Bike Winter: Get Your Bearings Now

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ace Mann on October 20, 2011 at 2:26pm

Holly and your bike winter blog.Now I know it is offically winter. 

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Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on October 20, 2011 at 11:50pm

I am thinking the same thing as far as...testing my gear and finding out what is needed.

I have to say that the fenders are the best investment yet.

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Permalink Reply by igz on October 21, 2011 at 11:41am

its been clear to me that ive been needing to update my gear, but the procrastination ended after these few days we just had.  just ordered my Neos, and some awesome water/wind proof motorcycle gloves.  i may actually get a water/wind proof motorcycle jacket as well - the one i want has three removable insulation layers to adjust to the temps as needed.  im still looking for the perfect pants tho.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on October 21, 2011 at 11:48am

Those Neos might be something I'd be able to use. I'd like to see the jacket. I've seen a few motorcyclists out in the rain and the ones who are dressed right seem well-equipped for the weather. 

 

I want to add, too, that waiting too long to get gear has its advantages (stuff is on sale) but also sizes tend to be limited. When my Keen boots started to leak at the end of the season, I had trouble finding boots and just decided to ignore it. And then it was summer. 

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Permalink Reply by Davo on October 21, 2011 at 12:06pm

This might be a dumb question but are the boots ones that you put on over shoes or instead of shoes?

Has anyone found/used something that pulls over shoes and works well?

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Permalink Reply by Poptart on October 21, 2011 at 1:40pm

So i rode yesterday , and was super content. So I guess Ill be fine? 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by igz on October 21, 2011 at 2:15pm

they are pull overs.  i have tried big rubber pullovers too (below). the kind that look like youre a body snatcher and want to dip your victims in an acid bath. They were cheap, so i tried them.  they are big and bulky and dont pack too well, but they are cheap and 100% waterproof.  over all, the NEOs are the best bet.   

 

here are some really low cost overboots :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DJG03E/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?i...

 

i just received the NEOs (same day, Grainger rocks), and i need to go a size up.  i ordered the large and my sz11 shoes are a bit too snug in there.  in the winter, i will be wearing these with boots.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/NEOS-OverTheShoe-Waterproof-Boot-3...

 

these are the gloves i ordered.  whats also great about the gloves is that they are contoured to fit comfortably around handlebars.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038T790E

 

this is the jacket im highly considering. the padding is a 'bit much' but i figure, if i get hit by a car or slip on some ice - im a little protected:

http://www.motorcyclecenter.com/p/Shop-Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xele...

Davo said:

This might be a dumb question but are the boots ones that you put on over shoes or instead of shoes?

Has anyone found/used something that pulls over shoes and works well?

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Permalink Reply by Holly on October 21, 2011 at 5:11pm

Quite possibly, Poptart. I rode last night and wasn't dying or anything...

Were you warm enough and dry enough? You'll probably need one or two more layers for really cold days, but I'd guess you will be fine. 

Poptart said:

So i rode yesterday , and was super content. So I guess Ill be fine? 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Holly on October 21, 2011 at 5:17pm

Those gloves look great. I don't really mind my ski gloves, but I'm on an upright bike and the brake pulls seem to work just fine with bulky-ish gloves. I wonder--do you think I can  Nikwax them just in case? 

 

The pullover galoshes seem way too clunky. I sold these vintage rain galoshes long ago, but I do have another pair that are exactly the same (I think they're my size.) My guess is they're more decorative than functional being that they're made in the '50s before anyone knew much about advanced fabric treatment technology. 

iggi said:

they are pull overs.  i have tried big rubber pullovers too (below). the kind that look like youre a body snatcher and want to dip your victims in an acid bath. They were cheap, so i tried them.  they are big and bulky and dont pack too well, but they are cheap and 100% waterproof.  over all, the NEOs are the best bet.   

 

here are some really low cost overboots :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DJG03E/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?i...

 

i just received the NEOs (same day, Grainger rocks), and i need to go a size up.  i ordered the large and my sz11 shoes are a bit too snug in there.  in the winter, i will be wearing these with boots.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/NEOS-OverTheShoe-Waterproof-Boot-3...

 

these are the gloves i ordered.  whats also great about the gloves is that they are contoured to fit comfortably around handlebars.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038T790E

 

this is the jacket im highly considering. the padding is a 'bit much' but i figure, if i get hit by a car or slip on some ice - im a little protected:

http://www.motorcyclecenter.com/p/Shop-Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xele...

Davo said:

This might be a dumb question but are the boots ones that you put on over shoes or instead of shoes?

Has anyone found/used something that pulls over shoes and works well?

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Permalink Reply by Billy Poore on October 21, 2011 at 8:21pm

I too, am a dog walker....and right now at TJ Maxx, they have some pretty damn good, yet light, Columbia and North Face winter jackets for a fraction of the msrp.  Not cycling specific, nor is it from your LBS, but if you're in a money pinch and need some warmable goods, get them while they're still there.

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Permalink Reply by Minh on October 22, 2011 at 7:16pm

Wind + Rain is completely different then Snow + 15 degrees with a -10 wind chill. What I've found that has worked during winter for you poor college students, is to double up on socks, get water proof gloves or just any gloves ( i wore 2 pairs of those cheap 2 dollar Walgreens gloves at once), a balaclava, or a hat that covers your ears. You don't want too much skin exposure.

Most of last year even during the blizzard I wore 2 hoodies (take one off when too hot), a sweater, a t-shirt, jeans, gloves, scarf, and just any old athletic shoes with 2 pairs of socks fitted. I know it doesn't seem like much but trust me you will get uncomfortably sweaty and hot if you dress up in typical winter gear meant for walking around especially if you have to travel more than 5 miles. 

All that water proof gear is nice when it rains but you will not be wet during the middle of the winter unless you walk around a lot and end up stepping in those puddles of muddy oily salt water from melting snow.

Source: Poor year round cycling masochist.

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Permalink Reply by ambimb on October 23, 2011 at 10:21am

I agree w/Minh that, generally, you don't need a lot of special winter gear -- except on hands, face, and feet. If you're biking more than a couple of miles, your body will generate massive amounts of heat so you just need enough clothing/protection on your body and limbs to get you going and keep the windchill off of your skin. I biked all of last winter with a thermal underlayer (cheap wicking synthetic stuff I got from sierratradingpost.com) both top and bottom, plus:

Bottoms: light fleece pants on cold days or light rain pants on wet days.

Tops: an outer wicking layer (like a sweatshirt but synthetic so when it gets wet it still insulates) over the thermal underlayer. That was usually enough. If *really* cold I'd sometimes add a third layer, but usually regretted it b/c it was too much.

Face: balaclava is mandatory. Mine I can pull up to cover all but my eyes or pull down to leave my whole face exposed, depending on how cold it is.

Hands: OR Meteor Mitts are probably the best investment I've made for winter biking. There is no amount of rain, snow, or cold that these mittens could not protect you from but their layered construction means they'll work in a huge range of temps and conditions. 

http://www.rei.com/product/787069/outdoor-research-meteor-mitts   

Feet: Cheap, lightweight, insulated, "Hi-Tec" hikers with wool socks. Only when it was like -20 did I have cold toes after my 9-mile commute. Those Bogs boots look like they might be the ticket, though. I might consider an investment in those this year. Do they really work to -40!? If so, they sound perfect for Chicago winter biking... (Oh, also, I used Power Grips rather than toe clips for riding with the boots. I ride clipless SPD shoes in the not-winter, but had no complaints w/the Power Grips for ~Nov-March.)

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