drunix

Fellow Cold-Weather Folks,

This season (for a change) I'm planning to continue riding until they have pry my frozen fingers from my hoods. Since I've never really done any cold-weather cycling in the past, I don't have any of the appropriate cool and cold weather gear. So, I love to hear people's suggestions on what they feel are the most important items for when the weather first starts getting too cool for just shorts and a jersey, and also for when it starts getting downright cold.

And just for the sake of clarity (and at the risk of upsetting the OCP gang), I don't care about poseur points --I just want to maximize comfort while minimizing the chance of anything turning black and falling off.

Thanks,
Dru

Hipcycler

Dru...

Seriously....Fingers and perhaps toes go first.
Two things to keep in mind here:

1. Layers
2. Wind (even the wind you create by moving forward through the cold air) is your biggest enemy. Block that wind the best you can. Wind pants, jacket, even booties over the riding shoes.

Oh...and invest in a decent balaclava....does wonders keeping your ears and cheeks out of the nasty cold wind.

Hip

drunix

Hip--thanks for the reply! By the way, the OCP comment was supposed to be light hearted, but I suppose it didn't really read that way.

Dru

johnny99

How cold? How much wind? What is your intensity level? In above-freezing weather without too much wind, you may just need arm and leg or knee warmers and a shell jacket or vest.

cc_rider

Yep. Layers. For me, especially the arms and body. As you warm up, start striping layers or opening up.
Arm and leg warmers are a good base. Only need to add an extra layer on the legs on the coldest days.
I've got a Balaklava, but I like my fleece ear-band and a neck wrap better (that way my breath doesn't freeze into an icy mess )
I have full-finger gloves, but I found it warmer and more comfortable to wear a cheap brown jersey work glove over my regular cycling glove.

Walkafire

for the Feet:

Cheapest idea I have found is: Rubber Overshoes and Gators.

squeegy200

I got myself some Craft riding gloves. They aren't too hot when the temps rise but stay nice and warm when windchill would normally make the fingers numb.

I also use Toe warmers or shoe covers. There is nothing fun about cold feet when trying to spin a cadence.

For legs I use tights.

Up top, a use layers and finally a jacket. I use a Goretex jacket which is lightweight, breaths, has reflective material for visability, and can be folded into a small pouch and stuffed in my jersey pocket when not in use.

DocRay

Man..that's a cool look.

mscycler

For the cooler weather coming up...should I buy tights or knickers and leg warmers? If you get tights, do you wear them under or over your shorts? Or, do the tights have a chamois in it as well??? I have about decided to purchase some arm and leg warmers, but am not sure of the tights/knickers.

Thanks,
mscycler

gcasillo

I'd just like to add this little tidbit for newbie cold weather roadies. DO NOT get a balaclava that covers your nose. If you don't know what I mean, get one that does cover your nose, then go for a ride with it on...for two blocks. You'll know what I'm getting at pretty quickly.

gcasillo

Different tights for different folks. I rode some days last Winter in shorts and leg warmers. The leg warmers have a nice fleece lining that does me right. Of course, my inner thighs were red by the time I got back. I got another heavier pair of tights with a windbreaker fabric on the front. Very good stuff. I found that I have a pretty good tolerance to the cold last Winter.

I'd either go with shorts w/ chamois and tights w/o, or get heavier tights w/ chamois. Another tip learned the hard way: do not put silk underwear on underneath tights. Fastest, most reliable way to get saddle sores.

johnny99

You can by tights with chamois or wear unpadded tights over your normal cycling shorts. I think knickers are a little more comfortable than shorts with knee warmers, but warmers do give you the option of pulling them off if the weather warms up. In very cold weather, thermal tights will give you more protection then leg warmers. Some tights also have a windproof front for really cold weather.

drunix

I'm really not looking for advice on a specific outfit for a specific day--I'm just looking for general guidelines on which itmes people think are generally good pieces of gear to have and which ones are a complete waste of money. I realize that everyone's preferences are different, but I think that a discussion helps one to get a better picture of which items might work well.

Dru

Kenal0

Performance Bike has a pretty good selection of clothing. They are just starting to get in their warm weather gear. In a week or so they will have a larger selection. Meanwhile it was a darn nice day to ride in the Chicago area!
KL

azwhelan

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a good base layer yet. Get a good undershirt that will wick, craft makes good ones.

I would recommend items that can be removed as you start heating up. I'm a big fan of warmers and I'm going to try a pair of knee warmers this year. I almost always end up taking off my leg warmers. A jacket with removable sleeves works well for me. I can even unzip them partially to get some venting. I have some PI toe caps that work great and are a lot easier to work with then shoe covers. The only thing else is some sort of ear cover and full finger gloves, mine are just wind proof nothing fancy.

I warm up real easy so you may need something more substantial.