Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Winter Cycling
Reload this Page >

Winter Cycling in NYC

Notices
Winter Cycling Don't let snow and ice discourage you this winter. The key element to year-round cycling is proper attire! Check out this winter cycling forum to chat with other ice bike fanatics.

Winter Cycling in NYC

Old 08-07-08, 01:46 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
beeftech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Brooklyn finally.
Posts: 832

Bikes: Bianchi San Jose, fixed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Winter Cycling in NYC

I'll be moving to Brooklyn NYC in about 25 days, from Littleton Colorado.
I expect the winters to about the same, with New York probably being a bit more wet.
I'm looking mostly for gear that can double up on uses, and reusing summer clothing for base layers, as I'll be pretty tight on cash. I do expect buy some cycling specific rain/wind resistant tights, and jacket, just for the cuts in the back though.

Any suggestions are welcome, I'm pretty new to winter cycling, and especially new to NYC winters.
Mainly I'm looking for suggestions on feet, hand, and head gear, as they don't seem to be talked about as much as torso and leg clothing.

I ride with clips and straps all year round so I'm looking for a winter boot, I could wear even while not on the bike.
I stumbled upon these on REI's site. They don't look too bulky, and don't have laces, which I find a plus for clips and straps. I figured combined with some wool socks, my feet should be happy warm. Any input here is welcomed.

Gloves I'm completely lost on. They all start looking same, and I'm not sure if I'll need to layer gloves.

As for my head I'm thinking: this + some glasses/goggles. Not sure what is necessary in NY.
I don't want a Balaclava, I already have asthma, anything inhibiting my breathing more just isn't very comfortable. Plus I've gotten by in Colorado for years with just ear, neck, and eye protection.

Thanks for any further input, I've already learned a bunch skimming the threads. And if any NYC'er wanna post their winter setup that could be helpful.

Oh and one more thing, what are good tires for NYC, I'm thinking there wont be enough ice to constitute studded tires, and just using the All Terrainasaurus 700x32C tires that come stock on the San Jose.

Yay for lengthy first posts!
beeftech is offline  
Old 08-07-08, 02:09 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 593
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
They must not have told you, there is a dome around NYC. To people outside NYC it keeps the pollution in. To people inside NYC it allows the temperature to stay a balmy 70 degrees all year. It doesn't keep rain out though so buy a good water resistant jacket.
Podolak is offline  
Old 08-07-08, 02:14 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 593
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I do not ride in NYC, but Central, NY (we get more snow)

1. I layer gloves, it helps immensely
2. Unless you need prescription glasses I only wore goggles one day last winter.
3. I wouldn't necessarily say boots are necessary, what about booties and whatever you use in CO?
4. "This" for your head looks good, given your asthma problem.
5. I like the Specialized Borough Armadillo Elite tires in 700x32c

Good luck and take a bicycle tour up to CNY to see us non-city folk.
Podolak is offline  
Old 08-07-08, 05:52 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
beeftech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Brooklyn finally.
Posts: 832

Bikes: Bianchi San Jose, fixed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Podolak
I do not ride in NYC, but Central, NY (we get more snow)

1. I layer gloves, it helps immensely
2. Unless you need prescription glasses I only wore goggles one day last winter.
3. I wouldn't necessarily say boots are necessary, what about booties and whatever you use in CO?
4. "This" for your head looks good, given your asthma problem.
5. I like the Specialized Borough Armadillo Elite tires in 700x32c

Good luck and take a bicycle tour up to CNY to see us non-city folk.
1. What gloves are you layering?
2. Sounds like I'll stick with my wrap around aviators from china town.
3. I just have plain ol' tennis shoes, maybe those water proof shoe cover things will be fine after all.
4. Will be purchased then.
5. Those look about as good as what I'm running traction wise, except mine are 700x28c. I'll play the tires by ear.

I'll make sure to ride up there and visit you folk at some point, I have a feeling my fixed gear san jose wont be hip enough for the hipsters and they'll kick me out.
beeftech is offline  
Old 08-08-08, 07:59 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
old_school_dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The foothills of California
Posts: 65

Bikes: 2008 Vitesse D7HG, 2007 Curve D3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What is #4?
old_school_dave is offline  
Old 08-08-08, 08:37 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 221

Bikes: Surly Pacer, Trek 520 & gaspipe fixed gear beater

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I generally don't wear boots unless I'm taking the subway and walking. Thick wool socks over thin wicking socks with sneakers works well for me with toe clips. However, just so that I have more options, I'm thinking about removing the toe clips from my touring bike just for the winter so that I can wear any boots or shoes that I want.
KonradNYC is offline  
Old 08-08-08, 09:00 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 593
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by beeftech
1. What gloves are you layering?
2. Sounds like I'll stick with my wrap around aviators from china town.
3. I just have plain ol' tennis shoes, maybe those water proof shoe cover things will be fine after all.
4. Will be purchased then.
5. Those look about as good as what I'm running traction wise, except mine are 700x28c. I'll play the tires by ear.

I'll make sure to ride up there and visit you folk at some point, I have a feeling my fixed gear san jose wont be hip enough for the hipsters and they'll kick me out.
To answer your question about the gloves:

EMS glove lingers under my fingerless cycling gloves which are either under a pair of regular winter gloves OR my snowmobile gloves given the condition.
Podolak is offline  
Old 08-09-08, 09:35 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
beeftech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Brooklyn finally.
Posts: 832

Bikes: Bianchi San Jose, fixed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Awesome. Thanks for all the answers guys.
This pretty much answered the few questions I had. I'll see you guys on the streets this winter hopefully. Ride safe.

@ Dave #4 was just a fleece skullcap with earflaps
beeftech is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.