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first cold commute, and finally have fenders!

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first cold commute, and finally have fenders!

Old 11-03-14, 10:30 AM
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first cold commute, and finally have fenders!

Well, I had my first cold commute this morning. For some, I am sure 36ish isn't that bad, and I have ridden in colder (only once on the road, the rest were mountain bike rides). It was DELIGHTFULl! I finally bought some cycling pants and a coat. The coat is windproof and warm in the front and pretty meshy in the back to avoid over heating. Definitely nice once it got into the lower 40s at the tail end of my ride.

I can think of only two other pieces of clothing I want for when winter finally does hit the south - toe covers for my shoes (I have a pair, but they aren't big enough for my boats...size 13, and they are a large! - they were free so I'll find a friend who may want them) and something to go over my lower face. I thought about just using one of the balaclavas I have, but that might be a bit too restrictive for my tastes, and we get cold, but not THAT cold down here. I am thinking a Buff (Buff®Sports | Cold Weather | Cycling) since it is pretty versatile with how you can wear it and it looks easy to pull off your face if you get a little too warm. The only problem I have with my clothes is all of it is black, so I guess I will have to start wearing a safety vest, or hope my lighting and reflectors are enough.

Anyway, I also finally got fenders for my bike. I won't need them until spring (I am not riding in the event of snow...the whole city shuts down and 90% of those who do drive really have no idea what they are doing), but wanted to put them on anyway to complete my bike at long last. The bike rack on my car makes a decent work stand.
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Old 11-03-14, 01:53 PM
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36 F? That's like, summer, 'round these parts.

I envy all you people who live in warm climates!

Big time!
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Old 11-03-14, 07:39 PM
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Beautiful bike. I hope to have one some day. You will love your fenders! And cold weather riding is the best, as long as you are dressed for it. Less sweat, no bugs, and less folks on the bike paths.
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Old 11-03-14, 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by gdhillard
Beautiful bike. I hope to have one some day. You will love your fenders! And cold weather riding is the best, as long as you are dressed for it. Less sweat, no bugs, and less folks on the bike paths.

Thanks! I love that bike, even at 2 sizes too small i love it. As for fewer folks, it is rare to come across anyone else on my commute, and when i do 9/10 times they are riding on the sidewalk, probably salmoning. Less sweat is great. Fewer bugs...those are my protein snacks!
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Old 11-04-14, 04:51 AM
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Riding in still cold weather is one of the best things in life!

The wind dropped here last night and I went out in the dark. It was cold, peaceful, my world was defined by the limit of my lights, and I loved it. (Apart frpm getting a bollocking from my worried wife as I was out for longer than I told her - got carried away and rode further

The bike looks great. You'll enjoy the "fenders". Riding in the rain is also a buzz.
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Old 11-04-14, 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by bmthom.gis
Thanks! I love that bike, even at 2 sizes too small i love it. As for fewer folks, it is rare to come across anyone else on my commute, and when i do 9/10 times they are riding on the sidewalk, probably salmoning. Less sweat is great. Fewer bugs...those are my protein snacks!
Too small? I need around a 54. If you ever want to move up to a bigger one, let me know.
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Old 11-04-14, 07:03 AM
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I must agree that riding in the cold is great. Today was our first cold spell and I'll go for evening run as well.



I grew up in Maine and sometimes miss the really hard winters!
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Old 11-04-14, 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by gdhillard
Too small? I need around a 54. If you ever want to move up to a bigger one, let me know.
This one is a 52. I usually ride a 56.
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Old 11-04-14, 07:13 AM
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People at work thought I was crazy yesterday. Unfortunately I have to drive today. The wife tore a contact lense yesterday and needed me to drive her home. I had 2 of my bikes at the office and rode iver to her office (about 4 miles) on my Fuji, leaving my Volpe and clothes at my office. I could do the commute in the Fuji but I need different pedals (size 13 shoes in toe cages did not work so well) and i left my warm clothes at the office.
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Old 11-04-14, 08:44 AM
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People at work thought I was crazy yesterday. Unfortunately I have to drive today. The wife tore a contact lense yesterday and needed me to drive her home. I had 2 of my bikes at the office and rode iver to her office (about 4 miles) on my Fuji, leaving my Volpe and clothes at my office. I could do the commute in the Fuji but I need different pedals (size 13 shoes in toe cages did not work so well) and i left my warm clothes at the office.
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Old 11-04-14, 09:33 AM
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You can get a LONG set of mudguards from PB for about $5....... or hang a piece of lightweight rubber off the bottom - it will make a difference. Personally, I'd go with their LONG mudflaps, and they will pop right on..
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Old 11-05-14, 06:56 AM
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Fenders look good! Whereabouts in columbia do you commute? I usually ride in three times a week and maybe see one other commuter every few times.
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Old 11-05-14, 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by jake0490
Fenders look good! Whereabouts in columbia do you commute? I usually ride in three times a week and maybe see one other commuter every few times.
I ride in from Lexington. The majority of my route is Ermine by the airport to pick up Platt Spings Rd and Knox Abbott for the bike lane.You are the first I have met on here from the same area! How about you?
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Old 11-05-14, 09:11 AM
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Can I know the brand/part# of the fenders? (you know it was only a matter of time til somebody asked - they look good man)
Those are really close to what I think I'm looking for, for my commuter Trek FX. Problem is, there are "too many choices" .

Thanks bmthom - I'm in Chicago but being a gentleman, will spare you any comparisons related to "cold". There are positives for sure, to riding when it's not hot/muggy. Having learned from last winter I should be able to do a better job of preparing for local "extremes" this time around - when we're in the deep-freeze, a headwind numbs one up pretty quickly!
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Old 11-05-14, 10:18 AM
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it looks like these are it. They had been at that particular bike shop long enough where they weren't in inventory and as they were closing and I had previously worked there they were free
https://www.amazon.com/Evo-Power-Guar.../dp/B00ASSQTHM
I have 35C tires on and there is plenty of clearance for wider.
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Old 11-05-14, 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by bmthom.gis
it looks like these are it. They had been at that particular bike shop long enough where they weren't in inventory and as they were closing and I had previously worked there they were free
Amazon.com : Evo Power Guard LT-45 Fender - Fits 700c x 32-45 : Bike Fenders : Sports & Outdoors
I have 35C tires on and there is plenty of clearance for wider.
Thanks. Sounds like for you the price was just right, too.
I am already appreciating how nice it will be to arrive at point B with no water/dirt stripe, after the first wet day commute.
Note for hybrid bike shoppers - it might happen on any and every bicycle to some degree, but the front wheel back-splash on the Trek FX, seems directed straight at both my feet! Commuting in essentially sneakers, I had resorted to stashing spare socks at work for the times my dogs got soaked clean through. We might be solving multiple issues at one go, with these.
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