Q about Winter biking

[Dirt]

@PrintError 9465 wrote:

Mink oiled my Lakes when I got em, and hose off the salt at the end of the snow. That’s pretty much it.

Very similar to my regimen, though I treat mine a few times per winter. Snowseal has a lot of good oils in there with the wax.

Thanks.

[creadinger]

If you want the really cheap version – I would put on 2 pairs of socks either thermal, wool, or whatever. Rip a plastic grocery bag in half and put the front half of your foot in each half. Then just put your shoes on. The plastic will keep the wind from ripping all the warmth off your feet. It seems to help if you don’t cinch up your shoes too tight to keep the blood flowing in your feet too.

This method worked pretty well for my 6.3 mile commute but if yours is much longer, you will probably have to spend some money.

[PrintError]

@creadinger 9487 wrote:

If you want the really cheap version – I would put on 2 pairs of socks either thermal, wool, or whatever. Rip a plastic grocery bag in half and put the front half of your foot in each half. Then just put your shoes on. The plastic will keep the wind from ripping all the warmth off your feet. It seems to help if you don’t cinch up your shoes too tight to keep the blood flowing in your feet too.

This method worked pretty well for my 6.3 mile commute but if yours is much longer, you will probably have to spend some money.

Did that exact method for 3 years before shelling out for the Lakes. I didn’t know what I was missing! WARM FEET!!!

[eminva]

Here’s another low end solution: I use flat pedals and fleece lined boots. I throw in chemical hand warmers when it gets to teens and below.

I covet the Lake boots, but don’t have them in my cycling budget this year . . .

Liz

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Platform pedals with hiking boots and wool socks works for me. The whole overboot/shoe cover thing seems fussy to me. How do you stop off at the store for milk wearing those things?

[americancyclo]

@PrintError 9518 wrote:

Did that exact method for 3 years before shelling out for the Lakes. I didn’t know what I was missing! WARM FEET!!!

Same here, did that for one winter season on a 12 mile commute. LOVE my shoe covers, and they cost under $50 at most places.

[Greenbelt]

My Endura shoe covers are OK with wool socks down to about freezing. They do help block the wind, but not really warm. Below freezing the thermal hiking boots come out. The hard part is November/December, and then March, when it can be freezing in the morning but warm in the afternoon for the ride home. I have those SPD pedals with the plastic platform rim around it (don’t know the actual term for that), so I can either use road shoes or hiking boots without changing the pedals.

[jrenaut]

@Greenbelt 9554 wrote:

I have those SPD pedals with the plastic platform rim around it (don’t know the actual term for that), so I can either use road shoes or hiking boots without changing the pedals.

If someone DOES know what those pedals are called, please share – I’m thinking about ditching the toe cages for real pedals, and this sounds like exactly what I want.

[paulg]

Probably these pedals

Shimano PD-M647 Spd Platform Pedals

Picture here:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/21197-240_SHI640/Shimano-PD-M647-MTB-SPD-Pedal.htm

Not used them myself so no opinions from me on how well they work.

[txgoonie]

I have Crank Bros. mallets, which are very similar to the SPD/platforms. http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php They’re not a perfect solution. The clipless pedal part is not flush with the platform, so you don’t have perfect contact with the pedal when wearing street shoes. Your feet definitely slip around. However, being able to wear basically any shoe versus changing out the pedals all the time makes it worth it to me.

[Greenbelt]

@paulg 9565 wrote:

Probably these pedals

Shimano PD-M647 Spd Platform Pedals

Picture here:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/21197-240_SHI640/Shimano-PD-M647-MTB-SPD-Pedal.htm

Not used them myself so no opinions from me on how well they work.

These are what I have. I think they work fine with road shoes and the platform system likes my big-tread hiking boots. But the platform isn’t perfectly flat — there’s still a jutting up part that wouldn’t be comfortable with thin soled shoes over a long distance.

[eminva]

Here is the current version of what I have:

http://www.rei.com/product/668198/shimano-m324-spd-pedals

You can ride comfortably in any type of street shoe. On the downside, you can only clip in on one side. I find it a good balance for a bike that has to do everything.

Liz

[dasgeh]

I got an early Christmas present — the Shimano version of the Lake shoes — and I got to use them for the first time today. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

I realize this isn’t very helpful, since I don’t know what they’re actually called, but I was so excited to have toasty, dry feet all the way in this morning, that I had to share. This may sound strange, but I didn’t even mind my face being chilly, which usually irks me down the hills. I attribute it all to these wonderful shoes! I can’t wait to commute all winter! (Ok, I’m completely going overboard, but thanks for indulging).

I also put on my bikeglow lights — the beep that I find so annoying indoors is inaudible outside, though the lights didn’t help this morning (I’m sure they will tonight!).

Happy riding!

[PotomacCyclist]

I had several people asking about my BikeGlow lights yesterday. They certainly attract interest. Hopefully the car drivers see them too.

[off2ride]

It starts from the inside out. Merino Wool Merino Wool Merino Wool. Socks that is. Swiftwick makes a nice pair. Then Windproof shoe covers will do the trick. Gore Bikewear works for me. Best of luck.

[Author]

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