How cold is too cold?

[FlyingScot]

So, I'm thinking I want and need to continue riding despite the cold weather. Before I invest in cold weather gear I have a few questions. In my neck of the woods winter temps are usually in the low to mid 20's, very often in the teens and it's not uncommon to be below zero. Add wind to that and it gets mighty cold. So my question is how cold is too cold for a bike, its components and tires to function properly? How cold is too cold for a human to ride in regularly? My rides are typically 20-30 miles long so I suppose I'll have to shorten them. Would it be better to ride my hybrid than my road bike? I don't plan on riding through snow and ice so traction isn't an issue. It was 24 in the morning here and gorgeous with dry roads but I don't have the proper clothing and wasn't willing to freeze my arse off or damage my bike. Thanks!

[Owlie]

I would think that at least on the components side, you'd have to have Alaska winter-type air temperatures--or even colder--to make them brittle, though I'm not exactly up on metallurgy. One thing you do have to worry about with winter riding is the road salt, so make sure the bike gets a regular bath after riding.

I think it comes down to your personal "lower limit" and proper clothing. I don't have a hard time keeping my core adequately warm (layers, baby!), but I do have issues with cold feet, hands and face. I'm working on solving the hand problem, and I have a balaclava that needs surgery so I can put a ponytail through it. My limit is about the freezing point, and I won't ride if it's wet. (I largely ride on paved trails, so no salt for me to worry about.)

[shootingstar]

A hybrid bike would be better to navigate through snow/ice. I was behind a woman cycling on her skinny tire roadie bike. She kept on putting down her foot abit to stay balanced. I didn't have to do that, I just cycled slower.

I've cycled as cold as -20 degrees C. (I assume since you are in Scotland it's imperial 24 degrees F.)

[PamNY]

You'll need to try it and see how you feel. If the windchill is much below 25 F, I stay home.

[Irulan]

Icebike.org (http://www.icebike.org/) everything you need to know

note, there is no mention of hybrids on the "what bike" page. Mountain bikes seem to be the bike of choice.
Lots of good info there.

[FlyingScot]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm not so much worried about brittle metal as I am about cold or possibly frozen lubricants and what that might do to my derailleurs and other moving parts.. Also possible damage to the tires from cold, perhaps more risk of blow-outs? I'm likely overthinking this and probably should focus more on keeping myself warm but I don't want to be stupid about it. I did find a neoprene face mask with an actual respirator valve built into it which is a vast improvement over my regular one that gets wet around the mouth and nose. It makes me look like something from "Star Wars" but helps my asthma.

BTW, as much as I would like to be in Scotland I am, alas, located in the Midwest.

[Anelia]

I stopped fasted cardio in the morning the moment I fell on ice and bruised my leg and my knee was swallen. The temperatures were below 0 (I use the metric system, so let's say in the 20s F). and I was doing my morning prework half an hour cardio on the bike when I stepped on frozen cobbled street. I was sliding a few meters (feet, ok) and couldn't stop. The descent there is about 15% so it was difficult to stop. I felt pain, I felt terrible and helpless. When I tried to stand up on my feet, I couldn't move because it was too slippery even for walking. After that I took my bike and pushed it in the bushes. It was a horrible experience and after that I have ridden a stationary bike at the gym in the mornings. I still commute to the gym and then to work by bike but it's only 10 minutes ride and I don't freeze my a**. Sometimes in the afternoons or on the weekends I ride a bike when the temperatures are higher.

[bluebug32]

You definitely don't want to be using your good racing tires in winter. There's more stuff on the ground that can cause punctures and nothing ruins a ride like changing a tube with your gloves off, sweaty and standing by the side of the road. When I ride in the winter, I just make sure to clean my bike afterward and I'll use a heavier chain lube if I'm doing a lot of winter riding. I'll also be sure to keep my cables well-lubed, especially if it's wet.

Good luck! I suggest giving it a try with what you have now to see if you like riding in the cold. Just layer up and refer to Bicycling's guide based on the forecast: http://www.bicycling.com/whattowear?ambient_temp=11&temp_units=0&wind=1&conditions=0&preference=0&x=&y=

[lph]

I commute by bike through winter, at least until ski season is in full swing, then I'll slack off a bit. My commute takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the route.

My commute is no problem at all down to about -5 C/23F. It's easy to dress for and the bike works just fine. I need studded tires once it gets icy, of course.

Down to about -10 C/14 F it can still be fine, but the bike starts protesting. Gears are more sluggish to shift. I have to wear yet another layer and think about how much cold air I pull in.

Down to -15 C/5 F can be a lot of fun to ride in, but it's not really that cycle-friendly. I usually have to settle for maybe half my gears. The air is dry, which is nice, but it's cold enough that if you're riding fast enough to break a sweat, having to stop for any reason is not much fun. Forget fixing a flat, or anything else that needs bare fingers. But biking to work is still warmer than hanging around waiting for a bus ;)

Below -15 C I'll only bike very rarely, it's a bit too much of a hassle. Keeping feet warm is the hardest.

But in my experience snow is more of a dealbreaker than cold. Cold you can dress out, but snow you have to ride through. Falling, wet, heavy snow is bad, piles up and clogs everything, at the same time drivers are skidding every which way. Light dry snow is no problem.

Hybrids are quite common here and you can get studded tires for them, but most winter commuters seem to prefer mtb's. Maybe because they're more versatile and nimble when it's slippery?

PS. The only real mechanical problem I have regularly in winter is with plastic. Anything in plastic gets brittle and breaks easily. You also have to reckon on a lot more wear on the drivetrain. I've been told one winter can equal the wear of four summers, and I agree.

[nscrbug]

I rode 41 miles this morning...it was 25F (sunny and dry) when we left, and topped out to just above freezing by the time we got back home. I felt a bit cold at first, but once we got past the first 30 minutes or so, I was okay. Having the wind at our backs on the way home made it feel warmer since the cold wind wasn't blasting me in the face. I wore a balacava on my head, 2 Under Armour layers (1 a Coldgear, and the other a thermal), my Gore Windstopper jacket, Gore Windstopper gloves, Gore Windstopper bibtights, DeFeet Blaze wool socks, and my newly acquired (thanks Pll!!!) Sugoi Resistor booties over my shoes. This combination of clothing worked quite well in this temp range, so I will definitely use it again.

[Tri Girl]

Like others have said, you'll just have to try it and see what your personal tolerance is. Your bike will be OK (since you're in the midwest and not in the Arctic).

I commute all throughout the winter. Last week I rode two days when the temps were low 20's F and the wind chill was mid teens. I don't ride when wind chills are single digit- unless I will have a tailwind both ways. ;)
Layering is key. Go to the thrift store and find a couple 100% wool sweaters (one lightweight and one thick). Wool is the BEST! Wool socks, wool glove liners, wool beanie under the helmet, etc. I just bought some wool tights to wear under my work pants (I ride in my work clothes) and they are DREAMY and keep my legs toasty warm.

Good luck finding the perfect temp for you.

And what brand is your neoprene face mask? I have asthma, too, and the cold is always something that bothers it in the winter.

[tealtreak]

Like others have said, you'll just have to try it and see what your personal tolerance is. Your bike will be OK (since you're in the midwest and not in the Arctic).

I commute all throughout the winter. Last week I rode two days when the temps were low 20's F and the wind chill was mid teens. I don't ride when wind chills are single digit- unless I will have a tailwind both ways. ;)
Layering is key. Go to the thrift store and find a couple 100% wool sweaters (one lightweight and one thick). Wool is the BEST! Wool socks, wool glove liners, wool beanie under the helmet, etc. I just bought some wool tights to wear under my work pants (I ride in my work clothes) and they are DREAMY and keep my legs toasty warm.

Good luck finding the perfect temp for you.

And what brand is your neoprene face mask? I have asthma, too, and the cold is always something that bothers it in the winter.
ditto the wool advice- keeps its insulating properties even when wet..........

[zoom-zoom]

I have been hoping to ride more outdoors this Winter than in the past...but I'm finding that my asthmatic lungs may not allow this. Today I rode 24 miles with friends into a lot of wind and really struggled (temps weren't even all that cold...upper 30s). In the Summer it's a piece of cake for me to finish a ride with an average speed of 16mph or faster for 4x that distance. Today our average was <15 and I was hurting. Tonite my lungs are really angry and my throat feels so raw.

So...I think I might be able to do some slower rides on my cyclocross bike or mtn. bike, but even with dry roads I may have to give up on faster road bike rides.

I'd give anything to have an even average set of lungs. :(

[Crankin]

My average is a little lower than yours at the peak of the season, about 15.5. Right now, I am happy if I average 13. Riding in the cold is a whole other thing. The cold doesn't bother my asthma, but after I get dressed like marshmallow woman and take a half hour to get ready to actually go out in cold temperatures, it takes a lot more effort. Especially with wind. Be happy you are still out there, riding.
Take your inhaler before you ride and don't breathe through your mouth!

[Rebecca19804]

I've cycled as cold as -20 degrees C. (I assume since you are in Scotland it's imperial 24 degrees F.)

While OP isn't in Scotland, I'll still pitch in to say, Scotland uses the metric system! :)

[Catrin]

I have been hoping to ride more outdoors this Winter than in the past...but I'm finding that my asthmatic lungs may not allow this. Today I rode 24 miles with friends into a lot of wind and really struggled (temps weren't even all that cold...upper 30s). In the Summer it's a piece of cake for me to finish a ride with an average speed of 16mph or faster for 4x that distance. Today our average was <15 and I was hurting. Tonite my lungs are really angry and my throat feels so raw.......

I'd give anything to have an even average set of lungs. :(

I hear you ZoomZoom, I have asthma as well. It hardly ever flares these days but cold air is the one thing that WILL aggravate it for me. Riding in 95 degree heat doesn't affect it at all...My average speed is certainly lower than yours so I've no advice, just hope you can find something. Nothing wrong with mountain biking on frozen hard trails or cyclocross...

[zoom-zoom]

Take your inhaler before you ride and don't breathe through your mouth!

Did the first, can't do the 2nd...related to my asthma is horrid sinuses/allergies (I always ride with a hanky, because my nose is always plugged-up and running like a sieve, especially lately as I battle a post-headcold sinus infection. I'm a mouth breather. So sexy... :p ).

[FlyingScot]

Thanks LPH! That's just the info I was looking for. I don't have a lot of money to spend on bikes and I don't want to ruin what I have out of pure ignorance. As for what to wear. I'm not too worried about actually figuring that out. I'm a downhill skier and my second job in the winter is as a ski patroller so I'm pretty savvy at putting the right combo together for the weather. I probably have all I need for the top half but will have to invest in some winter cycling bibs as my ski pants are far too bulky (shouldn't have thrown out my early '90's in the boot stirrup pants they would have been perfect! Well maybe a little fred but I would have been warm)




And what brand is your neoprene face mask? I have asthma, too, and the cold is always something that bothers it in the winter.

I'll check on that for you. I got mine out of the NSP catalog but it's not available to the public.

I'd give anything to have average lungs too. It's frustrating and scary sometimes.

[FlyingScot]

I found it available commercially!

http://cozywinters.com/shop/coldavenger-pro-facemask.html

[lph]

Thanks LPH! That's just the info I was looking for. I don't have a lot of money to spend on bikes and I don't want to ruin what I have out of pure ignorance. As for what to wear. I'm not too worried about actually figuring that out. I'm a downhill skier and my second job in the winter is as a ski patroller so I'm pretty savvy at putting the right combo together for the weather.

Oh great! Then you're probably all set. I wear much the same XC skiing as I do biking, but hands and feet are more exposed, so thicker, more windproof gloves and something windproof that lets you wiggle your toes is in order.

[nscrbug]

Did the first, can't do the 2nd...related to my asthma is horrid sinuses/allergies (I always ride with a hanky, because my nose is always plugged-up and running like a sieve, especially lately as I battle a post-headcold sinus infection. I'm a mouth breather. So sexy... :p ).

Asthmatic here, too! And also a mouth-breather. Several years back, I was having a root canal done, and my dentist tried to insert some sort of rubber barrier into my mouth to prevent "debris" from getting into other areas of my mouth. I literally felt like I was suffocating with that thing covering my mouth. I immediately ripped it out and yelled at my dentist that I have asthma and I'm a mouth-breather and that he can NOT cover up my mouth like that. I think I scared the crap outta him. :p

The cold affects my breathing, as well...especially when hills are involved. I always take a hit of my rescue inhaler before I head out on a cold ride, but I carry it with me as well, just in case. It's the only time I ever need my rescue inhaler (I'm on Advair the rest of the time, which controls it). I find that I tend to hyperventilate more easily during a cold ride...which sucks.

Linda

[zoom-zoom]

Linda, I'm oddly reassured to know that I'm not the only mouth-breathing freak around here! ;) Yeah, I hate dental work for that very reason.

[Crankin]

I've had to teach myself not to be a mouth breather, as it not only affects asthma, but also increases anxiety. I don't like having my mouth covered, like with a balaclava, and the dental thing, forget it. However, I have learned to just keep my mouth shut in the beginning of a cold ride. I also don't like it when any of my senses are covered... My ears, eyes. I can't swim well, either because of this.

[Catrin]

I am a mouth-breather as well, especially in the cold air. My sinuses close so quickly in cold air that I don't have much of a choice. I especially noted this yesterday when I was riding in 35 degree temps. At least the bacalava helps to warm the air a bit before it hits my lungs...

[zoom-zoom]

I think I'm gonna have to try a balaclava. I have one, but didn't feel cold enough to actually need it, yesterday. Perhaps I need it to warm the air, not so much for my head/face.

[Crankin]

To answer the OP's question, tomorrow morning will be too cold. I was going to ride at 5:30 AM, but it's going to be 21 degrees (and dark). I think that if it had said 28, I would have been OK.