Cycling Thread 2 - Page 237 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flylock shox · 10-12-2023, 11:42 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good winter cycling jacket?

Priorities for me are waterproofing and visibility, with warmth being a distant third factor.

So far have been looking at Endura and ProViz lines, but it's hard to tell anything online, so am curious whether anyone has direct experience with a jacket they really like.

wireframe · 10-13-2023, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good winter cycling jacket?

Priorities for me are waterproofing and visibility, with warmth being a distant third factor.

So far have been looking at Endura and ProViz lines, but it's hard to tell anything online, so am curious whether anyone has direct experience with a jacket they really like.

I wear an old teal raincoat from mountain hardware. Let's me pick the layer under depending on the weather. Big enough to cover my back when I bend forward. Waterproof and windproof for any weather. Doesn't bother me if it gets dirty. It's the best.

Bigtime · 10-13-2023, 07:06 AM

I'm still rocking my old MEC bike jacket year round, I just layer up underneath.

I guess it would be the older version of this one: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6017-1...lour=Deep+Navy

Icantwhisper · 10-13-2023, 08:57 AM

I just use a windproof 7mesh shell as a top layer in winter (bought on super sale, not worth the $400.00 MSRP in my opinion) and adjust underneath as needed. at -20 a base layer, long-sleeved jersey, and wind proof shell are fine, first 5 mins is cold but once you start generating heat it's fine.

Hack&Lube · 10-13-2023, 10:02 AM

It looks like its time to build my first winter bike.

The plan is to take a Trek gravel bike and set it up with the right winter tires. It would have to be tubeless since Trek has installed a plastic rim insert into the wheels which prevent me from using tubes.

Does anybody have recommendations on a winter tire that they have had good experience with in Calgary? I have a stock 40mm gravel tire but I'm concerned it might slip on snowor ice. Go studded?

bossy22 · 10-13-2023, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

It looks like its time to build my first winter bike.

The plan is to take a Trek gravel bike and set it up with the right winter tires. It would have to be tubeless since Trek has installed a plastic rim insert into the wheels which prevent me from using tubes.

Does anybody have recommendations on a winter tire that they have had good experience with in Calgary? I have a stock 40mm gravel tire but I'm concerned it might slip on snowor ice. Go studded?

I have a pair of Schwalbe Snow Studded tires. 700x38c. They are in good shape. You can have them if you like.

Fuzz · 10-13-2023, 10:12 AM

I use the Schawlbe studded. I'd recommend looking at a cheapish wheel set if you are all-seasoning the bike. Winter riding is really hard on the drivetrain, so I like to have a winter set so you can have a better cassette for summer. I often put a new chain on in the summer, too. If it's just for winter, to need to worry.

Hack&Lube · 10-13-2023, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I use the Schawlbe studded. I'd recommend looking at a cheapish wheel set if you are all-seasoning the bike. Winter riding is really hard on the drivetrain, so I like to have a winter set so you can have a better cassette for summer. I often put a new chain on in the summer, too. If it's just for winter, to need to worry.

Good tip. I was going to try the chain waxing in a crockpot method for winter but chains are cheap enough to have a summer one. For cassettes, I have an 11-34t 105 cassette on the back right now but I could definitely put a cheaper cassette on there for winter. The rest of the drivetrain is GRX and I would just ensure I wash the drivetrain regularly in the winter? The wheels should be pretty robust but having a second wheelset is just for convenience of swapping?

Fuzz · 10-13-2023, 12:10 PM

I've tried the chain waxing, it's OK, but I find in the really cold it flakes off and gums stuff up. Too much effort to be worth it, so I just use a mix of wet and dry lube, which is also supposedly a no-no but seems to work well enoguh for what I have to ride through.

Definitely wash whenever you can. Chinooks are my friend for that. A second wheelset is convenient. For me a big part of it was rim brakes eating through rims in the winter, so I'd be buying sets anyway. Having a clean summer set and an inevitably grimy winter se worked for me, but I also have cheap 26" wheels I could get for $50 or so at the time. I upgraded to disc, so that rim eating issue is better. Maybe not a concern where you ride, but I had a big downhill both directions, and salty grit on brake pads eats them fast.

Icantwhisper · 10-13-2023, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Good tip. I was going to try the chain waxing in a crockpot method for winter but chains are cheap enough to have a summer one. For cassettes, I have an 11-34t 105 cassette on the back right now but I could definitely put a cheaper cassette on there for winter. The rest of the drivetrain is GRX and I would just ensure I wash the drivetrain regularly in the winter? The wheels should be pretty robust but having a second wheelset is just for convenience of swapping?

I just accept that I'm going to replace my wheel bearings in the spring, they are like $20.00 just keep spoke holes from salting up, dry snow isn't that hard on your bike, it's the wet slush

Bigtime · 10-13-2023, 12:57 PM

Over the years I've gotten lazier and lazier about cleaning the winter bike. I mainly just try to keep the chain in decent shape and well lubricated.

RichieRich · 10-13-2023, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good winter cycling jacket?

Priorities for me are waterproofing and visibility, with warmth being a distant third factor.

So far have been looking at Endura and ProViz lines, but it's hard to tell anything online, so am curious whether anyone has direct experience with a jacket they really like.

You don't need to spend a lot... and odds are you may need two jackets.
I have a simple running jacket with the drop-butt and arm-pit zips. Keeps the wind off and breathes well when needed, plus I can do layers underneath. Easily takes me to 10 to -15'ish.

Below that I grab my Gore winter jacket which is incredible overall (and $$). You can find old stock or lightly used if you look otherwise it's more $$$.

Don't be afraid of buy Amazon or AliExpress "winter" jackets and bib shorts (knickers or full length) and then layer appropriately over them.
Also highly recommended are arm warmers, leg warmers, toe warmers, and full-cover booties. If the budget allows get another set of shoes at least 1 size larger so you can a) add an extra insole and b) wear an extra pair of thin socks.

RichieRich · 10-20-2023, 09:19 PM

Bike commuting home yesterday for what may be the last day that’s warm enough at 5pm to only have your riding shorts and short sleeve on. Felt like a mid Aug day with how busy it was out there on the paths. Idiots included. Sigh…

I’ll bet WBC will be a bike-zoo of humanity all getting their last dry-ish dirt fix.

powderjunkie · 10-21-2023, 02:51 PM

City council in Penticton, B.C., votes to stop talking about separated bike lanes for 3 years
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...cton-1.7003386

Please reconsider spending any vacation dollars in this regressive hellhole. I think I'll contact Ironman Canada and suggest they make the same reconsideration

InglewoodFan · 10-21-2023, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

City council in Penticton, B.C., votes to stop talking about separated bike lanes for 3 years
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...cton-1.7003386

Please reconsider spending any vacation dollars in this regressive hellhole. I think I'll contact Ironman Canada and suggest they make the same reconsideration

No kidding. That is a weird twist to them trialing a new bike rack technology, first in Canada I think. https://www.penticton.ca/city-hall/n...-pilot-project

Sent from my IN2025 using Tapatalk

J pold · 10-23-2023, 11:44 AM

The ride today wasn't bad at all. It's a little wet, but nothing sticking to the round, etc.

Ride home could be interesting...

Icantwhisper · 10-23-2023, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

The ride today wasn't bad at all. It's a little wet, but nothing sticking to the round, etc.

Ride home could be interesting...

Shoes and socks got a little wet on the way in from runoff down my shin, drying my shoes and socks on the vent by my desk, everyone gets to smell my feet today.

Ironhorse · 10-23-2023, 07:26 PM

No comments from J pold or Icantwhisper about their ride home today.

I'm guessing there are two frozen corpses in a ditch somewhere.

Fuzz · 10-23-2023, 08:36 PM

The north wind sucked, but other than that it wasn't too bad. No ice really on my route.

Still better than the bus by a long shot.

RichieRich · 10-23-2023, 10:20 PM

do I need studded tires to go out Tuesday if I'm on a fat bike? I'm new to the FB so unsure of what's needed. The currently installed tires have some knobbies to them but not big lugs. Was thinking of a fairly simple 10-15km rip around the bike path near home, which will include some wind blown areas and some never-cleared areas.