Warm clothing

[Irishrebel]

Hi again,

finally got the replacement STI for my Schwinn, so I'll get it all fixed up and ready to go, with my cleated shoes et al.

Now the weather's getting colder, I wondered just what I need for warmth. I have plenty of different jackets and coats for the mountains, so upper body is no problem, but I notice most cyclists now wear long trousers like tight track suit bottoms these days. I'm just getting back into cycling and found a pair of close-fitting shorts at a good price. Do you find your legs warm up as you cycle or do you need longer covering? Is that more so after December?

When I was younger, my ears always were first to suffer in cold wind. Would you recommend a thermal balaclava under the helmet or would that be too warm?

 

[tomb1960]

Leg warmers although slightly fetishistic in appearance add a lot of warmth to your shorts, decent socks plus overshoes will keep your toes warm, decent gloves, and yes when it's very cold something under your helmet will keep your ears warm, I wear a sort of thermal sweat band if that makes sense!

 

[515mm]

Yes, you do need to protect your legs in cold weather - especially your knees. Frozen knees really hurt and you can receive long term damage if you continue. In anything other than warm dry weather I wear knee warmers on the bike.

Also, I'd be inclined to buy some bib longs without a pad. That way you can wear them over your shorts and not have to wash them as often as you would if they had an insert and got all nasty next to your... nasties These will keep your lower back warm too - a real plus - Ron Hill Trackster type things are fine for running but they slip down on the bike - keep your back protected and avoid builder's arse

The dhb brand available from wiggle.com are pretty cheap and excellent value for money.

bon Journee!

 

[andy_wrx]

I have two pairs of cycling tights, a thinner pair for cool and a Roubaix fleecy fabric pair for when it's really cold.
Yes, get the sort without a chamois and wear over cycling shorts with a chamois, then wash the shorts and not the tights. You don't want padded tights over padded shorts, which must be like wearing a thick nappy.
I don't bother with bib tights over bib shorts, too much of a faff going for a pee and I've never had them fall down, but your preference.

Under your helmet, I'd recommend a Buff or Hedy - dependant on the temperature, you can fold it single- or double-thickness, or stick it in your pocket. You can fold it over your ears and eyebrows initially, then roll it back as you warm up.
Get two and you can wear one around your neck to stop draughts.

Get some decent full-finger windproof gloves too.
For me this is a bit of a struggle as I get appalling, painfully-cold fingers when I go out, but then my hands warm up and if the gloves as too warm I end up with scorching, sweaty hands.
I got some cheap ones from Aldi and they work just as well as any more expensive pair I've tried !
I wouldn't worry about trying to get waterproof gloves, I've never met 100% waterproof gloves, if they were then your hands really would sweat.

 

[shades.5]

I have two pairs of cycling tights, a thinner pair for cool and a Roubaix fleecy fabric pair for when it's really cold.
Yes, get the sort without a chamois and wear over cycling shorts with a chamois, then wash the shorts and not the tights. You don't want padded tights over padded shorts, which must be like wearing a thick nappy.
I don't bother with bib tights over bib shorts, too much of a faff going for a pee and I've never had them fall down, but your preference.

Under your helmet, I'd recommend a Buff or Hedy - dependant on the temperature, you can fold it single- or double-thickness, or stick it in your pocket. You can fold it over your ears and eyebrows initially, then roll it back as you warm up.
Get two and you can wear one around your neck to stop draughts.

Get some decent full-finger windproof gloves too.
For me this is a bit of a struggle as I get appalling, painfully-cold fingers when I go out, but then my hands warm up and if the gloves as too warm I end up with scorching, sweaty hands.
I got some cheap ones from Aldi and they work just as well as any more expensive pair I've tried !
I wouldn't worry about trying to get waterproof gloves, I've never met 100% waterproof gloves, if they were then your hands really would sweat.

I also got a pair of full fingered gloves and a pair of non padded tights both deffo do the trick ( both from aldi )for the grand sum of £11 total

 

[roadiewill]

whats the point in wearing bib shorts underneath longs, ok you dont need to wash the longs as often but surely the bib shorts need to be washed regularly??

 

[andy_wrx]

I bl**dy hope so !
(at least I wash mine, but YMMV )

If you're wearing them every day and want a clean pair each day, can you afford a pair of tights each day, or one pair of tights and the several pairs of shorts you have anyway ?

And thicker or fleecy tights will be harder to wash and particularly to get dried than lycra shorts.

And shorts are considerably cheaper than tights, so if you're going to wash something to death, it's better to do the cheaper things.

 

[itchyrider]

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/offers_week42thursday08.htm?WT.z_src=main

You could use some bits here

If this dont work, cycle harder!.......................................