Winter Gear mixed thoughts..

[Boon 51]

Winter is apon us now and I'm new to getting bike gear I have read some posts on a search but still have a few questions..
As I dont race but want to ride all year my first question is this..
Do the layers you buy have to be tight fit or relaxed fit I'm favouring the relaxed fit as I remember from dayes of old several layers is the best way and if they are tight it would get uncomfortable..
Would running gear work as well as base layers..
Second.. Leg warmers or tights..
Third.. Thermal jacket tight or relaxed..

Here's what I had in mind..
Two base layers of different denia or thickness..
One standard L/S jersey..
One L/S jersey with fleece lining..
One thermal jacket but a good one..

Cheers

 

[Zakalwe]

I'd go for close fitting base layers personally, so it's like a sort of second skin. After that its a matter of preference. I can't stand flappy fabric so it's tight all the way, usually there's a degree of stretch to cycle gear so it all fits well. If avoid baggy clothes underneath tight outer layers in any case, the loose fabric will bunch up and chafe.

Running clothes should be fine, base layers don't have pockets anyway so you won't miss anything.

I don't know what the conditions are like there in Spanish winters or how hot/cold you run personally, here in London I wear a merino base layer, long sleeve jersey and a rapha pro winter jacket in the very depths of the cold, but I rather start cold and work to a good temperature than start warm then get sweaty.

 

[Boon 51]

No ... like you I dont want flappy stuff but being new to this I cant get my head round something being tight and warm..

The weather is a big problem because there is such a big difference in the tempreture thoughout the day..
We only get about 15 days rain a year so I wont be going out in the rain with 350 days of dry weather.. but the tempreture could be -2 at 9 oclock in the morning here in the mountains and by 2 o'clock it could be 25c.. so it feels very cold but that might be my blood has thinned in the 11 years I have lived here.. plus of course I feel the cold more than some..
So the winter jacket will have to be a good one?
Cheers

 

[Zakalwe]

If anything, close fitting clothes will be warmer as the warm air will be trapped close to the body much like how a wetsuit works. If they're loose, as the move around the warm air will be worked out of the layers more easily.

 

[baldycyclist]

I use a merino that is not tight but certainly not flappy
It has a half zip to undo if things get steamy.
Good down to -15C last winter with only a nice wind-proof cycling top on top. When it rains I don't wear anything on top apart from my waterproof.

Legs - I would not worry...but I wear some thermal bibs and worry about my feet more as I only have mesh on my shoes so I wear some nice toasty planetX neoprene overshoes.

Hands tend to need some looking after so I would spend more on the gloves for winter.

Hope that helps

 

[HLaB]

I've found close fitting stuff to be better for keeping me the right temperature, its definitely my preference.

 

[Nocode]

When it rains I don't wear anything on top apart from my waterproof.

Ooooer!

 

[baldycyclist]

makes for a nice view for the pedestrians

 

[Boon 51]

I use a merino that is not tight but certainly not flappy
It has a half zip to undo if things get steamy.
Good down to -15C last winter with only a nice wind-proof cycling top on top. When it rains I don't wear anything on top apart from my waterproof.

Legs - I would not worry...but I wear some thermal bibs and worry about my feet more as I only have mesh on my shoes so I wear some nice toasty planetX neoprene overshoes.

Hands tend to need some looking after so I would spend more on the gloves for winter.

Hope that helps

I do suffer with cold hands

 

[Boon 51]

makes for a nice view for the pedestrians

... like it.

 

[Boon 51]

I use a merino that is not tight but certainly not flappy
It has a half zip to undo if things get steamy.
Good down to -15C last winter with only a nice wind-proof cycling top on top. When it rains I don't wear anything on top apart from my waterproof.

Legs - I would not worry...but I wear some thermal bibs and worry about my feet more as I only have mesh on my shoes so I wear some nice toasty planetX neoprene overshoes.

Hands tend to need some looking after so I would spend more on the gloves for winter.

Hope that helps

I thinking thermal bib none padded but do you put them over your normal bib..

 

[baldycyclist]

no - just wear as normal

 

[lulubel]

I've cycled in just below freezing temperatures in Helly Hansen LIFA base layers (long sleeve top and tights) with a thin long sleeve top and running tights over those, lightweight windproof jacket, wool socks and fingerless mitts with a pair of cheap knitted gloves (from Primark, I think) underneath. That was when I was commuting in the UK and had 6am starts. I can really recommend Helly Hansen base layers. My OH, who feels the cold more than I do, wears hers all winter, and she says they keep her lovely and warm, which matches my experience of early morning commutes. They also don't get heavy and soggy with sweat like some of the thermal, fleece lined cold weather kit does.

I haven't worn the base layers or long fingered gloves since I've been over here, and only wear the jacket if it's a bit foggy (it's hi viz yellow). Normally I just wear a windproof gilet. It doesn't get as cold here as it does where you are, though.

I've noticed most of the cyclists here seem to be wrapped up for an arctic expedition from late November onwards, so the Spanish obviously feel the cold. I stopped one day to help a guy who had punctured and his pump had broken. He was wrapped up in a big padded jacket and tights, and I was wearing shorts and a short sleeved jersey!

When it does get colder, I find the most important things are to keep my knees warm and to have a windproof layer over my body (if not my arms). It can get really chilly on some of the long mountain descents

 

[Boon 51]

I've cycled in just below freezing temperatures in Helly Hansen LIFA base layers (long sleeve top and tights) with a thin long sleeve top and running tights over those, lightweight windproof jacket, wool socks and fingerless mitts with a pair of cheap knitted gloves (from Primark, I think) underneath. That was when I was commuting in the UK and had 6am starts. I can really recommend Helly Hansen base layers. My OH, who feels the cold more than I do, wears hers all winter, and she says they keep her lovely and warm, which matches my experience of early morning commutes. They also don't get heavy and soggy with sweat like some of the thermal, fleece lined cold weather kit does.

I haven't worn the base layers or long fingered gloves since I've been over here, and only wear the jacket if it's a bit foggy (it's hi viz yellow). Normally I just wear a windproof gilet. It doesn't get as cold here as it does where you are, though.

I've noticed most of the cyclists here seem to be wrapped up for an arctic expedition from late November onwards, so the Spanish obviously feel the cold. I stopped one day to help a guy who had punctured and his pump had broken. He was wrapped up in a big padded jacket and tights, and I was wearing shorts and a short sleeved jersey!

When it does get colder, I find the most important things are to keep my knees warm and to have a windproof layer over my body (if not my arms). It can get really chilly on some of the long mountain descents

OK.. I will have a look at the Helly Hanson gear..

 

[jaynana]

i've cycled last 2 winters and plan to do this winter as well.

my kit is as below, head to toe:
head: wind proof head band which covers the forehead and ears, under the helmet (not a full skull mask, only a head band)

upper body: one base layer or t-shirt (long or short sleeve depending on above or below 5c); Gore Tex soft shell jacket on top.

lower body: cycle shorts underneath; if its below 8c or so Endura trouser on top. (this one is not very flabby but not tight either.. )

shoes: Campagnolo shoe covers (not on sale any more - ones i have fit onto shoes and come off/on with the shoes, so they stay on the whole week, get taken off and washed in the weekend). these are not yet on, will put them on when my toes start freezing!