TE Susan: new TE sub-forum, cold weather gear?

[lph]

Hi - how about setting up a subforum about "cold weather clothing", under "Apparel"? The subject comes up in several threads round about this time, and it would be easier for new(er) readers to find info in a separate forum since the words "cold" and "weather" are a bit too generic to do a good search on

It would be similar to the "favourite saddles"/"least favourite saddles" forum under "Gear", which is really useful information.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Great idea! Every Fall multiple 'cold weather gear' threads start up with new people needing much of the same great information that was discussed last Fall, and the Fall before that...etc. It's a very relevant and important topic.

[sundial]

That's a good idea, LPH! And why not include a section for winterizing the bike for winter commuting as well.

[Irulan]

my vote is no. I think too much subdividing for minute topics is bad for a forum. ( and yes, I think cold weather apparel is a minute topic) As for topics recirculating, that is the nature of the net. You can always ignore reoccuring topics, make a sticky about them, or hope the search is easy to use.

[sundial]

I'm just thinking......since there are a growing number of new members, maybe having this information easily available might help. It's hard to find information at your fingertips about riding on ice or snow. Just my 2 cents and you know what they say......

[lph]

a more general idea could be plain "winter riding", and include everything from winterizing your bike to clothing to tips for winter riding. It's not a minute topic to me unfortunately ok, it's not half the year, just feels like it, but it's a 1/3 to 1/4 of the year and it's the one that takes the most forethought and the most planning.

[Aggie_Ama]

Or maybe just one geared towards seasonal issues. Many of us have very HOT summers and we usually get a rash of threads about riding in the heat, clothes for heat, etc.... It could also be a drop off for the few rain threads we get. Just somewhere to go looking for information on dealing with the elements.

What is winterizing your bike? Might make sense to me if we actually had winter here, our winter is low about 40.

[meridian]

A winter riding category would be very nice!

I know the search here has failed me when trying to find out about cold weather issues as well. Too much pops up and is impossible to sort through.

As more people join the boards and more people test their feet with cold weather riding a seperate board would be ideal. I know when I fail my search here, the next place I head is to the winter cycling forum on bikeforums.net even though I don't actively participate on that site.

[lph]

Winterizing can be just fenders, lights and reflectors, or lube that works in the cold, studded tires, repacking hubs with grease that works well in the cold if the pawls start slipping.

[SadieKate]

We already have a bazillion subforums that aren't used. Seems to me a sticky under the apparel forum for "winter clothing" and one in the gear forum for "winter gear" would be more appropriate.

I suspect you just need to ask snap if she can create stickies.

[uforgot]

our winter is low about 40.

Get the guest room ready! I hate cold weather

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

a more general idea could be plain "winter riding", and include everything from winterizing your bike to clothing to tips for winter riding. It's not a minute topic to me unfortunately ok, it's not half the year, just feels like it, but it's a 1/3 to 1/4 of the year and it's the one that takes the most forethought and the most planning.

I totally agree with this idea. For us, 'cold weather' biking (where you have to start doing/wearing special things in order to keep from feeling numb in the wind chill) can last from October through March. It can be a real science to figure out how to ride through the winter.

[lph]

We already have a bazillion subforums that aren't used. Seems to me a sticky under the apparel forum for "winter clothing" and one in the gear forum for "winter gear" would be more appropriate.

I suspect you just need to ask snap if she can create stickies.

Good idea, didn't think of that.

[Grog]

This forum doesn't have FAQs.

A few forums I also visit occasionally have FAQ sheets on the top (stickies) of a few of their forums, where the best posts and/or threads on some topics have been compiled into a one-stop-shop to orient beginners (or forgetful old-timers).

It takes a bit of work but we have a few dedicated people around here.

Maybe "cold-weather gear" could be a great topic for a sticky FAQ at the top of the apparel section?

[Aggie_Ama]

Get the guest room ready! I hate cold weather

You should see us all freak out if we get an ice storm but that is only every couple of years. We have two seasons: hotter than hell and "a bit chilly".