Winter gear..

seniorap
seniorap Posts: 3
edited September 2010 in Road buying advice
Hey there, long time lurker finally signing up, hello to all.

The coming winter will be my first on the bike, and I've got some cash to splash out on some gear before i go back to uni. Any recommendations or pearls of wisdom?

Comments

  • Pretre
    Pretre Posts: 355
    Welcome to the forum

    Gear depends on what kind of riding you'll be doing but at the minimum you'll need:

    Warm clothes :Standard tights or bib-tights, depending on what you prefer (dhb do some good value ones IMO - check out Wiggle),thermal jersey & don't forget overshoes, gloves & thermal cycling socks as cold feet & hands are not fun!
    Mudguards - type depends on your bike
    Lights - front & rear
    Head & face covering - it's amazing how cold exposed skin gets when riding in the cold - try a Buff (available everywhere - Cycling + even gave one away last year)
    Maybe some different tyres although must say my Conti GP400S were great last winter

    Enjoy - it's a really great feeling to ride in the bright winter sunshine in the cold, when you're dressed properly (& damn awful if you're not!)
  • seniorap
    seniorap Posts: 3
    Just found a buff in a drawer, result!

    I'll be doing general club run stuff really, hopefully some longer rides. Think I'll persevere with the tires I've got for now, some Vittoria Rubino Pros. Its my feet that are worrying me most, are thermal socks and waterproof overshoes enough to compensate for summer(ish) cycling shoes? Don't want to have to resort to bread bags over the feet!

    Also discovered http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/ on the hunt for some gear, if anyone is interested.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Last winter when it got blinking cold I had to wear two thin layers of socks and some neoprene overshoes, worked a treat. Layers, cyclists have layers... like cakes and onions.

    I would also add a skullcap to my list as I didn't get on that well with a buff (even after watching the "how to" video several times).
  • Pretre
    Pretre Posts: 355
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    Last winter when it got blinking cold I had to wear two thin layers of socks and some neoprene overshoes, worked a treat. Layers, cyclists have layers... like cakes and onions.

    +1 - but not too sure about the cake analogy...
  • Slimbods
    Slimbods Posts: 321
    Two buffs for me, one round my head n ears, the other around my neck that can be drawn up if it's really cold.

    Don't underestimate the importance of good winter gloves socks and overshoes, if you've got your hands feet and head sorted you feel much better.

    Running stuff's a good way of adding a cheap winter layer, a pair of cheap running tights over the top of your summer bibs for example.

    Best thing I did last summer was put a bit of tape over the air holes in the front my my shimano shoes, made a huge diff!

    Not a fan of waterproof stuff, end up wet on the inside and outside from sweat/condensation. I might just be too cheap to buy the good stuff though.

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