As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.
Nearing the end of winter (yeah, I said it), it's easy to look back at the previous month or two and re-examine your riding. More specifically, it's easy to look back at the gear you used to log your winter miles.
The Midwest has been blessed so far with a pretty mild winter. By my count, I've spent a total of five hours on the trainer. Last winter, that was three days' worth of trainer time. But while we haven't had a ton of snow, we have had a handful of bitterly cold days. But, since the pavement was dry, we rode anyway.
File these next bits under "winter revelations."
Pearl Izumi Inferno glove and lightweight running gloves
Until this year, I'd never worn a liner glove under my big Pearl Izumi gloves. The Inferno gloves are good to about 15 degrees, though I need to hit it pretty hard up a hill or two to get warm and stay warm. (And, sadly, they're no longer made.)
In the past, I haven't gone outside if it's colder than 15. It just seemed to be my breaking point. So, for a ride which saw me heading out into low-single-digit wind-chills, I pulled out an old pair of Sport Hill running gloves. They have the lightest trace of a fleece backing on them, so they're not too bulky. I sandwiched some handwarmers between the liners and the big gloves and off I went.
With the exception of the last 20 minutes or so of a two-hour ride, my hands were warm — hot almost. I've replicated the setup one time since, and it performed similarly. So, hey — liner gloves work. But it's probably best to save them for sub-20-degree days. That could get really hot (and sweaty) in a hurry.
Bontrager Leg Warmers
I picked up a pair of these in the fall after using either knee warmers or tights for the past few winters. Knee warmers and embrocation into the upper 20s, tights after that. I went with leg warmers this year, which allowed me to make tights by using thermal bibs. If I didn't need those, I could still get full-length protection with standard bibs.
Bontrager redesigned its warmers (along with pretty much everything else) for the fall season. The fit is great, the dual silicone grippers at the tops are great and they've held up very well. These have been the workhorse item throughout the winter.
If you see a pair of them at your local Trek shop, grab 'em now. They're probably on sale, plus the warehouses are completely bare. You won't see them again until September.
Lazer Aeroshell Helmet Cover
I've written about the Aeroshell before, but it bears repeating: You need one of these. And if you need to switch helmets to do it, do it. The forward-facing vents are all closed off, giving you the effect of wearing a ski helmet without actually having to wear a ski helmet.
Things Left Unresolved
- I still haven't found a winter cycling cap I'm really happy with. The Castelli cap has giant seams, as does the Bontrager version. I have a Sugoi skullcap that fits well ... except around my ears. The flaps don't have any elastic around the bottom edge, which freezes my earlobes.
- It appears that the best combination for keeping feet warm in the Shimano MW81 boot is a thin merino sock and a foot-warmer pack. Well, maybe. I've had both frozen feet and sweaty feet with that setup. Who knows?
What's been working for you this winter? Given the differences between cold tolerance and gear between different riders, I'm curious to see what has and hasn't panned out. Drop your gear recommendations in the comments below.
—
In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske has managed the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.
—
Sheesh, some of that stuff is expensive. Good thing you get your frames and wheels at Pro Deal pricing. Wait — you don't? You might want to look at November Bicycles. They've got a new racer-specific model designed to strip unnecessary pricing out of the cost of your new bike. It's like a Pro Deal for everyone.
November Bicycles. Race Smart.
Fan us.
Follow Us.
Network.
Comments