Equipment list for winter riding

curium

Hi I'm a relative newby to road riding. I've recently bought a Specialised Tricross Sport and fitted some 28 Continental Sport Contacts for road use.

I have found I get quite a good buzz from being out on the road and would like to keep riding through the winter to improve my fitness and ideally reduce my weight from 93kg to 85kg - I'm 6 ft tall so not hugely overweight.

Can you guys recommend equipment you feel is necessary to keep riding through the winter as comfortably as possible. I'll mainly be riding for exercise with the occassional commute thrown in. Also what are the essential tools you carry when out on a 50 mile ride?

I have lights, a pump, pre-glued patches for punctures and tyre levers.

I fitted some Shimano SPD-SL pedals and bought Shimano R076 shoes.

I think a less sporty shoe to keep my feet warm and dry would also be useful and some sort of jacket that will keep me dry but wont cause me to overheat.

Cheers for any useful advice

rogerthecat

OverShoes

Bib Tights loads of them to decide upon

Windproof Gloves

Jacket

The Jacket Issue may cause some alarm, either windproof / waterproof I have both too many to choose from.

tlw1

great links by rogerthecat - can't add anything other than I hate bib tights & still cycle in shorts (but always warm anyway).

Slimbods

Ear warmers/under helmet cap

Buff

Slow Downcp

Spare inner tubes(s) - when it's wet and cold, you don't want to be standing around finding the hole and patching it. Also if it's wet, patches sometimes won't stick - better to check the tyre for any protruding thorns etc, and stick a new tube in - patch up the old one when you get home.

chrisw12

Tools.

If your bike is properly maintained then no need to carry any tools, saying that I carry a single allen key which covers all of the major bolts on handlebars and mechs. I don't carry a chain spliter although perhaps I should (I've snapped 2 chains in five years)

Always two inner tubes. Then my preference is one mini pump, one co2 inflator. I'll use one or other depending on where I am on a ride.

phil s

For a jacket I would invest in a softshell material jacket, such as the ones made by Gore or lately Mavic. These are warm, windproof and showerproof. The waterproof-type commuter jackets will just make you uncomfortable and sweaty and flap around a lot. You could always carry a lightweight rain cape in a back jersey pocket if the weather forecast looks ominous.
I can't stress highly enough the need for a good baselayer. Personally I've always preferred Helly Hansen gear as it's lightweight and warm, wicks well and lasts years. Apparently Merino stuff is very good as well.
Essentially the biggest enemy is cold air in the winter. The ambient temperature may feel chilly when you first step outside but once warmed up it's actually the cold moving air and wind that you need to exclude.
One other thing - Assos winter socks are a good investment, coupled with a decent overshoe. The Pro ones in the link above look good. I've gone for Mavic softshell ones for this winter.

taz3611

I have a small zip-up pack that easily slides into a jersey pocket, containing 2 gas canisters, 2 tyre levers, some pre-glued patches, £10 note, 40p, a small multi-tool with allen keys 2-8 & 2screwdrivers on it, a spare tube, a zip-tie and a minipump that takes gas canisters. This goes with with me on every ride, no matter what time of year or distance, as does my mobile phone. Clothing wise, winter is all about being warm and dry. Ideally, you should be a little cold just after leaving the house as when you start riding, you'll start to warm up. Windproof is more important than insulation. A thin hat with ear covers and shoe covers are important for me, as are windproof gloves. Other than that a pair of bib-shorts and a Windstopper jacket sees me through with a light waterproof carried in case it buckets down. Mudguards with help keep your lower section dry.

curium

rogerthecat wrote:

OverShoes

Bib Tights loads of them to decide upon

Windproof Gloves

Jacket

The Jacket Issue may cause some alarm, either windproof / waterproof I have both too many to choose from.

So you would recommend an overshoe rather than a winter boot ?

taz3611

If you're going to be riding very regulary, in severe winter weather then the winter boot is the best option. If it's a case of 2 rides a week in 'good' winter weather then overshoes are probably best. Some are just for insulation, some are waterproof, some are both.

Satans Budgie

If you are on a budget then this link may be of interest

http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/

I have 2 pairs of their shorts for commuting 2x10m no problems.

Keep the good stuff from being runied.

The hat and overshoes from Aldi are good value. The overshoes are not much kop but it is worth paying £6 for the hat itself.

rogerthecat

curium

Yes m8 every day of the week, the over shoes keep your feet warm and dry, they may be warn on days like today, or mid winter.

The point on the ASSOS socks is a valid one, however I just picked up some Endura Thermolite sock from my LBS at half the cost of the ASSOS ones. Thicker socks may help depending on the outside temp, I got these just in case. So far though my normal thin socks with the over boots are working well enough.

redddraggon

taz3611 wrote:

If you're going to be riding very regulary, in severe winter weather then the winter boot is the best option. If it's a case of 2 rides a week in 'good' winter weather then overshoes are probably best. Some are just for insulation, some are waterproof, some are both.

For bad weather overshoes, for just normal winter weather oversocks are enough. Boots are just a bit too bulky IMO.

Team Banana Spokesman

some kind of shades/glasses. you dont want the wind chill on your eyes. I found out the hard way!!