Commuting to work, prepare for bad weather

[dai1983]

Only advice I’ll give is that I refuse to cycle to work if there’s frost on the ground. I fell off twice in a week when the front 4seasons l gave way on ice shooting me into orbit.

[BOR]

louiebaby said:

ThorB said:

My bit of advice - toes and fingers are the most important bits on a long winter commute.
The only thing that has genuinely worked once it's got really cold and wet is Northwave Celsius Goretex boots. They were a revelation and whilst expensive are worth every penny - wish I'd bought them years ago.

Best bought in June for 60% off!

Echo both these posts, I'm already wearing mine.

Also, by the time you've destroyed a few pairs of overshoes, the winter boots will have paid for themselves.

But if you don't ride in SPDs, you could consider normal non-cycling winter boots. Surprisingly not a big problem to cycle in, but with the distance you are doing, I assume you are clipped in.

Tyres - You could also consider fitting winter compound tyres. For general use, without spikes is OK. For use on snow and ice, spikes are great, but destroy themselves on tarmac.

Headgear - For below zero commuting, get a thin balaclava, or helmet liner, to avoid ice-cream brain freeze.

[Birdster]

I'm not actually clipped in, think that is my next step. I used to cycle for leisure for the toe clips and use some puma drift cats with a stiff sole.

I was hesitant to go clip type shoes until I had the confidence on distance and the commute which I feel that I now do.

Any recommendations on pedals and shoes would be great actually, thank you.

I guess I should get some winter ones too as mentioned above.

[Gilhooligan]

Birdster said:

I'm not actually clipped in, think that is my next step. I used to cycle for leisure for the toe clips and use some puma drift cats with a stiff sole.

I was hesitant to go clip type shoes until I had the confidence on distance and the commute which I feel that I now do.

Any recommendations on pedals and shoes would be great actually, thank you.

I guess I should get some winter ones too as mentioned above.

I use Shimano SPD pedals and cleats. The cleats are metal and smaller than the SPD-SL plastic road bike orientated ones. The cleats are also more recessed into the shoes so can can walk in them fairly normally unlike the roadbike ones. They last quite a while too. Mines are over two years old now with 4000+ miles on them.

[Barchettaman]

Birdster said:

I'm not actually clipped in, think that is my next step. I used to cycle for leisure for the toe clips and use some puma drift cats with a stiff sole.

I was hesitant to go clip type shoes until I had the confidence on distance and the commute which I feel that I now do.

Any recommendations on pedals and shoes would be great actually, thank you.

I guess I should get some winter ones too as mentioned above.

MTB Style cleated shoes and a double-sided SPD/Platform pedal. That’s the way to go for a commuter bike IMVHO.

Edited by Barchettaman on Thursday 17th October 17:41

[ThorB]

Barchettaman said:

MTB Style cleated shoes and a double-sided SPS/Platform pedal. That’s the way to go for a commuter bike IMVHO.

Completely agree. Much easier clipping in and out in traffic.

[louiebaby]

ThorB said:

Barchettaman said:

MTB Style cleated shoes and a double-sided SPS/Platform pedal. That’s the way to go for a commuter bike IMVHO.

Completely agree. Much easier clipping in and out in traffic.

I've gone for the "whatever I already use" option, which has resulted in all bikes running SPD-SL. Having the ability to use any is handy, and the pedals are big enough to rid in flip flops if needed.

I can see the logic in the above suggestion though!

[Birdster]

These pedals okay?

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/pedals...la-353773450954|crid:291898456973|nw:g|rnd:1894330848384601692|dvc:c|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:9045006&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4sfLlLSl5QIVleJ3Ch0I8w6AEAQYASABEgLj3fD_BwE

With these shoes?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sh-mt301-mountain-bike...

Was looking at Decathlons own shows but not showing as in stock in my local.

Thanks all.

[deeen]

Birdster said:

These pedals okay?

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/pedals...

Thanks all.

That link didn't work for me? I went for Boardman MTB pedals from Halfords, must be over 10,000 miles now.

[Phil.]

I bought a pair of these recently and they are warm/comfortable. The ones you posted look more suitable for summer use?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/division-mountain-bike...

[johnwilliams77]

awesome:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-flash-gtx-winte...

[ThorB]

or these for the pedals you're looking at OP - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-x-arctic-gtx-wi...

[johnwilliams77]

ThorB said:

or these for the pedals you're looking at OP - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-x-arctic-gtx-wi...

actually, i think the ones i own are these: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mw5-dryshield-mtb... and were also excellent, massive jump up from normal cycling shoes. very worthwhile.

[GOATever]

Jimbo. said:

Nope, won’t make any difference.

Proper mudguards however, will, so whichever bike can take those (I’ll assume the road bike) will be best.

Don’t fit mudguards to a road bike, it’s a monumentally daft idea. You can get breakaway tabs, but if you invoke the tabs, you’re more than likely going down in a heap first. I know of at least 2 people who have crashed and died, because crap got wedged in a hugger mudguard on a road bike. The stand off type of guard, or ass savers are worth fitting though.

[GOATever]

johnwilliams77 said:

awesome:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-flash-gtx-winte...

I’ve been using these for a couple of years, they are superb.

[Birdster]

GOATever said:

Jimbo. said:

Nope, won’t make any difference.

Proper mudguards however, will, so whichever bike can take those (I’ll assume the road bike) will be best.

Don’t fit mudguards to a road bike, it’s a monumentally daft idea. You can get breakaway tabs, but if you invoke the tabs, you’re more than likely going down in a heap first. I know of at least 2 people who have crashed and died, because crap got wedged in a hugger mudguard on a road bike. The stand off type of guard, or ass savers are worth fitting though.

I hadn't thought of that until trying to fit the SKS mudguards, not enough clearance on the front. Back is okay after some dremel handy work to fit under the caliper. I did try and google what would fit a Triban 500, but the clearance is so tight.
I'm thinking the only thing that will go on the front wheel is some soft of half mudguard on the downtube and might help with the safety concerns from going over the bars..

Aldi Cree LED light fitted to light my way and then another flashing to let others see me. Rear lights also fitted. Was nice seeing it brighten up on my way in this morning as I left just after 6am.

[2gins]

Re. shoes, Alpine Trek have the NW Raptor GTX boots for £113 with an extra £5 off if you sign up to the spam first. I'm in.

[Les84]

Barchettaman said:

MTB Style cleated shoes and a double-sided SPD/Platform pedal. That’s the way to go for a commuter bike IMVHO.

Edited by Barchettaman on Thursday 17th October 17:41

Completely agree, I have these also. Great pedal.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-...

[Birdster]

Thanks all.

Still cycling in this weather.

Not sure I’ve got the layering correct.

Thermal Aldi base layer.
Then either a non thermal jersey or thermal jersey.
With a breathable windproof rain coat.

I find that inside my jacket is sweaty and my outer layer also.

Have I too many layers for the heat I generate or is my jacket not that breathable?

[louiebaby]

Birdster said:

Not sure I’ve got the layering correct.

I find that inside my jacket is sweaty and my outer layer also.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever got it right. I'm always sweaty when I arrive at work.

As far as I'm concerned, I dress to stay warm. I don't worry about getting wet, as there is a shower and dry clothes at either end. There is a very good chance wet clothes will dry by home time too.

Getting the right balance of breath-ability an wind-proof-ness is very hard, although apparently the new Gore Shakedry products are good for this. (And pricey.)

The important thing is to keep riding.