Do you bike in bad weather?

[Grant-53]

I rode my 'new' $50 mountain bike in similar conditions yesterday and found I had one too many layers so I stuffed a fleece sweat shirt in my fanny pack and was quite comfortable with a heavy cotton shirt and the lined down parka. The chaps and long underwear with my work pants were fine. Good gloves and my full helmet behind a plastic fairing keep my hands and face comfortable. Two pair of socks in the rubber barn boots were enough.
The lower gearing, lighter lube, and a mirror are the changes I will make first. Lights, fenders, and racks are next. Full fairing front and rear are in the works.

[hamsterpower]

Many of you have probably heard about Boston's record breaking winter. Last I heard we still had more snow than Buffalo and this February has been terrificly cold. Temps much below normal with daily highs in the teens F. Wind chills as low as -27 F.
I am still making my twice daily commute on my mountain bike. I found that latex gloves under my winter gloves helps cut the windchill.

I'm one of the few around here that rides when warm out. This time of year I get some very strange looks as I go by. I have been getting more smiles and waves lately though.

[Piwoslaw]

I've been thinking about something like this since last winter, and I see that someone's already done it:


Bike Wind Guards For Your Hands - Instructables.com

[Grant-53]

The motorcyclists have neoprene covers or mitts. Craig Vetter called his Hippo Hands.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Silent, except for the squeaking of the rusty chain. Rusty from all the salt

Replace that chain! It's cheaper than replacing the cogset.

I replaced my disgusting 9-spd chain a week ago. The weather is getting better but this chain is still going to get beat up before the salt washes away. Can't wait to ride the river again without getting stuck in deep snow.

For the hands, in real cold weather (0-20F) I use Bontrager glove liners, then cheap knit construction gloves (they give them out at road cleanups, etc), and on the outside, lightly insulated Pearl Izumi lobster gloves. That's pretty much the most extreme glove combo I use.

I also found that some cheap leather gloves from the local big-box store are very warm, and suitable in snow and rain down close to freezing temps, while keeping the water out. However, using them in too-warm weather generates sweat dampness from within, which can be even worse.

However, this is all assuming I'm riding more than two miles, because it can take that long for my body to warm up and start pumping blood to my fingers. Most people like to dress heavier but I mainly try to avoid sweating, especially in cold weather.

YRMV

[MetroMPG]

This winter's toll, so far:

- several chain links rusted up, several times
- broken rear brake cable -- corrosion at the crimped-on lead thinger at the handle end
- broken rear derailleur cable -- corrosion

Fortunately the bulging rear sidewall hasn't let go yet, because changing a tire in the winter is a messy inconvenience. I'm betting it'll make it to spring if it's made it this far!

[Frank Lee]

Haven't biked this winter!

Tired of wrecking my wheels, so I walk. It's been too damned cold anyway.

[Sven7]

Kind of curious how you're wrecking your wheels...? I literally ran over a brick with road bike wheels/42C tires last fall and only got a pinch flat.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Replace that chain! It's cheaper than replacing the cogset.

I think I made a mistake by not replacing the chain at the beginning of winter. My thinking was that I only have a few weeks at best of riding, then the bike will get a new chain while waiting for spring. Winter turned out to be very mild, so I kept riding 3-5 days per week. And each week I'd say to myself that no need to replace the chain when the new will get salted on the next day.

Last weekend I finally replaced it and it turned out that the old chain was stretched by a length of 2 links! The new chain skipped a bit on one of the cogs, but this has settled down. The cogs are corroded anyway, but maybe they'll fight through one more winter before replacing.

[bdesj]

Two links is a LOT of stretch! I`m not surprised the new chain skipped. That is topped skipping is the surprise. I agree with Sven- much cheaper to replace chains than chainrings or rear clusters.