Best winter gear?
03-20-17, 02:24 AM
#2
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If you use bike shoes w/cleats, get some real winter boots.
Pogies/bar mitts makes life a lot easier on the hands.
Ice and hardpack - I use studded tires.
If the surface is too hard for the tread to leave an imprint, studs will help a lot.
Be aware that details of stud use are almost as hotly debated as chain lubes.
Snow - it depends on the depth, consistency and stickiness.
Thin and soft, a fairly narrow treaded tire will cut through and work fine.
As the snow becomes deeper and thicker in consistency, at some point you have to hope for "float" instead.
Wide tires, low pressure, plenty of tread.
In those conditions Fat Bikes rule.
Best gear WRT clothes depends on how warm/cold you are, intensity/length of ride etc etc.
If you're used to reasonably similar outdoorsy activites - skating, cross-country/Nordic skiing, start there.
I tend to ride myself sweaty almost no matter what, and very much prefer clothes with a windproof front and ventilating rear panels.
Pogies/bar mitts makes life a lot easier on the hands.
Ice and hardpack - I use studded tires.
If the surface is too hard for the tread to leave an imprint, studs will help a lot.
Be aware that details of stud use are almost as hotly debated as chain lubes.
Snow - it depends on the depth, consistency and stickiness.
Thin and soft, a fairly narrow treaded tire will cut through and work fine.
As the snow becomes deeper and thicker in consistency, at some point you have to hope for "float" instead.
Wide tires, low pressure, plenty of tread.
In those conditions Fat Bikes rule.
Best gear WRT clothes depends on how warm/cold you are, intensity/length of ride etc etc.
If you're used to reasonably similar outdoorsy activites - skating, cross-country/Nordic skiing, start there.
I tend to ride myself sweaty almost no matter what, and very much prefer clothes with a windproof front and ventilating rear panels.
03-20-17, 04:03 AM
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there's a whole winter riding thread with subforums about this. even some "sticky" sub threads
but if I had to pick 1 thing, chemical hand warmer packs, for the toes!
but if I had to pick 1 thing, chemical hand warmer packs, for the toes!
Last edited by rumrunn6; 03-20-17 at 01:29 PM.
03-20-17, 11:00 AM
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03-20-17, 02:10 PM
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He makes great stuff, and the custom fit makes up for the lack of features like pockets for me.
03-22-17, 09:10 PM
#7
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sporthill XC pants. They may make something better now, but they are a good place to start. You might be able to find them at LL Bean or REI. Light weight, not quite a form-fitting tight, but not too baggy like sweats would be. Deceptively warm, I put them on at 40F and below (worn over summer bib shorts).
