful is to practice changing a tube a couple times when it is really cold, the day eventually comes when you are 10 miles from civilization, drenched in sweat and you hear that dreaded hiss... being able to quickly get back on the road before you start freezing is key.

The video is corny and infomercial'ish, but it has some very good tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyCNWMRLZGs

Check Rule #2 - No cotton. I've stated before how cotton jeans/t-shirt suck for riding and this explains why very well.

I have all that insulated stuff, even for Cali. I can ride every month of the year, even in the coldest weather without burning extra calories trying to stay warm. This results in me being able to ride longer.

I ran some knobby cross tires last winter and they were fun.
The first ride in the snow was a blast.

The video is corny, but it has some very good tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyCNWMRLZGs

lol, a month earlier and month later.

Some decent advise, but you can comfortably ride year-round without cycle-specific clothes.

lol, a month earlier and month later.

Some decent advise, but you can comfortably ride year-round without cycle-specific clothes.

Yeah, but how long of rides? A century in the cold? I can do 20-30 miles in non-cycling specific clothes, but I would be miserable near the end.

I'd rather spend a little on real cycling clothes that gives me the comfort and performance (ooh, a pun!) instead of wearing wet, cold cotton. With warm, dry comfort I can ride longer and keep my calorie burning reserved for riding instead of trying to keep warm.

But then again, cycling specific clothes don't look good on a fixed gear, and it's all about looks.

I don't know whether this is what ianjk meant, but there's a difference between cotton and non-cycling-specific clothing. My only cycling-specific musts for long rides are chamois and padded gloves, and in winter, any of my insulated gloves are adequate. I have plenty of wool and synthetic goodies that work fine for cycling even though they're not "for" cycling.

You should make one of these:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Identity_Preserving_Balaclava_all_the_warmth_with/

A must for winter fixed riding.

You should make one of these:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Identity_Preserving_Balaclava_all_the_warmth_with/

A must for winter fixed riding.

I lol'd.

the idea is to keep warm, but not too warm so that you overheat. You don't want to sweat balls then freeze when you stop moving for a few minutes.

balaclava is absolutely key...other than that, pretty basic cold stuff...I like my gloves to be slim and form fitting, nothing too bulky. Windproof shell with some layers. I rock under armor and maybe a fleece under a windbreaker. I also picked up some neoprene booties last winter, which I found did a better job of keeping my feet warm than they did keeping them dry. Get FENDERS! I didn't have them last winter, and really regretted it.

the idea is to keep warm, but not too warm so that you overheat. You don't want to sweat balls then freeze when you stop moving for a few minutes.

balaclava is absolutely key...other than that, pretty basic cold stuff...I like my gloves to be slim and form fitting, nothing too bulky. Windproof shell with some layers. I rock under armor and maybe a fleece under a windbreaker. I also picked up some neoprene booties last winter, which I found did a better job of keeping my feet warm than they did keeping them dry. Get FENDERS! I didn't have them last winter, and really regretted it.

Good advice!

A lot of couriers in Toronto (including me) prefer the winter. No rain, less sun baking your skin, easier to stay dry and warm and keep your body temperature at the perfect level with the right gear.

Amazing jacket for winter riding: http://www.lokiusa.com/product_detail.php?ID=C101

Built-in gloves and face mask. Works great down to the -15 to -20 celcius range.

That, plus full fenders and gore tex socks, was all I needed. A lot of the people I talk to here can't believe I bike in the winter. Then I pass by them while they're standing at the bus stop, freezing their asses off, totally comfy and warm.

windproof is key. if air can't get in, neither can water. you've seen sheldon's packing tape over the helmet vents trick? brilliant. be sure to cover the ears (not with tape)!

that said, i do plenty of cold (but not arctic) weather training, but very little cold/wet. my go to gear (again, training...not commuting/messengering) is an assos airblock jacket (i know, i know...) with undergarments depending on the temp...long sleeve jersey + light wool/heavy wool/fleece (down to 20°-ish). bottoms are generic windblock running tights with the same light wool/heavy wool underlayer.

i had a pair of neoprene booties, but found them cumbersome. saw another local rider dressing before a cold ride and watched him wrap tinfoil around his wool socks before putting shoes on...like the packing tape, another brilliant/cheap/effective solution. i've adopted it and it works great.

I love riding in the winter. Especially in the snow, it's so peaceful and amazing.
The necessities (most of these have already been said, I'm just adding my variety):

Warm gloves. I use the ones that have the little kangaroo-pouch full of windproof rubber finger mitten cover things. It's like, they're gloves, but when it gets really cold I can pull the windproof covers over my fingers. Never had a chill with those.

Warm socks. Wool. I also have shoe covers (I ride clipless) for when it's wet/really cold.

Balaklava: Makes you look like a ninja, keeps face/ears warm.

Leg warmers: For when it gets down below 20.

Jacket. Windproof, vented and lightweight. I have an Adidas jacket that it totally windproof on the front, and the under arms and back are some kind of mesh. I've never been cold in that jacket with a t-shirt and a long-sleeve baselayer.

The most important thing is not to bundle up in heavy crap, it's all about light layers. You can add/remove as needed and stay pretty comfortable. In fact, I think winter riding is generally more comfortable than summer riding. My body keeps itself warm, but if I vent and dress properly, I can keep just enough cold air coming in to keep me from getting too hot. I can't wait!

I ride all winter long. Actually, I kind of like the sport of it. And as inefficient as studs are, it a lot of fun to play around on them in the right (wrong?) conditions.

Its all about committing to the season with the proper clothes. Most advice will be pretty obvious, but here are some lessons that had to be beaten into me.

-Wear warm gloves. No, better gloves than that. Okay, just break down and go to mittens.
-Toes are very hard to keep warm in the wind and wet down there. Most cycling shoes and even boots tend to be pretty tight. Looser boots will allow for better circulation. This makes all the difference in the world. With my cloddhoppers, I finally just went for platforms so I could wear big boots over big socks.
-One word: johdpurs. Wide up top where you need movement. Narrow down by the ankles where you don't want excess fabric flopping around. Yes, its hard to rekindle a fashion movement last championed by Hitler, Teddy Roosevelt, and Patton. But, I am guessing that Hitler knew a thing or two about snow biking. I made my own by modifying Army surplus wool pants. I am still waiting for the fashion scene to catch up with me.

jim

A lot of couriers in Toronto (including me) prefer the winter. No rain, less sun baking your skin, easier to stay dry and warm and keep your body temperature at the perfect level with the right gear.

Amazing jacket for winter riding: http://www.lokiusa.com/product_detail.php?ID=C101

Built-in gloves and face mask. Works great down to the -15 to -20 celcius range.

That, plus full fenders and gore tex socks, was all I needed. A lot of the people I talk to here can't believe I bike in the winter. Then I pass by them while they're standing at the bus stop, freezing their asses off, totally comfy and warm.

Ok, that does look like a nice coat, but why is it performing a heil Hitler?

That's two hitlers in a row.

I ride year around, ice, snow, rain, below zero. etc.

Different people have different needs and vulnerabilities regarding cold.

For me, I need to keep my fingers, toes, face and head warm.

A fellow worker who also commutes has no problems with his extremities, but instead has difficulty keeping his core warm.

For toes and fingers, I've learned that tight gloves and shoes do not work.

Choose over-sized gloves and layer them; and cheap gloves, if large enough, work as well as expensive gloves.

It also helps to have thicker bar tape (not silly-thick but not super-thin, either) to keep the bar from sucking heat out of your fingers.

Wool socks will keep toes warm if the toes of the shoes have enough room for the wool to hold air around the toes.

Tight shoes = frozen toes.

I have a beard and I cannot imagine riding in freezing weather without a beard.

That said, my fellow commuter has a clean-shaven face and has no problem with frostbite.

On the coldest days, I wear Big Ben goggles and, in conjunction with my beard, this keeps my face warm:

http://www.amazon.com/Global-Vision-Goggles-Clear-Lens/dp/B00239X8VY

I recommend these goggles not only for those riders who wear glasses, but for everyone who rides in below-freezing weather.

For my head, I wear a Swix wool-poly beanie and it does a great job no matter how cold it gets.

And for those like myself, who have a naturally warm core and who may have more problems with over-heating on very cold days, I recommend a short-sleeve shirt with arm warmers worn under a light jacket.

The combination of arm warmers with a short-sleeve shirt allows the body to breathe more around the armpits, and I have found that this gives me a much broader temperature range in which I feel comfortable.

For arm warmers I recommend any tubular (no seams) wool-poly blend, but lighter more than heavier.

=====

So, two pairs of cheap over-sized gloves, with one pair of gloves able to fit inside the other;

Thicker bar tape;

Loose shoes and wool socks;

Goggles;

Swix beanie;

Wool-poly arm warmers, short sleeve shirt, light jacket.

I just now visited the Loki site and called Jeff at Loki in Grand Junction, Colorado, and I intend to buy either the Mountain Hoodie or the Myth for this winter.

Thanks to cardboardhut for the link.

Question for cardboardhut: I overheat, easily; in how warm a temperature does cardboardhut wear the Myth, and do the underarm vents really help?

I just grow a set and ride my Windsor shirtless with slick tires.

Question for cardboardhut: I overheat, easily; in how warm a temperature does cardboardhut wear the Myth, and do the underarm vents really help?

I suppose I usually put it on when the weather drops below freezing (32 F). But I can usually wear it comfortably up to 10C (50F). The pit zips are massive, and the side and breast pockets also act as vents when left open - I don't overheat that easily, but I can tell you that I find you can make a huge difference in the warmth of the jacket by using the zips. But that's just my experience.

Should I get different tires for winter?

Should I get different tires for winter?

depends on where you live.

Example: I live in Northern MN in a city built across a huge hill. I run studded tires once the snow flies and don't take them off until the roads are bone dry (no ice whatsoever).

Slicks would be instant death if you tried going down the hill on your average winter day.

I used to ride with CX tires, but like the added security of the metal studs.

i need windproof gloves.

I ride a 2006 specialized hardrock in the winter

http://www.velotique.com/images/hat-LG-power.jpg
+
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iLAwN-prEp4/RwbgdA48MpI/AAAAAAAAAVg/BTVdV7rZ9nU/s400/Red+Scarf+-+Finished+9-30-07.JPG
or
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/30420.jpg (if it's really cold)
+
http://www.stif.co.uk/images/products/large/5857_l.jpg
+
http://www.skinnyskis.com/images/products/Products/Clothing/Toko/07-08/08thermowsblack_medium.jpg
+
http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/clothing/shoes/MBK220.tested.sr_spec_boots11109-399-75.jpg
+
http://static2.biketiresdirect.com/imagesProduct/nohak-1.jpg


depends on where you live.

Example: I live in Northern MN in a city built across a huge hill. I run studded tires once the snow flies and don't take them off until the roads are bone dry (no ice whatsoever).

Slicks would be instant death if you tried going down the hill on your average winter day.

I used to ride with CX tires, but like the added security of the metal studs.I was just up there on Wednesday. I can't even imagine riding those hills in the winter even with studs. Seriously, my hat goes off to you.

http://www.velotique.com/images/hat-LG-power.jpg


that looks super nice/warm, where can i purchase that?

I was just up there on Wednesday. I can't even imagine riding those hills in the winter even with studs. Seriously, my hat goes off to you.

It is a blast. Splurging and upgrading to Nokians this year. It is really amazing how well the studded tires work, the only problem is when you are in semi-packed car tracks. I usually take side streets and try to stay in fresh snow if we have had any recent accumulation.

ahhh! i cant wait for it to get snowy and be the only one on campus!!!! it always starts off the same. all the students think they can ride in the snow on their 20 inchers and treks, then i see like 10 people a day eat **** until it comes down to just a handful of smart bikers. AWESOME. my ride is rarely longer than 5 minutes each way so i just throw on a decent hoodie, nice headgear with a scarf, and slim fit jeans with long underwear. i hardly heat up to get to the point where im sweating balls when i get to class but after about a minute im feelin warm.

So I guess this will be my 4th year of winter riding in Toronto, and we occasionally get days where I'm riding in -30C weather. A few tips I can offer:

1. Dump clipless. I've never found a set of boots with a clipless system that were worth a damn below -5C.
2. Smartwool is gold. Even if their socks cost $16 a pop, they're worth it. Also, they don't stink.
3. Get a good wool scarf. The scarf is such a versatile piece of clothing; you can use it as a makeshift balaclava, or to keep your neck warm...
4. Long underwear
5. Buy the best gloves you can reasonably afford. It's been stated here before, and bears repeating: your extremities will suffer the most. Protect them. Also, riding a bike doesn't involve much finger movement, which will exacerbate your suffering.
6. A hoodie and windbreaker is all you need for your midsection. Really. Your core doesn't get that cold.
7. Your bike will suffer: salt stains, damaged paint, rusted chains, worn chainrings & cogs...
8. Black ice is lethal. Know the conditions under which it's forming.
9. Cross tires are nice to have.
10. Get eye protection
11. Slush is easiest to deal with before sunset.
12. Fenders. Good ones. Race blades are a waste of money.
13. Power grips + boots are where it's at.
14. If you have a geared bike, get a surly singleator and SS it up for the winter. Save your components. Save your cash.
15. If you're doing this for fitness, just get a gym membership or trainer.
16. Your fixed wheel is the greatest asset in judging road conditions. Learn to read its feedback with regards to grip. This will let you know what is and isn't possible. Don't push it if you feel slip.