Comments on: Bicycle commuting: Needs vs wants.

By: Caine

Caine — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:18:15 +0000

I was able to pick up all my bicycle clothing needs at the thrift store ($2 tops, bottoms, $10 jacket). My bicycles were bought on craigslist. It’s just hard for me to believe bicycle tires are almost as expensive as car tires, for the good stuff anyway.

By: steve

steve — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:56:18 +0000

Just a check back, if someone is looking for overboots, I would look at the ones by Neos over the wiggys ones, now that I know they exist. Just a heads up. They look alot more walk-friendly than my wiggy’s ones. That being said, the ones I have will last me a while and I won’t be rushing out to buy another set until they wear out.

Also, overpants with reflective stripes by Dickies are looking attractive to this New England cyclist. They are going on my wishlist.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:49:53 +0000

I usually wear a pair of Champion workout pants (not sweats, but the polyester ones) underneath my slacks between October and about April. That is usually plenty to keep me warm on my 6 mile round trip commute, even down to say 10 degrees F.

Actually, these are the two layers I wear inside at my house as well, because I keep the house under 60 during the winter. It just so happens that this setup also works for cycling too.

Actually, I think it is much more functional than dedicated cycling clothes.

Also, I have a pair of zip-on overboots (not cycling ones, these are more like mukluks) that can go over whatever shoes or boots I am wearing when it gets below 10F or so. In the winter I use standard pedals, even platform pedals, so I can wear whichever footwear is best for the weather.

One thing I have spent cash on is serious mittens/gloves: I have a pair of the Renegade trigger-finger gloves from Wiggy’s.com (the same guy I got the overboots from). They cost a lot ($80) but I have never regretted it. Even when I have been out in -10F weather I never have to worry about my hands. Basically I use them as mittens though, I never use the “trigger finger” so if I had to replace them I would just order his mittens and save $40.

But you could get the same level of cold protection/insulation from a $35 pair of mittens.

I do recomment wiggys.com for old weather gear. The guy knows his stuff and makes it for people who don’t necessarily have the option to “come inside out of the cold”