fall gear

[The Cager]

My lycra shorts, jersey and riding jacket aren't cutting it for warmth even after I'm warmed up on my morning commutes to work.
I'm new to road biking, and don't know what my options are, and the concept of lycra pants seems kind of, odd? It's only going to get colder from here, and I"m not about to stop riding. Any suggestions?

ps, I suppose I could search, but I'm far too lazy.

[Couch_Surfer]

You can get lycra legs and arms which I use when it gets a little colder. Nice thing with them is if you heat up on the way you can peel them off quickly.

Also get a lightweight vest that will stop wind. Keeping a core warm will let your body keep moving blood to the extremities.

[Golden Boy]

I have found that anything Denim is really good.

nate

[newgirl]

there are winter spandies you can buy that are thicker, more weather resistant. winter time you can wear a arm warmers, then long sleeve jersey, then jacket.

[enduramil]

Get some gloves for winter.

These are good,

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444262 0490&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302882531&bmUID=1187025888544

MEc also had the Castelli gloves that are I think have windstopper in them. Worked well when paired with Cold Out's down to about -5 to -10.

[Couch_Surfer]

Get some gloves for winter.

These are good,

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444262 0490&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302882531&bmUID=1187025888544

MEc also had the Castelli gloves that are I think have windstopper in them. Worked well when paired with Cold Out's down to about -5 to -10.

Those look sweet - good tip for when the fall weather hits. I've got the full on neoprene ones, but my hands sweat like a mofo in them no matter how cold outside.

[enduramil]

Those look sweet - good tip for when the fall weather hits. I've got the full on neoprene ones, but my hands sweat like a mofo in them no matter how cold outside.

The best use for neoprene is a pair socks from MEC's paddling department. Good at keeping your feet warm and somewhat comfortable when wet. But keep in mind that this option is only good to about 0 degrees.

Anything below have a look at Woolie Boolie and the Blaze socks from Defeet. Also carried by MEC

[Six]

You can get lycra legs and arms which I use when it gets a little colder. Nice thing with them is if you heat up on the way you can peel them off quickly.

Also get a lightweight vest that will stop wind. Keeping a core warm will let your body keep moving blood to the extremities.

Good advice here. Arm & Knee warmers = a Roadie's best friend!

[BareFootMeshback]

I like to bundle up a bit more for fall/winter/spring commuting and mostly wear knickers made from Dickies cut off and helmed above the ankle (cut like a capri). Not to hot, not to cold and pretty bomb proof.

[Duncan]

Being comfortable is the key to riding in not-so-good weather. Fall/spring weather - arm and leg warmers. I also like to wear a sleevless windproof vest.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/CyclingClothing/5010584_v1_m56577569830618366.jpg

Winter - light jacket (unless its around freezing or below I prefer a windproof sleevelss vest), full lycra, booties to cover your feet.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/CyclingClothing/5002551_v1_m56577569830596855.jpg

Thicker lycra for winter. I also like goretex socks for those cold, rainy winter days:

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Footwear/4000338_v1_m56577569830596954.jpg

Also on cold days, cross-country ski gloves for your hands:

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Handwear/5008244_v1_m56577569830563110.jpg

[Six]

I like to bundle up a bit more for fall/winter/spring commuting and mostly wear knickers made from Dickies cut off and helmed above the ankle (cut like a capri). Not to hot, not to cold and pretty bomb proof.

Thats a cool idea...a buddy back in Calgary does that too.

[switch]

I'm looking for booties. A couple that friends use, and are happy with, are not made in a size that is large enough for my shoes. It's not like I have huge feet, but the shoes are size 11 Shimano DX, and they are a little bigger than average roadie shoe.

Anyone with feet in this size that have booties which do a good job of keeping the water out? If yes, what brand?

Another issue. If it's cold but you sweat alot, the seat can run down your legs and into your socks. Same thing if some water penetrates your legwear. Products such as Sealskins are good for keeping water out, but unfortunately they also keep water in. If you ever have damp or wet feet, what socks do you use so as to keep your feet from getting cold, or almost as bad, getting squishy?

[TylerDurden]

Wet + warm = ok
Wet + cold = :-(

Bin riding 30+ each way all last 2 winters. One time, it rained so hard my blinkies shorted out and my gloves took 48hrs to dry. I've tried hardshells from Sugoi, Activa, and MEC. After last few seasons of west coast commuting, plus a 200km tour de cowichan in the rain, a few things that I can say help are:

1) Staying dry the first 30min isn't too hard. After that it's a crap shoot. Neoprene or overbooties help, but the water comes in from the top unless you "shingle" you rain pants over top of booty. I've never had cold feet with wool sock and Activa neoprene booties. Am trying the Sugoi ones now cause the Activa's have a lot of ankle resistance. Recommend you bring in your shoes to store on a dry day to try on booties to see what fits. As for squishy wet feet - my theory is that to get that wet, it's more than sweat getting in there. Your legs don't sweat that much. Choose a shoe with less mesh, and put freesole on the seams (help seal em and last longer) and make sure you don't have hole in the sole around the cleat area. I've never tried goretex socks - some swear by them though.

2) Wool is great cause it's warm when wet. So long as you stay moving, you're golden but it does take a long time to dry. On super wet commutes, I'd bring 2nd pair of socks so I'd have dry ones for the ride home.

3) Neoprene gloves are also warm when wet, and they too take forever to dry and are prone to getting stinky. If its 5 degress and raining hard, there's no better choice to make sure your hands stay warm. You'll be wet, but you'll be warm. For off road, 2nd set of gloves is key - put em on after the climb.

4) There are 2 kinds of fenders - those which keep you more or less dry, and those that keep you dry and crud off you bike. If you want to keep all the grit off you downtube, you need fender extender on front. If anyone is going to be riding behind you, then an extender (http://www.buddyflaps.com) is needed out back.

5) For jacket, it's all about ventilation and not getting wet from the inside out. Try to avoid a backpack (ie use fanny pack, pannier, seatbag and/or bottles) and run pitzips full-open and you'll be 100% drier. Lots and lots of jackets can keep you dry if you're not working hard, but once you get your HR up you need ventilation beyond breathable fabrics or you'll be more wet from sweat than rain. Look for a jacket with a vent in the back for for the air flow. Best one I've found is this one (http://www.showerspass.com/)

6) I still haven't found the ideal pants, but one with shell front, lycra in the back are best compromise I've seen yet.

Hope this helps. "There's no bad weather, just bad cloths"

[switch]

Your legs don't sweat that much.In my case, they do. :(

Thanks for the great info in your write-up. I'll search around for the Activa and Sugoi.

And I agree about the pit flaps. I use them, and they allow me to keep much cooler yet don't allow water to get in.

[sanrensho]

Your legs don't sweat that much.

Speak for yourself, mate! My feet get soaked even after a moderate session in waterproof socks. I can say with some certainty that there is no other moisture getting in there. (Same for road biking in fair weather, though to a much much lesser degree.)

Lots of other good info, though.

[switch]

Speak for yourself, mate! My feet get soaked even after a moderate session in waterproof socks. I can say with some certainty that there is no other moisture getting in there. (Same for road biking in fair weather, though to a much much lesser degree.)

Lots of other good info, though.I can put sanrensho to shame when it comes to the sweat factor, so imagine how bad it can be for me... :(

[sanrensho]

Switch, maybe this bootie will fit the bill. They have a 3XL that's supposed to fit a 13-15 (UK size).

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C9453

First, though, send them an E-mail and tell them what size and specific shoe it's for. I did this when I ordered a pair of overshoes (different model) from them, and the fit is perfect--snug, just as it should be.

Damn, it's depressing to think that I need to dig them out soon...

[brian]

don't forgot a good wicking base layer.

[switch]

Damn, it's depressing to think that I need to dig them out soon...soon = today

Thanks. I'll look around at a couple shops today, and if I find nothing, I'll order those.

MEC has a basic waterproof shell on sale for $99, and the Arcteryx outlet store has a few from around $180 to $225.

[XXX_er]

try those gortex foot covers from mec

also the mec tights that have a windproof microft front with a spandex back are great ,I been using them for biking/skiing and lotsa folks at the xc ski area use them

those windproof microft shells are a staple of everyones gear closet ,the yellow ones make you look like a cop (they are also mosquito proof) water resistant but not as water proof ... you might wana spring for gortex is you are gona ridein shitty vancover rain

does anybody make some kind of a nylon hand cover effort that stays attached to the handgrip area on the bike? I made a set once for my dirt bike out of some pieces of inner tube with hard electrical wire to keep the opening open for your hands and you could ride in rain /snow /cold with noirmal riding gloves and yer hands didnt get cold or wet

yeah they looked ghetto but so what

[BareFootMeshback]

I have to put in a nod for those $25 roadie rain slickers. No goretex to wear out and they are cheap like borscht.