Getting kitted out for colder rides
Discussion
I'm fine with (the Aeron) thermal tights only from +10 to minus a few degrees.
Tend to up the socks (dhb merino winter weight are good) as it gets colder, then add overshoes.
On top use a merino base layer then softshell jacket (Rapha core/pro ones for 'real rides', dhb commuting) when cold. Bought merino jerseys this season for autumn, but bit hot so far it seems (and been a lazy month...). Caps with ear covers make a big difference.
Struggle with gloves. Santini Vega extreme worked after a few mins warm up last season <0, but also disintegrated fast.
Tend to up the socks (dhb merino winter weight are good) as it gets colder, then add overshoes.
On top use a merino base layer then softshell jacket (Rapha core/pro ones for 'real rides', dhb commuting) when cold. Bought merino jerseys this season for autumn, but bit hot so far it seems (and been a lazy month...). Caps with ear covers make a big difference.
Struggle with gloves. Santini Vega extreme worked after a few mins warm up last season <0, but also disintegrated fast.
It really depends on how hot you run when you ride. The really important thing is to keep the extremities and your core warm.
I tend to get quite hot, quite quickly so don’t get on the tights at all as I overheat. I use the same bibs year round and just add knee warmers when it gets cold and full leg warmers when it’s properly Baltic.
I tend to get quite hot, quite quickly so don’t get on the tights at all as I overheat. I use the same bibs year round and just add knee warmers when it gets cold and full leg warmers when it’s properly Baltic.
Galibier Mistral bib tights. They are awesome, a complete bargains around £65.
Wore mine in the peeing down rain yesterday and kept completely dry.
Good for temps from around freezing up to around 8/9 degrees. Warmer than this and are too hot.
https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral2bibs/
I’ve got the dhb flashlights as well, they are “ok” - but not waterproof and only good down to about 3-4 degrees. Not great in rain, but good visibility in the dark.
Oh and you don’t wear anything under them, just like bib shorts.
Wore mine in the peeing down rain yesterday and kept completely dry.
Good for temps from around freezing up to around 8/9 degrees. Warmer than this and are too hot.
https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral2bibs/
I’ve got the dhb flashlights as well, they are “ok” - but not waterproof and only good down to about 3-4 degrees. Not great in rain, but good visibility in the dark.
Oh and you don’t wear anything under them, just like bib shorts.
3 different types of gloves depending on temp.
Knee warmers or cheapo tights depending on ride length.
Toe warmers or full overshoes depending on temp.
Ear head band or full beanie depending on temp
Clear lenses to stop the eyes watering from the wind.
Short sleeve of long sleeve cotton base layer depending....
So many options and drawers full of different stuff.,
Knee warmers or cheapo tights depending on ride length.
Toe warmers or full overshoes depending on temp.
Ear head band or full beanie depending on temp
Clear lenses to stop the eyes watering from the wind.
Short sleeve of long sleeve cotton base layer depending....
So many options and drawers full of different stuff.,
You can definitely go nuts with trying to cover every eventuality, and ultimately everyone is a bit different, so there is no definitive answer. I also think its a bit pointless having whole wardrobesof different weights of cycling kit to try and cover off every permutation of temperature and precipitation. Ultimately it seems futile as sometimes you would need half your wardrobe to cover one ride in Britain, the weather is so bloody variable!
My only definitive recommendations would be the Rapha Core winter jacket, i love that thing and with a long sleeved merino base layer is all i have needed in almost any point of the english (southern) winter. I also think its largely pointless trying to stay dry with waterproof kit. If it really rains for any length of time, you're getting wet no matter what you are wearing.
My feet suffer, no matter what I do they are cold. Already. I have been wearing winter merino socks and overshoes for most of October and my feet still get cold! But that is likely a "me" thing rather than a "kit" thing
My only definitive recommendations would be the Rapha Core winter jacket, i love that thing and with a long sleeved merino base layer is all i have needed in almost any point of the english (southern) winter. I also think its largely pointless trying to stay dry with waterproof kit. If it really rains for any length of time, you're getting wet no matter what you are wearing.
My feet suffer, no matter what I do they are cold. Already. I have been wearing winter merino socks and overshoes for most of October and my feet still get cold! But that is likely a "me" thing rather than a "kit" thing
As a mountain biker when it’s down to 0 degs or below I will probably just go for :
- sealskin socks
- leggings
- overshorts
- winter gloves
- a buff over neck and ears
- a gore soft shell jacket
- a merino long sleeve thermal
- a cycling T-shirt.
Some extremities will be cold until I’m warmed up.
It’s fine for a ride into the Peak District but I wouldn’t want to fall off as I would be too cold…
- sealskin socks
- leggings
- overshorts
- winter gloves
- a buff over neck and ears
- a gore soft shell jacket
- a merino long sleeve thermal
- a cycling T-shirt.
Some extremities will be cold until I’m warmed up.
It’s fine for a ride into the Peak District but I wouldn’t want to fall off as I would be too cold…
Your Dad said:
Galibier Barrier gloves
Castelli made a good set, but they were £90 4 years ago. Have been fine down to -5. You can get silk glove liners from Amazon for a tenner, which make normal full finger gloves pretty good in the cold.I bought some Planet X winter boots for the MTB last year, again, £90, but a great bit of kit. Most other winter boots are near £200.
A skull cap under your helmet makes a massive difference. Below zero I wear a tube thing on my neck, but you get hot quickly and they are a faff to take off.
Base layer
long sleeve winter jersey
synthetic or merino mid-layer(s)
Softshell
Waterproof jacket if required
neck buff
buff or cap under helmet
Winter longs (the best I've had in the past were a set from Aldi with windproof front panels)
+ Knee warmers or thermals underneath, if very cold
Aldi gloves (+ silk or thin wool gloves)
or wool gloves under German army surplus mitts
Neoprene Overshoes
As a year-round commuter, I layered appropriately. It was rare to need all of the above.
long sleeve winter jersey
synthetic or merino mid-layer(s)
Softshell
Waterproof jacket if required
neck buff
buff or cap under helmet
Winter longs (the best I've had in the past were a set from Aldi with windproof front panels)
+ Knee warmers or thermals underneath, if very cold
Aldi gloves (+ silk or thin wool gloves)
or wool gloves under German army surplus mitts
Neoprene Overshoes
As a year-round commuter, I layered appropriately. It was rare to need all of the above.
Daveyraveygravey said:
Below zero I wear a tube thing on my neck, but you get hot quickly and they are a faff to take off.
Lol at tube thing. I use my ski snood up until a double digits. For the first few miles or when it is near freezing I have it covering my mouth so my lips don't dry out and split.I got sent a free Buff / tube when I ordered my Galibier Mistral tights (which are utterly superb for winter BTW). I don't why I never tried one before but now they are a staple bit of kit for me. Quickly pulling it up before a descent so your face doesn't freeze solid makes those cold rides much more comfortable.
My winter gloves are Endura Pro SL - very happy with them as well.
https://road.cc/content/review/254593-endura-pro-s...
My winter gloves are Endura Pro SL - very happy with them as well.
https://road.cc/content/review/254593-endura-pro-s...
millen said:
I've been quite pleased with Galibier stuff (made in NI not the Alps!) but it pays to read the in-site reviews re. sizing.
Their gear is superb for the price, but don't expect any decent level of after support / customer service. Trade off for the low prices I guess, a bit like Planet X.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff