Winter gear

DaFonz said:

Alpinestars Tech Road Gore-Tex Gloves...

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I have these gloves. They are excellent for the rain, but they aren't that warm for extended runs in +5C temperatures. These are summer wet weather gloves.

I use waterproof leather insulated riding gloves for fall riding where I'm good for about +3C of highway riding. They are a bit bulky, but they keep my hands warm and dry.

I have the Teknic Stinger textile jacket that I use for rain/fall. This jacket is wind and waterproof and has some vents. It is a longer style coat, but your back stays warm with it. I usually wear a sweater over my shirt, and I'm warm enough on the highway with this coat to +3C.

HTH,
H.

I have a Teknic Interstate jacket, its pretty warm. Has a down liner as well. Its wind/rain proof too. Has one large vent in the back.

I ride pretty much year round. Lots of people make the error of focusing on the jacket and pants. Its what you wear underneath that really counts.

Fleece should be your first line of defence. I picked up a pair of fleece long underwear at Mark's Work Wearhouse for under $20. A fleece pullover with a collar that zips up so it turns into a turtleneck is essential. Covering your neck is key. Gloves. I go bush and wear a pair of insulated gauntlets from Watson Gloves. I wear then through most of the year. You won't win any poseur awards but your hands will be warm. Insulted vest of course but for most riding I find layering up with a T-shirt, a fleece and maybe another layer before the jacket will keep you warm enough for the majority winter riding around the GVRD.

Electric vest. Best thing since sliced bread.

I commute year round: Gloves that rock are the Joe Rocket Nitrogens - warm and dry, not expensive and good control feel.

But really - get yourself some heated grips (cheap ones are about $50 at Imperial and take an hour to put on). While not necessary for rides over 1/2 hour, heated vests are just over C note and pretty freakin' cozy.

Also get one of those double lens visors. It's really cool to actually be able to see whilst riding.

Gern Blenskin said:

While not necessary for rides over 1/2 hour, heated vests are just over C note and pretty freakin' cozy.

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Not sure I understand this.

C note = $100 bill.

Gern Blenskin: any recommendations on a double visor brand to look for? I got a shoei rf-1000

DaFonz said:

C note = $100 bill.

Gern Blenskin: any recommendations on a double visor brand to look for? I got a shoei rf-1000

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Got that.

I mean the part about electric vests being not necessary for rides over 1/2 an hour.

if you are looking for warmth, go after a polartek style under layer, and work up from there. if you start to sweat under all your layers, you want that moisture drawn away from you fast, or you could freeze in spite of being dressed well. anything sweat wicking will do it. i prefer polartek. fleece is great for warmth, but has no sweat wicking abilities at all.

i wear sailing gear in the winter. if it's good enough to keep me dry and warm while in open water in the summer, imagine what it can do on land in the winter. the only drawback is no armour.

What about keeping dry? I've been thinking about getting a Joe Rocket "Alter Ego" jacket. Dunno about pants, gloves and boots yet.

Waterproof gloves. Electric vest. I should have bought them years ago.

Some guys go without the vest. Last winter I wore my JR Meteor and I was fine. Some fleece underneath, a neck/chin warmer, and insulated gloves got me through smiling. Btw, if you want to keep dry and you habitually ride for any decent distance in the rain, you might have to spring for rain gear. I have found that rain sneaks into all sorts of things including your helmet.

DaFonz said:

C note = $100 bill.

Gern Blenskin: any recommendations on a double visor brand to look for? I got a shoei rf-1000

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I got this lens that adheres to inside if a standard lens - got it at Imperial,but also seen it at other shops.
Shoei has a cool lens that has pinlocks and the second lens can be snapped on or off the pin locks in a few seconds. Only seen it in Europe, but should be available here?

canuck said:

Got that.

I mean the part about electric vests being not necessary for rides over 1/2 an hour.

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I find that the heat retained in a big jacket like the Joe Rocket ballistic lasts about 15-20 minutes in 0-5 degree weather. Then it starts getting cold inside. After a half hour it gets uncomfortable... So a ride of about 1/2 hour is fine without heat, but after that it makes things better.

GPZ1100 said:

What about keeping dry? I've been thinking about getting a Joe Rocket "Alter Ego" jacket. Dunno about pants, gloves and boots yet.

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Im a solid fan of Gore-Tex liner boots - a bit steeper in price, but they last longer than other waterpoof membranes.
Alpine Stars "Web" boot (not sure they still make it, but i think you can get something similar) is what I have been using every freakin day (winter and summer!) for 3 years and they are still going strong - awesome. BMW apperaently makes a cool Gore boot that ain't too steep as well.

Back whenI had to rideyear round I had a pair of gloves for the winter that had a little strip of squeege attached to the left thumb. Man was that a cool idea and it really worked too. Well that was what was so cool about it I guess.

Im happy to say I dont have to ride all year anymore.

I wear my normal gloves (Technik Chicanes) with rubber gloves and an elastic band over top. Works for me cause I'm broke, but hey- the rain and wind stays away...

Found that cutting the wind is half the battle to extended riding in 5-10C temps. Look for jackets/gloves that are windproof/waterproof.

A vinyl mc rain jacket over my textile jacket with fleece pullover works. Can ride for hours.

Also cheap latex rubber gloves (cdn tire) over the leather gloves does the same trick. But then you don't look cool.

I used a full O'Neal wetsuit one season. It was just a pain in the but to take a leak with the zipper in the back, and you look like a prune 'cause the moisture has nowhere to go.
I have Hein Gerecke Touareg 3/4 jacket and pants , both with rainproof liners and double overlapping closures on the jacket. And since I ski, I use my ski gloves with the wiper in the index finger. I've used my riding gear to ski as well a few seasons back. It worked just fine.