As the temperatures have cooled off, I'm starting to enjoy riding more and more. There's something gratifying about being cold and putting miles on that I can't explain. Anyway, I'm much more serious about road riding (Lemond Zurich) than mtbing (Trek 4900) and am trying to decide on what I should do. The winters tend to be rough in Upstate New York; sub-zero temperatures, good amounts of snow, and loads of salt and sand on the roads.

I'm assuming I should keep the roadbike in for the winter, and turning my 4900 into some sort of road riding machine? Any reccomendations? I was planning on putting the speedplays from roadbike onto my mtb, and using my road shoes with some sort of booties. I recently invested in pro-digital camera equipement, and as much as I'd like to make a beater bike, it's not looking too fesible.

Lately my rides have finished in the dark with temps in the high 30s/low 40s F, and I've been clothed with summer gloves ((getting cold, tho)), winter-weight tights, a LS zip-up thermo + regular SS jersey, and regular socks + road shoes.

What gear should I be investing in? I have an older GoreTex jacket I can ride in once it starts to get really cold. I tried heavier socks (WigWam) and wasn't too psyched due to the lack of room. Gloves/hat?

How should I go about converting the MTB?


Thanks,

Dave
Rochester, NY

Hey dave. I lived in Syracuse and then downstate in Rockland County for abot 17 years total, so I know where you're coming from!

Sounds like you might need to get yourself a jacket, goretex?, I would'nt go for it because no matter what the manufacturer says IME & O it does NOT breath well enoungh for the heat & sweat generated with cycling and you end up wet = cold. I got by fine for years with a Sugoi cycling jacket that had a windproff/water resistant front and breathable back. That with your current setup should be fine, was for me. Invest in some heavy-duty booties like the pearl izumi ones with the lug bottom. I was able to use regular cycling socks and my normal road shoes on most days, and I would go out in anything over 30 F. Gloves? I use my heavy winter gloves, made by EMS, same ones I use when ice climbing/winter camping.

As far as teh bike, do not use your LeMond, as the salt & slop will tear it apart. Throw some slicks on your mtn bike & have at it. I guess that you could use the knobbies but they drive me crazy on the roads. There are manufacturers who produce tires with metal studs on them for use on the ice, believe that I have seen them in nashbar or performance but have never tried them myself. Chek it out.

Am on the west coast now, first winter away, and not missing the snow AT ALL! I do, however, miss the Dinosaur BBQ in Syr :). Wegman's too.........

Sorry for the poor spelling and grammer but I really need to be quick here.

caio.

http://www.icebike.com/

I agree - getting miles in at this time of year is gratifying. It just feels more epic - more so when it starts snowing. I try to ride as low as 15 degrees as long as the roads are dry. I'm in CNY also, (Syracuse) and can tell you from experience that the salt and sand will really do a number on a bike, so you're right to put away the Lemond. I put my good bikes away after the first salt hits the road. I have an old hybrid that I use, and still I spend alot of time cleaning it after a ride. Fenders help alot. I also ditched the clipless pedals and use toe straps. The clipless were hard to keep clean, and I wear a pair of trail shoes that keep my feet warmer than cycling shoes & booties. I wear riding shorts, PI Amfib tights, and if needed a polypro base layer on my legs, up top I layer - a T-neck polypro base layer, long sleeve jersey, insulated windstopper jacket and I'm good at 20 degrees. I have a couple pair of different weight gloves depending on the temp and a headsweats beanie. I've never used goretex on the bike but highly recommend windstopper. I have windstopper jackeat and gloves that I love. You'll need to experiment to see what works for you. I find that keeping toes and fingers warm are key and always start out on the cold side as you'll warm up once you get going. One more piece of advice - use caution: road salt is like a powder after a while and is really slippery, dumping in the winter is the worst.

Big shoes that accomodate wool/polypropelene Army Surplus Sox.

Wind Stopper gloves.

Wool cycling jacket with nylon in front. I don't know that these are still made, but I do see them on EBay.

Balaclavas of varying thickness. Sometimes I wear 2 of them.

NiteRider 10w light, helmet light, blinkie lights in back and on the bar ends.

Tights of varying warmth to wear over shorts. I have 2 pair of tights with chamoises, but won't buy any more of them. Tights over shorts works way better for me.

Carbon fiber fixed gear bike (bought for $262.50 including shipping) to minimize maintenance. I think a dedicated beater bike is a good use of cycling money.

Panaracer Pasela 28cm tires. Less supple tires than these can feel very rigid in cold weather.

Get on the trainer. You guys are friggin' mental for going out in weather like that.

It's not so bad if you have the right gear.

I've recently gotten decent winter tights as well as a decent winter cycling
jacket and found also a windstopper cycling balaclava made by a woman who
makes them for her two sons who do motorcycle and snowmobile riding in the
winter and have similar concerns - it's a pretty nice set-up.

I also have a microfiber undershirt, I wear a jersey over that and then my
winter cycling jacket over that (I have a windbreakers that could go over
that too).

Then the only real issue is that I don't have anything to cover my nose -
I might get a full-face balaclava (except the eyes of course).

I also need full finger gloves and some kind of shoe covers. I'm about 80%
equipped at present to ride to about 30 degrees. Below that I might just get
on the trainer!

i guess it depends what your winters are like. we live in northern sweden where the winters are filled with snow, snow, and more snow, along with temps often in the -10C to -15C range, and sometimes even -20C to -25C, which is pretty much my limit. One thing I would not want to be without are my special winter tyres from Finland with studs on them. Amazing traction, long lasting and a necessity with the winters we get.
ckeck these beauties out: http://www.nokiantyres.com/bike/winter/index.html

Get on the trainer. You guys are friggin' mental for going out in weather like that.

It's time to put it to bed, or get on the rollers. If you can get in at least two intense 1 hour rides during the week and some longer ones on the weekend, you save at least 80% of your fitness. ;)

As far as teh bike, do not use your LeMond, as the salt & slop will tear it apart.

I'd like to discuss this, because I have questions!

I assume that the salt (though they don't use real salt here in DC as far as I know) and sand are actually bad for the components, not for the frame. Getting dirty shouldn't make much difference for a frame's durability, should it? I can see how dirt and whatnot could cause component deterioration, but how much compared to the amount of dirt they collect during other parts of the year?

Basically, I have an older bike that can be used as a beater, but I really prefer my newer bike. I don't like switching my clipless pedals to my old bike (due to laziness), but I really don't like the platform pedals w/toe clips except on the short two miles to the subway. I also like index shifting way more than the downtube shifting on my old bike. How much damage will I actually do to my newer bike by riding it during the winter? I was planning on using the old bike only if there is snow.

It's not a high end road bike, just a Cannondale R600, but I still would like to take care of it. I also don't know how I would clean it during the winter (and I'm inexperienced with removing or taking apart components for maintenance). When the temperature is in the 30s, I'm not going to sit out front cleaning my bike but I can't think of a good way to clean it inside, particularly since I have no workstand and limited space.

I am 100% sure that I will be riding this winter!

Get on the trainer. You guys are friggin' mental for going out in weather like that.

Ohhhh no. Those that want to stay on a trainer for anything longer than a 1/2 hour are the mental cases. :) Living in the upper midwest you quickly learn that you can't let a little weather stop you - otherwise you'll never get out. For me, winter is for X-C skiing, but I have done the year-round commuting thing too.

I have an REI gortex randonee jacket that is quite useful. It is waterproof, has armpit ventilation, and a flap in the back to block rear wheel road spray. It is a bit warm if over 50F, but a perfect outer layer for anything colder. I just adjust the layers underneath for colder temps (have ridden as low as -25F). Below 40F I'll always use a lightweight poly underwear as the layer closest to the skin. I have a Craft top with windstop front that works great. So as things get colder and colder, I just add layers in the middle from there. Also, don't wear fleece as an outer layer, because when it gets cold, condensation will form and it will ice up. Actually I find fleece jackets to be too warm and bulky unless its really cold (below 0F), and even then I will only use them as warmth layer in the middle.

I will start wearing tights below 55F or so. I have the Pearlizumi AM-Fib tights with windstop front, but they are very warm so I will not start wearing them as an additional layer with the tights until it's below 20F.

I will simply wear a headband to cover the ears down to 30F. Then I will switch to a simple X-C ski hat down to 10F. I switch to a balaclava from there. I have never found a need to have anything more than a single, fairly thin balaclava.

I'll start using full fingered gloves below 50F. I have a thicker fleece glove for when its really cold. My simple rule with hands is that it's OK to overdress here, because it simply sucks to have cold hands IMO.

Feet are the toughest to keep warm. I'll use some MTB shoes with the ventilation areas duct-taped shut down to 30F or so. Then I'll switch to a non-biking specific hiking boot with some nice thick socks from there, and of course start using flat pedals or toe straps. When it's really cold (like -10F), then you need to possibly go with winter boots. There are some tricks for extra warmth, like putting your feet in plastic bags over your socks, but obviously that doesn't breathe too well. I also have neoprene over-booties, but I find that they add minimal warmth, and are most effective in keeping your feet dry instead.

As far as eyewear I find what works best is to not wear any! Rather than deal with all of the fogging/icing and the fact that it wants to freeze to your face when it's really cold, just go naked. Your eyes might get a little dry when it's really cold, but otherwise you'll be just fine.

Another trick for when it's really cold (below 0F) is to place a fleece hat under your jacket over your mid-section, as you will find that it will still get cold in these conditions.

Happy riding.

It's time to put it to bed, or get on the rollers. If you can get in at least two intense 1 hour rides during the week and some longer ones on the weekend, you save at least 80% of your fitness. ;)

Saving fitness and putting in time on the rollers/trainer is not really the point. I ride my bicycle because I like being outdoors riding a bicycle. What's the point of preparing to ride a bicycle when you could do the actual activity. Riding rollers is not the same. Sure, I'll do it occasionally if its 34 degrees and pouring rain, but not as a general rule.


A Bicycle Zen Koan, for your edification and amusement: A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?" The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do." The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world." The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel." The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming." The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple."

Steve

Sorry for not being very specific. Where I lived by Syr, NY, it snowed around 4 or 5 nights a friggin week... lake effect snow from the Great's.... and oh boy, do they love their sand and salt in Upsate NY/Syr! (BTW, it's known as the salt city, no joke!). I specifically noted faster deterioration of the drivetrain during the winter months, which was no surprize as an awful amount of time (granted, some winters worse than others) was spent riding in the accumulated crap on the shoulder. In addition, salty water would get into all cables, turning them into rusty mush fairly rapidly! Shifters, no doupt because of their elevation, seemed to do ok, brakes ok as well, except for the rusty cables. As far as the frame, never really had any issues with my aluminum frames deteriorating, allthough I'd imagine that a steel would'nt last very long. I will say that the paint, especially on the underside of the frame, takes a beating, which i would not want to subject my "nice" bike too, if I had a choice. Yeah, my bike would get filthy, but I would hardly ever clean the frame 'cause it would be dirty again quick. I'd clean it maybe once or twice a month. I did, however, clean the drivetrain often. I would take my nice bike out as long as it was dry and there was'nt any snow on the shoulder. After a few days of no snow and maybe a bit of thaw, some, if not most, of the crap would wash off the shoulder.

So, I guess if I were in your DC shoes, I would ride the old bike when it was wet, and the nicer bike when it was dry and most of the crap has washed off the shoulder.







e]I'd like to discuss this, because I have questions!

I assume that the salt (though they don't use real salt here in DC as far as I know) and sand are actually bad for the components, not for the frame. Getting dirty shouldn't make much difference for a frame's durability, should it? I can see how dirt and whatnot could cause component deterioration, but how much compared to the amount of dirt they collect during other parts of the year?

Basically, I have an older bike that can be used as a beater, but I really prefer my newer bike. I don't like switching my clipless pedals to my old bike (due to laziness), but I really don't like the platform pedals w/toe clips except on the short two miles to the subway. I also like index shifting way more than the downtube shifting on my old bike. How much damage will I actually do to my newer bike by riding it during the winter? I was planning on using the old bike only if there is snow.

It's not a high end road bike, just a Cannondale R600, but I still would like to take care of it. I also don't know how I would clean it during the winter (and I'm inexperienced with removing or taking apart components for maintenance). When the temperature is in the 30s, I'm not going to sit out front cleaning my bike but I can't think of a good way to clean it inside, particularly since I have no workstand and limited space.

I am 100% sure that I will be riding this winter![/QUOTE]

Sorry for not being very specific. Where I lived by Syr, NY, it snowed around 4 or 5 nights a friggin week... lake effect snow from the Great's.... and oh boy, do they love their sand and salt in Upsate NY/Syr! (BTW, it's known as the salt city, no joke!). I specifically noted faster deterioration of the drivetrain during the winter months, which was no surprize as an awful amount of time (granted, some winters worse than others) was spent riding in the accumulated crap on the shoulder. In addition, salty water would get into all cables, turning them into rusty mush fairly rapidly! Shifters, no doupt because of their elevation, seemed to do ok, brakes ok as well, except for the rusty cables. As far as the frame, never really had any issues with my aluminum frames deteriorating, allthough I'd imagine that a steel would'nt last very long. I will say that the paint, especially on the underside of the frame, takes a beating, which i would not want to subject my "nice" bike too, if I had a choice. Yeah, my bike would get filthy, but I would hardly ever clean the frame 'cause it would be dirty again quick. I'd clean it maybe once or twice a month. I did, however, clean the drivetrain often. I would take my nice bike out as long as it was dry and there was'nt any snow on the shoulder. After a few days of no snow and maybe a bit of thaw, some, if not most, of the crap would wash off the shoulder.

So, I guess if I were in your DC shoes, I would ride the old bike when it was wet, and the nicer bike when it was dry and most of the crap has washed off the shoulder.

I heard this Scandanavian proverb somewhere, maybe Wayneanneli has heard it before. "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." I love that one. I used to do a lot of winter backpacking and live by it. I used to live in New York up by Watertown and the winters are brutal compared to where I live in CT now.
The hard parts to keep warm are your hands and feet. Your body knows when it is getting cold so it slows the blood flow to your hands and feet when the core temp decreases. Where a fleece vest under some kind of windbreaker jacket to keep your core temp up. Also be sure to keep your knees warm, the gel like stuff that lubricates the joint gets thick when it's cold and is pushed out of the way and interior of the joint is unprotected. So I've heard. Another good thing to understand that breathing cold air contributes to a cold body. Try breathing through something that will warm the air, like a baleclava, sorry for the spelling. Personally my cutoff point is 20degrees fahrenheit. If it's raining it's more like 45 degrees.

[QUOTE=otis24]I heard this Scandanavian proverb somewhere, maybe Wayneanneli has heard it before. "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." I love that one. I used to do a lot of winter backpacking and live by it. I used to live in New York up by Watertown and the winters are brutal compared to where I live in CT now.

Hi Otis24,
Yes, it sounds a little strange in English, but it rhymes in Swedish. It is a great saying. I grew up in Montreal and have spent quite a bit of time in upper NY, the winters can be really rough. Not only do I recommend good tyres, but in Sweden, a lot of people use what they call "tech byxor" or "tech pants". Lightly insulated pants that you just pull over your pant (jeans for example) when you're commuting. Saves you the hassle of putting long underwear on, taking it off, putting it on, ..... you get the picture, and getting really hot if you're too lazy. When you arrive, just take them off and be comfortable.

How would you say it in Swedish? My pronunciation isn't going to be any good so it might not sound any better than in english.

Carbon fiber fixed gear bike (bought for $262.50 including shipping) to minimize maintenance. I think a dedicated beater bike is a good use of cycling money.

rusa, can you provide more details on this bike and where you got it? sounds intriguing....

"Big shoes that accomodate wool/polypropelene Army Surplus Sox."

+1 on the extra big shoes. This works very well.

Otherwise, I'm very familiar with your area and I advise against a lot of winter cycling. If it's not snowing in Syracuse, the wind is howling at 35 mph.

I generally try to ride outside once every couple of weeks in NJ but the roads and climate are much more ameanable (sp?) here. Why burn yourself out by the time nice weather comes in the spring? Have you ever tried XC skiing? Great outdoor activity. Same with mountain biking if the snow is not too deep and/or firm.

It's a Look KG96. I suspect people were unwilling to take a chance on an older carbon fiber bike, so the price was right. I had to epoxy the seatpost into the frame to keep it in place, but other than that, have had few problems.

EBay frequently lists fixed gear bikes that wind up selling for relatively little. Before buying one I'd want to be certain it has room for tires large enough to be useful in winter in Syracuse. Unless the weather has gotten milder since I lived there, you can be certain that eventually you'll be caught in the snow and want at least cyclo-cross size tires.

I think it's possible to get into winter riding by buying stuff as need arises. There's no requirement that you outfit yourself at the start of the season as if you were taking the bike to Alaska for a winter tour. There's also no need to use exclusively bicycle clothing which can cost more than the arms and legs they keep warm. Wool sweaters that somebody shrunk are among the warmest items known to man, tend to fit pretty tightly, and can often be found for under five dollars in thrift stores. Army surplus sox and glove liners are also really useful.

Thanks to all for the responses thus far.

Based on everything said, I plan on getting some non-name brand clothing items (gloves, jacket, hat) and maybbbbbe I can convince my parents to throw some $$$ in for my first SS or fixed bike. I'd definitely want it to have the possibility to be cross compatible, and would maybe have around $400 to spend.

Someone was talking about the Specialized Langster? Anyone have any feedback on the bike? Any shops having amazing deals on it right now? Other bikes I should be looking at in my price range?

Thanks,
Dave

And to all my present and past CNYers, yes, the winters are long AND bitter. I predominately downhill ski during the months, but maybe I'll invest in some XC skis this winter. There's a great trail in the woods nearby. Do you blaze your own trail, or go to a groomed area? Curious..

How would you say it in Swedish? My pronunciation isn't going to be any good so it might not sound any better than in english.

Hey Otis24,
The saying in Swedish goes like this: "Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåligt kläder!"
å is pronounced like o and ä is pronounced like when the e in bed, but longer like beeeedddd. Good luck with the language lesson. Wayne

Blaze your own trail and then use the tracks you made in the future. Trail blazing is slow and takes some of the fun out of xc skiing but it's free and convenient. Groomed areas are good if you get into skate skiing but that requires special equipment and technique. I'm also a big fan of downhill skiing. Nothing like a bump or tree run to get your HR up.

]Hey Otis24,
The saying in Swedish goes like this: "Det finns inget dligt vder, bara dligt klder!"
is pronounced like o and is pronounced like when the e in bed, but longer like beeeedddd. Good luck with the language lesson. Wayne[/QUOTE]


Thanks, it does sound better in Swedish with the ryming.

Get on the trainer. You guys are friggin' mental for going out in weather like that.
Awww, come on... it's just starting to get nice out! :)