Winter wear for a commuter

[antsmarch]

This is my first time to the forum, Mtn Mike from bikeforums told me about this forum. I have only been an active ride since may and have since recruited my younger brother into this hobby.

I decided when I purchased my bike that I would make every possible effort/excuse to ride my bike to my destinations or just for fun. Well EWU is going to be starting up this wednesday and commuting from cheney to work (near airport) or home (near AFB) would be worth it. It is a 40+ mile round trip everyday, but I would only be doing 20 mi everyday since me and my wife would carpool there.

I have a 2002 Giant OCR 2 that I use for all the fun trips and a walmart schwinn 21 speed I use for commuting. It has a the rack and fenders on it, so it is perfect for hauling my backpack around. I did not want to burden the Giant with all that gear and risk it being damaged in the bike racks at school, since I surely cannot afford a replacement on a student's salary .

I am reluctant to ask this question on another forum, as they some answers may not be correct for our climate which was quite unusual last year. I am wondering what clothing is best for cycling in the winter, hats, gloves, masks, pants, undergarments, well basically anything that will keep me warm.

Branden

[Mike S]

Hi Branden, I go by the less anonymous "Mike S" on this forum.

Thanks for your question. It’s about time this forum has a good thread on winter cycling gear. From a practical stand point, clothing decisions are probably the most challenging part of successful and enjoyable winter cycling. There are so many variables in place on any give day that you might have to fine tune your clothing for every ride you do. Below is what I do. I’m sure that the other winter riders on this forum will chime in as well. Incidentally, my girlfriend is also starting at EWU this week and we were going through this same commuting/cycling clothing discussion this morning.

Clothing:
Head:
45+ degrees: summer cotton or light weigh synthetic cycling cap
35-45 degrees: wind stopper skull cap
25-35 degrees: wind stopper cap or lightweight balaclava, depending on wind speed
15-25 degrees: lightweight to heavyweight balaclava
Below 15 degrees: heavyweight balaclava

Hands:
45+ degrees: lightweight long finger gloves
35-45 degrees: medium weight long finger gloves
25-35 degrees: snowboard gloves, with optional liner inserts out
15-25 degrees: snowboard gloves, with optional liner inserts in. Lobster Claw Amfibs on wish list
Below 15 degrees: same as above, but with extra liner. Lobster Claw Amfibs on wish list

Feet:
45+ degrees: normal riding shoes
35-45 degrees: normal riding shoes: sometimes with windstopper cover/booties
Below 35 degrees: Lake 300MXZ winter boots, various thickness socks. Totally awesome shoes. But need to buy another pair this year after 7 seasons of abusing current pair. Goretex hiking boots also work well for cold, wet riding, but obviously you wont have clipless compatibility.

Core/Body:
The rule of thumb is to start your ride with your core a little on the cold side. You’ll warm up quickly. I find that bringing extra/spare clothing is a must. You’ll start sweating, get moist, and get cold as soon as you stop riding. It’s nice to have dry clothes to restart again.

Baselayers: marino wool baselayer, varying thickness depending on temperature. Sometimes I use synthetic baselayers, but usually only when I can’t find my wool. Wool is always warm, even when wet.

Midlayer: if it's cold enough, I'll wear a fleece-like synthetic layer over the baselayer.

Shell: this is where it gets very budget dependent and also subjective. You kind of have to experiment for yourself. I like windstopper shells, either with waterproofing, or without, depending on the conditions. I never wear insulated jacks because I find them too hot and not adjustable for temperature changes. Sometimes I'll start with a shell and take it off, leaving just a mid-layer and baselayer.

Legs: : pretty much the same as the core.

Bike:
I’ll let Pat and Alan field this answer; too much to talk about in one thread.

[Wrench Goode]

Well everyone has a different threshold of hot and cold. Another huge factor is the wetness, 45 degrees soaking wet with a 12 mph head wind feels like -10!! That being said, a basic layering system is the best approach.

So a good breathable base layer (Shirt) is the first step. Based on temp there are different thicknesses and arm length. Once it dips below 32 degrees I'll use a Craft long sleeve with a Wind-stopper front. The next big step is a breathable insulating layer. There are a wide array of thicknesses in this garment and will be based on your personal comfort zones but one with a full zip front, collar, and arm pit zips will give you the most temp control options. I use a mid weight fleece with a tall collar. The last major layer is some type of wind and water proof jacket. These jackets are pretty light and designed to be used in a layering system. Once again, full zip front, collar with a hood, and arm pit zips are a must for temp control!! Add mid layers as needed and carry a bag if you need to shed a layer. ;D

As for the legs the same idea applies, layer! Start with a good cycling short and go from there. For myself, below 60 degrees I cover the knees and around the mid-low 40's I use full leg warmers. If there will be water or temps below 32 I add a wind and waterproof light pant with zipper type vents.

Use a thin type of skull cap that covers the ears under a helmet to keep the brain thaw and add one with Wind-stopper when it gets really cold. Feet and hands get cold easy so add some thick socks, and shoe covers for the feet. The hands need long finger gloves and Wind-stopper as well, try to keep the gloves thin for good feel of the breaks and shifters. Once again Wind-stopper is a great material when the temps get below 32.

The best advice I can give is to start slightly cold and let your heart rate bring you core temp up in the first 10-15 minutes of riding. If you over heat shed a layer. Keep you hands and feet warm as possible!! I even use toe warmers sometimes in the winter. Bring an extra pair of gloves. Keep to bright colors if possible and reflective logos or piping when the sun sets. Once your hands and feet get numb the rest of the body is next and that's just miserable !! One of the greatest challenges of cycling is dressing for the weather!! Best of luck, and if you want to see some of these clothing types and examples of layering stop into North Division Bike Shop, we'll be happy to show you what we use all winter long!

[cooley]

I agree with what was said above. Most important, keep the feet and hands warm, and for myself, below 30 I wear an extra pair of cycling shorts under my warm long winter riding pants. Keeping the jewels warm is the next most important thing for myself. It is almost best though, to not figure it out till you make a few mistakes and are trying to teach math lessons on the white board with blue fingers that don't work.

Thanks for the tips all. It is good reading for all of us.

[antsmarch]

Thank you all I appreciate the input. Riding in the rain was a wake up call that I definitely need to find some better clothing for commuting. For the most part we have had quite a dry sunny summer, which was perfect for commuting.

I will be on the lookout for some of these items this weekend.

Thank you again,

Branden

[aj1152]

May I add to the very long list of winter commuting clothing: rain cape. Now I don't have the guts to wear one, but I hear they work awesome.


Rain capes arevery legitimate ways to stay dry. But they do make a certain "statement" that I don't think we in the States are ready to make yet.

Alan

[dastud]

Speaking as a commuter from the wetter side of the state. I am a strong believer in full fenders, water resistant shoe covers, and a cheap rain shell.

Fenders keep a majority of the water the bike throws up off you
Shoe covers mean your shoes aren't soaked at the end of the day when you need to ride home,
The thin rain shell can be wadded up and put in your bag or pocket when it stops raining but works well when it is raining and slips over the layering system others describe.
-Dan

[Pat S]

Coupla days ago I spent a long time on a reply to this and thought I had posted it, but it disappeared. Gone forever. If this has ever happened to you, I won't remind you how incredibly pissed you were. Ready to chew through a 2 x 4 as a diversion from smashing your computer into a trillion pieces.

In order to bring personal closure to this unfortunate epsisode and finally get a good night's sleep, I bring you the condensed version:

I don't have near the experience of Mike or Goode or the others who have posted. But I have gone out and mixed it up enough to formulate my own winter theory, which is in a constant state of flux. I am pretty much obsessed with finding a way to ride through the *entire* winter (meaning Jan and Feb) and I started getting antsy about 2-3 months ago, which was about 2 months after our last snow. Thinking about winter bikes and clothes and gear in the middle of summer. Sick.

The idea that "summertime and the livin' is easy" was never more true than it is for a cyclist. Winter riding is just flat challenging. There are a bazillion issues that come up, but for me everthing revolves around these two:

-keeping your extremities warm
-managing you perspiration

Either problem can kill a ride quick. On extremities, there are just three for me - toes, fingers and ears. I finally solved my toe problems last year with a pair of Lake boots. If you go this route, just make sure you size up so you have some air (aka insulation) space. Otherwise, you've just thrown your money away. Wish I had as good a solution for gloves. My hands either freeze or sweat to death (in which case, they eventually freeze to death). I'll keep trying. The mitten-like things that you attach to your handlebars and stick your hands into make a tremendous amount of sense to me. I don't care how they look and would like to try them. You have to block the wind somehow to keep your hands happy, and the trick is to do it without creating a sauna. For ears, I can't wear a hat, because I have to vent the steam off the top of my head, so headbands that cover *every inch* of my ear work good.

On managing perspiration. Like everyone else has said, you have to start off cold. You just have to deal with it. It does get better fast. If you start off warm, you will freeze to death in your own sweat. Gross. I like the Craft stuff and I have experimented with wool but plan to do more this year. Both are great options. Layer, layer, layer. I do front zip everything for ventilation - it's the only way to keep the air moving. I am so totally obsessed with and constantly managing moisture when I ride in the cold weather. Here's the deal:

In summertime, sweat is your friend (keeps you cool), but in wintertime, your mortal enemy. Because at some point in your ride, your heat production will slow down and you won't be able to keep all that moisture warm. Better to let it not build up in the first place. For that reason, I'm not a fan of waterproof, breathable gear. Waterproof yes, breathable no. Like working out in Saran Wrap.

Winter riding takes a while to master, IMO. As in years. I have a long way to go, so I enjoy the great challenge. Hope you do too. Thanks to everyone for all the great tips. See you out on the road this winter.

[antsmarch]

Thank you all for the suggestions, I know how you feel Pat S I have done that with emails, where I accidentally hit compose again instead of send and have to rewrite the entire email. Frustrating!

I have recently purchased some fenders and a light (P7 from dealextreme) for night and crappy weather conditions. I decided to right my mtb yesterday to work and home so 25 miles. I have never rode that mtb so far, man it is slow and the lack of hand positions was driving me nuts. So I went to a bike shop today and purchased some bar ends to help me out. If that does work I may get a new set of handle bars, like the mustache bars or something similar.

I agree that sweat kills. Yesterday I wore a thin waterproof jacket over a t-shirt. By the end of the ride I was soaking with sweat cause my body could not breathe and there was no place for the sweat to go. The worst part was when I was ready to leave work and put the jacket back on, ewwww the cold sweat pooled while it was laying on the seat. I have to go look at some fleece jackets and see what fits best this weekend for riding.

The glove and boot situation will be the biggest obstacle, but I will trying what was suggested first. I am determined to ride this winter out, hopefully riding that demon of mtb in snow will improve my cycling this summer as hills were killing me!

Thank you again,

Branden

[cranky]

Check northdivision.com under winter clothing. You will need one of each. Between those pieces you can mix to get that narrow temperature range you're looking for. "Below 60 degrees cover you knees."