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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
Hi folks. Hopefully some people have some ideas for me.
I am in Toronto and want to start biking in the winter. Outside of proper tires which I can either purchase or make with stainless steel screws, I'm interested in getting some opinions on winter cycling clothing. Pants - insulated? What goes underneath? What kind? I'm used to the tight black long pants, but the ones I currently have are not insulated so I'd freeze my future off. Top - Probably the most important, as this is core heat. I'll be assuming I'll bike to -10'C, which is nasty cold, so I need some great ideas to keep warm, yet dry. Seeing as I sweat a lot, keeping dry is important to me. Hands - insulated gloves specifically for cycling? Feet - I have clipless pedals, and my current mountain bike boots are not insulated. What should I wear without buying new boots, and without looking like a dork? Head & Face - I have no idea. Location - As I said I am in Toronto. Cold weather, on a mountain bike. I usually shop at MEC, but thier selection isn't the greatest, which is why I am posting here. Any recommendations for a supplier would be great. Gotta get out into the winter. I look forward to any ideas. Cheers |
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#2
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
BeeRich wrote: Hi folks. Hopefully some people have some ideas for me. I am in Toronto and want to start biking in the winter. I've been commuting in the downtown area for more than 10 years now, year round. My distance isn't too crazy - typically 30 km round trip Mondays and only 10 km the rest of the week. (In summer, I take 'alternate' routes, time permitting, and get in some much longer loops home.) As to winter, I've eventually settled on LG tights over longjohns over bike shorts - the shorts keep the important bits warm. If it gets really sloppy, some lightweight 'rain pants' over top - I've used all types, from EuroBound, Marathon, MEC, Walmart - not a lot of difference though the Walmart ones are baggier (but can be tightened up easily enough.) So far this winter, I haven't worn more on top than a long sleeve jersey covered by a long sleeve 'tech' t-shirt, covered by a thin wind-stopping jacket. (MEC Mycroft.) The layers are accompanied by a scarf and/or a neck tube, which can be pulled up over the mouth and nose in really cold stuff. Atop my head is a rayon toque (down over the ears and forehead) and a helmet with thin pads. I've worn belaclavas in the past. Oh, and glasses over my eyes - clear shop glasses outside of sunglass weather. They're wide and mate well with the toque. I used cross-country gloves - leather palms, fuzzy backs, Velcro cuff straps. When it gets really cold, big thick sausage-fingered Canadian Tire gloves - purple nylon and Thinsulate. If I'm caught out without the big gloves, I have a pair of surgical gloves (usually saved for flat repair episodes) that can go on under the XC gloves. I figure I won;t be doing much shiftig under extreem conditions, which is just as well as the derailer cables might freeze. I don't do much special for my feet, but wear thick woll socks and always carry a dry pair. Natually, I have dry shoes at work. I don't use studded tires, but have probably had 3-4 incidents over 10 years where they might have helped. If you shop at MEC, you might want to look at Urbane Cyclist (John St above Queen 3/4 of a block) or Duke's (Queen and Bath). Or Velotech to the east. I find Urbane has had good prices on LG gear in the past (though I dislike that brand in gloves, their tights are great.) Oh, and carry a lighter and/or lock de-icer fluid if you have to park your bike outside. That's about all I can think of, and I bike to -25C or so. Fenders keep you drier and warmer. Major TTC routes get plowed first. Drivers are even less likely to see you coming, parked or unparked, so give the door zone a wide berth and stay alert. Keep your blinky handy and its batteries warm. |
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
Brian Huntley wrote: BeeRich wrote: Hi folks. Hopefully some people have some ideas for me. I am in Toronto and want to start biking in the winter. I've been commuting in the downtown area for more than 10 years now, year round. My distance isn't too crazy - typically 30 km round trip Mondays and only 10 km the rest of the week. (In summer, I take 'alternate' routes, time permitting, and get in some much longer loops home.) As to winter, I've eventually settled on LG tights over longjohns over bike shorts - the shorts keep the important bits warm. If it gets really sloppy, some lightweight 'rain pants' over top - I've used all types, from EuroBound, Marathon, MEC, Walmart - not a lot of difference though the Walmart ones are baggier (but can be tightened up easily enough.) So far this winter, I haven't worn more on top than a long sleeve jersey covered by a long sleeve 'tech' t-shirt, covered by a thin wind-stopping jacket. (MEC Mycroft.) The layers are accompanied by a scarf and/or a neck tube, which can be pulled up over the mouth and nose in really cold stuff. Atop my head is a rayon toque (down over the ears and forehead) and a helmet with thin pads. I've worn belaclavas in the past. Oh, and glasses over my eyes - clear shop glasses outside of sunglass weather. They're wide and mate well with the toque. I used cross-country gloves - leather palms, fuzzy backs, Velcro cuff straps. When it gets really cold, big thick sausage-fingered Canadian Tire gloves - purple nylon and Thinsulate. If I'm caught out without the big gloves, I have a pair of surgical gloves (usually saved for flat repair episodes) that can go on under the XC gloves. I figure I won;t be doing much shiftig under extreem conditions, which is just as well as the derailer cables might freeze. I don't do much special for my feet, but wear thick woll socks and always carry a dry pair. Natually, I have dry shoes at work. I don't use studded tires, but have probably had 3-4 incidents over 10 years where they might have helped. If you shop at MEC, you might want to look at Urbane Cyclist (John St above Queen 3/4 of a block) or Duke's (Queen and Bath). Or Velotech to the east. I find Urbane has had good prices on LG gear in the past (though I dislike that brand in gloves, their tights are great.) Oh, and carry a lighter and/or lock de-icer fluid if you have to park your bike outside. That's about all I can think of, and I bike to -25C or so. Fenders keep you drier and warmer. Major TTC routes get plowed first. Drivers are even less likely to see you coming, parked or unparked, so give the door zone a wide berth and stay alert. Keep your blinky handy and its batteries warm. I also spent many years doing the TO winter commute .. Brian has things exactly right. the COOP has much better stock in October.. and Urbane gets a lot of courier business one tip that worked well for me regarding cables freezing.. next time you replace your cables and houseing instead of grease or oil use raindance car polish on the cable.. LG gortex tights and thinsulte long johns are the way to go |
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
BeeRich wrote:
Hi folks. Hopefully some people have some ideas for me. I am in Toronto and want to start biking in the winter. Outside of proper tires which I can either purchase or make with stainless steel screws, I'm interested in getting some opinions on winter cycling clothing. Pants - insulated? What goes underneath? What kind? I'm used to the tight black long pants, but the ones I currently have are not insulated so I'd freeze my future off. See http://www.icebike.org/ For Christmas I got a pair of the powerstretch tights icebike recommends: [http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/SpecialTights.htm] I am amazed at how warm they are - when I unwrapped them, I thought "Oh, these will only be good down to about 45 degrees (F)" - but I was wrong. Last Saturday I did a long WET ride in them at about 40 degrees F and the only time my legs felt even cool was when the rain was so strong it was like pouring cold water on my legs. On morning commutes at 32 degrees F, they are really comfy. Haven't had a chance to try them below 32 yet, but I expect they will give good service there, too. The astonishing thing is how light and relatively thin they are. Pretty thoroughly wind resistant, but they aren't clammy like my neoprene-like-front tights, the powerstretch breaths nicely. Good luck, Mark |
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
"BeeRich" writes:
Hi folks. Hopefully some people have some ideas for me. http://www.icebike.com/ is the best starting point. I dunno about the weather in Toronto, here in Minensota we have had the warmest winter on record thus far. We have been about 20 to 25 degrees F above average. Today it will be 48 F (it's 46 now at 10:51 AM) instead of the normal temp which would be about 18-20 F. We've had 8 of the 10 warmest winters on record in the past 15 years. Climate change is happening, baby. Glad I don't live near a sea coast. Anyway, dress for the weather you are having, whatever that is, and not the weather you might have. It's easy to stay warm, it's not easy to avoid overheating and ending up wet with sweat. |
#7
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
Mark Janeba writes:
For Christmas I got a pair of the powerstretch tights icebike recommends: [http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/SpecialTights.htm] I am amazed at how warm they are - when I unwrapped them, I thought "Oh, these will only be good down to about 45 degrees (F)" - but I was wrong. Last Saturday I did a long WET ride in them at about 40 degrees F and the only time my legs felt even cool was when the rain was so strong it was like pouring cold water on my legs. On morning commutes at 32 degrees F, they are really comfy. Haven't had a chance to try them below 32 yet, but I expect they will give good service there, too. The astonishing thing is how light and relatively thin they are. Pretty thoroughly wind resistant, but they aren't clammy like my neoprene-like-front tights, the powerstretch breaths nicely. I'll second this. I've had a pair of these for several years and they are outstanding. Gekko Gear/Col d'Lizard makes great stuff. These tights are comfortable into the mid-20s F and up into the mid 40s too. They don't hold moisture and get clammy from sweat, and insulate well when wet. I rode last year in a 200 km brevet, with a high of about 43 F, with 8 1/2 hours of rain. My legs were just fine. |
#8
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
I cycle year round in Toronto, my commute is typically 35 km round
trip. With the right gear, I am comfortable. Here's what I wear: Wind proof/water resistant running tights over long underwear Wool socks Cycling shoes, with shoe covers thin fleece zip jacket with a nylon vest for down to -5C thin fleece zip jacket with nylon cycling jacket for less than -5C ski gloves Fleece balaclava, with hat over top I got all of my stuff at MEC, BTW. Naturally, you can go elsewhere. You will find that wearing a heavy jacket is way too hot. Remember, you are probably tripling (or more depending on how fast you ride) your heat production compared to just sitting around. Focus more reducing exposed skin, and keeping your head warm. I don't think studded tires are required for toronto riding, but this is a personal choice. I run my road bike 700x28c slicks year round. I would think a mountain bike with knobbies would be just fine. Also, get some full fenders. These are not optional in the winter. Best of luck, and enjoy! Jeremy |
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
Tim McNamara wrote:
Mark Janeba writes: For Christmas I got a pair of the powerstretch tights icebike recommends: [http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/SpecialTights.htm] I am amazed at how warm they are - when I unwrapped them, I thought "Oh, these will only be good down to about 45 degrees (F)" - but I was wrong. Last Saturday I did a long WET ride in them at about 40 degrees F and the only time my legs felt even cool was when the rain was so strong it was like pouring cold water on my legs. On morning commutes at 32 degrees F, they are really comfy. Haven't had a chance to try them below 32 yet, but I expect they will give good service there, too. The astonishing thing is how light and relatively thin they are. Pretty thoroughly wind resistant, but they aren't clammy like my neoprene-like-front tights, the powerstretch breaths nicely. I'll second this. I've had a pair of these for several years and they are outstanding. Gekko Gear/Col d'Lizard makes great stuff. These tights are comfortable into the mid-20s F and up into the mid 40s too. They don't hold moisture and get clammy from sweat, and insulate well when wet. I rode last year in a 200 km brevet, with a high of about 43 F, with 8 1/2 hours of rain. My legs were just fine. I'll "third" this. "Powerstretch" is made here in Massachusetts by Malden Mills, it's the "uber" technical material for cold weather. I have a pair of bib tights which work for me into the teens (F), below that, I layer a pair of Powerstretch warm-ups over (good to sub-0). Powerstretch is "4-way" polyester stretch fleece (smooth outside, "terry" inside). It has very good "wet warmth" and is treated with a (permanent) silver compound for anti-bacterial qualities. I also have a LS jersey made from it, and I often just wear that under a wind vest (good to 30's). I also have a pair of socks and booties in the same stuff. I like to layer gloves, so I can peel outers when my hands get hot or I have a mechanical task. X/C ski gloves are often better than bike gloves. When it's below 20F, I use a mitten shell. For feet, I think the best way is to either wear light boots or heavy sneakers with flat pedals or too-large bike shoes with extra-thick socks. For face protection in very cold (sub-10), I use a thin balaclava, ski goggles and a piece of Powerstretch like a headband but worn over my nose & cheeks (leaving only my mouth exposed). http://home.comcast.net/%7Epeter_cole/face.jpg |
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Winter Cycling Clothing in Toronto
BeeRich Wrote: Hi folks. Hopefully some people have some ideas for me. I am in Toronto and want to start biking in the winter. Outside of proper tires which I can either purchase or make with stainless steel screws, I'm interested in getting some opinions on winter cycling clothing. Pants - insulated? What goes underneath? What kind? I'm used to the tight black long pants, but the ones I currently have are not insulated so I'd freeze my future off. Top - Probably the most important, as this is core heat. I'll be assuming I'll bike to -10'C, which is nasty cold, so I need some great ideas to keep warm, yet dry. Seeing as I sweat a lot, keeping dry is important to me. Hands - insulated gloves specifically for cycling? Feet - I have clipless pedals, and my current mountain bike boots are not insulated. What should I wear without buying new boots, and without looking like a dork? Head & Face - I have no idea. Location - As I said I am in Toronto. Cold weather, on a mountain bike. I usually shop at MEC, but thier selection isn't the greatest, which is why I am posting here. Any recommendations for a supplier would be great. Gotta get out into the winter. I look forward to any ideas. Cheers Check out Velotique on Queen St. http://www.velotique.com/ Dan -- Dan Burkhart |
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