Not that I've noticed.

Your pawls can freeze up. When that happens, you can't go no matter how fast you pedal. My winter bike if fg just for this reason.

I don't see what effect cold would have on the things you mentioned, though. Just freezing up stuff like oil or grease that's likely been contaminated.

I don't have a personal low temperature threshold even without those wonderful conditions you outlined above! If it's not precipitating and the roads are dry & ice-free, I'll get out on the bike & ride. I've never seen a temperature where I live that was so low that it would keep me off the bike on a clear, dry, windless day.

Of course, it almost never gets near 0°F where I live. I suppose if I woke up one morning and the thermometer said -50°F I might consider staying inside that day.

Below freezing is my cutoff point in my hometown in Southeast Texas. High humidity combined with freezing temps is just too much to tolerate on a bike. In Colorado I think I could ride into the low teens. Just dosen't seem as cold with low humidity.

I'll ride into the 20s, but only if the roads are clear of ice and salt.

I voted for 31 - 40F. I am apprehensive to ride below freezing for fear of sliding on ice. Now hear me out. I am a Southern California kid who has never ridden below 34F. Of course I should try to ride in sub freezing temps at least once, right?

Yeah, you gotta try it.

I live in Minneapolis. What more need I say? If the sun is out and there's no wind, I'm ok down to about 5F. I have the gear and I ride year-round.

I use carbide-studded tires and have a full arsenal of wool, poly and goretex weaponry.

Update: did a 50 miler yesterday, temp range 35-40f, pretty stiff breeze out of the south. Wool base layer, wool ls jersey, 80's vintage jacket (wind front, knit body), 20+ year old winter cycling gloves, fleece tights, wool boot socks, booties, cycling cap under my helmet. Stayed plenty warm but didn't sweat worth mentioning, either. The weather's always fine, as long as you're dressed for it!

SP
Bend, OR

There was a time that I'd check 31-40, but no more. Now it's above 40 and honestly closer to 50. On the other hand, when we talk about hot weather rides, I seem to be more comfortable with warmer weather than most here. The trainer is already set up for the winter.

Piffel, you don’t need to try it even once. :lol: The ground is as hard as pavement and if it starts raining while you are out it is like getting shot with BBs. :eek: If you live where you have no choice that is different but where you live be thankful you can ride in pretty normal cloths all year long. :thumb:

But I have lived where it snows and once it gets cold enough to put black ice on the road the bike is put away for the season. Once I got ready to retire I made sure it was someplace where I would never have to worry about black ice. :rolleyes:

Think about all of the descriptions of a physical Paradise, you might picture a Hammock on an island somewhere with everyone running around in bathing suits and drinking drinks with little umbrellas and ice cubes. I’ll bet you never picture a parka, mittens, fur lined boots and fur hat. :lol:


The above was intended for entertainment only and was not meant to tease too many of our friends in the colder states.;)

21-30F here. Last winter, on a few rides I left the house in temps between 27-29F. Of course, here in So Cal temps will only climb from there so the rides finished in the mid 40's to low 50's. While I don't require sun (these were overcast early mornings), it must be dry for it to be bearable.

Yep! I'm with you there, Kurt. That's why I live in Florida. I did a Cure on Wheels charity ride on Saturday morning that stated off in the mid 60's and ended up in the low 80's by rides end. My kind of winter!

I voted 31-40F. My record is -2C (28F) when I had a warm garage to safely warm up the bike. I rode only in the city and kept the speeds below 60kmh (37mph). I live in Estonia and I'm pretty used to cold weather in general and I didn't have any heated gear. I used dualsport helmet without visor and some special goggles for riding.
Usually I start riding when it's at least 3 or 4 degrees Celsius.

Mid 20's is when it just hurts to breath so I draw the line there.

Honestly, i have no problem into the low 30s, since i now have the cloths that keep me warm in those temps.

No limit. When it gets really cold, cars won't start, but bikes always do. Plus, you can use studded tires so they are a lot better than cars on icy days. On the other hand, cars are better as warm weather fun toys.

As long as the roads aren't icy, it's time to ride!

Well, kinda a zombie thread from 2011 by a banned OP? But, no real temp limit, provided you're willing to be slower. I'm a commuter with a nominal one-way time of 60 minutes, so see my time vs temp chart below. What to wear is just a function of temps, I use a clothing chart with 5 degree increment.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...psw169j05e.png
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...ng_vs_Temp.jpg

I live in a country where lowest temps are high 70's at night, normal daytime temps are mid 90's.... so no chance to ride in the cold.. as I kid I delivered newspapers in the snow.. in the U.K. Probably below freezing, didn't think about it, had to be done... I imagine 55-65F must be nice for cycling.

Just got done ridong 10 miles at -24f. Very little wind and a beautiful sunny day. As long as I am warm and my bike can function I will ride in anything.

31-40 degrees. in southern california, in the winter, lots of early morning rides in the foothills, lower mountains or deserts will start in that range and warm up
25-35 degrees so layering stuff and a windbreaker that compacts nicely are huge. will usually try to bring a mix of full finger gloves, glove underliners, regular gloves,
a warm skull cap, cycling cap, neck gaiter, arm warmers and either that windbreaker or medium weight jacket that doesn't compact. it can be a tough balance
depending on wind, how much effort you're putting out, how much it's actually warmed up, if you're in and out of the shade and if you can be bothered to stop
and take the minute-3 minutes to make the change(s). how much annoyance can you take before pulling over (or trying to make changes while moving)?
i usually end up opting for overheating so that i only have to make one longer change.

37 is my bottom limit. Screw it, otherwise. It's just too cold for my bones.

I do not have much experience riding in colder weather. Last ride in the local mountains had frost and black ice on the road. Rode through it very cautiously and came out without a fall but can't see myself doing this as a solo rider often. Hats off to those that commute regularly in far worse conditions.

Wow. I guess it's all just what you are used to. Here, 58F is shorts and shoret sleeves riding. And lots fo smiles.

Back in Ma I never considered temperature, just jumped on the cyclocross and rode the 10 miles to work. Now that I live in SoCal when it get's below 70 I'm on the cross bike.

Hadn't really thought about it until this poll. And the temp that I'll ride in has gone up 20 degrees or so from when I was in my 30's-early 40's.

Yet another Zombie thread!!!!

We gotta be taking up a lot more server space with all these oldies!!

So far, this is where I’m at as well. I think I could go a little lower but it’s the wind that really kills the fun in the cold.

Rode in -30°F with some decent winds last winter. Once it's that cold, you make sure not to expose any skin at all!