Good Afternoon,
As the title states, I have not been riding very long and I plan on riding right through the winter.
I am looking for clothing advice more than anything, I already have a helly hansen base layer and a endura hellium water proof jacket.
What would one wear on a typical cold winter 2 hour off road ride?
I.e Gloves/trousers/shorts/thermals etc.
Thanks folks
knee warmers
It depends on so many things really. Thing with cycling is that once your going you'll probably generate enough heat to keep you feeling OK, it's when you stop for any length of time that you have to think about it. Generally go for layering, base layer then some sort of wind proof jersey over that, and a waterproof if it starts to rain. Mud guards look shit but are pretty essential bits of kit IMO, as are a good pair of long Lycra tights, try to resist putting baggies on over the top, as a) you'll look a ****, and b) soggy baggies are the least comfortable things in the world. Try to keep your extremities warm (fingers, toes etc) and then pretty much everything will look after it's self.
You will be told on this thread that hundreds of pounds worth of specific bicycle clothing is essential.
However it simply is not. enough clothes to keep you warm with an extra layer carried with you. Keep your body core warm and your extremities will remain warm.
I usually use a Decathlon cycling top as a base layer, a fleece pullover (Cragghoppers/Tresspass, usually available cheaply from TK Maxx) with a neck zip and then a waterproof and breathable top.
I just vary the thickness of the fleece layer depending on the external temp. May wear two fleece layers if very, very cold, but usually end up taking one off.
Usually just wear baggy shorts all year round, but probably not very good for the knees in very cold temps.
Usually wear mitts all year but will try some specialized full finger gloves this winter.
A Buff under your lid will really help when it's proper cold, and don't fasten your shoes up too tight.
My typical kit for trail riding
Oakley M-frame with orange lens to make everything look nice and to keep the mud out my eyes.
Endura Venturi 3/4 waterproof shorts over cycling shorts + knee warmers
Base layer + Endura Stealth or windproof jersey and gillet depending on temperature.
Troy Lee long finger gloves and if it gets colder over an inner glove (I find winter gloves too thick)
Shimano Winter boot + Seal Skin Socks (being tall I get cold feet often)
Generally I ride fast to keep warm rather than have lots of layers! Windproof clothing really helps.
a good sense of humor 
My fave winter riding kit is waterproof shorts, socks and windproof gloves.
However, 2 hours isn't very long to be out, I'd not worry too much. It's when you're out all day, or somewhere remote it matters more. Just layer up, you'll be fine.
Cheapest thing that makes a nice difference is some wooly socks I reckon, will help keep your feet warm even when they get wet. I won some mediumweight north face ones once, and they've been ace cos the fit all my shoes, but are actually pretty warm.
whatever you rode with this "summer" will do fine :o)
just two hours ? Don't you like it much ??
Keep your body core warm and your extremities will remain warm.
Not necessarily... If like me you suffer from pretty poor circulation, this is total crap. I have to work very hard to keep my feet, my ears, my fingers and sometimes my nose warm!
Anyway, I used to think that people were crazy spending a load of money on biking specific clothing just to ride their bike through the winter...
And for the most part I still do, but there are a couple of absolute essentials in my book, that without them winter riding can become a cold, wet and miserable experience.
- A pair of Goretex waterproof riding boots (I use Shimano MW80) will keep your feet warm and dry through just about anything, which to me is about the most important thing as I hate cold, wet feet!
- Knee/Leg Warmers (I use Endura FS260 leg warmers) cos if like me, you don't like wearing full tights, and like wearing baggies, these will keep your legs warm and pretty dry through most things. Also they're only about £20 or so.
Other than that, there are a few other bits and pieces I'd use too. A pair of warm gloves will be needed if you're riding sub zero conditions really, though hunt around and you can find them for bargain prices (like £10 or less!). I found a Thermal headband (again, under £10) is brilliant for keeping your ears warm in cold conditions, but still allowing your head to breathe whilst you sweat. Wear lots of layers, rather than a couple of thick ones, and use a Camelbak (or similar) that you can carry a bit in so you can take layers off and stuff em in your bag if needed.
And when it comes to your bike, as mentioned before Mud guards (like the crud catchers) are worth their weight in gold. Who cares what they look like when your arse stays dry! Winter tyres (I prefer the Bontrager Mud X in 2" size) are a worthwhile investment too if you ride anywhere particularly muddy. But if your bike has fairly knobbly tyres on already, they'll be ok.
Some nice warm socks, like DeFeet woolie boolies, they are wool so will keep your feet warmish even when wet, though some winter boots are good if you want to splash out.
A good base layer, I like the howies/embers/ground effect merino ones, but smelly hellies are just as good, and something a bit warmer to go over the top, like a soft shell if you have one, or are feeling flush, or a thin fleece shirt, I picked up a polartec 100 one from Trago Mills for a tenner a while back, and that is pretty much ideal. and something to keep the wind and the wet off.
If you don't have one, get a buff, they are cheap and work as a neck warmer, face mask and hat. If you get cold hands, some warm and waterproof gloves are a godsend, and a nice wooly/fleece beanie in your pack for when you are stopped to fix a puncture or something.
You don't have to spend loads on winter kit, though it does make it more comfortable. Some things, like merino tops, are a bit more expensive, but I find I'll wear them year round, as they work well on hot weather too.
TandemJeremy - Member
Keep your body core warm and your extremities will remain warm.
not true.
my feet and fingers always suffer for the first hour or so, even with correct layering. they take serious work to get up to temp, but they get there eventually. it's a physiological thing.
however, i do live in the very wild North.......
Thanks for all your posts guys, some really good info there.
I ride with flat pedals and wear walking shoes karrimor ones, so will just purchase some thick wooly socks although they will get wet!
Think I will get some tights too, and maybe a oft shell that I will wear under my water proof jacket.
Also some win/water proof gloves.
So on my list is gloves/softshell/tights/socks.
Any bargains out there on the net for any f the above?
It's all going to depend on how hot you run normally. Personally, I can get away with a single layer windproof top unless it's raining. I like these:
However, at £80 they are now pretty expensive. Mine were half that! Gore Phantom territory that, which is the best piece of clothing I own.
Tip for the gloves: either buy a bigger size than you need or avoid ones which have a thermal liner stitched into the glove, these are a PITA.
Sealskinz waterproof socks.....one of the best 'winter' riding purchases I made.
What i use for my daly commute and MTB rides :
1, Good pair of tights (idealy with extra knee protection)
2, Good wind stopper top (i got mine from Aldi and it lasted me all winter)
3, good pair of winstoper style gloves (the waterproof tend not to be waterproof)
4, A good base leyer (guess you have that)
5, A good waterproof (you have that as well)
6, A good pair of over shoes (i tend to find winter boots expensive, and take forever to dry etc...)
this covered me for weather like this
and this on my commute
I do 3 x 2 hour rides a week after work and 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon.
I wear,
running tights
padded baggy shorts (with liners)
normal xc gloves
a breathable jacket
Buff
Overshoes.
Also, I ride with a DX MTE SSC P7 flashlight with a cheap tesco unit for back up.
mud guards mud guards mud guards
keep most of the wet and goo off you
Where are you riding. Winter in the SW is nothing like winter in the NE!
In the SW I put on a warm Jersey, occasionally a coat.
In the NE I wear a buff under my helmet, warm gloves, trousers (ronhills are cheap and effective, a fleece+ base layer and a waterproof. On my feet I wear wool or neoprene socks. Sometimes I wear more sometimes less. It really depends on what you are doing and the weather that day. I carry spare gloves as I get cold hands easily and like to change if they get too wet as my hands don't warm up.
it depends entirely on you... I hate the cold. WHen some of my friends would be riding in shorts, normal shoes and socks, normal gloves etc, i wear tights, sealskinz socks, with liner socks, overshoes, specialised winter gloves ( the warmest i've found), liner gloves, a thermal cap thing, etc. And i'd still be cold.
as i said, it depends on you really.
I go for;
Base Layer t-shirt
Paramo Velez Jacket
Snowboard Pants (in the worst cold/wet)
and the most important!;
Warm socks, layered with a sandwich bag over the top and a thinner pair of socks over that!
Normal riding gloves, need to find a suitable alternative as 'warm' gloves tend to restrict feeling/movement in my hands
Warm dry feet!
Also keep a beanie in my pocket for keeping the head warm when stopped, this kept me warm through ice and snow all winter and when you get going you really do warm up a lot, spent most of the time riding with the side vents on the jacket open and even sleeves rolled up!
TJ core temp won't help those with Reynauds or similar! I don't think one of my riding partners has found anything that works with that syndrome.
On a typical winters ride I'd wear...
Sugoi bib shorts
thermal tights
pair of shorts
Thermal base layer
base layer
T-shirt or waterproof jacket (weather depending)
two pairs of socks
Seal Skinz socks
Thermal gloves
skull cap under helmet
... I also take spare clothes and gloves with me as there's nothing nicer than putting some dry clothes on halfway round a freezing cold pi$$ing wet ride.
Kev
Pretty much agree with most of the above, you don't need much cycling specific expensive stuff but I'd recommend looking after your feet. Waterproof socks at the least and preferably waterproof boots (best purchase I've made, Shimano MW02s in my case). A buff is goood to keep the head and ears warm and a proper pair of winter gloves will keep your fingers warm. Beyond that normal clothing layered works fine.
Bikewise, mudguards and if you ride in muddy areas, mud tyres. Panaracer trailraker 1.9 on the back works for me.
Do we even have a Winter any more?
Do we even have a Winter any more?
the last one was the best we've had since I've been mountain biking - loads of non-slushy snow and ice (OW!) from December to March.
Tsk... can't believe nobody has suggested a hip flask yet!!!!
Definatly worth it after trying to be cheap and suffering:
1) Winter gloves
2) Overshoes or seal-skinz socks
3) clothing that covers your knees
Done.
I think a good winter MTB boot is essential if you are using SPDs but you say you're going with platforms and hiking boots so that's covered.
After good boots then thermal bib tights and crud guards front and rear.
Suggest you don't wear your waterproof unless its raining as the waterproof has not been invented yet that can transport the moisture a biker with a head of steam going can generate. Just go with a Pertex or soft shell top over a base layer and light long sleeve cycling jersey or light fleece. If its really cold I'll put a Powerstretch beanie on under my helmet.
Gloves don't have to be that thick but its essential that they are windproof so go for windstopper or similar.
my daily commute last winter went below -10c, for this-
-good gloves
-balaclave under helemt keeps your face warm and back of head/neck
-canterbury cold baselayer
-windproof jacket with s/sleeve cycle jersey underneath
-sealskinz sock
nothing very expensive in this little lot, but some good quality items
the first5-10 minutes are the worst until you build up the heat then your toasty - except foryour eyeballs (its like having ice cubes pressed into them) so wear some form of eyeprotection.
i did notice that it started to get really cold if i went faster ie 20mph on the road sections so i did tend to ease off a little but this only occured in the morning commute. in commute home in the evening always felt warmer and i did away with the jacket leaving just the baselayer & s/sleeve jersey.
the house always feels way too hot when you go indoors, makes me feel giddy sometimes so i tend to cool off in garage for a few minutes first.
if the ground is frozen - bril you can really fly- if its muddy - youll get wet
then thermal bib tights
if you're in need of a control garment...
some riding buddies to help convince you to go out regardless of the weather...............
Ditto jwt.
Just get out with the obvious (eg lights, gloves, etc), see what you have problems with eg cold feet and sort that out.
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