Simple and affordable ways to ride a bike through winter with stuff you already own
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Fat-biking has inspired a whole industry of winter-specific gear and clothing to make your cold rides more comfortable. And much of this stuff is great. If you can afford it, you should use it. But the bike industry also has a tendency to make cycling more technical and complicated than it needs to be. For practical, everyday, happy urban cycling and bike commuting, I've found you don't need a whole lot of specialized gear. So in this video, I'm offering you some alternatives to winter-cycling-specific gear so that you can enjoy year-round riding more simply and affordably, or at least make do until you can afford that specialized gear.
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Use a studded tire, not a fat bike
1:48 Use a tuque (beanie), not a winter-specific bike helmet
3:53 Use regular winter boots, not clip-in winter cycling shoes
5:39 Use thermal underwear, not winter cycling kit
7:19 Use mittens, not pogies
8:42 Bonus tip
#cycling #bike #commuting
My winter bike: www.prioritybicycles.com/prod...
Looking for good merino wool base layers? bit.ly/3xXkbEd
Buy my book Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling: rmbooks.com/book/frostbike/
I don’t really do proper product reviews, but here are some products that I’ve tried on this channel that I like. (Of course you don’t need anything fancy to ride a bike, other than a bike, but these are Amazon affiliate links, and I get paid a small commission if you buy them 😉)
• Cliq Smart Bike Light (nice rear brake light): amzn.to/39lfqwo
• RedShift Acrlight Smart LED Pedals (clever lights for your pedals): amzn.to/3NL1Npg
• Aftershokz Titanium bone-conducting headphones (if you want to listen while you ride): amzn.to/3e9Tofa
• JBL CLip 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (for your party-pace group rides): amzn.to/3pcMLPm
• Crane Bicycle Bell (the ding is sublime): amzn.to/3OwfZCu
• Bicycle Cargo Net (why did it take so long for me to buy one of these?): amzn.to/31s1Ovu
• Vaude Cover II Rain Poncho (for higher-end, try Cleverhood or People’s Poncho): amzn.to/3jLkift
• Kryptonite U-Lock (your bike is going to get stolen eventually, sigh, but at least make it hard): amzn.to/3tPWcGi
• Peak Design phone case (the one I use, paired with the Peak Design phone mount): amzn.to/3HGM0FU
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Do you have a tip for simplifying your winter bike ride? Share it here.
Move to somewhere with good infrastructure like Oulu, Finland! If this is not feasible... a good pair of splash pants provides insulation and keeps your work pants clean and dry. A ski helmet is great, but just a cheap pair of ski goggles (mine were $20 CAD) keeps your eyes/face warm, especially when used with a balaclava, and when it's raining/snowing, they help SIGNIFICANTLY with visibility as it keeps the precipitation from hitting your eyes. Also, if you're bike shopping I got a used ebike for a great deal from FB Marketplace with an aluminum frame for my winter commute. It makes for a very civilized and convenient commute, and really helps with effort when conditions are less than ideal.
Figure out which paths get cleared BEFORE going out 😂 Made this mistake before…
Also, don’t be afraid of going multimodal. If your city offers transit, it can be nice to cycle to rapid transit, load up the bike, and then cycle the rest of the way.
Yes, pedal harder/faster.
An ordinary scarf, used to do my 5 or 6 km commute with a cheap winter jacket which was a bit loose and my movements pumped the newly warmed air out the neck so I plugged it with a 3$ scarf from dollarama.
Speaking of dollarama, they sell 10 or 12 packs of semi-reusable transparent shower caps which can minimise wind chill on their own or under a tuque, haven’t checked recently but years ago they sold balaclavas for about 4$.
Show you love wildlife, hug a porcupine today !
A 90's mountain bike works great for winter riding. They are plentiful and cheap on the used market as well as fun to restore, easy to maintain. Even unstudded 2" tires work well on packed snow and ice. I ride single speed bikes in the summer with 28mm slicks so not good for winter road conditions but the old MTN bike handles it no problem.
A tip for those who's winters aren't super cold and dry, but wet and chilly like Vancouver BC, waterproof gloves and waterproof footwear. You can wear wicking wool everywhere else if the snow turns to rain and be fine but keeping your fingers and toes dry are paramount!
I use neoprene scuba diving gloves for cold rainy rides on Vancouver Island. The ones I have are a bit thick. While they don't keep my hands dry they stay warm.
My waterproof runners have been working well to keep my feet dry.
Yeah in my experience when it’s 5° or so my body warms up enough from riding, but it’s harder to tolerate the cold wind on my fingers. It also bothers my ears so a headband/ear warmer under the helmet makes such a big difference.
Definitely second this. I'm south of you in the PNW and it's a tricky ride in the winter.
Waterproof pants and footwear are the way to go
Two big things worth noting...
1. Don't over dress: cycling is a strenuous activity. If you're not cold for the first few blocks, you'll be over heated for the rest of your ride.
2. Just do it. You don't actually need anything that you wouldn't already have for cold weather. Most places even in Canada have mild clear days during the winter, start by taking your bike out on those days. Heck if you're in southern Ontario, that describes MOST of the winter.
Be bold, start your ride cold.
People are amazed I bike through the winter, but like you said, southern Ontario has a mild winter. Most days the roads are perfectly clear. In some spots winter biking is even easier because there's fewer pedestrians to navigate around.
Just make sure you carry some additional clothing if you ride through sparsely populated areas. Having a mechanical or fall in the middle of nowhere and walking back with just your less than warm kit can really suck.
@@alexanderhetzel8271 Most of us ride in places where you are within 1-2 hour walking distance from population, and the clothing that will keep you warm when riding will keep you warm enough for 1-2 hour walk as well. That walk might suck, but it won't be any real danger. Basic tools can solve most mechanicals (pretty much as long as your wheels or frame are not too badly damaged), and basic maintenance can prevent most mechanicals.
After 8 years of cycling, I've not had to do that walk, though I've had to limp home with different mechanicals (that could have been prevented with proper maintenance)
@@klapiroska4714 Sure, it isn't vital, but also low effort if you stuff something like a rain jacket or those foil gold/silver emergency blankets in your panniers. And I can't imagine trying to fix something even as simple as a flat tire in the dark in freezing temperatures.
Anyway, not saying you definitely need to have it, just maybe think about it depending on your route. As I'm getting older, I'm getting more cautious in that regard.
Seconding the anti-cotton base layer recommendation: Do not use a cotton base layer in winter. Whether you are cycling, backcountry skiing, hiking, etc if you end up sweating it will be extremely uncomfortable and cold. I like to go with trial and error: ditching unnecessary layers until I'm cold at the beginning of my ride and perfect about halfway through. If you can't afford head-to-toe merino wool, go with poly blend and make sure you can unzip your over layer(s) to make sure your sweat/humidity can get away from your skin.
This is true, of course, but I've found the concern with freezing after sweating is a bit different with commuting because, even if you get sweaty, you arrive at your destination and enter a warm building. So while wool is always my first choice, if cotton is the only option, I think it can sometimes work.
@@Shifter_Cycling Not concerned with freezing, more with mild hypothermia. Or the very least an uncomfortable wet cold :)
I second you. Merino wool should be bought on sale to maximize savings. Around mid to end of winter. Plus when I arrive at work I change clothes and merino dries fast without smell, ready for my way back home.
Honestly I've never even heard of a cotton one; it does sound awful. The synthetic ones can be warm though. They do require more frequent washing than the wool ones, but they are like 1/10th the price, so who cares?
I do a micro-weight merino wool base layer all year when rising. It’s hard to beat it for wicking, staying smell free, and quick drying no matter the weather.
I have a nice Bonus here: Rain Trousers! I usually just wear my cotton trousers for work without long underwear. Rain trousers can be sliped over and under (even over shoes) in just a minute, and the plastic material does a pretty good job of keeping the "heat" in.
One thing, that probably won't work for most, but does for me, is to be really warm when going out. I usually dress all the over layers before I drink my coffee, so I'm getting pretty warm. When I leave the house, I'm not immediately hit by the cold and can ride the first few blocks, without freezing to death - I'm kinda cold sensitive. By the time all the excess heat leaves, I'm getting warmed up by riding and never feel cold during the ride. If I ever feel to warm, I just partly unzip my jacket.
I ALWAYS wear a pair of thin, loose, lightweight rainproof pants when cycling, summer or winter.
I'm 75 so I no longer care if I look nerdy. So I'm definitely NOT a MAMIL any more. I simply don't CARE what I look like. In summer, the pants protect my legs from sunburn without overheating me. And in the winter they provide an extra layer of warmth that's actually quite significant.
The one's I have are cargo style, dark grey. They have pockets on the thighs as well as back and side pockets - all with velcro closures. So you can carry ID, phone, extra gloves, whatever, no problem. And, being loose anyway, I can wear anything I want underneath - in winter it's thick, toasty warm track pants.
My top tip for winter cycling (or walking) is leave your office shoes at the office and just change into them when you arrive.
I LOVE the Buffs as a face cover/neck cover etc. I have one that's Merino and it's fabulous! Great for cold weather because you can pull it up or pull it down to regulate the temp of your face. It's better than a scarf because you don't have to worry about it falling off.
My tips for ladies are leggings or sweatpants (fleece trousers?) under a skirt or dress. Leggings they're easy to take off after you arrive and will keep help keep you warm. For a base layer, I like the long sleeve shirts from "32 degree" make sure to get the "heat" version. They're nice and warm, they look nice, they're wicking, and they're fairly inexpensive. They're great for everyday wear too if you're one of those people that is always cold.
Thank you for the tips on skirts and dresses (area in which I have very little experience)!
I like my 32 Degree base layer tops, but I prefer the men's as they're longer in the body and arms, so they don't pull up when I'm on my bike.
That studded front tire idea is such a good tip. Half the price of switching both tires and I have old bike parts all over the place so it would be pretty easy to find a second front wheel to set up for times there is snow on the ground. And I'll happily take off and swap a front wheel in no time, it just falls straight out without getting tangled, but I never want to mess with my back wheel if I can help it.
I switched to studded tires this winter for the first time. Even in Vancouver where we get little snow it just gives me added confidence on days when black ice could be lurking on some sections of bike routes. I went through the hassle of putting them on both wheels, and will probably put the regular tires back on in March. But it's made me confident to ride on many days when I normally would have felt it would be wiser to take the bus.
In Saskatoon it’s my first winter riding. Started off with one studded tire on my Ebike. Got 2 now. Back kicks out to bad with one when you pedal hard. Maybe Ebike issue with more power to rear wheel.
Thinking of all of the freezing rain we get here in VT pushed me into buying a pair of Terrene Cake Eater studded tires. They have amazing grip on snow covered ice. The first time riding on ice with my Rad Rover 6+ I grabbed a fistful of front brake to see how well they handle an emergency, the bike quickly skidded to a stop while remaining upright. The tires are so noisy on pavement that they work as an early warning device for pedestrians as I'm coming up behind them, they usually turn to look in my direction, no ding-ding bell needed.
This is one of those times I just don't understand Tom. You need a studded tire on your back wheel too. A steep icy uphill and a non-studded tire will just spin. Hitting even a small ice patch in a curve will result in a fall. A friend of a friend did this and slid under a bus.
I ride studded tires front and rear and now enjoy winter riding :) makes riding in snow and ice stress free
My coworker bought me a pair of cycling booties that zip over whatever shoes I want to wear to work that day. GAME CHANGER! highly recommend.
Also, I sewed my own pair of bar mitts. They're really quite simple if you're even a little handy with a sewing machine.
Also, just wearing safety glasses to break the wind (as opposed to full goggles) does the trick for me
Love that this channel is so dedicated to make cycling accessible and showing us that we don't need to buy a bunch of stuff to cycle!
Big equipment tips: in low traction conditions, use a lower tire pressure if you normally ride them with high pressure. And lower your seat such that you can get front of both feet touching the ground while still in the saddle - without that, the ice will take you down if you haven’t gotten that studded tire yet.
Depends on the situation. Lower pressure will give you slightly better traction, but it comes at the cost of rolling resistance. Also, if you don't keep your tires near the max. pressure, you probably don't gain much by lowering the pressure even more.
I don't know why you'd lower your saddle, as it makes riding much less efficient and more difficult to control the bike. In my opinion, it just makes falling more likely. I'd focus on looking ahead, observing conditions and riding accordingly.
Only two things make you fall: Losing control of front tire (lock up or getting stuck in a groove/rail) or having one or both wheels be suddenly pushed sideways (due to slipping, grooves etc.) As long as you avoid those situations, you'll be fine
@@klapiroska4714 It's well worth it to be slightly less effective if it keeps you from hitting your head on the ground when your front wheel loses traction..
Plan for next winter. Consider buying what you think you'll use in the spring and summer when the clearance prices come along.
Studded tires are my #1 gear recommendation...they didn't exist in the 1980s when I began winter cycling and are absolutely fantastic.
Studded tires are a game changer for sure. Also, I gotta say that I am completely dependent upon my ski goggles. I commute at 6am when it is still dark so mine have a clear lens. Great vid!
I use my snowboard helmet and ski goggles all the time when biking in winter.
Actually most of my ski gear is perfect for biking as well.
@@Ceece20 for me it is the other way around. I wear my bike gear also when I go snowboarding. But acutally half of this gear was originally made for skiyng
One of my favourite topics is winterizing not only your bike but yourself and all your clothing / accessories and last but not least you're a riding style.
My experience is more in urban bike riding, how do I dress in the winter months for trips to work, school, shopping etc.
Well one of the first things I do is check the weather either on my phone and by looking outside, visualization it's very important in winter bike riding.
To start with here's a list of my tips not necessarily in order how at different times anyone could all be number 1.
Well l'll start with my clothing head to toe, lately I have been using a snowboarders helmet works great (in the past I've used a regular bike helmet with packing tape over the vents and a touque underneath) and also I attach a flashing red light to the rear of my helmet. Next I wear pair of cycling glasses or snowboarder goggles the kind that enhance your visibility, and a neck warmer that I can pull up over my nose if required. I wear a safety green jacket but any bright colour would do, I can't say enough about wearing bright colours in the winter months when the light is poor and it gets dark early. Often I wear a pair of jeans with a pair of snow chaps overtop if the going is slushy. Moving on to footwear I do not wear clip in pedals only platforms (I want to be able to get my feet down quickly if I feel I’m starting to slip) so I wear a pair winter shoes or boots. Let's talk about keeping your hands warm, for many years I would use a pair of snowmobile mitts, but for the last couple of years I have used handlebar mittens with a pair of light duty gloves underneath. (you can now get handwarmers and foot warmers like electric socks)
What adjustments do I make to my bike well for starters I lower the air pressure in the front and rear tires why about 10 pounds (this allows the tires to have a better grip on the wet and slippery road surface) next I lower the saddle height by about 1 - 2 cm or 1/2” (if you start to slide you can get a foot down and make contact with the pavement faster) I may or may not install urban studded winter tires. They work really good but I have found for local cycling here and Durham Region, most of the time the roads are bare and the studded tires are not needed. (it works great if you have two Winter bikes one with studded tires and one with tires regular tires) I can't say enough about the benefits of having fenders with an attached fender flap. This will greatly reduce the spray that comes up to your feet shoes and bottom of your pant legs. I make sure I have extra set of front and rear flashing lights that I can turn on or off as needed. I also make sure my chain is well lubricated on a regular basis, salt laden slush is not good for it.
I usually know my route so if water pools in a certain area and the temperature has dropped I'm aware that could be a patch of ice even if there's been a light snowfall, I make no sudden movement like braking or turning while going over that section.
The final decision should I ride my bike this morning or should I take public transportation? If it's snowing like crazy and the visibility is poor it's a no-brainer take public transit. If it's nice out this morning but calling for heavy snow later in the day is there a place where I can leave my bike and pick it up later? Does my local bus have a bike rack on the front? If it's really really cold like -20 will my goggles frost up to the point my vision is jeopardized. Is my bike route or Multi use path ploughed on a timely and regular basis?
Some cities do a great job I'm clearing the snow from cycling lanes and others do not, be prepared you may have to jump off your bike and push it around large snow piles.
Life is an adventure good luck on your decision I hope some of the things that have worked for me will work for you, and you may have tips that I haven’t even thought of.
Jim Boate
Winter here in NZ is usually just wet & chilly, not snowy & frozen, so my tricks are mostly around quick-dry solutions. I've found a knee-length skirt with tights is a better option for riding in the rain than trying to manage over-trousers. On the rare occasion that I really want to wear pants that day, I'll throw them in my pannier and wear gym leggings for the ride. Leggings usually dry in the A/C in the office so they're not clammy to pack away or put on at the end of the day. And for a winter jacket, I look for something that's pretty long in the body so the small of my back doesn't get chilly (mine has a double-ended zip so I can still pedal easily).
Why is the a/c on if it’s chilly
Good video! I sometimes use a pair of rain trousers outside my ordinary trousers. Wind proof and actually gives that little extra warmth you need.
I fully agree. Easy to slip off when arriving.
Talking with other bikers where I live, decided to spend the money on two studded tires. We get a lot of partial melts followed by extended cold that leaves things very icy for weeks. I figured the extra safety was cheaper than a broken bone. Ski goggles are a must for me. Even if I go slow, wind can be brutal.
I have asthma, but, thanks in part to advice from this channel, I’ve been able to be on my bike year round. The tip I would add: sometimes wearing a mask, like an actual n95. I get weird looks occasionally, but it keeps my airways and face warm, keeps pollution out of my lungs, and forces me to go slower sometimes. All of this prevents asthma and keeps me going to my destination, although slowly.
I found the “trend stealth” mask the best for cycling.
You can pop the filters out to wash it. It has valves for inhale/exhale, so breathing is easy. It also looks ok-ish and the black slats protect the filters from moisture in the air a bit. But the best feature is the exhale valve is at the bottom, so any condensation can drip out (yuck!).
I find N95 masks clog up with water within 40 minutes in freezing temperatures.
One thing I did for the last 20 years was wear a scarf below ~10C. Condensation moderates the temperature of the air you breathe in through a state-change reaction.
@@jamesphillips2285 not if you get a mask with valves, as the moist air you breathe out never goes through the filters.
@@shm5547 Little better than a surgical mask in source control. But most people are not even wearing those. *shrug*
@@jamesphillips2285 I'm not talking about covid! It's for if you've got breathing issues with cold air or pollution.
I tried quite a few different types before finding the stealth worked best for me. I have a particular issue with very cold, dry, air and the thick diesel fumes you get in the winter. The PP3 mask filters the diesel particles enough so I don't break out in a coughing fit and the mask warms and humidifies the air I breathe in too.
I'm just embarking on my first car-free winter and advice like this is invaluable. Thank you!
A 'out of the box' idea would also be to check Motorcycle gear. My balaclava I use for motorcycling has wind blocker tech and is fleece lined with antibacterial lining. I bought it for $10 on sale and it allows me to ride my motorcycle in 30deg without problems so I can imagine it being pretty nice on a bicycle. They also have really good battery operated heated glove liners that are thin and discrete but pack a lot of warmth.
My boots are Forma Adventure Lows. They aren't the cheapest but that's a relative term. $260 is cheap to some but for me that was a punch in the gut - but well worth it as they are the best boots I've ever owned in my life.
Merino Wool base layers are also exceptional and I am completely sold on them. Can be very expensive but money well spent.
Like Tom, I employ many of these tips; I cycle in thermals (AKA "Ottawa Lingerie"), winter boots, tuque under helmet...
Recently, I was gifted a pair of waterproof heated cycling gloves = game changing! They can be pricey. For a cheaper alternative invest in a pair of heated glove/mitten liners.
On average they cost about 50% less.
I've been cycle commuting by e-bike on south Vancouver Island since May 2020. Although winters here seldomly drop below zero, they are rainy and foggy and sap every joule of heat from one's body. On colder days I purposefully ride at a lower power setting, forcing me to be more active in propelling the bike, keeping me warm in return.
In icier/sloppier conditions, I purposefully deflate my tires to permit greater tire to road contact; just be cautious whilst cornering if you do so.
An 8$ bag of zip ties can transform any tire into a studded tire.
Costco offers merino base layers throughout the year at affordable prices. I stock up every now and then.
Similar to others posting here: Do not wear cotton base layers on cold weather rides.
Also, don't forget to wiggles your fingers and toes.
"Ottawa lingerie" 😂
One of my simple tips for keeping legs cold on warm days is: just put a pair of sweat pants over your pants. They are loose enough to wear over another pair of pants. They are usually made of sythentics so are somewhat water resistant and will keep off the occasional splash. They are warm. And, compared to a base layer, they are much easier to take off when you get somewhere, so you don't over heat in a warm office.
I suppose this is not particularly fashionable though.
I think I call those "splash pants"(light nylon, easy to keep in your bag, with a matching top). In my mind, sweat pants are cotton things.
This is legendary
I second this strongly. Simple cheap tip. I'm also beyond my teens where I would super worry how fashionable I am so that helps XD
They don't restrict pedaling either.
Another idea is to put a rain cover over your helmet. This will help keep the wind off your head if your toque (beanie) is not warm enough. Another tip is to lower the pressure it your tires when there is snow and ice on the road. Thanks for all of the practical tips.
Also great are glove liners. Just thin gloves that can fit inside your winter gloves. Great for extra warmth and if you need any quick adjustments or fine tuning your fingers won’t freeze off instantly. Backpack to layer up and down and emergency kit of hand warmers in case really stuck and waiting for a pickup.
This 100%. In tandem with shell gloves (which are kind of hard to find) >> Use medium to heavy Merino liners for the really cold days / lighter for moderate days. Added bonus - they dry really fast.
One of my favorite winter riding tips is to wash dishes just before getting on the bike and the hands stay super warm until my body warms up on the ride!
I appreciate you suggesting using stuff you already have when it's very easy for CZcamsrs to become all about making people excited about getting new stuff.
I wear Blundstones with thick socks under them when I bike to work in the winter and I love them! They're dressy enough for my workplace dresscode, and there's no hassle because I don't have to change shoes throughout the day. They are fairly expensive as far as boots go, but they are one of the best purchases I've ever made. I wear them about 100 days a year, and I've had them for 7 years... still in great condition.
Yank here. All these years of listening to the Bob and Doug McKenzie Christmas song, and TIL what a toque is. Thanks, man!
Great video. Honestly the bike industry is the worst for redesigning regular objects to be cycling specific and then overcharging for them. One edit I'd make is don't pack your office shoes in your bag, just keep them at the office and change there. Hopefully you have a locker/desk/storage area where you can keep your shoes.
Also polyester is way better than cotton for keeping you warm and dry so go for polyester base layers if you can't afford the merino wool. Costco has merino-polyester blend for pretty cheap sometimes.
Keeping a pair of shoes at the office is a great tip. And I second the polyester base layer as a good option as well. I should have mentioned it.
ooooh I actually ride with my work safety shoes , never got cold toes with them, and they're waterproof, something you need when you live on an island in the middle of an ocean.
I bought metal studded tires, but because snow cover is variable around here, a hundred studs came off, my local bike shop guy said (he counted). I find that a deep tread tire is adequate, even on snow and most ice. I find avoiding the worst ice worthwhile, but snow and marginal ice are just fine, like riding on rails.
Which brand tire did you bought??
Need to bed in studded tyres for 40km on tarmac without heavy braking or acceleration.
That must be related to more than your snow coverage. I don't think I've lost any studs and I ride on bare pavement, ice, thick slush, several inches of snow etc.
I've lost a small number from each of my Schwable Icespiker Pros over many months of mixed surface riding.
@@Troobeli69that’s what I wondered. Mine are Schwalbes and I’ve only had them a few months, but they seem intact so far.
Made my own studded tires when I was bike courier in Calgary in the early and mid 80s. Worked the winters only and rarely went down. Great vid and thanks for the cost savings
How did you make them?
Woollen socks are a great addition to the list, they stay warm even if they get wet.
At 68, bicycling even in moderately cold weather, my eyes tear up blindingly and run like an open firehose. Strike that, it doesn't matter what the temperature is.
I bought a pair of shatterproof "cycling glasses" last year from Alibaba for around US $4 on sale. The lenses are HUGE. But they are "vented", so they don't fog even when I cover my nose and face. I don't need sunglasses anymore because they are photochromic… although they are not polarized, so I still have to tolerate glare. These glasses have proven to be a game-changer against dust and bugs and temperature both day and night. They are remarkably resistant to my abuse.
BTW: if your face is cold, plain old Covid surgical or N95 masks make excellent temporary covers if you don't mind the side glances from onlookers
Agree. A bunch of times I had my mask on anyway and just kept wearing it on a chilly ride and really liked keeping my face all toasty warm. Also not sure why it's so accepted to wear googles on the ski hill but usually not for biking. I think that is changing though.
Awesome tip. Thanks for sharing.
Great video! I'm in Colorado, and live and die by my buff - they're magical. I also agree with the ski helmet idea, it's super cozy on cold days (I even wear my ski jacket if it's actually snowing when I'm out). One thing I've had to look out for riding in work clothes is not hitting slush or crap and getting the pants soaked before you show up to work - I keep a bailout pair at my desk just in case though, so I don't have sit in wet clothes all day. Finally, puffy vest is just about as versatile as the buff and easier to pack / unpack on the ride for temp regulation (I find a full puffy jacket to be way too warm once I've been riding for a bit).
Was going to comment this! I keep a pair of dry socks at the office for those slushy days.
great that you talk about #1 consideration -money. 99% of you tubers ignore this issue. thanks. Dennis in USA NH
Oh, driving in the winter on the snow without a helmet! Perfect!
I just changed from gloves to mittens. LIFE CHANGING. Thank you.
Tip: look for merino wool tops at thrift shops
Some good tips. I'm a cold weather wimp, living in Texas. It does sometimes get into the low 30°F range here in the winter. I would have never thought of a ski helmet.
I use a cheap helmet rain cover (like $10) over my regular helmet for winter instead of a dedicated winter helmet. I find both a winter helmet or a toques under my helmet are too warm for me unless its below -20c. The helmet and cover let my head breathe while sill keeping the cold breeze off. I use a buff over my ears, lower face and neck.
Great tips! My suggestion for footwear is : wool socks + “snow sneakers” (high top sneakers w/Thinsulate insulation for winter walking) + a really oversized pair of neoprene biking shoe covers for temps below 20 degrees F. (Take your snow sneakers to shop to make sure that shoe covers will fit over them--I wear a women’s size 8 shoe, & an XL shoe cover works for me)
Bonus tip for using your summer helmet with a thin hat. If you’re still getting cold, tape the front vent holes close to keep airflow out, helps quite a bit! If it was good enough for Sheldon brown, it’s good enough for me!
You are the ultimate reference in North America for [winter] bike commuting on CZcams. I enjoy watching your content as an experimented bike commuter in Montréal! :)
Montreal continues to inspire my, in all seasons. Thank you for watching, and for the show of support. I really appreciate it.
I second the ski helmets lol. I thought i was being cheeky when i bought it, but they are a game changer.
The Goggles are fantastic for cold days and keeping your face warm. Also they have ear warmers. I got mine for like $50 USD, and I got goggles for like $30, which all were less expensive than my normal cycling helmets and sunglasses.
While there are always pros and cons regarding weather no matter where you live, cycling in Florida is pretty amazing when you consider we never have to worry about that white stuff or super cold weather. It's 85 degrees out today and I'll be riding in regular bib shorts and jerseys until January probably. Even then some long bibs and a fleece riding jacket suffices on the coldest days. But I do really appreciate you trying to save people money with these ideas. Too many channels push the really expensive bikes and bike related stuff because those are their sponsors. The idea is to get as many people riding as possible.
I used to ride a road bike, because theat was cool. And got the cold weather gear for it. Then i started ruding cargo bikes, because they are useful. And i wear the same stuff id wear if i was walking to the bar in the cold. It's a lot more simple that some people want you to think.
The bright green hard hat I've been using as an improvised helmet is remarkably warm.
Love the Canadians they know their way to do stuff outside in the winter and have fun , tks for good ideias
Personally, I like the Bar Mitts -One of the best winter purchases I ever made.
Most of the time a simple pair of thin cotton gloves worn along with the Bar Mitts is all I need for even pretty cold temperatures. And, once you get used to them, your hands are nice and free, too.
When I first got the Bar Mitts I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to get my hands free in case of a sudden fall, like hitting a patch of loose gravel or, in winter, ice, and having the bike just slip uncontrollably beneath you.
But having occasionally experienced that kind of thing over the years, I've learned that the single best strategy is always to STAY WITH THE BIKE! Don't let go of the handlebars.
And the Bar Mitts actually ENCOURAGE that strategy.
Pretty much spot on all of these, I'd say. My tip, related to your extra tip is that cross country skiing gear is also pretty good for winter biking (and to some extent, vice versa). I got my first cross country skis in decades this winter and my winter cycling pants and jacket (neither is very tight fitting but more casual-like) serve perfectly well as skiing gear. On the other hand I didn't really have any good gloves except for my old downhill skiing gloves (warm enough but bulky for cross country skiing) and some cycling-branded winter gloves (which are barely suitable for any kind of actual winter).
So what I did was order some lobster-type gloves that were nominally meant for cross country skiing (but also had winter cycling as recommended usage). Now, they weren't cheap (but still cheaper than most cycling-branded gloves) but man are they good. Frankly they're even a bit too warm most of the time, but they have an removable inner wool liner so a little bit of sweat isn't even a problem.
TL;DR: If you still want to splurge a bit on winter cycling gear and/or are missing some essential piece of gear, STILL don't buy winter CYCLING gear; it's overpriced, trash or both. Buy from reputable winter SPORTS clothing brands. Odds are they are both cheaper and better.
I love the recommendation of cross-country ski gear. Both activities make you hot and sweaty, so you need to dress cooler than you think.
I agree. As cross-country skiing is done since decades many the companies providing equipment have a decent time advantage over the newbie-fancy-cycling-is-awsome-startups. Personally, I use some of my motor cycling stuff for biking, too. Having almost the same posture but due to t higher speed and less movement, some of the "normal" equipment can be used in winter time on a bicycle.
The cross country skiing idea is good to know.
I just bike a few miles to get around and found skiing and snowboarding equipment like face masks or hats that fit over helmets work pretty well. Wind and water proof mittens and boots are also very nice.
I maybe should get some ski goggles. When it's below freezing with the wind, my eyes are hurting.
I wish I had these sorts of dry snowy conditions in Vancouver. "Winter cycling" in Vancouver means riding in driving rain for weeks on end, somehow even less appealing than being in the snow and ice.
I think rain in Vancouver is overstated. It probably does rain on 60-70% of days in the winter, but it’s usually intermittent showers. Heavy rain for more than half an hour is pretty rare. Very light rain (1mm /hr) is the most common condition.
Just pedal to keep warm. Also wear latex gloves under your winter gloves to keep the wind from cooling your hands.
Thank you fore your good content.
One addition from me:
Longer cycling in winter often produces cold feet. The most simple trick for this problem: jump of your bike and walk for a while. Walking gets your feet warm, biking is getting them cold. The reason for that is probably the different type of movement of your muscles and the diffrent type of pressure on your blood vessels.
Greetings from snowy Germany
I do a lot of activities in the cold New Jersey winters. Thick long johns ( no cotton ), Heat Saver socks, gloves, and hats. If it is really cold, I have a heated balaclava which will keep my ears warm all day on low setting. I'll also bring along some hand and foot warmer packs in case the weather gets colder or my trip gets extended.
And my tip number 1- buy a ski or ski board jacket! Those are way cheaper than cycling winter clothes and are probably well better for winter riding, plus you can normally buy ski sports gear on sales around the Christmas ( here in UK anyways) . Yes proper skiing jacket with useful pockets, good length to cover your back goes a long way!
Barr Mitts are much warmer than mitts in my experience! Some great practical advice in this video.
I found insulated motorcyle gloves helpful in the winter (down to about -20C/0F, not cheap though). The problem with mittens is that the right-hand one will get a big hole in it from shifting. The motorcycle gloves, being designed to let you put your hand down, are more resistant.
Edit: I recommend the same tire front and back. One wet spring day I was riding (homemade) studded on the front and not the back. On a curve the front wheel slid out because the studs have low traction on wet pavement. I suspect it would have been mostly fine if the rear ALSO slid at the same time, but no studs on the rear. I ALMOST recovered from the front-wheel slide (counter-steering for a wider turn IIRC): only to have the non-studded center of the front tire suddenly get LOADS of grip. With that,the front wheel stopped moving and my back-end swung around, and I fell over. Luckily the motorist following was able to stop in time.
I've had good experiences with synthetic base layers. Spandex , rayon, nylon, whatever. My current favorite is a Reebok set i got at walmart, lol. Merino wool is great, but too pricey for me. The one exception is good wool socks. Absolutely necessary.
Also i use my summer rain jacket as my outer layer. It's already good at regulating moisture, i just stuff more insulation underneath.
I would always prefer to cycle in the cold than in the rain!
few things: hat under helmet is crucial for those of us with shaved heads. Good quality leather gloves keep windchill off my fingers. Also, I think thermal enveloping is more important that what exactly you're wearing: shirt tucked into pants, scarf behind jacket zipper, sleeves sealed over gloves (or vice versa)
Thanks so much for the consistent advice for regular people just trying to bike to work in the cold! Any channel that caters to the lycra clad time trial racers are talking to a tiny percentage of people that want to bike, and your videos like these really help to make biking feel more welcoming and accessible!
I have cold hands due to blood circulation issues. On cold days I use merino gloves as a base layer and put Finnish military surplus winter shooting gloves on top that are great against the wind, and keep your "trigger finger" free to shift. I also string battery-powered Christmas lights along my frame to make it more visible on those darker days from November to February when the sun is already down after work. Finally, a good cold temperature chain lube and anti-salt spray reduces wear and tear from road salt.
I think the best tip is you don't need a fat bike for commuting. An old mountain bike with a studded tire works just fine.
Wash your tuque. Your forehead will enjoy it.
Play the long game. It may take years to assemble gear you really like.
Report snow-covered bike lanes/routes to your city. Let them know you're out there in the winter.
Don't brag about biking in the winter.
These are all amazing tips. Thank you for sharing!
I already do all the cheap options expect the ski helmet but I use a pair of ski goggles. The goggles make such a big difference when it's windy.
Hey Tom, cannot agree more… thanks for the video! ✌🏾
Night ride in cold recommend dynamo hub lights. Steep investment, but good for environment and safety. Otherwise, fail safe with multiple light systems and battery types. Evening shift worker getting out after midnight means substantially colder on return trip for a 10-12 mile (USA) ride without many places open enroute. Colder night ride means light 's battery life impacted. At home, drink warm beverage and use hot water bottle. Consider soft water bladder like hydrapak filled with heated water to pack inside coat at kidneys.
I realize I’m commenting a year late but…
Bar Mitts aren’t actually that spendy, and my god they’re amazing.
Simple toe covers on your regular work shoes, amazing and if it’s slushy they keep your shoes pretty clean too
Triple thumbs up for a balaclava. I even put my adult one on my 1 year old and it fits him fine since it’s so stretchy, fits under his helmet, and he’ll never outgrow it! And I have a massive head too so it’s not like mine was tiny in the first place.
Lastly if you’re e-bike commuting, prepare to wear extra warm. But all that means is DEF get bar mitts, and add a rain shell to cut the wind
It is an absolute necessity to keep your head warm, in 2006 I was working outside at minus 12 centigrade with out head gear. I ended up on a stroke ward as whilst working I got a blood clot in the back of my head. Fortunately I received treatment within 40 mins of going down. It was thought that the blood in my neck had thicken due to the cold and caused the clot.
5:34 I bought proper Winter boots this year. Life changing. Tested them out in -30, totally warm. Absolutely worth it. I’d rather be warm than look cool 😂
Cool is for Key West Cycling in winter
🚲🤑😎👀
I appreciate splitting video timeline into chapters for easier navigating.
I live in Minnesota and have a 15 mile commute to work. I put air-activated toe warmers in my work boots. They work great! It's been really icy here this winter so I might try studded tires.
I'm long retired but to protect myself on my 10 mile ride in the nasty wind and temps near zero F negative 17 C I wore sheep fleece over the ankle shoes and wool socks. to protect my privets, I stuffed a stocking hat/Tuque down the front. On my hands I wore down mountaineering mittens. The wind never stops blowing where I live. The outer layer has to be a really good wind stopper. A balaclava sure is nice on a cold day. I have several for different temperature ranges. My best new fried are alpaca socks, buy from a local alpaca farmer. They are warm on cold days and cool on hot days. they never smell. Years ago, I removed the sleeves. from an over the butt ski jacket to turn it into a vest.
Decathlon has waterproof/windproof mitten-shaped over-gloves which cost close to nothing and provide superpowers to your regular gloves. I took these on a winter trip to Iceland and although I wasn't cycling, the 70mph/-5C winds were a good stress-test.
Now everytime it's supposed to rain or get really cold in winter, for my everyday bike commute,I just add them on top of my ok-gloves and my fingers never get wet or cold.
Lots of great pointers in the comments below. You didn’t mention that when wearing your winter boots, since your trousers get tucked into them, there is no chance to get them caught in the chain. Here is my tip: use cross country pants over
Your regular ones. These are the kind that zip off from the ankles all the way to the waist. Not always waterproof, but they are made for blocking the wind. So when you get to where you are headed, zip, zip, off they come. They are like a jacket for your legs. They can go on the same way but I zip them partially, step into them (yes with my boots still on) and then once on, zip them the rest of the way.
I use two buffs - one over my ears, the other round my neck and over my nose.
Regarding skiing gear, I used to ski when no-one wore a helmet, but I do have the long johns!
I love that Dam! It looks awesome in the winter! The yearslong reno was worth it! I also love riding around the reservoir! :)
Best trick I learned for winter riding is the plastic bag trick. Put your socks on, put plastic baggies over your feet and then put your shoes on. Once the shoes are tied, trim the plastic around the ankle. Keeps my feet super warm in the winter without expensive booties or winter cycling shoes.
I keep a small sheet of plastic wrap in my jacket pocket throughout the winter as an additional helmet lining. Usually a tuque is enough, but an emergency plastic layer between tuque and helmet to cut the wind is nice to have if it suddenly gets much colder or windier. It takes up no room and adds hugely to warmth.
Works great, as long as nobody has to smell your feet afterwards 😉
Thank you. I'm a cyclist and sometimes all the things you "just gotta have" in this sport gets to be a bit much. Looking to streamline the experience somewhat. Your video helped!
The only special thing I bought for winter are gloves witch reflect. I like be seen when I sit on my e-bike. Once I was driving my car and I saw somebody who wanted turn left, it was an ugly evening, he wore this gloves. They reflected so good that I decided to buy them in a bike store for myself.
Thanks for the great video. My main takeaway is that you should use what winter gear you already have to bike in the winter. I also hear there's a really good book out there about winter biking called "Frostbike" with tonnes of great tips. 😁
Thanks again Brad. I always appreciate your support. And I also hear good things about that book 😉
Regular Canadian winter gear works great Long John's are key for outdoor winter travel but One piece of clothing I recommend is lined Jeans/pants!! Adds to padding too when you wipe out!!
Absolutely brilliant...many thanks.
Another tip for saving money is shop used! Places like Goodwill and what not can have some pretty good stuff sometimes. Also shop sales after the season is over.
I would add a jacket where you have zips on the armpits, makes a huge difference! Would also second no cotton if you are likely to sweat on your ride, and second do no over-dress and be a bit cold if not riding. I would also add an actual waterproof backpack or side pack (ortlieb is good at both) and embedded light system.
I'm so pleased I live in Thailand now and don't need to think about any of this!
Just spent over 3 hours mountain biking yesterday in below freezing weather. Your tips are great except for one - cotton should NEVER be warn against your skin in winter - it gets wet and gets cold - it does not wick moisture away and trap heat the way merino wool does. Also, a money-saving tip - buy ATV poagies instead of cycling pogies - you'll save a ton! Cheers!
Kudos to you for taking all that stuff with you for filming! Nice tips, thanks for the video.
when I first started cycling, I was riding a road bike. road bikes are fast, and to be fast you need to be aero, and fluffy is by definition the contrary of aero. I bought a reasonably expensive balaklava (20€) because I thought it was needed... it really wasn't, I was sweating 90% of the time. Now I cycle as a transportation method, and I use stuff I have had lying around for years, definitely not cycling specific, which cost me just a couple bucks. You probably don't need to buy stuff either, just use what you have - it works like a charm
Thank you
I have yet to pull the trigger on studded tires. Baleaf makes a great base layer for a mid-low cost. Mittens are my choice and I use ski goggles. Love winter riding. Thanks for the tips
You overlooked an obvious one, the material of the jacket you're wearing. Corduroy is brilliant at cutting the wind. Collar up, I find that it's ideal for most of Vancouver's mild winter, plus a sweater and gloves. It even sheds mild rain.
Depending on where you live, I would recommend 2 studded tires. If you can afford it, please get two. Good winter socks for sure. Compression clothing is awesome in really cold weather. It's skin tight and can be worn under anything. About $40 for a shirt and bottoms.
I hope you come and experience a West Australian winter one day, I usually can cycle in wearing my normal work clothes and the ride itself is enough to keep warm without arriving sweaty and smelly, so no need to shower and change clothes like in our summers..
I find with longer hair, a tuque of beanie will not stay on while riding in a slightly sporty position or more down. And a helmet will creep up unless you strap in a little tight for my liking. In that case a skully (a thinner hat designed for under your helmet) or a head band is unbeaten. Stays on really well if it's the right size, and a lot of them are water-repellent. If your winters are more wet than snowy, a cycling cap is more useful than suggested here. The bill keeps a lot of water out of the face, even if it's not especially water-repellent.
Great video and recommendations. Thanks so much!
I went pogie. I'm not going back. My pogies can accommodate light gloves or gloves under rain mittens. I use any combo that fits the conditions.
I bought a ski helmet for riding. Now I'm spoiled. I wear a thin nylon helmet liner to keep it clean. I put reflective tape on it because it is a low vis color. I sometimes put my old leaky sil-nylon rain cover on for visibility and wind.
Loose boots made tight by thick socks are awesome.
I have by tried everything in this video except a fat bike, cold weather cycling boots, and ski goggles. I've shopped for ski goggles. The info here is all spot on.
I went to ride and have fun in the city exactly because it has snowed, it's just another special "good weather" for me.
Having the right clothes on is much more important than the correct bike, but I would rather not go out on slicks. Winter compound rubbers are very nice.
Also goggles, you could pull off wearing normal glasses but it doesn't go well in much colder temperatures: the frame gets extremely cold and pulls away the warmth off of your nose. Depends on the glasses though, some are built in a way that the nose pads are isolated from the frame.
In Scotland we call it a tammy, I absolutely must cover my ears in the cold as I have large piercings in the cartilage, those things are massive heatsinks, chook works great for that, if it get's really cold I will put on the ushanka style, pair with a scarf to protect my face, regular old cheap stretchy gloves on y hands, wool socks, good jacket and some waterproof over trousers if it is raining or snowing to keep me dry. Oh and sunglasses can help with glare and help stop your eyes watering, goggles if it's really bad, never needed them.
Thanks!
Thank you for the support. It really means a lot to me!
Love your show, another tip for winter cycling, along with the toque, put packing tape over the front vent slots on you helmet. Comes off easy when the weather starts to warm up.
Jim, long time urban cyclist, Ont
Never compress wool socks, like with multiple layers of them, if you want to have the warmest feet. Either get thicker socks, heated socks, and loosen up the shoelace, so there's more room.
Learned one thick layer is better than two layers cramped the hard way.
If you are going to be in a warm location for a few hours: it can be worth it to change from thick to thin socks when you arrive (to avoid sweating).