2nd winter help

[rugbyluke]

Hi everyone, it's going to be my second winter being a proper cyclist, can anyone give me advice on clothing my last winters, involed warring big puffy cloths that made me overheat with my hands so cold they ache (never felt pain like it). Also money is a big issue so the cheap eBay pay it nows with have to do. I just need advice on what to buy. Many thanks take care

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Hi everyone, it's going to be my second winter being a proper cyclist, can anyone give me advice on clothing my last winters, involed warring big puffy cloths that made me overheat with my hands so cold they ache (never felt pain like it). Also money is a big issue so the cheap eBay pay it nows with have to do. I just need advice on what to buy. Many thanks take care

Well I started buying winter stuff in April 'cos it was cheaper then, but I suppose you don't want to hear that now?


Check out Lidl/Aldi for their cycling stuff ( there may be some bits left over from last week)

I have a set of Altura winter gloves which come in two parts which are toasty.

 

[Tynan]

where are you luke and how far are you riding?

for cheap people have bigged up ski gloves I think

 

[gbb]

If like me RL, you suffer from cold hands badly, there is no easy answer as to which gloves will work for you. Ive tried so many combinations, spent so much money on different glove types, liners etc etc...and they still get so cold i could cry. many of the gloves ive tried are IRO £30 - £40 a pair...useless.
I got myself a pair of motorcycle lobster gloves off the carboot this summer, see if that makes it any better. I might look silly, i dont know yet, but the searing pain from cold hands after 5 miles, i just can't live with.

My commutes only 5 to 10 miles (depends on which route i want to take) but my Altura Nevis jacket with t shirt and jumper underneath always keeps me warm but i do sweat a bit if i push too hard.

 

[rowan 46]

The trick is to be warm not sweaty, clothes that wick any sweat off your body will be best avoid cotton. if you cant get hold of any winter cycling gloves ski gloves will work. and maybe a woolly hat if you do'nt use a helmet. I tend to find if it's fairly cold it's only hands feet and head which get cold the rest of the body is working and tends to regulate its own heat. In winter it's wetness that makes you cold. so keep the sweat down and waterproofs if its wet and windy

 

[ianrauk]

Layers is the key. In winter, especially if it's really cold, I wear a base layer, a long sleeve shirt and a windcheater.


As you have noticed, if you wear too much you will boil in the bag.

If you are warm before you get on the bike then you will be too hot during your commute.

 

[vickster]

www.cycle-clothing.co.uk have some decent stuff at reasonable prices

Or Decathlon - I got some really good winter MTB gloves a few years ago. They have these this year http://www.decathlon...id_8152647.html

My preferred retailer also have some good deals on 2011 gear - jackets, jerseys http://www.bikesyoulike.co.uk/category/485/Clothing_Clearance

I buy running gear (nike) as baselayers, frankly cheaper and better made than Endura IMO

 

[DrSquirrel]

You don't need anything expensive, what you need is Layers... (has someone said it before? Well its that important im giong to say it again!).

Different parts of you get colder faster, and other parts stay warm. Fingers and Toes need a lot of attention, your legs less so. Keep your core warm at all times... ideally a very slight sweat, if you're not warm there your body will provide less heat to your extremities.

Walking/running gear is usually pretty good on a bike, without such a premium (sometimes of course ).

 

[BrumJim]

With DrSquirrel on the extremities part. Look after the bits at the ends, and the core will look after itself.

So, good thick gloves - ski gloves are fine. Glove inners may help too - there are magic gloves which you can buy and look OK for dolls and small children, but stretch to fit an adult. All helps. Hat and buff to keep head and neck warm are essential, and two or more pairs of socks to keep the feet from freezing.

And t-shirt and shorts for legs, arms and torso.

 

[lukesdad]

Feet do get cold 2pairs of socks and overshoes for me.

 

[potsy]

Got my winter stuff sorted for this year now, buffs, thick socks, plenty of layers is the way I am going.
Only thing left is a decent pair of gloves, have bought a pair of merino liner gloves this time to stick on under my Aldi specials.

Was looking at a pair of Gore ones but the reviews are mixed about whether they really are waterproof, though they are fleecey lined which might be nice

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

For feet, last year I wore a pair of thick woollen walking socks over my normal socks, and they were good down to -8C. For my head, I use a thin knitted balaclava under my helmet.

For hands, I haven't solved that yet. I got some thick waterproof gloves last year, but found they got wet with sweat inside, were impossible to get dry, and started to smell very soon. I think wind-proof is more important than waterproof.

 

[fossyant]

Aldi's winter tops are fine for less than 8c down to zero. I just use a single base layer under them. The material is wind resistant so it doesn't penatrate. Warmer than that it's a base (or two) and standard bike jersey.

For the really cold days (well below zero) I use a Decathlon windproof thermal top, and just 1 base layer - I used this in the -15 days (although those few days I had waterproofs on as I was ploughing through a foot of snow).

Windproof oversoes for dry days and low temps, full waterproof ones for wet days.

 

[SquareDaff]

If you are warm before you get on the bike then you will be too hot during your commute.

+1 on this.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Aldi's winter tops are fine for less than 8c down to zero. I just use a single base layer under them. The material is wind resistant so it doesn't penatrate. Warmer than that it's a base (or two) and standard bike jersey.

For the really cold days (well below zero) I use a Decathlon windproof thermal top, and just 1 base layer - I used this in the -15 days (although those few days I had waterproofs on as I was ploughing through a foot of snow).

Windproof oversoes for dry days and low temps, full waterproof ones for wet days.

I use my Aldi winter top (the thin one, not the "shell" material or whatever it is) with just one baselayer top. This has been my setup for most of last winter, down to a good -10c and more. A bit lower than that, or more wind I just put on my very thin water proof that I carry everywhere, the slight wind proofing of that is enough for the -17c which is the worst I have been out in

Sometimes I wonder why people need so much stuff on (even when layering), when im wearing thin cheap stuff!


Not been a fan of "full overshoes", although I have needed them, just end up way too sweaty. I have mid-season ones to try this year that cover the toes and front of foot... lets hope!