Bike Forums - Winter

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- Classic & Vintage (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/)

- - Winter (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/699778-winter.html)

Zaphod Beeblebrox

12-07-10 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZORCH (Post 11898150)

I've ordered a pair of those wool Italian army knickers that keep getting mentioned on the list but haven't rec'd them yet.

I've got 2 pair and been using them since Late October and I absolutely love them. I wore em today, it was about 28F and I was very comfy.

I found that the crotch seam had a lot of extra fabric that was uncomfortable so on both my pairs I trimmed out a bunch of excess material. I think I should probably buy another pair or two considering the price and how well they work.

Not gonna lie, they do look a little goofy if you get spotted off your bike, but I can't imagine I'd look any less goofy in tights.

sciencemonster

12-07-10 10:42 AM

Temp plummeted to 50 this morning - damn, I had to wear a sweater!

This California 'weather' kills me.

newenglandbike

12-07-10 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by embankmentlb (Post 11898077)

The problem i have with long rides in the cold is that my inner layer of clothing eventually gets wet from perspiration. Once that happens, Its almost impossible to keep warm. What do you guys do?

I started wearing wool as a base-layer and have become a total wool convert. It's tough to find inexpensive merino wool (or other soft wool) but dang if it isn't worth the price IMHO. Even when it's soaked from rain it keeps you warm.

AZORCH

12-07-10 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20grit (Post 11898248)

I've not actually jumped on the new trainer yet. The one before was a Blackburn that I had borrowed. After a short period of riding, various parts of it had heated up to the point that you'd burn yourself if you touched it. I'm certain this also increased resistance. I was actually given the new fluid trainer but got to choose which one I picked up. I was given a price range and the only one that fell within that price range and had decent reviews was the Travel-Trac fluid trainer from Performance. I waited and picked it up on sale and got it a little cheaper as well. I'll set it up this week and let you know how it runs. One would assume that the Kurt Kinetics/cycleops would be better given their status as higher end.

I have a Blackburn mag and a Travel Trac Century Plus adustable fluid trainer by Performance that I just purchased used on CL. The fluid, too, gets awfully hot - much more so than the mag trainer btw. After everything I'd read about fluid, I confess to being a little disappointed with it... the magnetic actually seems to be a smoother rotation and resistance than the fluid model.

AZORCH

12-07-10 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newenglandbike (Post 11898284)

Try thrift stores... I've picked up a half dozen or so very nice, very lightweight merino wool sweaters for under a buck each recently. No, they don't have a Cinelli graphic, but they are just about perfect for cold-ish Midwest weather.

auchencrow

12-07-10 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by embankmentlb (Post 11898077)

The problem i have with long rides in the cold is that my inner layer of clothing eventually gets wet from perspiration. Once that happens, Its almost impossible to keep warm. What do you guys do?

I peel back as I warm up: I wear scarf that comes off, a sweatshirt that unzips, and a jacket that unbuttons.
When it's in the single digits, I'll duct tape BOTH pant cuffs so the wind doesn't blow up my legs, and wear a hat under my skid lid.

Phil_gretz

12-07-10 11:11 AM

Winter Hamsters

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velognome (Post 11897425)

Seems like an activity better suited for Hamsters. Bundle up and ride.

Although our hamster enjoyed running on the wheel, we never could get him to watch movies.

marley mission

12-07-10 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sciencemonster (Post 11898274)

Temp plummeted to 50 this morning - damn, I had to wear a sweater!

This California 'weather' kills me.

:notamused:

newenglandbike

12-07-10 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZORCH (Post 11898344)

I'm lucky- my girlfriend owns & runs a second-hand clothing store. I am the second-hand wool king. But, even so, it ain't easy to find, relative to other textiles.

20grit

12-07-10 12:14 PM

Have I mentioned that my road is solid ice right now and it was 13 degrees this morning going to work? No, there will be none of this riding outdoors you speak of.

scozim

12-07-10 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20grit (Post 11898705)

Have I mentioned that my road is solid ice right now and it was 13 degrees this morning going to work? No, there will be none of this riding outdoors you speak of.

+1 - we haven't been above freezing for 2 1/2 weeks now and ice/compact snow on the side roads. Main roads are starting to clear but are narrow because of the ice on the shoulder so I haven't been brave enough to go out.

I haven't tried wool yet - but do use polypropylene long underwear tops as a base layer. It seems to wick moisture well. About 30 minutes after finishing a ride though I seem to get real cold.

stien

12-07-10 12:25 PM

I friggin' hate winter now. Once sand and salt comes it'll be all mountain bike or POS high-ten road bikes.

ColonelJLloyd

12-07-10 12:31 PM

I knew I would kick myself for not buying that 25" hortizontal TT, steel MTB frame for $100 this summer.

gaucho777

12-07-10 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sciencemonster (Post 11898274)

Temp plummeted to 50 this morning - damn, I had to wear a sweater!

This California 'weather' kills me.

Tell me about it! It was chilly this morning. No sweater, but I did wear a thin shell jacket. :)

Hate to rub it in, but it's gorgeous out now: http://sv.berkeley.edu/view/

sciencemonster

12-07-10 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaucho777 (Post 11899028)

Tell me about it! It was chilly this morning. No sweater, but I did wear a thin shell jacket. :)

Hate to rub it in, but it's gorgeous out now: http://sv.berkeley.edu/view/

Maybe we should post a pic of our property tax bill to make everyone feel better?

Hey - I think my daughter worked in that building.

BluesDaddy

12-07-10 01:51 PM

Banish cotton from your riding wardrobe. Mountaineers call it "death cloth".

rhm	12-07-10 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by embankmentlb (Post 11898077)

The problem i have with long rides in the cold is that my inner layer of clothing eventually gets wet from perspiration. Once that happens, Its almost impossible to keep warm. What do you guys do?

The trick is to keep from getting too warm, so I can avoid perspiration as much as possible. It's a tricky balance. I don't wear warm pants, because my legs don't get cold while I'm riding. Wool on the upper body; start out with a windbreaker, which goes into my pockets after a few miles, and comes out as soon as I stop. Fleece gloves. Wool socks, but so far my feet have still been getting cold. I might try wearing two pairs of wool socks tomorrow.

Oregon Southpaw

12-07-10 02:59 PM

Got a trainer for the first time last year, hate it more than about anything. Here we really only deal with rain, snow maybe a couple times a year and its rarely sticks.

I need to get my behind moving on my rain/commuter bike, its close but not that close.

No matter what those first few rides of May are always excruciating.

Ex Pres

12-07-10 03:42 PM

Don't wear out good vintage parts on your trainer. This is a job for a beater, or maybe a 1998 Trek or something.

badger_biker

12-07-10 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex Pres (Post 11900013)

Don't wear out good vintage parts on your trainer. This is a job for a beater, or maybe a 1998 Trek or something.

+1 I set up a 1990 Trek 1400 on my mag trainer- mainly because it already has a rear wheel pickup for the odometer. Tough on the rear tire after a while too.

I'm set up in an unheated room above my garage so I still layer and need to be bundled up pretty good at the start. It got to a whopping 11 degrees here today! If the roads are clear of ice and snow I'd much prefer to take the mountain bike out for a real ride. The trainer is nice to somewhat stay tuned up but best for getting a bit of a head start when if finally thaws out.

AZORCH

12-07-10 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex Pres (Post 11900013)

Don't wear out good vintage parts on your trainer. This is a job for a beater, or maybe a 1998 Trek or something.

Yes, I forgot to mention how quickly a trainer will eat up your rear tire. Not knowing this last winter, I managed to completely ruin my last Maxxis Fuse (as in "not terribly cheap") tire. This year I have an eight dollar wonder mounted on the rear (with a couple more hanging in the garage, waiting for the first cheap-o to wear out.)

Velognome

12-07-10 08:07 PM

Quote:

Banish cotton from your riding wardrobe. Mountaineers call it "death cloth".

Cuz it no longer insulates when it gets wet. I've been riding with several layers of cotton and have been fine for an hour or so in temps just below freezing. The trick is as RHM mentioned, not to build up a sweat. For me, three layers of cotton work between 35 and 25, I go to two layers above 35, and sweat is wicked away so I've been staying warm and dry, except for my feet, my toes get cold.

mickey85

12-07-10 08:23 PM

I'm hoping my fam gets me a set of rollers for winter. If that's the case, I'm thinking the 'dale will go on it. Otherwise, it'll be winter riding as usual. I'd kill to live close enough to work to ride, but 45 miles each way is a bit of a hike, even by car. Hopefully by next year, I'll be able to move within 10 miles of work, so I can bike commute again. I'd love that.

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