Hi all.

Silly question but here we go. Temp is 3-12C here on average. Expect 5C in a mountain. So basically i am wondering what on earth to wear for winter riding. So far i ve been wearing a wicked tshirt for base, a fleece on top and then a windstoper lightweight jacket. My problem is what to wear below the waist. Up to now i used cotton track/running long legged trousers and they suck bigtime....they get dirty easily...1ride and then washing machine. They dont have any kind of wind/rain stopping property and they are dangerous coz they get tackled with my chainrings. I got a silly looking pair of long legged tights but i dislike wearing it. So what are my options? A long legged wind/water repellant pair of trousers bike specific? or maybe shorts and knee/shin armor to warm the legs?

3 - 12...your kidding right?...shorts and leg armour with a t-shirt...that would be sweet riding weather. I might wear a hoody on top of that if it gets nipply...but really I wouldn't be concerned.

Agreed, at 3C I'm wearing my spandex shorts. For colder rides I have a pair of Louis Garneau tights that are good down to -15C. For -15 to -25 it's the tights + a windbreaker pant. For -25 to -38 I go with a thick fleece underpant + the windbreaker pant. Colder than that I have never ridden!

We Canadian's are a strange bunch...

You prarie boys are even weirder. It gets DAMN cold from alberta to ontario (thunder bay). I couldn't do it

This has been discussed a bunch in the following thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/39423-winter-dress-not-perfect-science.html

Also, check out ICE BIKE.
https://www.icebike.com
for more good advice and even some product reviews.

Hmmm..... I must be the only one that finds it easier to ride in t'shirt and short no matter what weather... i think its just easier... :S

man, 3-15C is some nice riding weather. that’s about the temperature range we get here in toronto during spring.

i’d probably be wearing what maelstrom said... some shorts, leg armour, usually a t-shirt or a sleeveless shirt and maybe a hoodie or a vest.

If the temp is colder than -25c i usually stay in. But if its from -15c to -25c, i wear a winter coat. and -5c to -15c a hoodie, and anything above -5c I wear a long sleeve shirt, or a T-shirt, or Jersey.

You guys are talking about insane temperatures. Pay in mind that i am Greek, that means that i am used to riding temperatures of 15C to 50C. Anything lower that 10C is cold for me....but on the other hand i can easily ride at 45C of heat. Anyhow..really thanks for the advice... i ll try the shorts/armor combination instead of a long trouser.

Fahrenheit Freak here so really am not too sure of the conversions. (too lazy to look) But I know you question referenced above freezing temps. I agree with the others. Above freezing you don't need a lot of consideration.

If you pedal hard you have the greatest heater known to man, your own body. When temps dip only a few degrees below freezing the game starts to change. I have been amazed so far, how much heat one can generate on a bike. It is VERY hard to get cold at freezing temps unless you are putting out very little effort.

https://www.indiana.edu/~animal/fun/c...mperature.html

Theres a pretty decent calculator. 10derees is 50degrees f for example.

I'm wondering the same. I was thinking about getting a Race Face Aquanot or Freeride jacket (www.raceface.com) since they are very abrasive/water/wind resistant but I think it may be overkill even in 0 c temperatures since I get overheated easily.

Perhaps a nylon vest (e.g. Race Face Freeride vest) might suffice?

I also read an article on the three layer method you mentioned (wicking, warmth, and waterproof).

For down below, I wear a pair of slimfit Nike Dri-Fit jogger's pants, then on top I either wear trail pants, or nylon track pants that are presoaked in NIK WAX (makes it water resistant). I also often wear Crash Pad outerwear/underwear and nylon knee/shins underneath which not only protects but offers insulation. Works for me.

As for the chainring, you have to either tie the baggy part of the pant leg with an elastic band, tuck it in socks, or wear a pair of knee/shins on the outside of the pant.

There's also a Race Face bashring but that would eliminate your large chainring.

I haven't found good footwear yet. Especially ones that work well and offer good protection with flat pedals. I've tried regular running shoes (very little protection), Shimano Freeride shoes (terrible without SPD clips), and Magnum Hi-Tec leather/cordura tactical boots (works pretty well but laces come undone).

For the winter, I may use my Joe Rocket Rhino sportbike boots. They are kevlar lined, very warm, very light, good grip, protect up the shin, and fasten with velcro (fsssshhhhhtt).

Thanks all, I ll try buying some leg armor and i hope that in conjunction with shorts it will suffice for the british winter.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Maybe you should try Polyester pants from Athletic Works or something similar, possibly layered with something else..

Jacob

You may be able to wear shorts in dry cold, but damp air will suck the heat out of you.
If you are cold, wear more, and if you are hot, wear less. Its quite simple.
If you are in the UK check out Ron Hill and Parrot, 2 good value sources of clothes designed for UK conditions.
Polyester leggings, such as Ron Hill are std issue for any outdoor activity that involves cold, rain and mountains.

I'm not sure about others, but I mentioned shorts as an extra layer underneath some thicker trail or nylon athletic pants. Yes, you certainly wouldn't want to wear JUST shorts in freezing conditions.

The shorts I was referring to are Crash Pads www.crash-pads.com (or similar product) which are impact resistant shorts with dense foam pads all around. The pads not only protect but act as nice insulation against cold.

They come in long legged cycling versions too.