Signs of fall/winter.

[fooferdoggie]

Here in Portland, the weather changes so much it makes it so I have to carry a lot of extra stuff. Also, with the rain and leaves, and cold, the slicks have to come off. Last here we had 40 degrees and rain for two days, and I had to refill the tubeless sealant twice. So lessons learned to time to change out the tires for more durable and better traction. I was going to wait till closer to Nov, but we have rain all next week, and the leaves are going to be coming down, so nope, they got changed.


My hands are really the only part I have trouble keeping warm. between 60 and 50 light gloves, then below 50, I need my heated gloves. nothing else keeps them warm. So I carry both. I used to need two pairs as they would be wet all day, but I got a glove drier for work and home. I used to wear a good Gore-Tex jacket, but they are cold, nd I finally found a Gore-Tex wind jacket on clearance that works better. It only does so in the rain, but it's great all winter long when it's not heavy rain. Work pants that repel rain and hold up to cycling were a challenge, but I finally found some. Now I need to see how long they last. Waterproof Keen boots take care of most of the rain issues and warmth.

So I have to carry my rain jacket too, and carry my rain pants if it's not raining. back and forth all winter long. Right now, I may just need a long-sleeve tee shirt, but I may need a thin base layer under it, only to have to remove the base layer at work till my shop gets closer to 60 degrees.

 

[PedalUma]

@fooferdoggie,
I like the Hurricane tires from Schwalbe. The come in three different levels of flat protection.

I also really like Arborist Climber clothing. It is sturdy, breaths, has extra-long sleeves, seals at places like cuffs, and is high-viz with reflective stripes. It is made for people on ropes using chainsaws in trees in all weather. Climbers need to move so it cannot restrict that. They also have gloves. The flap in the back keeps the rain out of an otherwise exposed crack.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I gave up on heavy tires plus 650b's are way limited on what. ican find. Tubeless works great, but i think the CO2 messed up the sealant even though its not supposed to. So I got a battery pump and tossed the co2. But the heavy jackets finally stopped working for me. I rode so much in the rain they would not dry out between rides so they would get wetter and wetter. Plus, they are too warm. I dont have any issues keeping my body warm its more about keeping it from getting too warm.

 

[PedalUma]

I gave up on heavy tires plus 650b's are way limited on what. ican find. Tubeless works great, but i think the CO2 messed up the sealant even though its not supposed to. So I got a battery pump and tossed the co2. But the heavy jackets finally stopped working for me. I rode so much in the rain they would not dry out between rides so they would get wetter and wetter. Plus, they are too warm. I dont have any issues keeping my body warm its more about keeping it from getting too warm.

My Arbortech jacket has zippers under the arms I can open for ventilation. It is not insulated so I regulate my temp with layers of wool under it. Some have vents in the back at the sides.

 

[6zfshdb]

I drove from PA down to NJ to deliver my brothers bike this weekend. He's had it stored in my barn since his hip gave out 8 years ago. He finally had the hip replaced and wants to start riding again. I took my bike along with the idea of riding the Henry Hudson Trail near where he lives. 41 degrees when I started out and even my full insulated groves wouldn't keep my hands from stiffening up. I've been thinking about getting heated gloves, any recommendations?

Anyway, the cold temps plus the wet leaves on the trail made riding quite tricky. I finally turned around and abandoned the ride when I lost control on a tight curve. Tires wouldn't bite on the leaves and I nearly dropped the bike. Up till now, I've had good luck with the Marathon Plus MTB tires, but they just don't seem to like wet leaves.

Normally I ride well into November but the riding season around here may be coming to an early end unless it warms a bit and dries out.

 

[fooferdoggie]

My Arbortech jacket has zippers under the arms I can open for ventilation. It is not insulated so I regulate my temp with layers of wool under it. Some have vents in the back at the sides.

yes I had the showerspass jacket their better oen with all the zippers but it was easy to get too hot and it would nto dry out in a few hours. when I found a light pack like goretex jacket on clearence it was like man this is so nice its light weight so I can stuff it in my bag dries in a few hours and does not let me get too hot. I used if from 50 or so down to 20's but now I use the wind jacket unless its raining a fair amount. it does even better at breathing and no zips to deal with.

 

[PedalUma]

yes I had the showerspass jacket their better oen with all the zippers but it was easy to get too hot and it would nto dry out in a few hours. when I found a light pack like goretex jacket on clearence it was like man this is so nice its light weight so I can stuff it in my bag dries in a few hours and does not let me get too hot. I used if from 50 or so down to 20's but now I use the wind jacket unless its raining a fair amount. it does even better at breathing and no zips to deal with.

Mine has a waterproof breathable fabric called Breatheflex. The seams are doubled and taped. I just hang it at work.

 

[harryS]

We do our winter riding with down jackets, but they're still packed away. Been riding around in 52-54F weather with wind breakers and sweat shirts. Cold.

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. My hands are really the only part I have trouble keeping warm. between 60 and 50 light gloves, then below 50, I need my heated gloves. nothing else keeps them warm.

I only ride for fun and if my hands are cold I just want to go home.
It just ain't no fun anymore.

So I bought a pair of heated motorcycle gloves with four 7.4V 3000 mAh (3 Ah) batteries,..


I was debating about whether to get just the gloves and plug them into the USB port on my battery or display, but I didn't want wires getting caught up on stuff, and I didn't want to overload my USB ports, then I thought l could use my 18V power tool battery or my 48V ebike battery and a buck converter to power the gloves, but that would probably end up being another project that doesn't get completed, , so I bought gloves with 4 batteries too.
The batteries fit in the cuffs of the gloves.

Most choices for gloves take almost two months to arrive because of battery shipping regulations, but I found a seller that will deliver in two weeks.

 

[Gionnirocket]

What works best for me is to thin layer up and top it off with a very light windbreaker. If you get too hot it's easy enough to peel a layer or two. Everything dries quickly if it gets wet. Works well if you start off on a cold morning and then the sun heats up the afternoon.
I'll ride down to about 38°f on a sunny day that's not windy.
ymmv

 

[PCeBiker]

I don’t pedal and always wear jeans (duck pants) and a jean jacket.
As soon as the temperature drops below room temperature, I have to add my fleece top.
At about 15°C I add my fleece pants, windbreaker pants and leather jacket.

Riding starts to not be fun at about 10°C

 

[PedalUma]

Riding over a wet rotting leaf pile is like riding over a pile of fresh kelp, slippery as Hades. Nothing solves that. In the Bat Area we peel layers every day. August mornings and nights are cold with fog, requiring layers of wool, a long denim jacket and pants, then it brightens and warms by noon down to a t-shirt and shorts again. In '67 the t-shirt was optional when dancing for all in Summer, this is January.

 

[fooferdoggie]

That would kill me. It actually takes less to keep me warm now.

 

[fooferdoggie]

This is why I like my new rain gear, I can carry it all on my back. light and does not take up much space. My electric gloves are the bulky things.
But soon I will be wearing them always. I had these on our ride today as it was nto raining. But it got going a few miles till our turnaround. Get there under cover, change my wind jacket for the rain jacket, and it stops raining. The in-between temps are tough, and I have to carry extra gear.

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. My electric gloves are the bulky things.

Do you have any problems with grabbing the handlebar grips or brake levers with your bulky gloves?
Can you use two or three fingers on the brake levers?

 

[fooferdoggie]

Do you have any problems with grabbing the handlebar grips or brake levers with your bulky gloves?
Can you use two or three fingers on the brake levers?

Nope, I only need one finger on the brakes. But the remote to change the assist level is a little tricky, as the buttons are small. But I have had a lot of practice too years.

 

[PCeBiker]

Nope, I only need one finger on the brakes.

Can you comfortably use one finger on the brakes without the other three big bulky fingers being in the way?

I'm worried about having sloppy floppy hands that fall off my levers and handlebars.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Can you comfortably use one finger on the brakes without the other three big bulky fingers being in the way?

I'm worried about having sloppy floppy hands that fall off my levers and handlebars.

Yes, no problem. They have to be broken in a bit at first its a little hard with a new pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ5THJT?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[PCeBiker]

Yes, no problem. They have to be broken in a bit at first its a little hard with a new pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ5THJT?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

Well that's good news.
I was kinda worried about being safely able to operate my brakes.

I checked out your link, and your gloves are quite similar to what I just ordered.
You've only got the one battery though, so how does that work??
Battery in your pocket with wires down your sleeves to your gloves?


One reviewer of my gloves said they were too heavy with the batteries in the cuffs, but I don't want to deal with wires and tethers.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Well that's good news.
I was kinda worried about being safely able to operate my brakes.

I checked out your link, and your gloves are quite similar to what I just ordered.
You've only got the one battery though, so how does that work??
Battery in your pocket with wires down your sleeves to your gloves?


One reviewer of my gloves said they were too heavy with the batteries in the cuffs, but I don't want to deal with wires and tethers.

No, the battery is in the cuff. It's not bad. But when I shake my hands to wake them up, you feel it. Sometimes the battery comes loose, too. Or the glue gets turned on when it's in my bag and the battery dies, so I need a spare set of batteries.