gearing up for cooler weather

[Aquila]

Hi Look,

Congrats on getting back to riding! Like you, I'm in the upper midwest, and dang, it gets COLD here.

I can ride down into the 50s with just basic biking tights, a shirt/jersey, and a windbreaker. I carry long and short fingered gloves, and change as needed.

I can ride comfortably in the mid 30s with long fingered gloves, a skull cap thingy under my helmet (for my head and ears; I found one in the runners section of a local sports type store), long johns under my tights and jersey (I'm a beginner and don't have arm warmers), and the same windbreaker. The skull cap thing makes a HUGE difference to me. I also change to heavier and longer wool socks. I keep warm as long as I keep moving.

Below the mid-30s, I'm a whuss. I would probably need something for my face and shoe covers, and glove liners. But I'm unwilling to be that cold, so I put my bike on a trainer.

So, I'd prioritize: long fingered gloves, skull cap, as the first things. Long johns/base layer, well, if you're in Wisconsin, you probably have those already. I find the "tech" type better for riding than the comfy silk type.

Good luck, I hope you have lots of fun riding.

[divingbiker]

After all the suggestions I got last year (see reply above), here's what I ended up using the most for my commutes in cold weather. I used them in various combinations depending on how cold it was. My limit for riding in the winter is 20 degrees F.

Sugoi Midzero Speedster hoodie

Sugoi Firewall Tights (no chamois)

Showers Pass Elite rain jacket (wore it all the time because it provides good visibility and has a loop on the back for a blinkie light)

LLBean Fitness Fleece

Outdoor Research balaclava

Smartwool socks--usually wore two pair

toe warmers

PI Calientoes toe covers

LLBean snow sneakers (big enough to fit two pairs of socks and toe warmers in; won't work with clipless pedals--I use mini toe clips on my commuting bike)

Descente Wombat gloves (these won't work so well with STI shifters because they morph into mittens--good when the morning is really cold but the afternoon ride is warmer)

Craft windstopper beanie (can't find a link but I bought it at TE)

I spent a lot of money at TE and REI last winter! But the good thing about riding in the winter is the base layer undershirt and bike shorts are the only things that have to be washed each time; the tights and outer layer tops are good for several rides.

Now let's enjoy the summer and fall while we still can!

[nomummytummy]

I started riding this April (in Southern Hemisphere) & am still at the obsessed never miss a ride stage! So it's winter here now. We've had weather from mid 30's to 40s on some days, with wind factor to 0deg Celcius. (Zero soinds so much colder than 32deg!) For what it's worth here is what I found worked.

A beabie/skull cap - merino wool - FANTASTIC. I got a bit warmer one day & took it off. Had a headache within 15minutes - now will alwas ride with it in winter.

I bought a wind proof & water proof jacket - but don't wear it now as it doesn't really breathe well. So I'd rather be a little bit colder to start but not get sweaty and feel yucky. Ditto with the booties - I got really expensive ones - and really don't feel that they add a huge benefit above the windproof liners that came with my shoes. Louis Garneau brand. Feet get cold & wet in the rain!

Normal cycling shorts + leg warmers seem to do the trick from me.

Can you guys get Kathmandu? I wear their altica thermal top http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/14.html?c..._id=-286589796 , under a normal shortsleeved cycling top & then a wind & water resistant jacket. It's a bit cool to start, but significantly more comforable than being hot after 30mins.

I waer BBB brand long fingered gloves, with short fingered padded gloves over the top. Did think that this may be a bit tough on the long fingered gloves as have had to mend a couple of little holes where the stitching has come undone. I wouldn't recommend this as my hands get really really cold.

Biggest difference in overall warmth was adding the beanie under my helmet!

[Look]

Thanks ladies! I'm going SHOPPING!!!

[pll]

I second the Sugoi Firewall tights -- they are great (I use them over cycling shorts). I would add the Sugoi Invertor jacket and the Pearl Izumi Cyclone full fingered gloves.

[Python]

Great thread. I was going to ask the same questions.

Thank you ladies

[Kitsune06]

Previously, I'd always worn a wicking baselayer shirt and long, insulated running pants, then an acrylic sweatshirt that I'd cut the sleeves out of, then a waterproof/breatheable jacket and PVC rainpants on the outside...

Working at TE has encouraged me to... uh... set my sights a little higher for this winter. My shoppinglist included the Showers' Pass jacket (very visible, very, very breatheable) the PI AMfib gloves, Sugoi firewall tights, pearl armwarmers (ok, didn't buy 'em from TE, but X had 'em and they were a little small for her...) I happened to come by a set of gore bike tights -the cross3 ones- and they look good, too. Insulated thickly in the front with windproof, water resistant stuff, and a bit thinner in the back for flexibility. Woo! I'll probably need more insulation up-top when it gets *really* cold, so the sugoi tops that were mentioned earlier would probably fill the bill.

hope that helps. In all honesty, it's about what you're willing to endure. My running pants/pvc rainpants combo was wet on the inside by the time I was done with my hilly 10mi commute, but it kept me warm. At that time I wore leather boots and had flat pedals, so now I'm going with some kind of shoe covers to make up for having the clipless system now...
Ihighly suggest good gloves, though. My Nashbar neoprene gloves sometimes left my hands so cold that 3 miles into my ride back (still being wet from my ride in) I'd have to pry them off stiff fingers and blow hot air over them just to get them mobile enough to shift again. Not fun.

[Velobambina]

If you're a size small, stay tuned. I'm going to be selling some tights, capris, long-sleeved jerseys, jackets, and other winter gear soon. :-) I also have a wonderful headlight (NiteRider Flight) that I'm selling.