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Post by stevesemti on Nov 15, 2008 21:51:16 GMT -5
Love the idea of a commuter thread, I have learned a few things doing it the hard way, which I hope to share, and also looking forward to hearing tips from other hardcore guys. Anyway, just wondering what you budget minded guys do for cold weather gear (and I know you're budget minded, you own an XS!  ) I just picked up a Stinger textile jacket from newenough.com (under "closeouts", very good price) and am very happy with how warm it keeps me. I wear a balaclava style hood under my full-face helmet (really keeps the wind off my neck, lined gloves (although I could stand something a little heavier for longer rides), and either flannel lined jeans, or flannel pj pants under regular jeans. Also if it's under 35F I consider wearing my rain pants just to keep out the wind a little better. Most (ok all) of this gear I got waiting for clearance sales from the online places (denniskirk.com and especially newenough.com)  I am a frugal guy! I have also thought about using my snowmobile suit on longer rides, but haven't yet. I am pretty hesitant to ride when it's less than 32F, especially in the morning, as I don't trust the lightly traveled roads to be ice free. But I do ride longer than most of my other fellow Mainers, it's mid-November, and I refuse to even think about winter storage til it has snowed at least twice! Alright, love to hear how you guys are handling the cold weather! Steve, near Portland, Maine. |
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Post by xsleo on Nov 16, 2008 17:09:02 GMT -5
carhartt artic wear overalls and parka, felt lined pac boots. the stuff i wear for ice fishing.
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Post by WA1DH on Nov 18, 2008 21:53:14 GMT -5
I'm using summer deerskin gloves with thinsulate gloves over them. That's good down to about 35. Below that and I need to get a pair of real winter riding gloves...
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Post by stevesemti on Nov 18, 2008 22:18:33 GMT -5
My hands were pretty cold in my thinsulate gloves today (36F), I'll be trying out the snowmobile gloves tomorrow. They are not incredibly thick, but I wouldn't want to try picking up a needle with them on  It's supposed to warm up to around 40 this weekend!! Balmy indeed ;D |
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Post by mistermoe on Nov 18, 2008 23:32:49 GMT -5
I broke down and finally bought a pair of winter gloves. I've stockpiled a bunch of different weights of fleece - from lightweight to expedition-weight - all from thrift stores. Amazing what you can find - all my stuff is Columbia, LL Bean, REI... all for $5 a piece or less.
Scored a pair of windproof snowboarding pants at a thrift store, and I wear my meshtex pants under that. Someone gave me an old but serviceable hein gericke thigh-length touring jacket. So, I just adjust the weight of fleece and layers to match the cold. I found a pair of XL goretex pants to put over everything in case of rain. In the past I've used some of my cold-weather kayaking gear (waterproof sea kayak bibs are good in really cold temps).
I got a pair of Sidi Canyon waterproof boots and have been really impressed with how well they do in the cold.
Still trying to find the perfect head/neck cover. I'm sure I'll find something at the thrift store sooner or later. ;D
I have an old 70's sport fairing that someone gave me - I suppose I could break down and put that on... but then there's nothing like riding naked in freezing cold!
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1f2frfbf
New Member
1979 XS650 Special
Posts: 38
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Post by 1f2frfbf on Nov 19, 2008 16:29:08 GMT -5
Oooh, good topic, especially since it was about 25 on my ride in this morning.
My winter gear is my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket (with liner in), Belstaff pants and my REI Thinsulate gloves. Aside from my ankles and face, I was reasonably warm.
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voodoorider
Full Member
1979 XS650F (Special)
Posts: 128
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Post by voodoorider on Nov 20, 2008 21:52:59 GMT -5
My hands seem to get cold easy, especially the throttle hand. I bought some Marmot Work glove's from Mammoth gear for $45.....a pretty good deal since this year's model costs $85. But my hands still get cold after 20 minutes. Not painful, numbing, crap I think I have frostbite cold, but pretty cold. That last 5 minutes to work is such a rush! Do you go fast or slow? Faster increases the agony but for a shorter period. Oh great, a stop sign, I can warm my hands by the engine......
Otherwise I use cycling tights under some pants, goretex leather boots, windproof softshell jacket, neoprene ski mask......not a bit cold.....only my right hand thumb and 1-2 fingertips. You want cheap gear and a vacation at the same time.......go to Nepal. You can buy mountaineering gear for very cheap and smoke some temple grade hash and see a beautiful part of the world all at the same time.......
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Post by stevesemti on Nov 20, 2008 21:59:57 GMT -5
I use a fleece balaclava under my full-face helmet, does a pretty good job at keeping wind off my neck and fogging up my faceshield, so I'm constantly up and down with it, especially at traffic lights. I usually wear a hooded sweatshirt, but I like the idea of a fleece jacket instead, I have one, so I think I'll try it soon ;D I too was thinking "man, I bet a windshield would keep me a hell of a lot warmer." when I was riding home at 30F today. I have a universal I tried to fit this summer, but I couldn't get the height just right. Anyway, thanks for the extra insights here!  |
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Post by stevesemti on Dec 3, 2008 18:53:33 GMT -5
Mistermoe, thanks for mentioning the fleece, I have been much warmer with that instead of the sweatshirt under my jacket. 1f2frfbf-cold ankles are my biggest pet peeve  I usually do okay with my regular shitkicker boots and longish flannel-lined jeans. I rode to school today (I'm a 31 year old college student!) and it was AWESOME ;D 44 degrees and sunny! I wanted to ride all day! Steve in Maine |
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Post by mistermoe on Dec 3, 2008 23:57:33 GMT -5
Hey man - you have to love modern fabrics. I found a nice Mountain Hardware windproof/fleece at the thrift shop (just needed a zipper repair and my wife is wicked good at that kind of thing). $5. Gotta love it.
Just make sure you keep those hands warm. When you need to grab a handful of controls in an emergency, you cant afford a frozen-stiff set of paws.
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voodoorider
Full Member
1979 XS650F (Special)
Posts: 128
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Post by voodoorider on Dec 4, 2008 0:46:28 GMT -5
I'm now using an Under Armour cold gear liner,(along with bigger gloves) bought from Dicks sporting goods $25, and they make all the difference in the world on a 20 degree morning. they'll also be good as a summer glove since they're thin, silky and have a grippy palm. highly recommended. also recommended is a softshell jacket. I use a softshell jacket that has a light fleece liner and under it all I wear is a thermal long sleeve shirt and I never get a bit cold. windproof softshell is an amazing material.....even in the summer I use it on long highway rides and I don't get too hot......amazing technology.
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Post by stevesemti on Dec 6, 2008 23:31:45 GMT -5
What do you mean by "windproof softshell"? Are you talking about a standard winter jacket, ie; ski jacket? Ok, just did a google search, is this what you are talking about? www.campbound.com/Vaude-Cyclone-Jacket.aspxIt looks really nice, something you could wear on the road, then all day (I am outside quite a bit for work). If it is, are they resistant to abrasion? |
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voodoorider
Full Member
1979 XS650F (Special)
Posts: 128
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Post by voodoorider on Dec 7, 2008 23:10:36 GMT -5
Yeah, that looks like what I've got. I have a Haglof's jacket that I got overseas, but REI, Campmor, Sierra Trading Post, maybe even Cabelas have jackets like this. Softshell is kinda stretchy too, so I think it's great for just about everything from hiking to biking to riding the motorcycle, or yard work. I think it'd be best to get one with a microfleece liner. LIke I said, I use that jacket, with a thermal shirt that has fuzzy liner of something inside and in 20 degrees I don't get cold. It seems right at first I might, but after a couple of minutes I actually get warm. They may be pricey, but check out Outdoor Research.
As for resistant to abrasion, if you mean a crash, I don't know....but other stuff I'd say it holds up pretty good. Softshell is some sort of a heavy duty spandex type material, I guess....it's very tightly woven, so it'd take something rough to scratch it up.
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Post by 82sidehack on Dec 12, 2008 16:18:50 GMT -5
The snowmobile guys have some pretty good stuff. Don't forget, they're out there doing 40 mph at zero and below. I picked up a pair of snowmobile bibs from the bargain bin at D. Kirk, made pockets for knee armor and added Velcro straps to hold them in place. The bottom gaiters seal out the cold and the side zip legs go over my office clothes easily. Jacket is an old Joe Rocket piece with liner and a fleece overshirt. Bib comes up onto my chest and the whole thing is pretty windproof. Boots are my mid calf riding boots with heavy socks. Mittens are Scott brand "lobster claw" style, not as flexible as gloves but a lot warmer. Helmet is a HJC Cl-15 with the snowmobile double pane shield and breathe deflector. My outfit is good for about an hour at +20F, about how long it takes to get to work.
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Post by 10ecjed on Dec 18, 2008 1:47:42 GMT -5
It is kind a cold out there lately. Here is my gear:
Joe Rocket Sonic Boots that are to the top of the calf
Insulated 1 pc suit from Wall Mart
Tour Master Quest Pants w/armor
Hooded Fleece Jacket
A polyester neck dicky type thing
Leather coat
HJC CL15 Helmet
Cortech Scarab Winter Gloves
All this works very well. My finger tips get a little tingle after about an hour or so at 39 degrees
My Wife thinks I am crazy. But I have to remind her that when she met me back in the late 70's I was riding in 17 degree weather and did not have the gear that I have now. And she knew back then I was a little crazy. At least I am not trying to jump my XS 50ft or so.
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I am a frugal guy! 
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