Winter biking

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    • #73264

      Can anyone help me on this? I’m use to biking in the spring and summer. Now that I’ve moved to Nebraska where I’m getting a true winter, I’m itching to get out but have nothing to wear. What’s a good combo that I won’t sweat in but won’t freeze to my bike?

    • #73265

      That topic has come up a few times over the last couple years. Do a search and you will find some discusssions, like this one.

    • #73266

      I like riding in the cold,and you will too when you get the right thing figured out for yourself.I personally make damn sure of two things before anything,that my head is comfortable and warm and my hands are comfortable and warm.These two things are paramount in priority because you can control the majority of your body temp. by these. and that’s where the majority of your body heat will escape from if there not covered right,and will get too warm if there too insulated.Also one thing that for me is a big concern is having somthing cover my nose and mouth.sucking in cold air reaks havok on my body temp.I’ve seen some people it doesnt bother and I see them riding all the time without facial coverage.I wear a half balaclava(did I spell that right?hahaha)that has air holes in the front where it cover’s the nose and mouth.and I wear a winter cap under my helmet and I just recently bought a full balaclave for additional breathing coverage.It’s just me maby,but cold air in my lungs is alot of the difference whether im comfy in the cold or not.for the hands I have two sets of gloves I use,one is just a middle of the road winter gloves called hot fingers,and they seem to keep my hands plenty warm.and as a matter of fact,when I get done riding I have to turn them inside out to dry out because they get so wet inside from sweating.I also just purchased a set of pearl izumi winter riding gloves(just because they were on sale and a heck of a deal)but they are equivelent to the hot fingers exept that the pearl izumi glove has a way long thumb and gets in the way of my shifting somtimes,so I would have to say that I like the hot fingers better.that being said,I wear a long sleeve thermal shirt and a pull over sweat hoodie.The hoodie is great because if it really gets cold down the trail,you can pull the hoodie up on your head and it really makes a difference.now for the legs,I do two things here.I either wear my winter biking pants I bought from performance($80) and a pair of gym shorts over them or I wear long underwear with regular old sweat pants over those.Just two layer’s here and that’s it,no more than that ever.I control the changing temps. with more or less head coverage and how hard I pedal.As for shoes,I am wearing leather addidas low top soccer shoes and believe it or not,these keep my feet pretty darn warm.the leather keeps the wind chill out pretty good.I’ve rode in some pretty freezing temps. and this set up has never failed me.Although I do not use clipless pedals so dont take my advice on the feet,hahahahaha.
      To sum it up,I have a hoodie and an extra balaclava(that I can take on and off and when I’m not wearing it,it goes right in my pocket or camel bak.)and I also use my physical output to keep up my body temp if it gets too low,and that’s why I say never wear any more than two layers of upper body and lower body because you’ll be too hot.you need a way to change if the temps.change.and that’s why I just ride harder if I need more body heat.And being able to just take on or take off head gear is alot simpler than trying to stuff a coat or extra leggings in your back pack.
      hope this helps

    • #73267

      i would add a few other things to these posts…you are better off naked than with wet cotton on your body (at least according to that guy on Man vs. Wild). so i think one big key is the layer closest to your body. i have a bunch of techwick (EMS) shirts of various weights that wick away moisture, then i typically wear a fleece top and a very thin/light windbreaker. there are a bunch on the market but a decent one is going to cost you $100+. but they really block the wind and are usually vented to let escape the sweat that the wicking layer pulls off your body. for pants, i have 2 sets of tights. one is light and not lined, which i’d say i wear when it’s 45 – 55 degrees. colder than that i wear the heavier, lined ones. and warmer than that, i just wear shorts. for the head, i wear an open-faced balaklava if it’s colder than about 35, and noting but my helmet and my peach fuzz when it’s warmer than that. i have a couple of pairs of gloves, depending on the temp.

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