It's getting COLD. what winter gear do I need?

[prklcd]

Hey everyone,

I noticed last week that the cold air is starting to arrive. I plan on riding to work and trail rides on the weekend during winter ( which isn’t something I have really done before) and I need to invest in some winter clothes.
What do people recommend? It gets pretty cold in here in Canberra. I am thinking something from Ground effects.
Also I would like the gear to be suitable for this years mont 24hr.

Any help would be great/

[RaID]

Get good wet weather gear, thats light and breathable.
Eg Gortex Paclite stuff

Personally I find once you stop the wind from cutting right through you,
you dont need any extra layers of warmth while actually riding since warm
enough from the excercise. Otherwise you start sweating too much.

[Syphanx]

well I've just got a set of NZO arm and leg warmers and they are UNREAL, they are so comfy and so warm! definetly recommend them!

[BrumbyJack]

If you live in Canberra, look no further than LAB GEAR.

You will find them advertising on 26inches.com

I've got a stack of their stuff and you can go and try it on etc. at Watson.

I've got the merino arm warmers, a sleeveless jersey and two windstopper vests... one a bike specific one with a mesh back, the other is fleece for non riding times and snowsports. The kids have Lab Gear jerseys as well.

They have merino legs, merino tops and all sorts of warm things....

The MONT sale is also apparently a good deal, but I've never got there :(

[Fidsey]

Fox make a good lightweight rainjacket thats not going to blow your budget like most Gortex ones, Netti make pretty good Arm and leg warmers too. Definitely a must.

[bighitter]

being in newcastle, it really doesnt get that cold comparitively speaking, though it does get cold enough that you need arm and leg warmers, i also wear thermal gloves on really cold windy days, but just full finger normally
Ive also been knowen to wear a wind/waterproof jacket when i go out when its bloody cold and wet.
Mind you im talking about on the road at around 5am

[prklcd]

If you live in Canberra, look no further than LAB GEAR.

You will find them advertising on 26inches.com

I've got a stack of their stuff and you can go and try it on etc. at Watson.

I've got the merino arm warmers, a sleeveless jersey and two windstopper vests... one a bike specific one with a mesh back, the other is fleece for non riding times and snowsports. The kids have Lab Gear jerseys as well.

They have merino legs, merino tops and all sorts of warm things....

The MONT sale is also apparently a good deal, but I've never got there :(

Thanks I will check out Lab Gear for sure

[prklcd]

What do people think of this

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product_detail.php?style=FRO&category=WIN

Is it too heavy? Will I start sweating like a pig half way around a trail.
Sorry to ask dumb questions - Use to only ride in Summer :confused:

[BrumbyJack]

What do people think of this

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product_detail.php?style=FRO&category=WIN

Is it too heavy? Will I start sweating like a pig half way around a trail.
Sorry to ask dumb questions - Use to only ride in Summer :confused:

The Frosty Boy is good, but not for riding.... You can't fully undo it at the front, so unless you are planning on riding somewhere REALLY cold, i.e. colder than Canberra it will be a bit warm.

I was going to get a the female equivalent (toasty pie) as we won some free vouchers in a race. I was even a bit worried about using it for skiing with a short zipper.

EDIT: Oops, I was also looking at the Ice Queen, similar but windstopper in parts.

[floz]

I have the Draftdodger. It is awesome. I've been using it everyday for the last 2 years in winter. I wear quite a bit of the Ground Effect gear actually, its all pretty good.

[24seven]

The main thing I look for in winter riding gear is Merino. As this is a natural fibre it doesn't start to smell nearly as fast as all the polywhatsitcalled. They're bearhtable comfortable and Lab-Gear make a range. Definitely recommended for insulation duties.

In terms of something waterproof on the outside breathability is definitely the key. It's all very well having the latest technology but if it's not cycling specific you will be as wet from sweat as you would have been from the rain after the first climb. Gore-Tex and inparticular Gore-Tex Lite are great but the pores (which allow water vapour out but keep rain out) can be come clogged with mud in dirty condtions. They can be cleaned but then you usually have to re-waterproof them again. Another disadvantage of Gore-Tex is price. I cringe to think what would happen if I crashed wearing my jacket.

The cut of the jacket is also very important. Longer sleeves than normal because your arms will be stretched out gripping the bars. Lower at the back to keep out the breeze and if you can find a jacket with under arm vents you will not be disappointed. These can be used in the rain and keep you much cooler but still dry. They can be zipped up when you don't need them.

That's what I wear 1 merino top with a jacket over the top. I've heard it gets stupid cold in Canberra though so something like a sleeveless fleece vest might be a good idea. I hope that helps I know it's long.

P.S Get some water-proof cycling gloves.

[peterd]

get one of those gor-tex vests that go under your jersey. they will take you down to about 4 c with arm warmers, trust me i get affected by the cold. then layer up from there.
just remember to layer untill you find your happy medium, lots of zips to stop over heating. also concentrate on your extremities e.g. fingers and toes. this will bring added comfort, oh yeh don't forget those ears.:)

[BrumbyJack]

I'm wondering how to deal with the fingers, feet and ears this weekend in the Solo 24 if it gets really cold like the forecast suggests it might. Although if it is cloudy it will make it warmer than last year, just prior to dawn.

I have an ear warmer band thingy somewhere, that might work. Have different sets of ski gloves that "may" work, but might be too bulky. No idea about my feet, too many socks makes shoes too tight, cuts off circulation and actually makes feet colder.

I've got plenty of options for my body, that is not an issue.

[...jim]

Roadie shoe covers. they look totally naff, but what price warm toes? You can get cheap neoprene ones, or more expensive windstopper laminate ones, but bear in mind walking up off-road hills will likely trash 'em quicker than drafting busses.

Specific gloves are specific for a reason - they work.

On warm wear, layering pure and simple. Start with a layer designed to wick moisture off your sking - merino is all the rage atm, then add a bulk layer to trap warm air under you final outer layer. That's the 'proof one (wind or water). Vary as necessary. If it's cold but dry, don't worry about waterproofing, wet but warm, no bulk required, etc.

Start your collection of warm-wear with a decent next-to-skin layer, windproof vest, waterproof jacket and tights. Then add with specifics.

Finally, a head covering (skull cap, bandanna, knotted hanky) should not be underrated for regulating heat. Start a ride with it under you helmet, whip it off as you warm up - you dump a heap of heat through your head.

[Hud]

Its all about layers. I have a lot of lab gear stuff, it's great. Merino arm and leg warmers are warm and a snug fit. singlet-type base layer, jersey, vest, gloves, arm/leg warmers. Depending on the weather conditions put on some or all of these items, they are all removable.

[Matty_P]

As with skiing, I use layers. I found a half price windstopper shell some years ago at Paddy Pallin which still is fantastic. Under that I'll wear a snug thin thermal & a cycling jersey, depending on the conditions. A lot of the gear I ride in I also ski or hike in, especially the base layers.

Have got some windproof socks & gloves from Ground Effect which are great. Nothing wrong with getting damp, but you don't want wind chill to hit it.

I recently obatined a Uno beanie that fits under the helmet. It's great for me for cold starts, & simple enough to pack away once I've warmed up. It's also good to put on when I stop (Coffee!!) & start to cool down.

You need to work out though what works for you. Just because one person copes with less layers means that you will.

I'm MattyP & that, i believe, is my first post....

[Oddjob]

As with skiing, I use layers. I found a half price windstopper shell some years ago at Paddy Pallin which still is fantastic. Under that I'll wear a snug thin thermal & a cycling jersey, depending on the conditions. A lot of the gear I ride in I also ski or hike in, especially the base layers.

Have got some windproof socks & gloves from Ground Effect which are great. Nothing wrong with getting damp, but you don't want wind chill to hit it.

I recently obatined a Uno beanie that fits under the helmet. It's great for me for cold starts, & simple enough to pack away once I've warmed up. It's also good to put on when I stop (Coffee!!) & start to cool down.

You need to work out though what works for you. Just because one person copes with less layers means that you will.

I'm MattyP & that, i believe, is my first post....

Welcome to Farkin.

I'm a bit disturbed by you first post: correct spelling, good grammar and excellent paragraph structure. You might actually make a useful contribution to this site, a rare thing around here.

To prove my point, I am not going to add anything of value to this thread.

[Mo]

if you are on a budget, i'd advise using a normal good quality jersey inside, then a layer of cotton, loose shirt preferably, what i noticed is that as long as you are riding in cold weather you wont be feeling too much of the cold air, except in areas like hands and face. but as soon as you stop you gotta freeze, then you take your cotton shirt off. and put a dry one on.

i had a stint at riding in winter last year and i am hopefully never doing that again. i caught the flu 3 times over 2 months(that's before i applied the above technique) and really didn't enjoy it at all.

i also think the price of the winter riding gear is excessively expensive. and everyone i've talked to always told me to use that combo but always carry a spare shirt.

[Matty_P]

Welcome to Farkin.

I'm a bit disturbed by you first post: correct spelling, good grammar and excellent paragraph structure. You might actually make a useful contribution to this site, a rare thing around here.

To prove my point, I am not going to add anything of value to this thread.

Oddjob, my apologies. I'll try to go downhill from here. Although that will be a challenge as I much prefer climbs. There you go, my first bad XC pun.

[ona rampage]

Hey all,

Regarding the merino gear, in particular the lab-gear tops (doppio), how versatile are they in regards to the cool in winter, warm in summer aspect? Also, how does it fair in a crash situation?

Also, how is the build quality of them? On the site they look fantastic (especially for the money), but how thick/thin are they in real life.

Matty_P; setting a very bad precedent for the other first posters! :D

[Gonzo]

What you should do is wait till katmandu have one of their sales, then you can pick up polypropylene thermals for about $15 a piece and they are good quality. I used these during last years mont, and i was riding in the middle of the night when it got down to about 0 i think some people said. i wasn't cold at all. I had some other layers on as well but these are good value.

[BrumbyJack]

i also think the price of the winter riding gear is excessively expensive. and everyone i've talked to always told me to use that combo but always carry a spare shirt.

Some advice Mo, don't take up snowsports. Bike gear is mostly the same as ski gear, but at least half the price, or less!!!

I got a breathable/windproof waterproof shell from Netti (DH2?) for $160, anything similar in snow brands was $350 upwards....

I guess it depends HOW cold it is, where I live it gets VERY cold.

[prklcd]

What you should do is wait till katmandu have one of their sales, then you can pick up polypropylene thermals for about $15 a piece and they are good quality. I used these during last years mont, and i was riding in the middle of the night when it got down to about 0 i think some people said. i wasn't cold at all. I had some other layers on as well but these are good value.


Sounds like a good tip :p

Hopefully there is a sale soon.
going for a ride at sparrow hill tomorrow morning. looks like great weather, looking forward to getting out in a shirt while I still can

[bonebreaker]

Hey there

A couple of years ago I got a Cannondale 'Vertex"??? jacket. It's the best...I can ride home from work at 4am (dam shift work) in the middle of winter in canberra and I only wear a T under it.

It's a bit of a roadie jacket but it has a full front zip, a fleece inner, three rear pockets, zip open pits (if you get too hot) and it's semi waterproof (all but heavy constant rain)

I also wear a pair of the Ground effect longs that have the windfoil (windprrof fleece) on the front of the knees. I ride about 20k to work and find I'm toasty all the way...eccept my hands!!! I can never get my hands warm no matter how good my gloves are.

[Lab-Gear]

Hey all,

Regarding the merino gear, in particular the lab-gear tops (doppio), how versatile are they in regards to the cool in winter, warm in summer aspect? Also, how does it fair in a crash situation?

Also, how is the build quality of them? On the site they look fantastic (especially for the money), but how thick/thin are they in real life.



I can answer this....!

Merino, real Merino milled in NZ or Australia is some of the most veretile material on the market today. We have tested 165gsm Merino in temps upto 35 deg and find them no hotter than an equivalent wicking poly material. When it's hot, it's hot, no material will make you cooler but where Merino shines through is when it gets cool. Simply put, nothing touches it in terms of thermal regulation, wet or dry. We started with Polartec fabrics and the like and are so impressed that the whole line is moving to Merino.

Merino is also strong. Much stronger than most of the wicking polyesters and Lycras on the market, as such it lasts longer. Be warned though, we have started to see nasty blends and impures, touted as 100% pure Merino, turning up on the market. Basically these are fabrics with an amount of pure Merino content and blended with nasty Chinese or similar wools. How do you tell? Hard to but the materials feel corse and if it's a light colour, will have darker fibres in it; also if it's NZ or Australian, the garment or packaging will say so as these fabrics have a premium price for people like us to buy. Places such as Target, K-Mart have stuff made from this sort of doge 'Merino'. It will wear though in a matter of months.

Build quality? We have been around for 5 years now and sell internationally, with a large return customer base. That says we are doing *something* right:D . We use a 165gsm Merino these days, the ideal weight for a multi season top. Any heavier and it starts to become limited in its all year use. Anyhoo, we advocate a layered approach to dressing in the cold.

Hope this answers some of your Q's.:)

[nizai]

I just bought me a cheap helly hansen shell jacket to keep off the wind, works great. They also make fleece lined ones that arent too thick (you dont wanna roast!) for those of you in the colder parts of Aus. Perth weather is pretty easy to deal with most of the time!

Helly make some good gear for decent'ish prices (if you pick up the end of line stuff). I got mine from Brooks.

http://www.hellyhansen.com/S06/index_flash.php

Plus they sponsor the dudes to did the Roam dvd.

N

[Pete J]

Like Lab-Gear said, wool is the best!
I have found that the combo of a polyester shirt, a good woolen jumper and a windproof jacket can keep you warm well into below zero temperatures. Layering is the key, as is not over dressing.
Most other materials just won't keep you warm like wool does, polar fleece type jumpers haven't worked for me at all. It seems as if wool simply does a better job of keeping the heat in, even when it is soaked in sweat. Can't say the same for man made fibres.

edit: keep your hands, neck, ears and feet warmest. That makes the most difference imo.

[Lab-Gear]

And who said sheep are dumb?! :rolleyes: