Commuting through Winter - Clipless or not?

[ianrauk]

What a strange question.

Same SPD set up all year round, what ever the weather.

 

[Tynan]

good pair of socks for warmth, overshoes for dryish and warmer thereafter

 

[Twizit]

Same SPD set up but with Shimano winter boots. Can't be doing with overshoe faff on the commute, and the winter boots are much warmer regardless - and that's a godsend when you have poor circulation and cold extremities.

 

[coffeejo]

Same shoes but with overshoes and thermal socks. The overshoes are a PITA though for rides into town for shopping etc.

 

[3narf]

SPDs, normal summer shoes with neoprene shoe covers if it's really cold & wet.

It doesn't matter if I get soaked because we have a shower at work, also a washing machine & tumble dryer...

 

[potsy]

Same SPD set up but with Shimano winter boots. Can't be doing with overshoe faff on the commute, and the winter boots are much warmer regardless - and that's a godsend when you have poor circulation and cold extremities.

Lack of faff was the main reason I switched from over-shoes to proper winter boots, best thing I've ever bought cycle wise.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I keep the same SPD setup but for the coldest days add overshoes (Lidl). I thought mine were cheap until I passed a cyclist yesterday wearing these:

GC

 

[Profpointy]

I keep the same SPD setup but for the coldest days add overshoes (Lidl). I thought mine were cheap until I passed a cyclist yesterday wearing these:

View attachment 60217

GC

I can see a snag with those - the rain runs down your legs and fills your booties...so instead of merely damp feet you're walking round in bowls of water

 

[Racing roadkill]

I tend to favour the SPD's over the SPD-SL's if I know the weather isn't going to be great. I can get my feet out more quickly, and the shoes grip more if I have to get a foot down quickly. I find standard flat pedals are worse in the wet.

 

[I like Skol]

I keep the same SPD setup but for the coldest days add overshoes (Lidl). I thought mine were cheap until I passed a cyclist yesterday wearing these:

View attachment 60217

GC

He must work at my place....

 

[Ganymede]

Has anyone tried these? They look like a nice variation on overshoes, and might be better at preventing water seeping in through the top?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/sealskinz-cycle-over-sock-2014/rp-prod109152

If those are truly waterproof they'd be brilliant for me - I don't cycle every day - if it was pouring to begin with I would probably not utility cycle - but these are so light and foldable I could keep them in my bag and use them if I got caught in the rain.

I was thinking - utility cycling means you often cannot really dress in kit, you have to improvise - if I'm off to visit my elderly parents for a "caring" visit I cannot indulge in showering/having clothes to change into etc; same with going to meetings. The challenges are different from those of regular commuting to a fixed place of work.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I can see a snag with those - the rain runs down your legs and fills your booties...so instead of merely damp feet you're walking round in bowls of water

Oh, I know but he seemed happy and we had a laugh when I complimented him on them.

GC

 

[adscrim]

Overshoes if it's wet, toe covers if it's dry. I also tape over the ventilation holes in the soles of my specialized shoes.

 

[biking_fox]

Same as all year round - gortex work shoes and toeclips. Far more convenient for an urban commute than faffing with clipless, in and out at every light, slow to get away, storing spare pairs of shoes at work. Clipless certainly have there place, but urban commuting isn't really it.

 

[Crankarm]

Same as all year round - gortex work shoes and toeclips. Far more convenient for an urban commute than faffing with clipless, in and out at every light, slow to get away, storing spare pairs of shoes at work. Clipless certainly have there place, but urban commuting isn't really it.

I think most would disagree with this. Anyway the OPs question was about winter riding clip less, not urban riding with toe clips which has got to be frikin dangerous as your feet are strapped onto your pedals.