Originally Posted by
black_box
I need some serious wardrobe help for fall/winter riding but the number of options is crazy. I don't commute, just fun riding of 1-3 hours (weekends only for now). Fast on pavement, slow on gravel or light singletrack, all in the same ride. maybe some cyclocross racing next year. I tend to be on the warm side, so here's my list of thoughts:
Since you tend to be on the warm side, rethink some of your choices. Even in very cold weather, it's easy to overheat. Remember you aren't sitting on a ski lift somewhere you are actively generating lots of heat.
Originally Posted by
black_box
1) windbreaker pant with minimal insulation. is there a loose-fitting tight or snug-fit pants with zipper vents? I thought I saw some that had zippered mesh pockets that you could open for ventilation. Does this need to be cycling specific? or just something with a snug fit around the ankle? maybe this can handle light rain too?
I have some wind pants and some rain pants. I hardly ever use them. Your legs are working harder than any other part of your body and generating lots of heat because of it. One layer of tights work well for around 60 F down to the mid 20s for me. For lower temperatures, I add another layer either of tights or long underwear.
Originally Posted by
black_box
2) tights or bib for warmth under the windbreaker pants (or in place of them?). do I put tights over my summer bibs, or get a winter bib w/ chamois? performance bike triflex seems popular and comes in bibs, tights w/ chamois, and tights w/out chamois. would regular tights w/ chamois be better in winter for layering?
Bib tights are warmer in my opinion because they cover part of your chest. Get them without chamois so that you can layer them better. You don't want to start out on a cool morning wearing only tights (no shorts) and have the temperature go up on you to the point where you need to take the tights off. It could get you arrested
Pearl Izumi Slice Thermafleece tights are the best tights I've ever owned. I have 4 pairs of them
I have on pair of PI Amfib tights but those are only good if you know that the temperature isn't going above about 40 F. They are way warm. I use them for temps below 25 F and seldom need anything more under them.
Originally Posted by
black_box
3) shell jacket. Are zip-off sleeves or pit zips a big air leak when its cold? Can one shell do spring/fall/winter?
I have a jacket with zip-off sleeves and I seldom take the sleeves off. Something simple like a PI Zephyr (I sound like a walking ad. for Pearl Izumi
) works very well for me. They block the wind well and I wear them over layered jerseys or just my short sleeve jersey from 10 F to 60 F. They get a bit clammy around 55 F, however.
Originally Posted by
black_box
4) layering insulation. poly shirts and fleece/wool. all the fleece I own lets the wind right through it, is that bad? or is it only the special soft-shell fleece that blocks the wind? Is it bad to put a hard shell over a soft-shell fleece jacket?
Thin, non bulky layers are better then something thick. For a typical winter morning commute, I wear a short sleeve jersey, a long sleeve light shirt with a zipper neck (
Duofolds are my favorite). Over that I put on a heavier jersey if the temperature is below 20 or a lighter weight one if the temp is over 20. Some of these jerseys are wool and some aren't. Then a wind jacket goes over that.
Originally Posted by
black_box
5) head/face coverage. Hat + facemask or gaiter? or one of those combo balaclavas? Which is easier to adjust for exertion levels?
If you ride hot like you say, you may find balaclavas too hot. I only use a very thin one for the coldest temps I can stand (~15 F). Most of the time, I use nothing more than an fleece ear warmer and a helmet that has blocked vents. Much more than that and I have sweat dripping off my nose. Eeeew! I find that I can control temperature more easily with the zipper fronts of my shirt layers than by trying to control it with my head.
The one item you are forgetting is gloves. My hands are never a problem so I wear thin wind resistant gloves. I've never found bicycle specific winter gloves to be that useful however. REI has lots of winter ski gloves that work. Look for wind resistance and as little bulk as you can get away with. You still have to manipulate your controls and you don't want great big bulky gloves while trying to brake
Originally Posted by
black_box
I'm comfortable in my summer gear down to 55F. I was thinking I'd add the windbreaker pants at 50F, then either add or switch to the tights. Or should the baggy fit be avoided unless really necessary, like in the rain? any suggestions on pants and jacket? I also need socks and gloves, but found some good suggestions here already.
My rule of thumb has always been to cover my knees at 60F. The area around the knee has poor circulation. Something that fits closer to the body is usually better for any kind of riding.
Hope this helps.