PArider

Hi,

I usually hang up the bike during the winter, but this year I'd like to start back a little earlier. Can anyone recommend some basic clothing items that are must haves for temperatures in 40s?

Thanks!

Busta Quad

The key in cooler temps is layering rather than bulk. In the 40's I usually wear a thin, tight-fitting base layer long sleeve top (I get them at Walmart for $11 each), a jersey, a light jacket and full-finger gloves (I use Lizards). On the bottom, a single layer of tights and my Shimano RS80 winter shoes. No need for anything under the helmet in the 40's. In the 30's I'll wear a headsweats under the helmet, a heavier base layer top and Performance Wind Stopper gloves.

dsotm

The above are all pretty much correct. However, the two most important things are to keep your feet and hands warm. Invest in a good pair of winter gloves and either some winter shoes, or some shoe covers and wool socks. Shoe covers and wool socks have gotten me down to 20 degrees without much agony.

Busta Quad

Yeah - you can get neoprene shoe covers pretty cheap. I do love my winter shoes, though.

btographer

I usually hang up the bike during the winter, but this year I'd like to start back a little earlier. Can anyone recommend some basic clothing items that are must haves for temperatures in 40s? I've been riding most of the winter in Chicago. I wear bib tights, underarmour top, wicking turtle neck, winter jersey,wool socks, wind breaker, Balaclava or hat, lobster gloves for very cold regular gloves when warmer, performance neroprene shoe covers. I've been out in close to 0 temperatures.

Machka 

Try the Winter Cycling forum:

https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/

PArider

Thanks for the tips!

Ratfish

I find that I will instantly warm up if it's only down to the 40s and I end up only needing windproof gloves and a t-shirt. I do start out with a windproof jacket, but I shed it almost immediately. If you are hammering, you don't really need much. I recommend North Face gloves (either Windwall or Windstopper).

mattm

layers of wool

urbanknight

When my morning commute is in the high 30's to low 40's, I wear a base layer, shorts, jersey, thermafleece arm and leg warmers, full finger gloves, wind jacket, toe covers, skull cap, and a fabric tube around my neck that can be pulled up to cover my mouth and ears.

When it's in the mid 40's to low 50's, I wear a vest instead of a jacket, and forego the neck tube.

It's all personal, though. I bought what I thought I'd need and made a mental note if I ended up not needing a layer, or bought something new if any part of me needed more coverage.

nitropowered

usually regular bibs, light leg warmers, tights, long sleeve base layer, jersey, arm warmers, wind jacket, neopreane booties thin wool socks. That'll usually get me down to mid 30's.

If its windy or colder, I'll either wear another jersey or switch the wind jacket to a fleece jacket. I'll also switch to a thicker wool sock or keep the thin one and use an instant chemical heat pack in my shoes.

Gloves wise I have several choices. Amfib gloves are for extreme cold, I often find them too warm. I also have a pair of Descante Wombat gloves which are nice but a little drafty, they'd be perfect if they had some goretex in them. for 40's+, I'll just wear a thin full fingered glove

But the key is, layering. If you start to get hot, zip down or take off layers. You do not want to get sweaty and wet. If you do, you will get cold when you stop.

irish pat

That is spring clothing that you need, not winter clothing.
Leg warmers, long sleeve jersey and perhaps a pair of light booties.

JohnDThompson 

I picked up these fuzzy wool-lined Vittoria winter shoes at a swap in January. I haven't had a chance to try them yet, because I'm still waiting for the temp to get above freezing*.



* It's not just because I'm a woos that I haven't been riding. In the past few years I've developed Raynaud's phenomenon in my hands and riding in the cold brings it on. It can take over an hour for my hands to recover, all the while they are numb and stiff, and as they recover they throb and have stabbing pains. It's not fun at all, so I don't ride when it's cold.

Ritterview

Get stuff with Windstopper, or equivalent. The cheapest way to do this is in a baselayer. Craft makes stuff with it, for example these briefs. Craft also makes a top.

Competitive Cyclist has a lot of Winter stuff on sale right now. They have Assos, Craft and Giordana, with which you cannot go wrong.

cccorlew

My Pearl Izumi Gavia jersey has turned out to be my go to jersey in the winter.
Between 40-60ish, it, with a base layer, make me happy. i never thought I'd ride at 4o. Now I'm happy. Add a wind jacket and it's good to 30.

I'm a ski glove fan if it's below 40, and a alwys go with toe warmers or booties.

I wear a Buff, or some ear warmer too.

azwhelan

When you start your ride it's in the 40s but what are the temps when you finish the ride? In the 40s I can get away with just arm, knee warmer, vest, light fullfinger gloves, toe covers and a base layer. With the exception of the baselayer I can lose almost everything if the temps start coming up. Of course I'm sure my temps come up more than most places this time of year.

clausen

40s. That's not winter riding.

nbac23

2 pairs of socks, tights, ls base layer, ls poly shirt, ls jersey, scull cap, full finger gloves. If I get a little warm I can open up the jersey a bit and take off the scull cap.