Cool weather riding gear?
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Kinda personal since everyone reacts different to temps. Wicking baselayer, probably long sleeve, a long sleeve jersery medium weight and a wind shell for me with bib tights, gloves and toe covers. towards the 30 end of the temp it would be shoe covers and lobster claw gloves maybe a heavier long sleeve jersey and a skullcap under my helmet
#3
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65 degree calm sunny day? Warm summer kit.
40 degree breezy night with icy rain? Baselayer, jersey, arm warmers, full-finger gloves, waterproof+windbreaking jacket, waterproof bibs/tights, waterproof shoe covers, balaclava covering most of head and neck. Full-length fenders.
40 degree breezy night with icy rain? Baselayer, jersey, arm warmers, full-finger gloves, waterproof+windbreaking jacket, waterproof bibs/tights, waterproof shoe covers, balaclava covering most of head and neck. Full-length fenders.
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For that range, it's thermal bib shorts (Sugoi at cold end) and thermal leg warmers or wool bib shorts (Ibex for warmer end) and thermal knee warmers, with thermal long sleeve jersey and wind vest (cooler) to summer jersey with thermal arm warmers for the warmer end of the range. From about 50° and down, it's Northwave Celsius arctic GTX insulated boots, and from about 55° up the summer cycling shoes with Defeet wool socks and aero overshoes for wind blocking. Defeet wool gloves up to about 50°, then it's full fingered cycling gloves or lightweight liners up to about 65°.
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40 and sunny around here can be shorts/short sleeves+vest, or it can be full tights and jacket, depending on the other elements.
"generally" -- at least here in CO, 40-60 is knickers or shorts+embrocation, and at least a vest or vest+long sleeve, or closer to 40 my new favorite, a Castelli Gabba 2 Jersey (https://www.amazon.com/Castelli-Gabb.../dp/B00NT7D15M). And toe covers and wool socks. Gloves are either light-weight spring ski gloves (Dakine) or for colder, Gore windproof gloves. On my head is either a walz cap, Peal Izumi skull cap that covers my ears, or a Castelli winter cap.
you gotta trial-and error. Best-case scenario, you get it right. Worst-case, you don't (and you learn for next ride)
"generally" -- at least here in CO, 40-60 is knickers or shorts+embrocation, and at least a vest or vest+long sleeve, or closer to 40 my new favorite, a Castelli Gabba 2 Jersey (https://www.amazon.com/Castelli-Gabb.../dp/B00NT7D15M). And toe covers and wool socks. Gloves are either light-weight spring ski gloves (Dakine) or for colder, Gore windproof gloves. On my head is either a walz cap, Peal Izumi skull cap that covers my ears, or a Castelli winter cap.
you gotta trial-and error. Best-case scenario, you get it right. Worst-case, you don't (and you learn for next ride)
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Above 50 for me is bike shorts, cycling jersey and a wind shell. Below that it is long cycling pants and I just add layers up top as needed. Below 35 I add a liner under my helmet. Then of course this all changes based on sun, clouds, wind, rain well I think you get the picture. You really have to experiment and find what works for you. But what is posted will give you a place to start.
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Arm warmers, knee warmers, and a wind vest gets me through most of that range.
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Castelli Alpha Wind Jersey, but not above 60°.
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Dress in layers so you can peel off clothes as temps warm up. The biggest factors in staying warm are blocking the wind and preventing sweat. If you wear too much clothing, you will sweat and that will make you colder. A thin wind-blocking layer will often provide more warmth than thicker clothes. A vest is perfect for the temperature you range posted. For me, I am perfectly comfortable in temps down to the mid or low 40s with a long-sleeve jersey, base layer and a vest. If temps warm up, I can remove the vest. As far as legs are concerned, knickers or shorts with knee-warmers would be sufficient. I cover my knees for temps lower than 65 F. Gloves are very personal, but I would wear long-fingered gloves in that temp range.
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40-50° for me is a difficult range to get just right. This coming weekend it is supposed to be in the low to mid 50's and I want to do a long ride. It will take me longer to decide what to wear and bring than it will to plan the route out.
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dunno, just got used to 17 - 35 ... :/
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I would add toe warmers, especially at the bottom of that range.
#14
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A wind blocking jacket that converts to a vest will give you many options. Also, be sure you're not reducing circulation in your feet by wearing socks that are too thick.
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FWIW, I live in Toronto, those are common starting temps for much of our riding season.
I wear knicker length bibs. If it's under 40/45 I'll wear the insulated shorts. I'll wear a thicker merino sock with shoe covers if it's staying cool or might get rainy. I'll wear full leg warmers when it's under 40 and/or raining and under 50.
Up top there's more variation. If it's staying close to 40 or dipping below 40 then I'll wear a long sleeve jersey jacket 9especially if rain is in the forecast). My other outfit is a regular jersey with arm warmers and a gilet. In both cases I'll wear a 220 weight merino base layer.
I'll also bring along a running hat - fits under my cycling helmet and blocks any wind. I can regulate my temp on the road by adjusting arm warmers or opening the jacket to dump heat.
With cold weather riding, I find 2 things important: 1) regulate your temperature before you warm up and get used to being a bit cooler so you don't overheat and get wet during your ride and 2) block and cold wind hitting your chest and stomach. Synthetic base layers block wind better then merino but will run hotter.
And if you're about to chuck in the towel 'cause you can't get your kit right, remember rule #5 - HTFU...
I wear knicker length bibs. If it's under 40/45 I'll wear the insulated shorts. I'll wear a thicker merino sock with shoe covers if it's staying cool or might get rainy. I'll wear full leg warmers when it's under 40 and/or raining and under 50.
Up top there's more variation. If it's staying close to 40 or dipping below 40 then I'll wear a long sleeve jersey jacket 9especially if rain is in the forecast). My other outfit is a regular jersey with arm warmers and a gilet. In both cases I'll wear a 220 weight merino base layer.
I'll also bring along a running hat - fits under my cycling helmet and blocks any wind. I can regulate my temp on the road by adjusting arm warmers or opening the jacket to dump heat.
With cold weather riding, I find 2 things important: 1) regulate your temperature before you warm up and get used to being a bit cooler so you don't overheat and get wet during your ride and 2) block and cold wind hitting your chest and stomach. Synthetic base layers block wind better then merino but will run hotter.
And if you're about to chuck in the towel 'cause you can't get your kit right, remember rule #5 - HTFU...
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The first thing to get is a wind jacket. Mine is an unlined "shell". The sleeves can be removed so that it can be worn as a vest.
A wind jacket allows the layers under it to do the job of keeping you warm. My first attempt at cool weather apparel was a long-sleeve jersey. It was OK, but the wind cut right through it.
The next best item of apparel, in my experience, is a light-weight BCG polyester pull-over from Academy Sports. For cool-weather riding, I use it as a base layer.
A wind jacket allows the layers under it to do the job of keeping you warm. My first attempt at cool weather apparel was a long-sleeve jersey. It was OK, but the wind cut right through it.
The next best item of apparel, in my experience, is a light-weight BCG polyester pull-over from Academy Sports. For cool-weather riding, I use it as a base layer.
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40-48: wool socks, light shoe covers, knee warmers, pro team training jacket + wool base layer OR long sleeve jersey + wool base layer + windproof vest
48-55: wool socks, knee warmers, long sleeve jersey + wool base layer
55 & up: bib shorts + base layer + short sleeve jersey
Worth calling out that wind chill can make 55 degrees feel like 45, so I refer to Wunderground or Dark Sky (iOS app) before I leave the house.
48-55: wool socks, knee warmers, long sleeve jersey + wool base layer
55 & up: bib shorts + base layer + short sleeve jersey
Worth calling out that wind chill can make 55 degrees feel like 45, so I refer to Wunderground or Dark Sky (iOS app) before I leave the house.
#21
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Always found this a good starting point:
Winter Layering Done Right: How to Dress for Cycling in Cold Weather | Bicycling
Winter Layering Done Right: How to Dress for Cycling in Cold Weather | Bicycling
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Windbreaker layer on top, vary fleece layers underneath. For smaller changes on the road, add or subtract just another windbreaker.
The difference from 65 to 50 is not much. From 50 to 40 is more of a change.
On short rides you can do all kinds of things wrong and still be OK. I do 120-140 mile rides down as far as the high teens, if the road is dry and clean. I need to get it right. Maybe 70-100 miles on an MTB if there is a potential for snow or ice.
Put a thermometer on your bars, then you see what works at what temperatures.
I have three Sigma bike computers with thermometers in them. When the ride is done all the ride numbers are put into my lap top with a Sigma dock and software. I add the temperature in too.
The difference from 65 to 50 is not much. From 50 to 40 is more of a change.
On short rides you can do all kinds of things wrong and still be OK. I do 120-140 mile rides down as far as the high teens, if the road is dry and clean. I need to get it right. Maybe 70-100 miles on an MTB if there is a potential for snow or ice.
Put a thermometer on your bars, then you see what works at what temperatures.
I have three Sigma bike computers with thermometers in them. When the ride is done all the ride numbers are put into my lap top with a Sigma dock and software. I add the temperature in too.
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Man, I'd be burnin' up in some of these kits, which are more than I wear in sub-freezing temps! I generate a lot of heat when I'm working, though.
@Canuk1w1 made a great reminder about a wind blocking cap on the head; I use a PearIzumi one which pulls down over the ears which is nice.
Relatedly, a visor equipped helmet, like Giro AirAttack, does a lot to mitigate wind chill effect and extend comfort. It also has less venting as an aero helmet, which I find nice for winter riding.
@Canuk1w1 made a great reminder about a wind blocking cap on the head; I use a PearIzumi one which pulls down over the ears which is nice.
Relatedly, a visor equipped helmet, like Giro AirAttack, does a lot to mitigate wind chill effect and extend comfort. It also has less venting as an aero helmet, which I find nice for winter riding.
#24
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@chaadster -- totally agree, which is why I suggest experimenting is the only way to really know. For example, gonna be 65 here today (@10% humidity). I'm in short sleeves and bibshorts, maybe a vest. Darn near summer kit. All depends on where you are, how hot you get, and how wet the ride is....
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Below 50 I always wear a long sleeve, wool baselayer (Rapha), and often a wind shell (Rapha) to start. Depending on the wind, legwarmers (Specialized). These together got me through a 30 degree ride yesterday, with some Specialized gloves meant for temps down to 32, and a neck thing I could pull over my face until I warmed up, and a skullcap that goes down over my ears.