How about some ideas for winter biking. Like lights, fat tires, fenders clothing . What works for the rain, cold and snow? What is your winter ride ? Fixed or free, MB or cross. I get sick of the trainer and would like to stay outside as long as I can this year.I hate wasting money on bike parts that don’t work!
Single speed mountain bike on trails. Wool clothing. Lots of zippers. Good lights.
Styrrell
surly cross check with some rust worthy parts…
any type of mountain bike on trails is a blast…just soften the tires a lot!
I enjoy winter riding 5 times more than summer.
But I guess that’s why I live in Michigan and wish I lived in Alaska.
Lets see…winter biking thoughts…oh…yeah!! I got it!!
Move to Florida!!..
Fixie. All the way. 100% A 'cross frame is ideal, but any way you go you’ll want to stick some 32mm Armadillos on it and a full set of fenders. There’s a group ride here in Vancouver that will make you sit at the back unless you have a “fender extender” in the rear, as well. A decent set of lights is a good idea if you’e commuting, and a rear flasher is mandatory.
I’ll tackle the clothing idea.
It took me a long time to learn but… The less clothing you can get away with the better off you will be. The day I left my Neoprine booties, wind jacket, and goretex gloves at home was the day my feet, hands and torso stayed warm.
I use DeFeet slipstream shoe covers, DeFeet gloves and a Pearl Izumi LS jersey no matter the weather. People would always ask me how I kept my feet/hands warm in those but after an hour when I was all warmed up and dry and their feet were wet and frozen they began to see the light. On many long rides below 30 degrees I would have to take off my gloves because my hands got hot. They would get cold again in a 20minutes or so but I could just slip on the gloves again.
Wind protection is a joke. It just keeps sweat trapped close to your body so it can suck all the heat from you. If the wind can get through a base layer, thermal layer and a good winter jersey you better stay at home cause Santa wouldnt go out in that kind of weather.
Its al about keeping dry and keeping your core warm. So next time its cold as hell, leave the vest off, use thin breathable gloves, dont double up the socks, slip on some thin breathable shoe covers and hit it. You will be cold for about 15-30 minutes and then the magic will happen. You will feel so much warmer than you ever have and will be able to ride all day in 20 degree weather.
Happy winter. I’m moving to Lowell, MA from Southern California so I be joining you guys in the winter delight.
Happy winter. I’m moving to Lowell, MA from Southern California so I be joining you guys in the winter delight.
I love ya LaWoof, but having grown up riding year round in Southern Ontario (Canada), I’d have to say I’d think twice before taking winter attire advice from a CA resident. It’s about dressing appropriately for the weather - some conditions realy do call for the thick neoprene booties, thermal wind blocking gloves, and a helmet liner that covers your ears. Other times lycra TT style booties and thin cotton running gloves will suffice.
Ultimately you have to figure out what works for you personally, in the weather you ride in.
True dat.
I have only been here in SoCal for a little over a year. I grew up in Boulder. I know Boulder has mostly a mild winter but it does have its cold stretches. I’ve never had the need for the noeprene but I have always been a “warm” person.
Ontario huh? Bet you have seen some COLD ASS rides. I always said, you havent lived until your bottles freeze on you bike.
I just got a new light from bicyclelights.com. Made in Ca . Is that the USA? HE HE HE It,s a Laseredge two bulb 14 volt metal light fixture (not plastic) with 2 extra bulbs $97. shiping included. It’s bright looks durable and good price.
Dirtball aka Thom
My winter bike thoughts are usually along the lines of
“F*** me, it’s cold today.”
or
“Why am I doing this?”
or
“Oh dear, I think my knob has retracted.”
or
“I really must invest in some booties and a merkin”
or
“I wonder if this Ironman business is really worth it. Think what I could do to the house just with the entrance fee alone.”
I love riding into the late fall and winter unless it gets really nasty (read - 8+ inches of heavy wet snow, unplowed).
For me all the things listed are a necessity.
For lights I use an old Nightsun helmet mounted unit. It was cheap since it was an old model on the shop’s floor at the time I bought it. It puts out enough light for me to see and be seen. I also have a cheap Petzl Zipka I think it’s called with three or four LEDs on it… good to use in case of emergency.
With respect to bike and tires it really depends on the weather. In the late fall rain and cold I’m looking forward to my fixed gear with a little lower tire pressure than I’d normally run. Those will be more fitness maintenance rides and a chance to take in the fall colors more than anything else.
As it gets colder (and snowier), then it will be time to pull out the cyclocross bike with carbide studded tires. I swear that’s the best $80 I ever spent on utility bike equipment. Keeps me up on icy roads/paths and even when I have to manage through some deeper snow the tires will plow right through that too.
I would hesitate to use big fat MTB tires without studs, simply because they will give you more flotation over debris. That’s good on mud and some water, but not good on icy snowy conditions. One washout with your front tire on a slick section of ice will prove that to you.
I don’t do fenders, mostly because I ride on my own in the winter.
Apparel is also the key to comfortable riding. Layering, just like with anything else provides you with the most flexibility. Usually a nice base layer right against my skin (polypropelene, REI makes some reasonably priced stuff), a nice long sleeved fleece and if it gets really cold a simple unlined shell will do the trick. I’ve messed around with different types of gloves, PI lobsters, windstopper, they all work pretty well. It really depends what you are most comfortable wearing.
Booties are also essential if you’re going to be road riding in the very cold. I have heard, however, that the old breadbags around your socks can do wonders for heat retention as well, and is much more budgetminded. My MTB shoes don’t have many vents, so a nice thick pair of socks with them usually does the trick for me.
I hope some of this helps… happy riding!
:o)
Easy. Moving back to Brazil =)
This is what winter looks like…
http://www.angelfire.com/retro/355_rider/winter.htm
Here are a few views of my commuter that is outfitted appropriatly for foul weather. This should give you some ideas…
For a Canadian winter
Bike - Fixie with front brake. Fenders - both if there’s room on the frame. Tires - 24-28mm with agressive tread; cyclocross.
Lights - LEDs; cheap - theft and salt won’t matter. Lots of them. Helmet mounted.
Clothing - Assos windbreaker bib tights, Assos thick winter jacket, polypro underwear, lobster mittens (Pearl Isumi plus poly pro for those brisk mornings), windbarrier hat under helmet. Winter boots; overshoes won’t cut it.
Bag - shoulder mounted (not panniers);something with a big reflective strip - Patagonia
Winter Bike Thoughts?
Put the bike away and break out the cross-country skis!
Of course, this works only if you get a real winter and good xc skiing is nearby. However, there is no better off-season activity for maintaining overall fitness( and perhaps improving it) than xc-skiing.
The IceBike site: http://users.rcn.com/icebike/ has loads of helpful info on serious winter riding. Equipment ideas really depends on your winter conditions – IceBike suggests for a variety of conditions. Here in Fairbanks we are rapidly approaching winter riding (some lows in the 20s already) on all the rivers and snowmachine and/or dog mushing trails.
www.computrainer.com - no joke - this is how I PR’d in my IM bike split in May, while living in CO. Why torture yourself in the cold?