went out for ride during the holiday break and had a difficult time with finding the proper level of clothes to wind and cold ratio without looking like a giant fluffy fat guy. I have plenty of light weight long sleeve stuff and a few vests and a wind jacket. How can I keep warm, look semi cool and not spend big $ on better gear. Anywarm tricks?

Well it is spending some dollars but I got a great deal on giordana silver line jacket. Good for a range of temps with basic jersey short or long sleeve and very wind proof. The one jacket takes me from low 30's to mid 40's. Couple that with some basic tights which I imagine you can later a bit or simply leg/knee Warmer's...

Layering! - get a decent light to mid weight long sleeve base layer (Craft, Patagonia, LL Bean, Helly Hansen to name a few). I also like Merino wool jerseys in winter - I've got a long sleeve wool jersey made by Kucharik that's over 10 years old that is a winter essential for me. Those two with either a wind jacket in warmer temps(above 35 deg) or heavier jacket (below 35deg) will pretty much cover the top for me. On the bottom: Bibs + leg warmers or bibs + tights (below 35 deg).

Then it's all about accessories: warm gloves (or two pairs lighter gloves), good shoe covers(neoprene, e.g.), winter cap or hat that covers ears. This year I just discovered the neck gaiter - great piece of winter gear, in conjunction with a good cap will keep your head warm and you can pull it up over your mouth for further warmth. Patagonia and Smartwool make some nice ones.

Troll the internet looking for deals, this season I got a couple of great jackets that were older years models on sale for 50%+ off.

Inexpensive stuff to do:
1. Get a balaclava, ideally one with a hole in it big enough to expose your mouth for when you're breathing hard. I have a thin wool one from SmartWool that's awesome.
2. Cheap hardware store insulated work gloves, especially those dipped in rubber, are perfect winter riding gloves.
3. Get some full neoprene booties, they run about $20. Wrap your toes in aluminum foil on really cold days.
4. Performance Triflex tights are ridiculously warm and fairly cheap.
5. A good bike specific winter jacket is probably a necessity because of the pockets, long tail and long arms. It's worth the money to get a good one, see if you can find one on sale. The Gore Windstopper ones are very warm indeed.
6. Tape your helmet vents with removable packing tape. This makes a huge difference. You can also tape your shoe sole vents if they have them.

You're going to be cold for the first mile or two, but if you're moving at a decent clip the exercise should warm you up after that. Try drinking a hot coffee or tea before the ride so it's radiating heat from the inside until you warm up.

^^^^. I'm cold for the first 5 miles or so then start to warm up. If I'm not cold starting out, I'll be way too warm once going and warmed up.

You don't mention temps or rain. We just bought Pearl Isumi Elite softshell jackets for cool weather. They feel like they'll go down to the high 30's with a Craft long sleeve baselayer and they look really spiffy. As said above, if you're not shivering at the start, you're probably overdressed. I think the PI jackets will go considerably colder than that and be fine in rain with the addition of a light breathable wind/rain jacket like a Voler Jet, also a spiffy jacket. I like PI Elite Thermal tights for down to dry and high 30's, then PI Amfib tights or Performance Triflex for colder or cold rain.

Wool socks of course - I like Smartwool. Then booties - I like Sugoi Resistor for down to the 40's and raining. Then Lake MTB boots for colder and rain or just really cold.

Lots of winter glove info in the Winter Cycling forum.

have an old Lemond Jacket that is great for the wind but actually cooks me by not allowing my body to breath.....like wearing a plastic bag. I see the good stuff is over $100 for jacket.....The wind is the devil.....Need long sleeve wind breaker stuff. 3 Layers of lycra do nothing to stop the wind.

One combination is a Craft LS undershirt, SS jersey, arm warmers, and wind vest. A lot of the faster folk around here wear that until it is really cold. Good arm warmers are quite windproof. I've worn that rig with a light wind jacket over down to 33° and sleeting. When you hold your Lemond to your open mouth and suck hard, what happens? You should be able to suck air through it, but not a heck of a lot. If no air, no good.

now this is what I am talking about...thank you, I have to try this

Perhaps overkill but I bought these gloves (EMS Men's Summit Gloves) : https://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=18667476

I got sick and tired of frozen fingers.

Winter Cycling Forum ... lots of clothing advice ...
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...Winter-Cycling

Hahaha sounds like Fred Sanford on a bike!.no offense meant just sounds funny when picturing it

In what way? All are old tricks still used by many pros. Cycling's roots are gritty and working class, the Assos fancy boy stuff is recent.

Generally if I can keep the feet and hands warm then I'm good to go.

I usually will run a thicker wool sock then shoe, then toe cover and full neoprene bootie. Allows feet to stay warm without cutting off circulation, which is what layering socks do. When it's colder I tape over the vent holes in the souls of the shoes to cut off that access for cold air.

A good insulated water/wind proof glove.

For head, I refuse to wear a balaclava, having one on makes me feel panicky so I run a lined skull cap that when worn covers most of the ear. Can get one from your closest sporting goods store.

Legs: winter bibs.

Upper body: base layer, jersey, winter cycling jacket. If really cold, I put on a fleece vest as well. And will wear something to cover the nose and mouth up.

Don't forget to put a few sheets of newspaper between your jacket & jersey for wind protection.

Yes you're right as it were,because after posting that,I was browsing you tube videos on various winter riding techniques and saw the aluminum foil recommendation.My humble apology sir.New Mexico does get cold but that is the extent of it.Not as harsh as many other states,but in any case thanks for the useful advise.

I'm curious if people have used aluminum foil elsewhere.... inside jersey, under helmet, etc.