tprevost

Okay... since I've been a fair weather cyclist for the past 10 years.... I just wanted to find out what you all have or feel is necessary for making it through the winter. I've got a few long sleeved jerseys for colder weather and I probably have some full fingered gloves somewhere but that's about it.

Oh, and when you buy the long legged stuff... do you get them w/padding or layer a non-padded version with something padded underneath...

I don't plan on riding in the rain but I'm sure I'll get caught in it once in a while; I'm mostly concerned w/the cold.

Thanks!

Trac'

herbm

I have 1 long pair with pad
1 pr leg warmers...then I can wear any shorts and take the warmers off
1pr arm warmers
1 windbreaker vest/jacket
base layer shirts...I use these in the summer as well
wool socks
voler clear rain jacket
gloves but I need better ones

Brandy

I'll be awaiting the responses since I was wondering the same thing Tracy. I was thinking of buying some Sugar Knickers and was wondering if full tights were really necessary.

BigSean

I just add leg warmers. Long sleeve jerseys, fleece lined. Full finger gloves, and a light shell, windbreaker rain thingy. I dont reall ride in the rain anyway. If yer feetsies get cold, some shoe cover may help also. A t-shirt under a jersey will go a long ways on a really cold day. My legs do fine with just the leg warmers and shorts. I do have some tights, non padded, that I will sometimes just wear over my padded shorts.

Happy spending.

cjbruin

I just use knee warmers because my legs never get cold but you need to make sure your knees stay warm (protect the joints). As for on top, it depends on whether there will be any sun that day. If not, I go with a base layer under a LS jersey and a vest/windbreaker (it's all about the layers). If sun is expected I usually go with arm warmers and a SS jersey under the vest. There have been a lot of times that I was happy I could take off my arm warmers.

Oh, full fingered gloves are key.

Oh, oh, some sort of head cover can really help...nothing too major just something like a headsweat that will keep your bean warm.

merider1

+1 on all of the above and also a fleece skull cap and wool socks. Trust me on the skull cap. Descents on Baldy are bearable with gloves, wool socks and a CAP!

merider1

Also, Trac, Pearl Izumi has great fleece leggings that are padded. If you are riding on a day that it is predicted to rain, carry latex/rubber dish gloves and saran wrap. On Solvang, I wrapped my feet up to my knees with the saran wrap (over wool socks) and wore the rubber gloves under my full finger cycling gloves. Those two steps are the only things that kept my fingers and toes from freezing and me on the bike!

cjbruin

Looks like I was editing my post when you added about the skull cap...funny.

tprevost

well, I know that tights of some kind are definately necessary; especially on winter mornings when its a tad damp outside It appears I've got quite a few things to purchase!

tprevost

that's because of all them muscles!

tprevost

M.E., can you please just come down and go shopping w/me? I actually have a few things picked out at performance but there is also a very cool long sleeved jersey on the website that Injured posted a while back.... not the one thats $169 but a similar one that's a tad less expensive!

Thank you everyone! I wasn't sure how much or how little to get!

Trac'

big john

It really depends on how cold you're talking. Gore-tex or Gore-windstopper are great materials for cycling, much better for vests or jackets than nylon. If it's not real cold, sweat might be a problem, though. A base layer, even just a polypro layer, plus a winter type jersey will allow the sweat out and you can carry the vest for descents. Even some of those single layer jerseys from Performance block the wind, especially with a base layer.
For the fingers I use polypro glove liners under my fingerless gloves most of the time, long finger neoprene gloves when it's colder, and ski gloves when I ride in the snow on the mtb.
I use soft wool socks, sometimes with a thin polypro sock under them, or Gore-tex socks in the snow.
On the bottom, I use regular short pants with leg warmers, even if it's snowing.
If you've never ridden a mountain bike on a snowy trail, you gotta try it.

jschen

This is all I had last winter, and for the Pie ride and preparation for the Pie ride, temperatures got down to right around freezing. On one early morning descent of Palomar, I felt a bit cool. But the rest of the time, I was comfortable.

basic clothing
short sleeve jerseys (even really cold days in SoCal see warm enough temps to desire short sleeves on a big climb mid-day)
thin baselayer
regular bibs/shorts
regular socks
full finger gloves (not very thick)

layers to help keep warm
knee warmers
leg warmers
arm warmers
windbreaker
shoe covers
headband/ear covering

jsigone

you guys climb baldy in the winter******************** NUTS!!!

Last winter I used arm/leg warmers (easy to peel off as needed) some good warm gloves for those morning commutes and a windbreaker to tears to a vest. Still need shoe covers, though I use my MTB shoes for my roadie too, so not sure if they make MTB shoe covers. I have too much hair for a skull cap, head bands work fine for me.

Surferbruce

from a womens point of view, my wife wears some pearl izumi tights without the chamois pad over her regular shorts. that way if it warms up she can always take em off. she doesn't like leg warmers (swears she can't find any that fit and are comfortable).
a crucial piece is a good wind vest, preferably with a nice high neck and a nice close fit. worth it's weight in gold on cold descents.
another crucial piece(s) is good base layer stuff. on really cold days i may have 2-3 layers of baselayer stuff under my jersey with arm warmers and a vest.

cjbruin

merider1

You're so cute, Trac! You don't need my help, although I'm always up for shopping and I need a few items (there goes my other kidney...). But if you want a base layer that's inexpensive, Sports Chalet has men's Nike running jerseys (dry wick) that I swear by (just buy size small which there are usually tons left on the rack). They keep you warm and dry and they are light enough that you can wear them almost year round. Combine one of those with a short sleeve jersey and arm warmers (and vest, etc.), you'll be fine. And it won't cost you a fortune!

jschen

I climbed Baldy last year on Dec 31. Descending Baldy that morning was what convinced me to go get a headband/ear covering, leg warmers (as opposed to thin knee warmers), and shoe covers. I haven't used those items much since, but the few times I used them, they were worth every penny.

LCI_Brian

Most of my coldest winter riding is early morning with the temps in the 30s when I'm leaving my house. Or maybe in the 20s (that's F, not C, existence!) if I'm in the local mountains or visiting family on the east coast.

I use knee warmers down to 50 degrees. Below that, I found that I need to keep my calves warm, so I switch to thin tights. I have a thicker pair of tights also, but I don't think of using those until it's close to freezing.

For winter mountain rides, I carry a thin full face balaclava. Not a cycling-specific one, just a generic one from REI. It hardly weighs anything, yet you can cover/uncover your face as the temperature changes while riding. And it's thin enough so that I don't have to adjust my helmet straps.

DaveSANYYZ

Can't help you much with what to buy... but I can with what not to buy.

Gore head/arm/leg warmers are not very form fitting. They run a little loose and bind at the joints. Based on some comments in the winter cycling subforum, binding is not good. I got it because it was on sale, and also I thought if the coldness comes from the wind, then windstopper would be good...

Giordana soft shell jacket. I actually just got it in the mail and haven't tried it. It is pretty nice and warm but turns out to be quite heavy. Definitely not the "lightweight" jacket being seek for in the windbreaker thread.

Oh, I actually did have one winter purchase that turns out to be pretty good. Full fingered Fox inline gloves.

I think I'll hold off for a while before making any more winter cycling purchases.

jschen

Dave, you should try out some of my stuff. It all worked out pretty well for me last winter, and with a relatively small collection of stuff, it allowed me to cover a pretty big temperature range comfortably.

socalrider

I think for riding in cold weather, good base layers are a must. The craft base layers are very good for cycling. Performance and local shops usually carry craft. Getting a sleeveless and long sleeve base layer is a good item to add to your winter collection.. The under armour cold weather base layers work well too, they are more of a compression fit.

I use knickers down to 50 and tights for 30-40 degree weather. I personally have some older team issue jackets that I wear when it is real cold. Sinchi Fleece jackets are windproof and good down to 30 degree weather.

If you can wear wool, wool socks and jerseys are still a solid bet for keeping warm when the weather gets cooler.

tprevost

Thank you everyone for all of the good information! I'm going to start my winter shopping today or tomorrow online

caligurl

g'morning trac'! don't forget toe warmers! they really DO make a difference!

herbm

I found some Champion base layer tshirts at Target for $9...buy a size smaller for a closer fit!
But the Nikes are nice too...I have one of those also....
check ebay...I got my nike there!!