Winter Riding

[oyster]

https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-3-in-1-weathertite-jacket-mens-443532?colcode=44353203&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5ouw0_DV3QIVzbvtCh15KwXzEAQYASABEgIfo_D_BwE

This is on sale on sportsdirect.

What do you think?

I think I do my very best to avoid SportsDirect and the brands they own to the very best of my ability.

 

[Eagle]

Don't forget the Aldi Cycling Specialbuys this Sunday (30th September):
https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/dates/2018-09-30?q=opular&page=1

Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

 

[Floorfilla]

I think I do my very best to avoid SportsDirect and the brands they own to the very best of my ability.

fair enough, I guess I'll save up and go for the North Face Triclimate.

 

[Moaten]

Costs a bomb but looks great for winter weather https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/dirtlej-dirtsuit-sfd-edition-mud-overall-739504

 

[egroover]

I commute throughout winter, down to -6 deg c at times. My winter gear:

Merino wool socks (the Planet x ones are good as are the Aldi ones)
Aldi thick winter cycling gloves, with silk liner gloves for when very cold (Decathlon)
Gore windstopper gloves down to just above freezing (Aldi ones at/below freezing)
Various balaclava, fleece masks etc (ebay) depending on temperature
Hi Vis wind/waterproof helmet cover (Mountain Warehouse)
Tenn Driven lined waterproof overtrousers
Vaude overshoe waterproof covers
Mountain warehouse Adrenelin Cycle Jacket
Berghaus thick fleece

 

[Nev]

I commute throughout winter, down to -6 deg c at times. My winter gear:

Merino wool socks (the Planet x ones are good as are the Aldi ones)
Aldi thick winter cycling gloves, with silk liner gloves for when very cold (Decathlon)
Gore windstopper gloves down to just above freezing (Aldi ones at/below freezing)
Various balaclava, fleece masks etc (ebay) depending on temperature
Hi Vis wind/waterproof helmet cover (Mountain Warehouse)
Tenn Driven lined waterproof overtrousers
Vaude overshoe waterproof covers
Mountain warehouse Adrenelin Cycle Jacket
Berghaus thick fleece

Thanks for this info egroover. I went out this morning as it was the first really cold day we have had since last winter to try out some of my cold weather clothing. There was a really strong wind blowing which made it feel like it was close to zero. My buffalo jacked performed well so was very pleased with it.

I suffer with cold hands and feet though, and my sealskins gloves were just about at the limit for me, any colder and I would have been in a lot of discomfort.

The same with my feet they were just about ok, but a few degrees colder or an even stronger wind and I would probably have had to turn back for home. I think I will follow your suggestion and get some Merino wool socks and look at getting some warmer gloves.

I wont be cycling in snow and ice, but I am going to try and ride most of the winter. I have built up a reasonable level of fitness over the summer and don't want to lose it all over winter and have to try and regain it once again come the spring.

 

[Raboa]

Hi, I would recommend one of these, used it for cycling and hillwalking.

Paramo windproof smock, it also can be treated to make it shower proof.

https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-range/product/?pk=22538762-164A-4879-908B-E7FF81D04D83

I also sew in pit zips in all my outdoor jackets if not specced already.

Thanks

 

[Laser Man]

Not clothing, but still appropriate to this thread I think ...

Does anyone know of a full-length downtube mudguard which would protect both me and my battery?

If not, I'll need to get anther CrudCatcher type and fit it to the bottom of the downtube (which will look silly).

 

[Trevormonty]

SKS as range of mudguards from short MTBs to full length commuter ones that will fit a MTB.

Not clothing, but still appropriate to this thread I think ...

Does anyone know of a full-length downtube mudguard which would protect both me and my battery?

If not, I'll need to get anther CrudCatcher type and fit it to the bottom of the downtube (which will look silly).

 

[Tom Kerr]

I ride all year round and used to on my motorbike. Looking to convert an existing bike of mine but that is another story!
I commute about 30 miles each way and when its very cold (ice on cars cold) I tend to use sealskinz gloves, a little neck warmer, microfibre fleece and depending on forecast..either a softshell or jacket. I am looking to get a dirtlej suit or Endura MT500 onesie and I ride off road in my spare time and the wetter the better!!

 

[Nealh]

For cold dry weather silk under gloves keep your hand cosy, I mine off an ebay ski shop for a few quid.
Also for feet try the 3 or 4mm BBS thicker neoprene over shoes/booties, I find these keep my feet quite toastie for a few hours riding at zero or below.

 

[NewtSoup]

I'm a Deliveroo rider so I'm out for extended periods in the winter months. For body I have a one piece thinsulate suit I had made specifically for me, I wear this under waterproofs. Boots I just use "heat holder" socks and good boots.

Hands. Hands were the tricky one. I just could not find gloves that would keep me warm and dry for hours at a time. Even my sealskins failed after a week of driving rain last year.

My solution - Plastic scooter handlebar mitts!. The plastic ( not treated fabric ) keeps the wind and rain off. They are flock lined but only thinly so they dry more easily and don't hold water like a sponge. Inside I wear a pair of plain black fleece gloves. My hands stay warm enough for hours at a time!. The big black "wings" I have on my handlebars look a bit daft but I don't care.

Yes I can still change gear through them too. They're a little clumsy but the thumb shift to a lower gear is easy. Down shifts are clunky but doable.

 

[onthe-edge]

Yes I can still change gear through them too. They're a little clumsy but the thumb shift to a lower gear is easy. Down shifts are clunky but doable.[/QUOTE]

do you leave the power assist at a constant setting? it must be impossible to use the buttons on the control.

 

[NewtSoup]

do you leave the power assist at a constant setting? it must be impossible to use the buttons on the control.

Not at all, for your thumbs you have extra little "pockets" so yo can operate all the handlebar controls on a scooter. Like I say the only clunky bit is the pull trigger to drop the derailleur into a higher gear.

 

[Gubbins]

As I am named I will add my thoughtts.
My problem is that after a lifetime of working outside day and night all year round I am now left with age related circulation problems leaving me with cold hands, especially feet and specifically toes. Winter riding can be great fun with a snowy off road ride on a sunny morning well worth the effort, and as an outside worker I Know how to dress for winter and for generally keeping warm without feeling restricted, layers are the answer, so I can easily keep my core temperiture stable but not my fingers and toes. . I have some shimano insulated boots which work well but still restrict me to an absolute maximum time of 1 hour if near zero degrees and 30 mins if below zero. Its a shame that heated grips/gloves are not an option on ebikes, but failing that I have tried battery operated heated insoles that were of no benefit and each year I keep looking for some with good reviews.
Has anyone any info on heated gloves/socks/insoles that actually work?
The problem being the power source needs to be big enough to work but small enough to have strapped to your legs.

 

[Nev]

Hi Gubbins, I have similar problems to you with regards to cold hands and feet. I bought some Merino wool socks yesterday and tried them out this morning. They certainly made a difference compared to normal socks that I had been wearing.

I shall look into getting some silk under gloves that someone mentioned in this thread to see if that helps.

I was thinking about handle bar grip warmers the other day. I have had them on the last couple of motor bikes I have bought and they made a massive difference. It meant I could ride all year around with just summer type motor cycle gloves.

With the decent sized batteries now fitted to most e-bikes I would have thought there was an opportunity for manufacturers to produce some decent grip warmers.

 

[Gubbins]

Hi Gubbins, I have similar problems to you with regards to cold hands and feet. I bought some Merino wool socks yesterday and tried them out this morning. They certainly made a difference compared to normal socks that I had been wearing.

I shall look into getting some silk under gloves that someone mentioned in this thread to see if that helps.

I was thinking about handle bar grip warmers the other day. I have had them on the last couple of motor bikes I have bought and they made a massive difference. It meant I could ride all year around with just summer type motor cycle gloves.

With the decent sized batteries now fitted to most e-bikes I would have thought there was an opportunity for manufacturers to produce some decent grip warmers.

It's probably not an option as they are not made to be sold in cold countries

 

[Nev]

It's probably not an option as they are not made to be sold in cold countries

I have noticed quite a difference in the battery capacity between the summer and the colder weather we have had the last couple of days. I often do a 30 mile fairly hilly ride. In the summer I would drop down to three battery bars in the last couple of miles before arriving back home.

The last two days I have dropped down to two battery bars in the last couple of miles of the journey. So I guess fitting handle bar grip warmers would drastically reduce the kind of assisted milage we could cover.

 

[Gubbins]

I have noticed quite a difference in the battery capacity between the summer and the colder weather we have had the last couple of days. I often do a 30 mile fairly hilly ride. In the summer I would drop down to three battery bars in the last couple of miles before arriving back home.

The last two days I have dropped down to two battery bars in the last couple of miles of the journey. So I guess fitting handle bar grip warmers would drastically reduce the kind of assisted milage we could cover.

Plus you would need a power take of point. Ok on a self build but not on shop bought

 

[bfuk]

I'd be interested in hearing which tyres you use for winter riding. I have Marathon plus ones installed but thinking about changing them for the winter. I wont cycle in icy weather but perhaps cold, wet, occasional snowy urban commutes.